# My first perscription drug cocktail **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 2, 2006, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-perscription-drug-cocktail/367014 "2006-08-02T13:19:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Subway\_Prophet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecb155/32.png) [@Subway\_Prophet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subway_Prophet)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-perscription-drug-cocktail/367014/1 "2006-08-02T13:19:37Z")
So my doc tells me I have an ulcer. He diagnosed it with a pinprick blood test. He says that Scientists and Doctors and Experts have Discovered a Bacterium that causes ulcers. (He actually talks in capital letters and generic terms like that too, it’s kind of fun listening to him, like he’s a newscaster.) So anyway, I’ve had ulcers on and off for more than ten years now. I figure I’ll try something new for this pain in my gut. He perscribes me something called [PrevPac](http://www.drugs.com/MTM/P/Prevpac.html). I’m totally fine with it until I get home and open the box…I have to take 8 pills a day! Gaahhhh… Sure it’ll help my ulcer. It’ll help it _grow_… ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-perscription-drug-cocktail/367014/2 "2006-08-02T13:45:37Z")
I’ve heard of this bacteria ulcer thingy. Did he say how effective the treatment is? I’d choke 'em all down. I had a neighbor who almost bled to death from an undiagnosed ulcer. Very scary. Hope you’re feeling better! ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-perscription-drug-cocktail/367014/3 "2006-08-02T13:50:19Z")
Hmmmmm… Last week, after several years of procrastination, I finally had a colonoscopy & upper GI exam. I was told that a biopsy was taken as part of the upper GI, supposedly to check my iron absorption (I’ve been having some problems with anemia). Yesterday my doctor called to tell me that the biopsy revealed the presence of _H. Pylori_ bacteria and although I did not have an ulcer _yet_ he prescribed what he described as “a two-week series of antibiotics & Prevacid” just to be on the safe side. The pharmacy called me later in the day to inform me that they were out of stock but it would be ready for me to pick up today after 4pm. 8 pills a day? I’m lucky I remember to take my iron pills & vitamins. This should be interesting… ---
**Author:** ![Subway\_Prophet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecb155/32.png) [@Subway\_Prophet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subway_Prophet)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-perscription-drug-cocktail/367014/4 "2006-08-02T17:51:12Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > “a two-week series of antibiotics & Prevacid” I think that’s what I have. Supposedly there’s a follow-up regimen for after the first two weeks, but my insurance won’t cover that. ---
**Author:** ![Faruiza](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@Faruiza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Faruiza)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2006, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-perscription-drug-cocktail/367014/5 "2006-08-02T18:06:28Z")
> [@Kalhoun](#): > > I’ve heard of this bacteria ulcer thingy. Did he say how effective the treatment is? I’d choke 'em all down. I had a neighbor who almost bled to death from an undiagnosed ulcer. Very scary. Hope you’re feeling better! I think this is the result of some study my mother participated in. According to her, the discovery of the H.Pylori bacteria being the cause of ulcers is a total miracle. She suffered from ulcers most of her adult life until they found this out. She’s ulcer free now after participating in the trials of this protocol or something very much like it. At the time, the doc told her that the H. Pylori bacteria has something to do with cats. _shrug_ Unfortunately, take that for what it’s worth, because I can’t be arsed to find a cite. I just wanted to say good luck to **Subway Prophet** , and I hope you feel better soon! ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2006, 1:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-perscription-drug-cocktail/367014/6 "2006-08-03T13:10:22Z")
Well, I’ve got your 8 pills a day beat, **Subway Prophet**. Instead of the PrevPac my doctor put me on [Helidac Therapy](http://www.healthsquare.com/newrx/hel1195.htm). probably because I’ve had an allergic reaction to penicillin in the past. Four pills four times a day. Since I don’t have an ulcer, I think the some of the medication may be superfluous, but I guess it’s easier to prescribe the whole package instead of just the antibiotics. And according to the instructions, I can’t take my iron supplements while I’m taking this. But I suppose a little temporary anemia is better than getting an ulcer later. ---
**Author:** ![Subway\_Prophet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecb155/32.png) [@Subway\_Prophet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Subway_Prophet)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-perscription-drug-cocktail/367014/7 "2006-08-04T16:59:07Z")
> [@LurkMeister](#): > > Four pills four times a day. Ack! And here I was feeling sorry for _me_. But I do that anyway. 🙂 > [@](#): > > Since I don’t have an ulcer, I think the some of the medication may be superfluous, but I guess it’s easier to prescribe the whole package instead of just the antibiotics. So you were perscribed the package because you tested positive for the bacterium? ---
**Author:** ![LurkMeister](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/3da27b/32.png) [@LurkMeister](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LurkMeister)\ **Post date:** [August 4, 2006, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/my-first-perscription-drug-cocktail/367014/8 "2006-08-04T17:15:28Z")
> [@Subway Prophet](#): > > So you were perscribed the package because you tested positive for the bacterium? That’s right. I’ve never shown any symptoms for ulcers. The upper & lower GI tests were done only because I’m 53 and at that age they start recommending that you get your plumbing checked out for polyps and other possible problems.