Helicobacter Pylori Infection -how long should it take for Helicobacter Pylori Recovery?
Question posted by sms08h on 15 May 2012
Last updated on 1 October 2023
I was diagnosed in April and treated with amoxicillin, clarithromycin and omeprazole for 7 days. 2 weeks after the treatment was over I had a stool antigen test to confirm eradication. It came back negative. It has been over a month since the treatment ended and everyone says I should be feeling better soon. But no such luck. I am still having problems. I do not have diarrhea anymore (like I did while I was infected). But my stomach still feels bloated all the time, I never get very hungry, and occasionally the upper part of my abdomen hurts and burns occasionally. I also get this feeling of pressure building up in my throat a lot, especially if i try to exercise and after i eat. I think its gastritis from the ordeal. I have an endoscopy scheduled on the 22nd. I have been taking probiotics during and ever since treatment ended. i eat lots of fresh fruit like bananas, apples, blueberries, and strawberries. Also i have not been eating spicy, acidic, or any foods that would cause me problems. and lately i feel like my discomfort and current condition is getting worse...
But my question is, is all of this normal? has anyone else experienced this? is it really a matter of months before I get 100% again? will i ever be 100% again? this is so awful, I want it all to stop so badly. all of this has taken so much out of me and i never feel good anymore. today i bought L-glutamine, mastic gum, DGL, aloe vera juice, and digestive enzymes to try and help my stomach heal. My doctor has also told me to take 20mg of prilosec before bed each night for the next 3 months, then to move down to zantac for another month. Thank you
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
65 Answers Page 4
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willprovide
2 March 2015
I am very sorry but unfortunately "normal' as you knew it will take much time. My own experience is that it took well into a year before anything 'normal' was back. I did the upper and lower GI - - it's a good idea to have done. Continue a bland diet, water, probiotics and hope and pray. Some foods I think will still trigger reactions, for me it seemed like tomatoes, aka, spaghetti sauce. I love it, it no longer loves me so you learn to stay away from certain foods as your stomach evidently just cannot handle them. Cut back or eliminate caffeine and soda, at least for now. Basically you need to be 'kind' to your stomach to allow it time to heal... Try also eating less at a time and more often instead of larger amounts at one time, seems to help. Oddly, walking helps too, for me anyways.
To answer the question you did not ask of yet, NO, you are not imagining things and NO, you are not going crazy. It is an awful experience but one I'm confident you will overcome... Keep checking with medical as you can become reinfected... best with everything... Kevin
Votes: +1
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REALdel
24 Dec 2016
so you had it and it all completely went away? including symptoms?
NA
Nataliehub95
2 March 2015
Did you ever recover?
Votes: +0
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TenebraeCruor
6 Dec 2014
Hey, question for anyone with a past experience of H. Pylori infection. So around October 13 I had bloating issues, very painful, felt it in the left side of my chest, under my ribs, and on the lower left side of my abdomen, just above ovaries. 1st doc says it's nothing, ok. Next 2 weeks anxiety/ panic attacks set in, never had them before, along with burning (not heart burn as in the burning from the chest or stomach and flowing back up your throat) in the area underneath the ribs and in my abdominal area. Returned to same doc when breathing became irregular and I nearly black out, doc said my chest muscles had tightened to the point they were constricting & put me on a machine that acts like an inhaler, worked great no probs. Then after another 2 weeks burning still present, bloating back, nasty taste in mouth (metallic), constipation, nausea, & the burning was especially bad at night along with a kinda tingling feeling on my left back side.
