I'm sooooo sick!!

So, I've been taking PrevPac for H.Pylori as part of my pre-op regime, I tested positive for H.Pylori during my labs.  Well yesterday would've been day 11 out of the 14 days, but I woke up at 4am with severe stomach cramping, nausea (never did throw up but felt like I was going to all day), diarrhea (I'd say 15 times yesterday and 5 already today and I haven't eaten anything since Thursday and barely drank anything yesterday, am trying to drink today), just plain miserable and sick.  I didn't leave my bed all day, I didn't eat anything and barely drank anything.  I couldn't take the medicine at all yesterday, I was just too sick, I would've never kept it down.  So today I get up and try to make myself go to work (actually I went in to work and they sent me home) and I'm brushing my teeth and see I have thrush on my tongue.  Ugh!  So, yesterday my husband kept asking me if I thought it was the medicine making me sick, and I kept saying I thought it was the flu, but upon seeing the thrush I was pretty sure it was in fact the medicine.  Tried calling the Dr's office, got just an answering machine, so called the Pharmacist who at first said he didn't think it caused thrush, but then found that yes it does (well of course it can, it's got two antibiotics in it).  Anyway, I ask him if I should keep taking the medicine (I DO NOT want to feel like this for four more days, nor can I afford it), he said well if you don't take it you risk getting sick after surgery, so it would probably be better to keep taking it and treat your symptoms.  He suggested taking Probiotics and using Gentian Violet for the thrush.  Soooooo, long story to say I feel horrible, but forced myself to take more of the medicine and sent hubby to the store to get me some probiotics and gentian violet.  I sure as heck hope it works, cause I HATE feeling nauseated.  Blech. 

~Melody

There's a good side to this...after surgery nothing is as bad as the Prev Pac!  I got so sick about the same time as you.  I think I made it to the 12th day before I just said bump it.  I have always hated PeptoBismol anyway so the entire thing was one big nausea fest.  The tongue possibly isn't thrush.  It's probably the discoloration caused from the PeptoBismol tabs.  They mix with sulfur in foods you've eaten and turn your tongue, stool, urine, and intestinal lining a dark green-gray-black.  I found if I brushed my teeth about half an hour after taking the meds the tongue issue wasn't as bad.  Once it's discolored, it will wear off in a few days.  I did have great results with the meds..I quit burping, quit having gas, and felt more energetic (when not nauseated).  Anyway, I didn't complete my meds prior to surgery but I did the best I could.  My doc said he would take the 12 days I was able to get in.  I did great after surgery and had not one complication.  Hang in there, it will pass.
Laura

So sorry you are feeling so awful, Melody!

Martha

Thanks guys.  My tongue isn't green-gray-or black, it's white.  But yeah, the whole thing has been awful.  I did start taking the medicine again today, hopefully the one day I missed won't be a big deal, I seriously could not have kept it down yesterday.  I took it again today and took the Probiotics and used the gentian violet on my tongue, I'm hoping I can get through the last four days of this.  And I do have to say it has made me think, "if I'm this miserable on this medication how am I going to feel after surgery" so I'm glad to hear that the PrevPac was worse for you than surgery, lol.  Anyway, I'm toughing it through it, although I've been in bed all day again today...I'm off tomorrow but Monday and Tuesday I have to go to work, so I'm hoping the probiotics help.  Thanks for the support.

~Melody

Melody,
Love the new avatar. Prevpack sucks. My pharmacist says it creates the most non-compliance among patients. muster all your strength and finish the pack. It really helped my reflux. The metallic taste in my mouth was horrific. Do you have a surgery date yet? Oh, try yougart for poops. Good luck.

Thanks, I'm trying to muster all my courage to get through it, but I'm honestly not sure how I'm going to work tomorrow and the next day, and I have to go to work.  I took it yesterday and took the Probiotics (figured that would be easier than eating yogurt since I can't really eat, I've only gagged down about a half a cup or a cup of food in two days and that took me several hours of forcing myself to take a few bites here and there), and I used the Gentian Violet on my tongue and my tongue is worse today than yesterday and now the corners of my mouth hurt, plus my stomach sounds like I'm not sure what, lol, it's making so much noise it was keeping me up last night.  This is seriously AWFUL.  No, I don't have a date yet, I haven't even had my surgical consult yet, I've finished all of my pre-op requirements (psych eval, sleep study, nutrition consult, etc) and now I'm just waiting for the clinic to get the sleep study results and to call me to set up the surgical consult and then if I've lost my 5% then they will submit it to insurance for approval. 

Anyway, thanks for the support guys.  I've been in bed for two days solid and I never stay in bed like that, ick!  3 more days of this medicine to go.

~Melody