Prevpac without taking Previcid?

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So upon a having an upper endoscopy, I was diagnosed with mild gastritis. The biopsy taken from the area tested positive for H.Pylori. My doctor has prescribed the Prevpak to treat the HP. I have taken a nuraber of PPI/H2 blockers (zantac,pepcid,dexilant). They have all given me some pretty bad side effects such as sore muscles, headaches and indigestion.

I want to rid myself of HP, but I do not want to go through the side effects of Previcid. Would the antibiotics still work if I decided not to the take the previcid. I suspect the prevecid is in there to ease the discomfort of heartburn. Is there any added benefit to the corabination of Previcid with the antibiotics? I don't want to sound like a pharmaceutical conspiracy theorist, but I feel like all H2 blocker/PPIs are dangerous. They initially relieved some discomfort from eating, but eventually my acid levels were so low that I couldn't digest anything efficiently and it was contributing to bloating, putrification and indigestion. I worry that this puts the drug taker in a bad cycle of going on and off these acid lowering drug. I understand that it is rare that people suffer from excessive acid production but the norm is that not enough acid is produced. If that is truly the case, why are we treating stomach problem by further inhibiting the ability to digest?

I also suspect I had a hiatal hernia. With some massage techniques and breathing techniques I have been able to get the hernia to drop. All my episodes of heartburn and panic attacks seem to occur when my insides were up in my ribs. I was able to address this a few weeks prior to my endoscopy and I was not diagnosed with a hiatal hernia. By being aware of my stomach position, I've been able to control my heartburn.

sorry about the long entry. but the main question is:

Would the prevpac therapy still work if I decide not to take the prevacid?
 
In general, I'm pretty negative about taking PPIs. I believe that they should be the last resort for severe symptoms after other treatments have failed, and that they are heavily overprescribed.

However, if you are undergoing antibiotic therapy for H. Pylori, reducing your stomach acid just for a few weeks is the best way to make sure the erosions heal, and it really does improve the odRAB of wiping out the H. Pylori.

This is the "right" time to take that medicine. Recently hazarRAB of PPI use have been uncovered, especially nutrient deficiencies, but those are seen in people who take them for years and years.

(It may be that you need a low dose, like 10 mg rather than 20. Some people are more sensitive than others.)
 
One more thing: Stomach acid breaks down the antibiotics. That's why the prevacid.
 
thanks for the reply! I'm considering only taking the prevacid only once a day as opposed to twice a day.

Wouldn't increased stomach acid, make absorption of the antibiotics more efficient?
 
Well, HP has lots of natural defenses against your stomach acid. That's why it's the only bug that can actually infect the human stomach in the first place.

For whatever reason, adding a PPI makes the antibiotic therapy more effective. There are studies that show this. But one Prevacid per day might well be enough.
 
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