Went to doc #2, doc 2 asks what meds are you on, I respond I tried Tagamet & it helped a little. Doc says you probably have gastritis due to an H. Pylori infection, take Prilosec & we'll do blood & urine tests 2 weeks from now. I say ok, go and get Prilosec, take it for about a week and am as happy as a clam. Until, the symptoms come back, anxiety, burning, bloating, all that jazz. Call up doc, doc says go take Nexium. I say ok, repeat same process as the Prilosec. Only problem is it takes me an hour from where a live to get the meds, the burning in my abdomen was by far the worst pain I had ever felt, try imagining a red hot poker being stabbed repeatedly into your stomach area, that's pretty close. Anxiety returns, call up doc & get tests moved up by a week. Next week come back for results, doc says you tested positive for H. Pyloria antibodies. Here's what we'll do, take Nexium for another 3 months and a week then we'll see if you need antibiotics. I reluctantly go ahead with what the doc says & continue the Nexium, did not understand why I had to wait to take the antibiotics. Find out a couple weeks later from a volunteer ER (I'm not sure if he was a nurse or a med student) that a possible reason could be that the doc wants the gastritis to heal up before taking the antibiotics. No disrespect to my docs or anyone in that profession, but this seems like the doc's farting around and avoiding just giving me the antibiotics, mind you I understand how sick the antibiotics can make you and what kind of havoc they wreck on your body, I've taken ones for different infections and while not nearly as bad, I do know. Sure when I take the Nexium the bloating and pain under my ribs as well as the abdominal pain is mostly gone, but I have constant diarrhea ( not watery, thank god), constipation, and the pain likes to reappear at random times. Does anyone else feel like this is gross negligence of a patient or is it just me? I mean, I wasn't even told that simple info by my doc, an Er volunteer had to tell me, all my doc said was, "We'll see in Feb if you are any better or if you need the antibiotics." & I straight up asked her, "Is the Nexium going to get rid of the infection?" & she refused to answer me! I am livid with my doc, thinking of switching. Anyways I need an opinion of someone who has had this problem before or who is another doc, should I go to my doc and tell her to either give me the antibiotics or I'm switching practitioners or stick it out because I've had infections before and while this one has as of yet not reached the bleeding stage, I'm worried that it'll be here soon because I already know what happens when you wait for antibiotics with an infection and ladies and gentlemen, it is very painful. In any case, What should I do?
P.S. I do realize I may have dramatized and have been a little to way over the top, but from what I've read, no one else has had to wait three and a half months to get antibiotics for an infection the doc knows they have.
Votes: +0
ME
meklaud007
21 Feb 2017
I feel the same way after treatment. No you're feeling better?
DR
Dr McDougall Fan
7 Oct 2018
I don't know but I hope you got sorted.
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Marandom
13 Oct 2014
I feel ya there..i have a cyst that's draining (it's 7cm big so that hurts) and im going on day 6 of the treatment and i feel worse now then i did before..i have a fever (didn't have one before the treatment) and un able to work dew to the nausea, dizziness and pain. And on top of it all i have bronchitis from the flu that has been around. Have to set an appointment with the gastrotoligist tuesday when the office is open again (damn 3 day weekend) but now im afraid. ..after reading all these post i just want to be able to work again and if i continue to feel like this i may lose my job... my boss doesn't understand (he never gets sick he yelled at me when i had such a bad absest tooth i couldn't talk it burnes so badly and was on meds for two weeks before i could get it pulled but he's never dealt with that so why it can't be that bad to call out for) im so scared now.
It is nice to know that what im feeling is "normal" but this is hellish on so many leves. I was told that my cyst (ovarian right side as if that side didn't feel bad enough) will be painful until it finishes draining ( about 6 weeks) and then the h pylori on top of it all. Its good to know there are things that help but the pain... the pain is still there. I hope everyone that has or had h pylori feels better and 100% soon. Until then thank you all for at least letting us who had no idea why we felt like this know were not the only ones!
Votes: +1
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Nova McKelvey
13 Sep 2014
I am been diagnosed with H. Pylori and have finished the treatment, but now I have noticed that my poop looks different. Is there anyone else noticed that?
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frawlina
24 June 2014
Hello, I have a question. Hope someone can give me an answer. Is it possible that i am infected with H. pylori, but it's not active (dormant) on me, and I can still pass it on to someone and it becomes active on him?
Votes: +0
DR
Dr McDougall Fan
7 Oct 2018
In the support groups they say it can be asymptomatic but passed on.
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DennCy
29 April 2014
It was feb 14 2014 when i experience burning and bloating in my stomach it takes 2 months for me before i go to gastro and took endoscopy i was diagnose with H pylori and inflammation of stomach. I take prevpac and delixant for 1 week then see my doctor he stop the antibiotics already and prescribe me to takr 2 prevacid, 3 domillium and 1delixant a day. It will be taken for 1 month i ask him if i will be fix and he says thats nothing your bloating will eventually subside just be careful about ur diet.. Someone experience this too?? Ur not alone im here feeling the same as u.
