Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)

[dmcrory]

Everyone,

Was diagnosed with H. Pylori in Cambodia I want a second opinion because blood test was positive but have few symptoms at this time. Want an second opinion before taken the heavy duty source of antibiotics to eradicate it. Doctor here only did Blood test and from what I have read this only show if the h. pylori antigens have been present. The breath test or stool test will actually show H. Pylori bacteria presences. Doc here not that good.

Looking for a good Gastroenterologist with experience with H. pylori. Anyone had H. Pylori what was your outcome.

Any recommendations and how much approx. to see a Gastroenterologist in Thailand.

I looking in Bangkok to start off with and may be moving to the Pattaya area.

Thx

D

[Sheryl]

I suggest you see Dr. Varocha Mahachai a US trained gastroenterologist who treated me for h.pylorii

She is at:

Bangkok Hospital https://www.bangkokhospital.com/index.php/en/doctor/gi/gi-01

BNH Hospital https://www.bnhhospital.com/en/find_doctor/detail/119

RSU Health Care Center http://www.rsuhealth.com/en/contact.php?type=consult

You are correct that the blood test only indicates presence of antibodies and not current infection (though if you are symptomatic and not previously treated to eradicate h. pylori, odds favor it). To determine presence of current infection, options are (1) urea breath test - note that need to not have taken antacids or PPIs (omprazole etc) for some 2 weeks before the test or (2) gastroscopy with direct biopsy of gastric contents. This is the most certain but also the most invasive and expensive approach. It does have the advantage of allowing diagnosis of ulcers etc if present and excluding tumors. Should also be possible to diagnose through stool test but I have not seen that being done here.

Consult at the first two places runs about 1,500 baht plus a few hundred add on for hospital charges. The tests will be extra and not sure cost of breath test; endoscopy is about 20K. All costs will be significantly less at RSU though I do not know exactly how much and am also not sure she is still there - but worth checking as would save money

in any case do not get meds at hospital or clinic pharmacy, buy outside. big mark ups and nothing you are likely to need requires a script.

Assuming you prove to have h. pylori, important to retest after treatment as treatment failures/drug resistance is not uncommon.

[HOAX]

Up to half of the world population has H. Pylori., including over 20 million Thais. It's usually nothing to worry about, just like so many other germs, worms and bacteria we humans have in our bodies. Infact, it is estimated that 7% of our DNA has been built by these successful monsters.

On the other hand, a few people do get complications, such as ulcers, and if you don't get treated early, then there is no cure. In worst case it can lead to stomach cancer.

You can read more about H. Pylori and how it is treated here:

www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/h-pylori-helicobacter-pylori

and here:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicobacter_pylori

My advice for you is to get treatment.

[djinn]

I have a h pylori.Tried already 4 or 5 times the antibiotic cures.No avail.refuse to cure.

I am allergic to penicillin,so it reduces the type of antibiotics I can take.One of my belgian gastroenterologist suggested to be treated for this allergy before a new treatment.Seems a dangereous procedure:giving penicillin in dose bigger and bigger in the course of one day under supervision of a specialist in ICU.(only one in my hometown university....)

My best friend is a head gastroenterologist in a belgian university.He advised me to continue the antibiotitic treatments.The risk is that in 80 % of stomach cancer,H pylori is found .But there is no proof cancer is caused by H pylori

An other alternative should be to have regular gastroscopy to check the stomach.My insurance will not be happy.

Go back to europ next month to find a solution,

Anyhow;in Pattaya,there is a good gastroenterologist:dr Sompote at the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital.

BPH is not equipped to analyse the samples taken during a gastroscopy to detect H pylori...so Better to go to Bangkok as suggested by Sheryl

[NickJ]

The treatment protocol is easy to find and the meds are OTC here.

[johnatong]

I have a h pylori.Tried already 4 or 5 times the antibiotic cures.No avail.refuse to cure.

I am allergic to penicillin,so it reduces the type of antibiotics I can take.One of my belgian gastroenterologist suggested to be treated for this allergy before a new treatment.Seems a dangereous procedure:giving penicillin in dose bigger and bigger in the course of one day under supervision of a specialist in ICU.(only one in my hometown university....)

My best friend is a head gastroenterologist in a belgian university.He advised me to continue the antibiotitic treatments.The risk is that in 80 % of stomach cancer,H pylori is found .But there is no proof cancer is caused by H pylori

An other alternative should be to have regular gastroscopy to check the stomach.My insurance will not be happy.

Go back to europ next month to find a solution,

Anyhow;in Pattaya,there is a good gastroenterologist:dr Sompote at the Bangkok Pattaya Hospital.

BPH is not equipped to analyse the samples taken during a gastroscopy to detect H pylori...so Better to go to Bangkok as suggested by Shery

There are a number of treatment protocols including so called " salvage regimens" for difficult to treat cases.

HP is no different to any organism and in some parts of the world has become resistant to common treatment strategies.

Options are available and if thought necessary 2nd/3rd opinions should be sought.

[homeseeker]

I was treated for this at BPH in Pattaya by Dr Jurawan of the gastro dept. eventually I was rid of it and I thought the treatment given was acceptable.

[gamesgplayemail]

On 4/20/2016 at 7:04 PM, homeseeker said:

I was treated for this at BPH in Pattaya by Dr Jurawan of the gastro dept. eventually I was rid of it and I thought the treatment given was acceptable.

 

Hello, is it her ?

https://www.bangkokpattayahospital.com/en/doctor-profile?v_id=89&depid=11

 

 

Thank you.

[homeseeker]

7 hours ago, gamesgplayemail said:

 

Hello, is it her ?

https://www.bangkokpattayahospital.com/en/doctor-profile?v_id=89&depid=11

 

 

Thank you.

Yes.

[kaffeburk]

Is the breath test available anywhere?

[Sheryl]

6 hours ago, kaffeburk said:

Is the breath test available anywhere?

Yes.

 

Most hospitals.

 

I was treated for h. pylori (with breath tests) by Prof. Varocha Mahachai, one of the best GI specialists in the country. She is at Bangkok Hospital in Bangkok and also comes to BPH once or twice a month I think.  And also works out of the RSU Health Center Digestive clinic 1-2 days a week (Bangkok).

[JanPeder]

As I understand when you diagnosed with H. Pylori you do a treatment that is worldwide known. called " tripple....something? Its the only way to get well again. 

 

My History. I got sick three month ago and then I do coloscopi (Sriphat Chiangmai), ultrasound and finaly I do the gastroscopi (Rajajev hospital). OK they says after 14 days checking - now we know. My stomach had a lot of HP bacteria. No ulcer. But, stomach was very much inflamed.

 

I started 11 januari with the HP:s tripple treatment during a period of 10 days. After treatment I felt very good. I still take omaprazol 20 mg every day.  

 

But...now it start again in my stomach and I feel tired. Yes unfortenly HP bacteria seems to come back. I feel sad because I am back on square one. Well at least on the "start one more treatment" square. But I have to do a check up first. As I understand Sheryl, he writes that I have to stop with the omaprazole for 10-14 days before I can go for the urea breath test?

 

Anybody that have experience from more than one HP treatment? 

[Sheryl]

Yes, it is common to need more than one course of treatment and happened to me.

 

Usually different drugs will be used for the second course.

 

Yes, should stop omeprazole 7-14 days beforehand.

 

[Liverpudlian]

Had this in my late 40s , had a tube inserted down into my stomach and a tiny sample nipped , watched it on a camera  meds prescribed  but a mate who had same test was found to have cancer and passed around 8 months later.