H Pylori

[Cacenffrwytha]

Hi all. I have just been diagnosed with H Pylori and been given antibiotics to treat it. Drs have been investigating my anemia, B12 and iron and i wondered if this could be the cause of it or whether h Pylori is a side effect of it. Does anyone have any experience of this? Thanks

[Polaris]

Hi Cacenffrwytha

H/pylori is known to be one of the causes of low B12 as well as the PPIs, antibiotics etc. given for the various symptoms it causes.

I was diagnosed with h/pylori by endoscopy after years of gastric problems, IBS, etc. and treated with high antibiotics, which did cure gastric symptoms for a while.

Many researchers believe that 'leaky gut' is the ground zero of autoimmune disease and I've found avoiding gluten as well as eating a spoonful of sauerkraut before meals (better than any probiotic) has made a huge difference and is, hopefully, helping absorption of B12 by healing the little villi in my stomach - am also taking Jarrows 5000 mcg Methylcobalamin sublingually.

With anaemia and low B12 levels, together with any neurological symptoms you may be experiencing, you may need more aggressive treatment with B12 injections.

Sorry, just seen your first post - definitely try for B12 injections without delay with those symptoms, as there is a short window before neurological symptoms are irreversible.

Very best wishes for a good outcome.

[Polaris in reply to Polaris]

I hope this extract from the BCSH guidelines might help persuade your GP to begin injections as soon as possible as :

"The BNF advises that patients presenting with neurological symptoms should receive 1000 ug i.m. on alternate days until there is no further improvement".

ukneqas-haematinics.org... :

“In the event of any discordance between clinical findings of B12 deficiency and a normal B12 laboratory result, then treatment should not be delayed. Clinical findings might include possible pernicious anaemia or neuropathy including subacute combined degeneration of the cord."

Here are links and an excellent film below, which explain more:

b12deficiency.info/films

b12deficiency.info/signs-an...

cmim.org/pdf2014/funcion.ph...

The above BMJ research document is supported by many research papers and has a useful summary if GP won't read the whole document. It also tells GP that, once b12 treatment is started, the test results don't mean anything and blood levels are not reflective of how effective the treatment is - it is the clinical condition of the patient that matters....

[Polaris in reply to Polaris]

Sorry, having problems editing - post keeps coming up with no paragraphs !

[Margo in reply to Polaris]

Polaris, just going through sections on H/Pylori and saw your post. I was wondering if you would mind me asking if you took the Omepramazole/Lanzaprol with your antibiotic treatment (sorry if I haven't spelt correctly). Was thinking surely the acid tablets would make things worse.

Have you managed to remain H/Pylori free? This is my second round of this nasty parasite?

Thanks Margo.

[Polaris in reply to Margo]

I'm sorry the H/Pylori has returned Margo but I believe this is not uncommon I'm afraid....

My experience was a long time ago - I'd always had various bad digestive problems with Hashimoto's and been prescribed PPIs and acid blockers for years, which as you rightly say, would have caused other problems and depleted b12.

It took a long time for the penny to drop and realise that autoimmune/leaky gut was probably the root of it all - now that I'm gluten free and taking sauerkraut, I believe this is healing the little villi in my intestines and allowing better absorption of all nutrients, but especially B12! Sauerkraut is a very old European remedy with many healing properties as well as being one of the most effective probiotics you can take and this I believe is keeping H/pylori at bay.

Sauerkraut and the gluten free diet means that I have been free of all the painful digestive problems I was plagued with for years and don't need to take any medication 🙂

[Margo in reply to Polaris]

That's very interesting Polaris. I have been eating fermented cabbage that I make and drinking kefir every day, alongside being non-gluten. I gave it all a rest at Christmas, and started to feel ill and bloated having put on 3/4 of a stone, thinking it was all down to my indulgence!!

You took the medication, then you went non gluten/ sauerkraut....and you have been ok?

I suppose I will have to take the meds too, then like you get back to the fermented cabbage/kefir and hope it doesn't come back.

Thanks for advice.

Margo x

[Polaris in reply to Margo]

It was a long time ago Margo - I had an endoscopy a month or so after a particularly horrendous three day bout of pain and vomiting. Was given Zantac at the time, which obviously healed the stomach/gastritis so that, by the time I had the endoscopy, they only found high h/pylori, which was then treated with antibiotics only. Not really sure that you need both?

Good that you're already taking fermented cabbage/kefir and significant that bloating returned when you stopped over Christmas.

[Margo in reply to Polaris]

Interesting that you just had the antibiotics and not the Lanzaporole/Omepram. Maybe I can just have the antibiotics and see how it goes. Can't remember what I did last time. Anyhow, I am really impressed by how you have come through and are doing ok.

(It is late I am sitting at my desk with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc (hic!) to cheer myself up, hope I am making sense!!)

Thanks again.

[Polaris in reply to Margo]

🍸 Here's to Good health Margo !

nourishingplot.com/2014/06/...

[Margo in reply to Polaris]

Thanks Polaris, you have been a brilliant help.

I started back on the homemade cabbage this morning along with the kefir, sure it has already made a difference. Have a camera down my throat on Thursday which will confirm diagnosis - can't wait (not). I am geared up to take the antibiotics and whatever, but will follow up with the fermented protocol and mastic gum to keep at bay, and hopefully will not be bothered again.

Cheers!

[Polaris in reply to Margo]

Ps you might be interested in Marc Ryan's description of the brain-gut-thyroid-B12 connection in this post:

healthunlocked.com/pasoc/po...

Hope things improve for you soon.