Man suffers 11 months with severe H. Pylori and still not pain free

Joshua Randolph
Jul 4
6 min read

How it started and my initial feelings

It was about 11 months ago when I woke up with Upper Abdominal pain and a weird palpitation almost in the same area. I didn't panic but I was experiencing enough discomfort that warranted a 20 minute field trip to the V.A. hospital. I am a 55 year old African American male, I began to think about my life, the males in our family and medical history. This worried me somewhat but I remain pretty calm at first and was optimistic this was something that could be treated.

man having upper abdominal pain with h.pylori lying in bed in pain

VA assessment and action

What was a pretty routine exam turned up nothing but a recommendation to a nearby Emergency Room as I was told they are not equipped to make serious diagnosis. Their facility is not designed to treat or make emergency health decisions. I was given the stamp of approval and was ensured an ED authorization would be granted to cover the cost.

What happened at the Emergency Room

The room felt literally like an ice box, keeping in mind I wasn't dressed to accommodate the temperature as I wasn't expecting to be sitting in an Emergency Room. I thought I'd be on my way home with a prescription from the V.A. about an hour ago, but of course that's too easy.

The young ER doctor came in, I gave him a description of my symptoms. Of course he began to do a physical exam which including pushing my upper and lower stomach for abnormities. He put me in so much pain has he examined the upper G.I. area. He didn't initially say anything was odd but did feel what appeared to be a swollen area as he continued to push.

Hours later a CAT Scan and Ultrasound were ordered. I was ok with that, I'd rather determine a route cause. Both results showed nothing out of the ordinary considering my age. However, there was mention of slight Abdominal muscle separation found on the CT, they didn't consider that alarming.

I was discharged with an Upper Abdominal pain, Abdominal Muscle Separation and Gastritis diagnosis with instructions to see a G.I. specialist. I was given a prescription for what I believed to be something for Heartburn and Acid Reflux. For the sake of the length of this article and your time, I'll just say the meds were worthless. On a good note, the VA did pay what turned out to be a $13,000.00 ED bill.

First consult with the V.A. Specialty Clinic G.I. Doctor

Turns out, he was a pretty smart guy. Based my symptoms, he walked me through a number of possible problems and solutions. He elected to give me a prescription (similar to the Emergency Room) as a first pass to resolve my pain. You guess it, the meds didn't work.

The failed Bland Diet attempt

Keyword failed

Foods to Eat

Plain oatmeal or cream of wheat
White or brown rice
Plain pasta or noodles
Bananas
Applesauce
Melons
Cooked carrots, green beans, squash, or sweet potatoes
Skinless baked or boiled chicken
Turkey
White fish
Eggs (boiled or scrambled with little fat)
Plain yogurt with live cultures (if dairy doesn't worsen symptoms)
Toast, crackers, and plain bread
Low-fat soups with mild ingredients

Drinks

Water
Herbal teas (such as chamomile or ginger if tolerated)
Low-fat milk (only if it doesn't worsen symptoms)
Clear broths

Foods to Avoid

These commonly aggravate upper GI pain:

Spicy foods
Fried and greasy foods
Fatty meats
Citrus fruits and juices (orange, grapefruit, lemon)
Tomato products
Coffee and caffeinated drinks
Alcohol
Carbonated beverages
Chocolate
Peppermint
Raw onions and garlic if they trigger symptoms
Highly processed snacks

My V.A. Primary Care Dr. visit

Feeling desperate and feeling like what do I have to lose, I requested Therapy to address the Abdominal Separation diagnosis mentioned on the CAT scan. The V.A. approved to the best of my memory 25-30 one hour Physical Therapy sessions. Although I enjoyed the Therapy, it didn't relieve my Upper Abdominal pain.

The 1st Upper Endoscopy at the V.A. Clinic

It was routine and went well. They removed a Polyp and sent it out for a biopsy but found nothing else the would suggest their was a serious issue.

The Biopsy result and H. Pylori Bacteria

Thank God, it wasn't Cancerous. The Pathology report was positive for H. Pylori. With this news the G.I. doctor started me on Antibiotics. I submitted a Stool sample 2 weeks later and remained positive for H. P. This was quite disappointing as my pain continued.

What is H. Pyloris (H.P.)

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacteria that infects the stomach lining and can cause gastritis, stomach ulcers and rarely stomach cancer. Common symptoms include burning stomach pain, bloating, nausea, frequent burping, loss of appetite, feeling full quickly, and, in some cases, vomiting or unexplained weight loss.

How is H. Pyloris spread

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, It’s not known for sure how H. pylori spreads, but it’s thought to spread through food that’s not been washed well or cooked properly. People may also get it from drinking water from an unclean source. It may also be passed from person to person through direct contact with the saliva or poo of an infected person.

I started a new round of different Antibiotics. I submitted another Stool sample 2 weeks later and again remained positive for H. P. At this point I'm very angry, not at the V.A. but at the situation I was in (why me).

I agreed to a 3rd round of different Antibiotics. I submitted another Stool sample 2 weeks later and again remained positive for H. P. Yes, that makes me a certified Stool expert now! I was pissed.

A 2nd Upper Endoscopy & Infectious Disease

I was told we'd need to do another Endoscopy to obtain a culture to be sent to Infectious Disease to determine an Antibiotic that would work for me. It was the only way to obtain the appropriate culture. Two Endoscopies in less than 6 months, not ideal at my age. I was still having significant Abdominal paid, so I had no other choice by to consent. And what if there was something missed the first time around?

V.A. Policy and Procedures

But why didn't they send the initial culture/Polyp to Infectious Disease to make sure the first round of Antibiotics would work for me.

Their policy doesn't dictate original cultures be sent to Infectious Disease. Their standard process it to treatment based on historical results and outcomes. In other words, 99% of folks with H. P. are cured with the best known common Antibiotics. Most people are negative after the 1st Stool sample, so this was new teritory for the G.I. guys at the V.A.

Infectious Disease results & recommended treatment

2 weeks later, the results are in. Here's what the data said.

Recommended Medications

Vonaprazan 20mg Tab
Amoxicillin 500mg CAP
Clarithromycin 500mg Tab

I finished the 4th round of Antibiotics 2 weeks later

The 4th Stool result

2 weeks later the 4th Stool result was negative for H. Pylori.

What you need to know about H. pylori

H. pylori can be found in about half of the world’s population. Generally, rates of H. pylori infection are higher in developing countries than in developed countries. Some groups of people have much higher infection rates, including First Nations communities and immigrants from countries such as Japan, Korea and China, where there is a high incidence of H. pylori infection. Read the full article.

My Final Thoughts

Always do your own research and consult with a Healthcare professional when you are in pain. You know your own body better than anyone! First I'll say, I still have stomach paid, but not the Upper G.I., so perhaps there's some lifestyle changes I need to make. I continue to try different types of diets and include Probiotics.

My next step is to continue my independent research, make some lifestyle changes, follow up with my PCP and work with a Dietitian. This article was somewhat therapeutic for me, I'm happy I was able to share my story.

Case Study and V.A. Process Improvements

My hope is that the V.A. use me as a Case Study to consider changing their process. I'd want them to consider getting Infectious Disease involved in treatment from the beginning rather than waiting after a 3rd round of failed Antibiotics.