Helicobacter Forums

Last November 2015, I went for endoscopy and found mild gastritis and duodenitis. Was confirm to have H Pylori after UBT tests.

The gastroenteroloist then prescribed these:
Furazolidone 100mg caps x 42
Omeprazole 40mg caps x 42
Bismuth 300mg caps x 84
Levofloxacin 375mg caps x 42
Rifabutin 60mg caps x 5
Rifabutin 120mg caps x 24

I was reluctant because the above are heavy drugs, and just found out from my 2nd opinion gastroenterologists, he says that Rifabutin is actually toxic!

So he then prescribed these to me:
Nexium 20mg (30tabs)
Metronidazole 400mg (21 tablets)
Levofloxacin 500mg (20caps)

Between the 2 gastroentrologists, I tried natural therpy for 4 months. Strictly avoided soy, all sugars, red meats, gluten, fats etc. Have been consuming all my researched foods to take only.

I just returned from my 2nd opinion, with the new prescription and am now wondering if I should go ahead with it since my natural therapy efforts have not been proven successful at all. According to my 2nd opinion gastroenterologists, he says that foods have no effect on H Pylori and has not come across anything in all the conferences he's attended. He also says that stomach cancer is very low something like 1% chance in future and recommends that if this course of prescriptions do not work for the next 10 days, then he says don't worry about it. Just do an ensocopy every 4 years to monitor the ulcers I have.

I'm very overwhelmed with the information and disinformation that's out here. Even medical professionals have different views!

Can someone please help me decide to go ahead with my 2nd opinion gastroenterologists?

There is no absolute answer. The 2nd treatment has a cure rate of 80% and the first treatment has a cure rate of 90%. And if you have been expose to any of these antibiotics before, then both cure rates reduce by half.

Nevertheless, I am curious why there are two Rifabutin in your first prescription.

Helico_expert wrote:There is no absolute answer. The 2nd treatment has a cure rate of 80% and the first treatment has a cure rate of 90%. And if you have been expose to any of these antibiotics before, then both cure rates reduce by half.

Nevertheless, I am curious why there are two Rifabutin in your first prescription.

I never knew why there were 2x Rifabutin prescribed..I thought it was strange too.

What I'm afraid is that if I went ahead with the 2nd lot of prescription and don't get rid of H Pylori, then all my other good bacteria will all die off too and I'm left with a party of H Pylori in my stomach. I have less chance of getting the good bacteria to repopulate. Then I'm worse off than before.

when you take antibiotics, no matter which one, almost all your guts bacteria will be wiped out clean. If that's what you are worried about, perhaps you can try probiotics to help quickly replenish the good bacteria.

Helico_expert wrote:when you take antibiotics, no matter which one, almost all your guts bacteria will be wiped out clean. If that's what you are worried about, perhaps you can try probiotics to help quickly replenish the good bacteria.

I'm planning to take those meds and drown myself with Kefir during the course of 10 days and beyond. I heard that its far better than yoghurt.

all the best. Keep us posted with your treatment outcome.