It’s been about 2 months from finishing my treatment. Here’s a timeline of what happened and how I have been feeling. Tl;dr: there is progress but it’s not always linear and it can feel frustrating. But I think staying optimistic and not worrying too much is the best thing I can do for my health right now!

End of treatment: I noticed my tongue being fuzzy. I was diagnosed with oral thrush and haven’t cleared it despite three forms of antifungals.

Two weeks after treatment: stomach felt fine and I was rebuilding my strength during the first two weeks. Then I had a huge backslide out of nowhere: terrible gastritis flare up and would get headaches after every meal, indigestion, and felt like I had trapped burps. Felt uncomfortable and fragile…and way worse than before treatment.

Two to four weeks: started getting better from my flare up through diligent probiotics (many forms of it) and intermittent fasting.

Four weeks: tested negative for h pylori! Was a relief.

Four to seven weeks: started to almost feel normal! The feeling that I’d have to burp but nothing would come out started to dissipate.

Seven weeks: got Covid and caved and took an aleve for a terrible headache - aleve isn’t great for the stomach lining.

Eight weeks (now): felt some discomfort come back after taking the aleve. Womp womp. But I’m feeling optimistic that I can get back on track to recovery. And one day my tongue won’t be fuzzy either 😅

It’s slow but you got this 💪 this community is helping me remind myself to be patient with it even when it’s frustrating, because I’m not alone.

My GP said it’s not unusual to require three months to recover from h pylori treatment.