I posted this on Facebook this morning:
So, I haven’t really said anything, but I’ve been kinda sick for the past few months. I have been having diarrhea constantly (sometimes with blood), bloating, stomach pain, weight loss, heart burn and a host of other stomach problems.
I went to the doctor and had an upper GI performed, an ultrasound, and lots of blood work. The doctor was thinking I had gallstones, Celiac disease, or a thyroid problem.
It turned out, through blood work, that I have a bacterial infection in my stomach that irritates the esophagus and stomach and causes ulcers. The bacteria I’m infected with is common in third world countries that have poor sanitation, unclean water, and close living quarters. I’m not sure how I got it or if I’ll ever know. I do know that it is contagious.
The good news is that I can take medicine to hopefully heal this infection and cure the ulcers in my stomach. I learned sometimes the antibiotics don’t cure the infection the first time, though.
Tomorrow I start taking a triple therapy PrevPac for two weeks.
I’m going to be taking eight pills a day–four in the morning and four in the evening–with some uncomfortable side effects.
Some of the side effects are diarrhea, headaches, nausea, vomiting, and abnormal taste. I’m kind of sick of diarrhea at this point, but if this medicine heals me, I’m going to deal with it.
My doctor is also having me have an endoscopy (a procedure where they look at your esophagus and stomach by a long tube inserted in your throat) to check if the medicine eliminates the infection.
I’m happy to know what has been causing all of the pain and I’m very blessed that this condition can be treated and that I live in a country that medication is readily available and doctors abound. I fully trust that God is going to take care of me, whatever happens.
The Lord is my rock, and my safe place, and the One Who takes me out of trouble. My God is my rock in Whom I am safe. He is my safe-covering, my saving strength, and my strong tower. Psalm 18:2
Edited to add: If you want to talk to me about my experience with H. Pylori and the medicine I took, please feel free to email me at alliezottola(at)gmail(dot)com. Thanks!
You can find my other posts about H.Pylori below:
Stomach Update
Stomach Update #2
Endoscopy Results
My Experience with H.Pylori
Hey.
Pumpkin waffles
Quiche. Eggs + milk + basil + salt & pepper + red onion + green pepper + zucchini + feta.
Cucumbers from my garden and a random squash from my uncle. I think it’s called a starfish squash? No idea. It was good roasted though… nice & sweet!
Corn bread. Pretty much my favorite thing ever.
Avocado. It was only 99 cents! Has anyone had the avocado from Subway? It’s really good!
Overnight oats in a jar. I never thought I would hop onto this bandwagon, but it’s pretty tasty!
Chocolate Reese’s Pieces cookies. Recipe to come soon 😀
Sunflower milk. So creamy.
Beef & vegetable bowls. Recipe also to come soon.
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Lily 🙂
Living My Full Life 