My dad is 72 and has been suffering with persistent diarrhea ever since he was prescribed long term steriods along with PPI Omeprazole. I suspect that the Omeprazole resulted in low stomach acid which he still suffers from today (did baking soda home test, took 6mins 40 for him to burp!).
He has been having ongoing daily diarrhea for over 2 years and has had subsequent vitamin deficiencies B9 & B12 (not surprising). GP not looking at the whole picture and doesn't seem to see the link. I suspect it could be SIBO. He also hypothyroidism which is a risk factor for SIBO.
Sent him to private Gastroenterologist who is sending him for a endoscopy and colonoscopy at end of August. However, in the meantime, his GP has done a stool sample and just today it has come back positive for H. pylori. They have prescribed him 2 different antibiotics to take for 1 week + Omeprazole!!
Please help. The GP just doesn't seem clued up on this. Considering contacting private Gastro before he starts taking any antibiotics. Has anyone got any thoughts/experience/guidance?
Thanks
Clare
Written by
Needleandthread44
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Your father will unfortunately have to take antibiotics to deal with the H.Pylori . His stomach is already upset by taking Omeprazole.The lack of stomach acid really upsets the good bacteria , enabling bad to take over . Does he really have to take Omeprazole? As you say, lack of stomach acid , which is caused by PPIs , leads to poor absorption of vitamins and minerals . H.Pylori can certainly lead to B12 deficiency , He will need to take a probiotic of some description after he has got rid of the H.Pylori infection . I can recommend Symprove- expensive but effective. Perhaps a better way is to eat natural probiotics — sauerkraut , natural yoghurt, kefir and kimchi .
I left a lot of B12 information on a previous forum thread of yours.
Links to forum threads where I left detailed replies with lots of B12 deficiency info eg causes and symptoms, more UK B12 documents, B12 books, B12 websites and B12 articles and a few hints on dealing with unhelpful GPs.
Some links may have details that could be upsetting.
After many stomach problems treated with medication over the years, a private endoscopy indicated H/Pylori and I was given various strong antibiotics but I would never go down this road again.
The herb, Goldenseal, is recommended for H/Pylori but I’ve found kefir every morning and sauerkraut with or after meals has kept it at bay and solved all gut problems.
h pylori infection can cause B12 deficiency. There also seem to be links between h pylori and PA, ie it does look like it might be a factor in triggering PA in some people ... Having PA certainly does not make you immune from h pylori.
The prescribed treatment is a course of anti-biotics and a PPI to keep stomach acidity as low as possible whilst the gut is healing so I would suggest that your father should follow the regimen prescribed. If you are concerned then suggest you consult the dispensing chemist.
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