Votes: +0
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Chelle27
7 June 2017
Hello, I was diagnosed also of h,pylori last 2 months and done with my medicine and retested came back negative, but why until now I'm suffering of stomach pain chest pain and I cannot eat well,soft stool but not likely before,
How are you now?? Are you feel better now?? And back to 100% better?? Plss hope you will reply
Thanks!
AL
alavelle
14 Sep 2017
I finished the 14 day h-pylori regiment almost 3 weeks ago.. I survived. It was awful. This is my 2nd full week off antibiotics will be 3 weeks out on Sunday.. I still feel awful. I tried ice cream, that did a number on my stomach so I have stopped all diary again. I eat no soy whatsoever. I have cut back on all wheat products again because I feel sick. Last night I had a small glass of wine with diet sprite, never again. Today, I met a friend for coffee, when I arrived she had ordered me a mocha, I have stopped all caffeine but did not have the heart to tell her that I was not drinking caffeine so sipped about 1/3 cup, I'm still paying a heavy price with stomach cramps. I thought I was going to start feeling better but I'm not. I sure hope that some of you that have had it are feeling at some point. I need hope that this will pass at some point but for now I am miserable. I have lost weight, trouble sleeping, depression, anxiety, no energy.
I went to see my regular interest and she said to just hang in I have taken Align faithfully, tried another probiotic, going back to Align. She prescribed Dexilant 60 but recommended that I try to go back to omelprazole if I could. I'm going back to Dexilant and Align. Any advice would be sincerely appreciated.
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renee5774
24 Feb 2014
I had the overfull feeling, the burning, the large weight loss due to not being able to eat at all because it felt as if my stomach was being stabbed. I also felt awful. I had been prescribed. Prilosec which I couldn't take and then Nexium. This was after I had been on Zantac for a year and a half. My stomach also felt bloated and felt as if it was causing a huge pressure into my chest.The doctor said I didn't have H-pylori though. I was told to take the Nexium and Carafate. I read that the side effects of Nexium and Prilosec weren't so good and decided to see what I could do for myself. After much research I chose to try a natural product called CarnoSooth that I purchased from Amazon. I began taking 2 pills a day to coat my stomach much as the Carafate had done and to help with the healing. I also bought a high quality aloe vera capsule (True Aloe) from NatureCity.com.
A good quality aloe vera will not cause diarrhea so it is really important to invest in a good quality product. I take two capsules daily to help with the healing. These two products along with drinking water and no caffeine have in only six weeks almost completely gotten rid of the symptoms I was having. I have been able to eat again though not as much as before and am putting weight back on. I still suffer a little heartburn and for that I am taking 150 mg. of Zantac twice a day. Zantac will not cause the problems that the other drugs do. (For example severe rebound heartburn and causing your body to not absorb calcium leading to bone breakage and osteoporosis) If needed you can increase the CarnoSoothe and Aloe in the beginning. Please don't be discouraged if you don't see results immediately. I had good days and bad days. If I got busy or forgot to take the CarnoSoothe I definitely knew it. It took way to long for me to find answers and doctors aren't willing to look at any alternatives outside of pharmacy's. I hope this will help someone else. I do encourage you to do your own research. Good luck.
Votes: +2
WI
Willie80
13 Jan 2014
Hello everyone, first time in the forums.
I also went through H Pylori treatment, although prior to being diagnosed I had an eye surgery then I had to take a steroid eye drop to heal my eye (Prednisolone Acetate). I started with a multitude of symptoms: Burning in the stomach, heart palpitations, acid reflux and anxiety attacks. I was given drugs for anxiety it made feel a bit better, but stopped taking them because I didn't believe it was the root cause. After seeing several doctors, one finally tested me for H. Pylori and came positive. Took Amoxicillin (500 mg) and Clarithromycin (500 mg) 1 each in the morning and again at night with 1 Omeprazole (20 mg). Like others above, the treatment was horrible, my stomach felt so badly inflamed and was hard to eat. During this time, this burning would flush my system out every morning and felt I had to eat right away.
