Helicobacter Forums

Hi,
I have had one negative H-pylori stool test and recently (January) had a biopsy taken and the hospital have such a back log of results they haven't sent it out yet, but have said to my GP they think it was positive. He wants to go ahead and treat with the anti-biotics, but I'm still a little hesitant that it is what I have. One of my main symptoms is a pain at the top of my stomach/bottom of my rib cage, directly under the sternum after I eat. I don't have a hernia, that has been checked. Do other people get pain there too and after eating. I tend to be uncomfortable for the rest of the day. Night time not really. Thanks

Same symptoms I started with. Also felt very full, very fast.

I did read a few posts about pain in the lower rib.

Nevertheless, I think it is better to take antibiotics with the proper diagnostic.

Thanks for both replies. I have started the anti-biotics and am going to push for a written diagnosis on Monday, plus some other tests I would like done.

I don't feel hungry at all now, which is worrying me. Virginia - are you better?

I am actually getting ready to update my post that I had recently started. I have kept a day by day journal since starting my treatment. I finished my antibiotics Tuesday morning. The only symptoms I am still having are burping and some gas. I am very hungry now all the time it seems like, so not sure if thats a good thing or a bad thing. Im leaning more towards a good thing, as I had dropped about 10lbs during treatment. I can def tell I am off the antibiotics.

I'm so pleased for you Virginia- I'm on day 3 and have also been advised by a friend, who's a dietician, to take pro-biotics too (a 60 day course) to help successfully eradicate the problem, so I have ordered some of those.
Did your ever feel pain in your mid/upper back with H-pylori? I'm quite skinny at the moment anyway, through worry and being off my food and a friend thinks that's probably why I can feel it in my back. Who knows??

When people start having trouble with their food - does everyone have trouble with the same foods or does it just depend on the individual?

Thanks
Julia

Yeah Julia, I had pain in my lower back, upper back towards shoulder blades, and all around the stomach/abdomen area throughout treatment. Same thing as what I was experiencimg on the Doxy when I had to take it for Lyme, but not nearly as bad. I am almost a week off my antibiotics and am confident it has been eradicated. I am taking the NOW-10 probiotic once after lunch and an hour before bed. I am sticking to my diet of chicken or fish, brown rice, vegetables (brocolli, cauliflower, asparagus, green beans) a starch (gluten free) and salad. Breakfast I eat a parfait of 1 cup Oikos Triple Zero, 1 cup organic if possible blueberries, and 1/2 cup granola. Sometimes I switch out for two scrambled eggs, Udis Gluten free cinammon raisen bread toasted with almomd butter and banana on top. Usually a small fruit snack mid morning. Water, water, and more water. ABSOLUTELY NO SUGAR (other than natural sugars in fruit) OR ANYTHING WITH TOSE as an ingredient. I cant express this enough... NO SUGAR (no gum, no honey unless RAW, NO ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER) I DONT CARE IF IT SAYS SUGAR FREE! You have got to read the ingredients. Water or decaf green tea is my go to. You will not put the weight back on but you will maimtain. Do not get discouraged. You are curring everythimg fatty out of your diet, so I repeat, do not get discouraged about your weight. It will gradually start to come back. Im up 1lb in a week so far. Any quetions please feel free to ask. You will beat this, trust me.

Thanks for the advice Virginia, that's brilliant. Do you eradicate certain things from your diet because you think they are linked to H-Pylori, or because you have stomach problems anyway, or because you believe it to be the best way forward in general?
I have IBS and have a gluten free diet most of the time, I also dabble with the FODMAP map diet which I think seems to make a marvellous difference - two of the main things, other than gluten, to cut out, being onion and garlic. I also avoid processed food as much as possible.
I am not sugar free, I don't have a sweet tooth but realise, as you say - hidden sugars are in all sorts, hopefully cutting out processed foods help there too. But eating out can be tricky. I have date sugar and maple syrup in the cupboard for baking with, but haven't quite mastered quantities yet.
Why is raw honey ok?
I need to put a bit of weight back on - I look awful and so aged.
I have two days left of the anti-biotics to do and today I actually felt hungry, rather than forcing myself to eat a little. I have had my formal written diagnosis that it definitely is H-Pylori after complaining to the patients liaison service at the hospital (ridiculous it has taken nearly three months and I've just been getting more and more ill). I have a slight spring in my step today, despite the horrendous taste that keeps coming up from my gut from the treatment, as I honestly thought I had something even worse.
I really hope this is the end of it. It's been a hard 2 years.