[BernieL]

Should I as an IBS sufferer be tested for h. pylori, and if tested positive, be treated for h. pylori infection? I ask because I just started taking Nexium--a new proton pump inhibitor--and so far it has markedly reduced my ibs symptoms of overly frequent bowel movements (though I do not have diarrhea) and postprandial urgency. One possibility is that Nexium helps by inihibiting the gastric reflex. Might another be that Nexium inhibits h. pylori?A search of pubmed under the keywords "h. pylori and ibs" turned up several epidemiological studies showing that h. pylori was no more common among ibs sufferers than the general asymptomatic population. But with regard to ulcers we already know that most people who test positive for h. pylori are asymptomatic. The key point is that most ulcer patients test postive to h. pylori and respond positively to h. pylori treatment.Even if only a smaller sub-class of ibs sufferers test positive for h. pylori, couldn't it be possible that h. pylori is causing ibs symptoms for that subclass? Given that Nexium is reducing my IBS symptoms, does it make sense to test me for h. pylori and then, if I test positive, follow up with multi-drug treatment?------------------Bernie

 

[HipJan]

I'm not a specialist or expert and can't answer most of your questions, but I couldn't help looking at your posting. Please review a recent similar thread in the IBS discussion section. Interesting reading.To my doctor's surprise, after I was treated for a low-intensity H.P. infection last Feb., I've hardly had an irritable bowel at all - only a slight bit lately because of various meds, I suspect. However, I will be going to the gastro. doc. again tomorrow - because, unfortunately, I have stomach problems again. In my opinion, doctors should routinely give people with reflux problems an H. P. test. (Note: A tissue biopsy may be the most reliable test.) Yes, though the treatment meds are gross, I'd say you should take them if you have H. P. About the Nexium: Again, check out that other thread. Basically, it may be possible that meds like that can slow down, but not completely eradicate, an H. P. infection. And, remember: You don't have to have an ulcer to have H. P.; you could have gastritis. Also, remember: Consider taking probiotics (acidophilus and other "bugs") if you are taking antibiotics or lots of acid-reducing meds as you are. Three years ago, for 10 days while taking acid reducers, I was much better too, including bowel-wise. Then, I suddenly got much worse (D every day for what felt like a decade)...I won't go into the details, but because of a doctor, I had stopped taking my acidophilus. Good luck!

 

[HipJan]

Oh, sorry, I just read the above note in this forum and see that I probably shouldn't have responded here at all.