Any GI docs out there?

[Bikini Mod]

I posted this in the "select" forum, but I realize that many of you whose knowledge and opinions I hold in high regard to not have access. I would very much appreciate ANY help. Thank you.

I have a friend who is experiencing some GI probs. She will be visiting her GI doc soon but doesn't want to volunteer that she is using A/S (well is currently off, but will be beginning another cycle by week's end).

She won't know for sure until she visits the doc, but she is pretty sure that it is an old recurring prob. She has been treated twice for H-Pylori bacterial infections. The last time she had any symptoms was about 4 years ago.

What are the chances that it could have returned? Once treated successfully, shouldn't the problem go away permanently or is there a genetic predisposition? I thought that ulcers were no longer thought to be a chronic condition as they are not caused by stress or diet, but by this bacteria.

- She gets bad stomach aches after eating.

- Bad heartburn (more than three times p/week).

- Her voice is always raspy (granted it has been lowered from A/S use, but something has changed in the past several weeks along with the return of the other symptoms.)

- Sometimes has a hard time swallowing food. (This is something that she did NOT experience in her previous boughts with this problem.)

At first she thought it was just stress, but now realizes that it could me more.

She wants so much to compete in a show in April. And is just a bit miffed by all of this BS. I know it seems silly, putting so much importance on a competition - but it stands for a lot. She has been through a lot last year and wants so much to make her friends and family who have supported her proud.

So - whaddayall think?

Can anybody she some light or point me in the proper direction?

Thank you , in advance, for your help.

 

[Bikini Mod]

Bump....

anyone?

 

[wilson6]

Have her see the GI specialist and get the problem diagnosed. I wouldn't say anything about AAS unless the issue comes up, then its androstenedione or some other prohormone or DENY. To them, the sides are the same but to insurance its a different ball game.

Just want to rule out liver involvement, stomach cancer, etc.

W6

 

[Bikini Mod]

Thanx Wilson - I will pass on the info to her. Her appointment is on the 20th.

 

[celica]

Could be a hiatal hernia or reflux . She must find out wheather she has too much acid or not enough acid in her stomach..I would
tell her to buy wobenzyme an take 3tabs thirty mins before breakfast and 3tabs 30 mins before dinner , if it does not help take nexium 30 mg 30 min before breakfast. By the way there is a supplement called Mastic gum that kills h.pylori naturally .No matter what take 6 billion units of acidolphilus a day.

 

[Latamier]

I disagree with Wilson. If this is a potentially serious problem you need to level with your Doc so he knows what he is actually dealing with.If he doesnt know what is causing the real problem then he can not treat her. As far as insurance goes, they will pay for her treatmentregardless. When you file insurance say for an upper or lower G.I. which they might want to perform on her, all they see is what is called an ICD9 code which is for the diagnosis. As far as what led up to that diagnosis, is only contained in the Drs dictation in her chart. Your insurance Co. will not see this, therefore they will foot the bill, minus your deductible , of cource. Even if they would not pay for it, would'nt you rather her get the proper treatment anyway? Let me know if I can help out.

 

[wilson6]

Lat,

I used to think that way (i.e., level with the doc), but there are many things that have changed my mind since then.

W6

 

[Bikini Mod]

She does have a hiatal hernia. And was treated with propulsid, prevacid, priloces, etc (acid-pump inhibitors) but her symptoms returned after the initial diagnosis of H-pylori was made and treated. Several months later she again returned to the doc and they explained that originally it was thought that only one antibiotic was needed to effectively eradicate the bacteria, but later discovered that TWO antibiotics were needed to effectively eliminate it. She was treated and ALL her symptoms DISAPPEARED after she began to try to competitively body build and changed her diet (more protein and fat - less carbohydrates... not talking Atkins here, but a shift of calories which came primarily from carbohydrates before).

She has been symptom free for @ five years. Now they have returned out of nowhere. It is a slow progression. At first she only had stomach trouble occasionally, then it was more and more frequent to the point where now she is finding it difficult to eat enough to stay strong in the gym. Her voice is ALWAYS raspy even though she has been off for over a month and her throat is always sore. She also has difficulty swallowing food and even liquid sometimes. If her stomach doesn't hurt then she has heartburn and/or nauseau.

She was thinking about cancelling her doc's appointment the other day because she felt fine for two/three days straight. Isn't it funny how you suddenly feel better after calling the doctor? Anyways today bad heartburn, nauseau, almost no voice, sore throat, a little stomach pain.

Nothing has changed in her lifestyle since she began her quest to put on mass. Only that she began to cycle last year. I KNOW this could not possibly have contributed to her GI condition. But I am just saying that is all that has changed.

What on earth could cause this to come up again out of nowhere?

All of your input is very much appreciated.

 

[wilson6]

Could it be that she's lifting heavier and causing more reflux or lower GI pressure that's contributing to the hiatal hernia?

I'd still say she should have it checked to rule out anything more serious.

W6

 

[MR. BMJ]

Helicobacter pylori neutralizes stomach acid by increasing urease production so it can grow in the stomach. Its growth results in gastritis and duodenal ulcers.

Is she type O blood? They seem to be more susceptible to this bacterium if I remember right.

Also, and i'm not trying to scare anyone, but this bacterium is recognized as a cause of stomach cancer. I would encourage her to visit the doctor's office as Wilson6 mentioned....better to be on the safe side of things here.

I know Pepto-Bismol may help alleviate some symptoms as well.

If MS reads this, she might be able to add a little, as her biology background is just a little better than mine...just a little though...lol.

If you have contact, another person to ask is cockdezl as he is a microbiologist...he might be more qualified for this type of question. He hasn't been around much lately though.

BMJ