FYI-indigestion, gerd, stomach issues

jennyboog

Just putting it out there just in case anyone else is having problems.  I've had stomach issues since chemo...indigestion, bloating, stomach pain, chronic burping.  I was dx with GERD and was put on all PPI's (Nexium, Prontonix, Prilosec) and nothing helped.  My new dr. did some bloodwork and found that my h. pylori was high, it's a bacteria in your stomach that can grow and cause problems.  The dr feels this is most likely what my problem has been, not GERD so all those PPI's were useless.  Maybe this will be helpful to anyone else in the same situation.

lkc

Hi Jennifer, I am very much aware of H.P. It can wreak havoc!( but it is actually less troublesome then GERD.  Has your new  doc put you on an antibiotic?

pupfoster1

Thanks Jenn,

Have you had any relief since they determined this?  My sis had some similar issues years ago and she's doing fine now.  I mentioned a while back I was having a lot of gasto issues too and they did my first colonoscopy which showed some irriation in the stomach lining as well as a benign polyp which they removed.  I had been taking 325 mg of aspirin 5 days/week NON coated.  Since I switched to coated I've been fine!  Omeprozale (generic Prilosec), etc did nothing for it.

Take care,

Sharon

jennyboog

Yeah Linda, I'm on them right now...I hope it is the answer to my stomach issues.  It's a little frustrating that it's not been found until now.  I kept telling my onc that I was getting no relief with the PPI's.  I was eating several Tums a day even though I was taking them and they said I shouldn't be having to do that yet, they just kept switching the PPI meds.   

Sharon, I'm glad your polyp was benign.  I keep having flank/rib pain and the dr thinks it's coming from this, so if after the antibiotics I see no improvement, then I'm in store for more test to include a colonoscopy.  According to the dr, chemo caused the HP to grow rampant so, I'm not saying this will be my cure but it's nice to know there is a reason for all this and it might be.

Thanks ladies.

faithfulheart

Hi jenn,

you know I have been dealing with all this stomach stuff too. Saw the GI on monday,  He put on somthing called  Dexilant,  anyone heard of it?  I have thought about bacteria stuff too,  but he told me if it  does not relieve my symptoms, we will scope. He also wants me to have a base line colonoscopy by the end of the year. Sooooooooooo over tests. Jenn did you just feel gurgely in your stomach / with relex , burping ect..

what were your symtoms, this new med seems ok, I think stomach issue's are hard to dx, however this doc did not seem to think it was cancer related. Thats what I needed to hear.

He did not even examine me though, his pa did, so really, how does he know!!!!

Hoping you feel lots better jen, this seems to be common with us bc gals.

Luv to all !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steph

jennyboog

Hey Steph, I hope you do get some answers soon and maybe this new med will do the trick, never heard of it before.  I never had heartburn at all, more of indigestion a bloating, sometimes it felt like I had a lump in my throat and I bet I burp a thousand times a day...gross I know & it gets even grosser, my DH even mentioned that my breath smelled different and he had never smelled it that way before, I read that there is a breath test for HP.  I thought that was interesting since my DH had mentioned that.  To my understanding the bacteria make a type of gas or something so it explains the bloating and breath.  Greasy food only make it worse and flare up, I had no problems sleeping either.  After reading the symptoms for h pylori it all made sense and fit my symptoms so I hope these antibiotics do the trick and I have my answer.  I agree stomach issues seem to be difficult to get a cut and dry answer on.  I had no problems before bc and chemo though, good luck and let me know how things go.

Texas357

Thanks Jenny! I've also had stomach issues since chemo. This is great info.

sweetangel

My cancer has been detected just because of me complaining about abdomen pain, my doctor ordered an ultrasound and found out I have a widespread liver metastasis.  Followed by GI and showed H.Pylori, I haven't take the antibiotic to treat it as I am worried that it might affect my chemo treatment. I was shocked that I have been diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer, liver and bone mets.  Maybe without the HPylori virus I woudn't know about this disease until now.  Has anyone on chemo and took the antibiotics?

jennyboog

Sorry sweetangel I just saw this today...I just finished my antibiotics a few days ago and feel so much better, I've had no more abdominal pains, chronic burping and can eat whatever I want now.  I hope someone else comes along can answer your question, as I finished chemo in Dec.  Hugs and prayers going to you in your fight.

sweetangel

Hi Jenny, I understand how people get busy during the weekends, I am almost done with my chemo next month, and will probably take the antibiotics after.  I hope this will help me feel better as well.  What treatment are you on now? since you said you are done with CHEMo last december? I hope everything is good and that your treatment went well.

jennyboog

Congrats on finishing chemo soon, it's a great feeling.  I finished chemo in Dec. did my BMX in Jan. finished rads in Apr. and just did my ooph a few weeks ago.  So far, things are going ok, I'm on aromasin and have a little PTSD but other than that I'm trying to move on.  I hope you do find relief from your HP, it is a terrible thing to deal with on top of everything else we have on our plates.  I bet that was a shock the way your bc was found, I found my lump myself.  You didn't have any other symptoms, no bone pain or liver pain?  I have a spot on my liver too, it didn't light up on my last scan and is too small to biopsy so we're watching it and hoping it's nothing.  I hope your treatment continues to go well also. 

sweetangel

Hi Jenny, sorry wasn't able to reply right away.  Unfortunately, I did not have my last chemo, it was postponed and my ONCO ordered a bone scan and CT scan, she might have me on another set of Chemo. I am so sad about it and hoping that the scan will give me a good result.  I am getting tired of it.  Anyway the good thing is I can now start the anti biotic for treating H. Pylori.  Isn't it weird that we have this virus/bacteria and makes me wonder how it relates with having breast cancer mets to liver......

jennyboog

No worries....I'm sorry, I do hope you have a clean scan and that the new chemo will be tolerable for you.  I'm so happy you'll be able to take your antibiotic though, hopefully you'll find the same relief I did.  The dr explained to me that the bacteria are always there but chemo changes things and makes them grow rampant and take over the stomach.  Let me know how things go, hugs and prayers going your way.  

sweetangel

Jenny, I thought when you take the antibiotic the bacteria should be gone? what is the sense of taking it and wont be effective and eliminate all the bacteria.  The GI Nurse told me that after taking the antibiotic, will need to wait about 6 weeks and she will send me for a blood work to check if I still have bacteria left.  Did you do the same thing? I want it all gone, so scary to know that there is something going on there....

jennyboog

No I didn't do any bloodwork after, I had a follow-up with the dr. and when I told him I was having no more symptoms he felt I was ok.  It's normal bacteria we all have it & it's suppose to be there, it does a job.  Normal flora...we have it in our month, intestines, etc.  If you have ever had a yeast infection it's the same thing, it's normal bacteria that can grow rampant if something is disturbed and our bodies get out of whack due to sickness or meds.  The antibiotic will just get it in control and into a normal healthy range so don't worry.  I hope this helps.