I then developed food allergies, I couldn't eat starch, gluten and dairy. These foods each have me different symptoms. I had acid reflux, small intestine pain (celiac kind of reaction, gluten), joint pain and restless leg syndrome. All this was believed to be Leaky gut (intestinal permeability) which was tackled with a protein diet with salad and a few select vegetables along with a leaky gut treatment by Apex. I did this for about 3 months and my food allergies went away. I also did 8,000 iu of vitamin D a day, I was vitamin D deficient. My problem now is Excess acid secretion. I think this was the problem from the beginning only it got out of hand since I didn't know how to control it. The only thing that controls it is the PPI (antacids) pills, I take Pantoprazole 40 mg, twice a day. I still feel horrible, if I don't eat every 3 hours, I get this tension around my eyes and some weird burning like head ache. From what I was told by my GI, There's no cure for this it can only be controlled with the PPI's. This is horrible, if anyone knows how to get rid of this, I definitely want to know. Thanks and good luck.
Votes: +0
KI
Kimisha101
16 Feb 2014
I was finally diagnosed with h pylori after many doctor and emergency room visits. I was treated and later tested negative. I now have food sensitivity to almost everything I eat. I can't have anything with sugar, anything that's processed, have preservative, gluten, nuts and the list goes on. I am still not able to work and don't know when I'll start feeling better. I was also diagnosed with low vitamin D, hiatal hernia and chronic gastritis. Hover my main problem is the food sensitivity. It affects my whole body. How long did it take for you to get over this. What exactly did u do?
WI
Willie80
18 Feb 2014
Kimisha101, What do you feel with your food allergies?
I use to like a burning in my head when I ate rice and potatoes. I had small intestine pain/crams when as gluten passed by. I was on chicken, turkey, meat and green salad for about 4 months with an Apex treatment for leaky gut. This treatment included Repairvite, clearvite and probiotics. I was taking HCL during this time as well, but now I learned that taking HCL was a mistake. Be careful if you try HCL (hydrochloric acid). My acid symptoms worsened and then I dumped the diet and the supplement. I tried gluten and luckily it seemed it was gone. I didn't feel the pain in my small intestine until the 4th day. But I was eating too much, so I must have over done it. I was eating a sandwhich in the morning or waffle then a chicken sandwhich in the afternoon. If you are able to heal, try not to over do it. Take a little at a time. This treatment was for leaky gut and SIBI.
I never knew if I had either but I was tested for SIBO with a breath test, after the treatment and it came out negative. From what I read, there's no test for leaky gut so never knew that either. The food allergies is a symptom of both SIBO and leaky gut. Joint pain is a symptom of leaky gut. (I also know that it could mean other conditions so that's why you need to rule them out by seing a GI). Now I have this acid that I feel I can't live if it wasn't for my protonix. I use to have a lot of joint pain, I would still get it here and then but not as bad as before. I notice this minor joint pain when I don't take the pill and start producing too much acid.
Hope this helps, do you have acid problem?
KI
Kimisha101
19 Feb 2014
I don't have too much of a acid problem. However when I feel a mild burning in my stomach I chew Tums and I'm fine. My main food allergy symptoms are headache, not feeling like myself. I'm usually irritable. Muscle pain down my arms and legs. Usually a mild burning pain. Foot pain especially the sole of my feet. Joint pain, muscle twitching. Intestinal pain and lower back pain and gas. Feeling real tired after eating, usually fall asleep on the couch. Whenever I eat I usually have the sensation that my throat is closing. I try to alter my diet but now I don't even know what I'm reacting to. My GI doc. Can't give me any answers so I'm trying to get an appointment with a new GI doc. I haven't been working since September and try not to drive due to the brain fog. I'm taking probiotic and L glutamine but I don't know if it's even working.
WI
Willie80
20 Feb 2014
It does sound similar to what I've been going through. Although I constantly have acid reflux, not to mention if I have tomato. I can't eat tomato at all, or else face some serious burning that not even the protonix can stop. My GI has told me it may or may not go away. If you find a good GI, or if anyone does, I want to know. My problem right now is that I'm insured with Kaiser and can't see a doctor outside of Kaiser. From what I've read, some peoples allergies go away up to a year or two later (with diet). When I started my starch free, gluten free and processed food free, I noticed my symptoms started disappearing almost by the 3rd day and was feeling almost symptom free after a week. I think you are in a better shape then I, I would stick to the diet (I know is difficult) and do for at least 6 months before you bring back the regular foods. Oh, I forgot to mention to avoid fried food too. Where are you located? I'm in Los Angeles. Good luck.
DI
dianefranklin
29 April 2016
I have the answer for you Siberian pure pine nut oil you have to order it on the internet my husband suffered with this for 6 months stomach ulcers and digestive problems gastric problems he start taking Siberian pure pine nut oil and he feels a lot better please try it
It is awful, been there done that... be careful what you eat... fruits can be very acidic... I believe apples are, I did cut them out. Go online and just search for acidic foods or what to eat or not eat with gas in the stomach. I cut cold turkey all caffeine, no decaf, no pop, basically water for liquids and a very , very blan diet... also try walking every day, seems to help a little. every morning now in like a magic bullet type thing I put in spinach leaves, 1/2 bannana, peanut butter, blueberries, yogurt and milk and drink it... stuff like that... eat yogurt, if you can't try the shake above, tastes very good actually... no ice cream, limited dairy... hope this helps... best of luck! You are not alone, you are not losing your mind, it is awful!
Votes: +1
HO
HoustonTexas713
25 Sep 2013
Hey i was wondering did u ever get better? Im barely just took my second round of medication and i only feel a little better only the black stool stop . But i feel like my throat has a hard time swallowing my spit. And every morning my stomach burns . Im desperate for a cure
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feeling sick
23 Aug 2013
sounds like a hyaltial hernia w/ gerds. thats what they diagnosed me with
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Sickmomma
6 June 2013
So I have been suffering from symptoms for 7 years and went through many of doctors (some threw fiber at me and some just said it's IBS and to change my diet) until one actually listened and cared tested me. I finally found out that I have H pylori. I don't get heartburn but I get really bad pain under my ribs and in my back so I don't know if that's heartburn or what. Most of my symptoms are weight loss, bloating, gas, pressure, nausea, constant sugar drops and diahrrea. I loved being pregnant though, my syptoms would go away during my pregnancies but come right back when I stopped nursing. :( I'm currently taking antibiotics now. I'm on the last day... thank God. I feel just as sick but I guess that's expected since the antibiotics are probably ripping my stomach a new one. I can't take the heart burn meds though it makes me super sick like vomiting and diahrrea so I just don't take them.
Since I've read that H pylori can cause stomach cancer I requested my doctor do a endoscopy just to make sure none of my ulcers have caused cancerous tumors. I've had this for seven years... kind of scared to see what damage these bacteriums have caused to my guts. So maybe check for tumors... or cancer. :( not to freak you out!
Votes: +0
CR
crazydoglady2
7 Aug 2013
I too have been told it was IBS for at least 5 years. Mine has finally manifested as constipation resistant to laxatives. They finally biopsied my endoscopy - if they had done it two years ago with the gastroscopy I maybe couls have been better by now. I just started the dose pak. My stomach hurts. I lost 12 pounds then just figured out how to eat sugar which is bad for me but doesn't hurt. I had ALL of the symptoms and no one listened to me - wrote me off - I don't know what I will do if this new treatment doesn't work. I am at the end of my rope. Oh yea, I have redundant colon which no one seems concerned about but having twice the amount of colon of a normal person seems pretty serious to me.
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Lismarie
24 April 2013
I was also diagnosed with h.pylori so I know how it feels. My GI specialist said that 1 week course may not be sufficient so from my research, they would usually give another 1 week course but should prescribe totally different antibiotics. But after that, though the bacteria has been eradicated, you might still some symptoms due to swelling but will eventually subside. Hope you will feel better.
Votes: +0
KC
kcypresslady13
28 Feb 2013
I just completed 14 days of H. Pylori meds about a week and a half ago and yes, I am still having bloating & acidy stomach problems. My doctor said to continue on 20 MG of Prilosec twice a day for 6 weeks following treatment and wow do I need it. Stomach is still so acidy! I also continued Florastor Probiotic 1 capsule, twice a day.
I will do stool sample test this week, I am kinda squeamish when it comes to such things, ugh!
I'm right there with you, recovery wise. I too have been asking when or IF this will ever be over and whether I will ever be whole & healthy again. I am taking action to control my Anxiety that developed during treatment, and I also met with a Registered Dietician today to make sure what little I can eat is healthy and providing what I need nutrition wise.
I hope you are feeling better soon.
Votes: +0
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Lismarie
24 April 2013
It might be better to be tested for acid refux as this might be your cause. There are other options to treat this aside from medicine.
