I read on a UK PD forum that H.Pylori can mess up Thyroid testing thereby possibly hiding an under active problem that maybe causing fatigue which then is assumed to be as a result of PD.

As I also suffer from reflux which obviously can come from H.Pylori I am very keen to hear if anyone else knows anything about this.

With the added issue that H.Pylori can affect Levodopa absorbsion I am going to get myself tested but in the mean time any feedback on the Thyroid/fatigue/H.Polori connection would be a great help.

Thanks
Chris

Chris, we've had a very good thread on helicobacter in the old forum.
I believe we came to the conclusion that most people who have it don't know it, and that it is indeed the cause for poor Sinemet absorption.
So, yes, get it checked out. Most people seem to notice considerable improvement in their PD symptons.

As I've said elsewhere, you need to be careful with this if you do it. You might even consider seeing if the Dobbs team at King's College (?) could work you into their study on this. PM Ron Hutton for contact info.

The need for care is that if you fill the bacteria with antibiotics and if your GI system is running slow, you end up with a toxic nightmare festering in your gut. Some folks have gone downhill in a major way because of this.

Using the wrong antibiotics can also make things worse. And even with the right ones the success rate is only about 75%.

Additional factors include the turmoil to your other microflora and a very real possibility that H pylori is not all bad, especially when in balance with the host.

Finally, you might want to go to Medline and search for "pylori" and "rhubarb" in hopes of improving that 75%.

...guess what I did today Chris?Apart from digging my rose and peony patch,and apart from spending some real quality time in conversation with an extremely entertaining friend,I too scoured the net to find out more about these electrolytes which Reverett says are important to our ph balance.And it seems that if our ph balance is out of kilter,we are buggered.Anyhow...this is what I read and it seems to make a good deal of sense;


"[B][I]Electrolytes the key to cellular communication
In a battery, the electrolyte fluid, creates an electrochemical pathway between one pole (+) and another (-). Electrolytes, minerals and salts do the same thing between your body's cells in a network many billions of times more complex-and critical to maintaining normal blood pressure, restful sleep, proper cardiac rhythm, muscle strength, endocrine balance, intestinal function and more. Diet deficiencies, alcohol, use of laxatives, exercise, dehydration, and a lot of other everyday realities can disrupt this all-important communications network.

The pH Factor. You can taste it.
[COLOR="RoyalBlue"]To function properly your body needs to keep a careful acidic/alkaline balance; the ratio of one to other is called pH. When your body is well-hydrated and slightly more alkaline than acidic you are less likely to suffer joint pain, bone loss, headaches, lack of energy, tenderness, cravings, and a variety of unsatisfied cravings. Unfortunately many foods (including a lot of good and good tasting ones) are quite acidic.[/COLOR[/I"

So..I guess it all comes down to what stuff we put in our bodies,and we should be far more aware of good dietary habits above anything else.
I know this is put in simpleton speak,but i will leave the mega scientific stuff to those who can rattle off big words.

I also happened upon this guy who claimed we could reverse our illness.Would sure like to believe this,but if it were truly the case we all would be hopping and leaping about instead of lurching like stiffs.

And may I add Chris,that the athletic world are taking this electrolyte business seriously,as are vets and race horse owners.Seems the canine and equine sector are ahead of us as they have been on this for ages,to ensure their dogs and steeds have glossy coats,wet noses,and waggy tails....and wait for it...are in good health before they are WORMED
Yes...these animals are tested for ph balance prior to worming.

So..having brought yet another thread back to "bottoms" I will slink away and stick litmus paper to my tongue.

Ho hum. Hope you get sorted.
x

Thank you for the warning Rick. I need to be careful anyway as I am allergic to Penicillin and do not react particularly well to any antibiotic. If I am tested positive I will try Probiotics first.

I am willing to try anything as my fatigue attacks are so bad and whilst all our symptoms are different my fatigue levels appear to be totally disproportionate to all my other symptoms and totally unaided by my PD drugs which have helped all my other symptoms.

Chris

the best thing i have found for my own fatigue has been the combination of alpha lipoic acid and acetyl l carnitine.

also, steffi was having great results with a tonic called Metatone - mainly electrolytes.

just wanted to mention a supplement called Gum mastica that has received some accolades for being very effective in eradicating H pylori

some of the blurb on it

Also DGL liquorice extract (MUST be the DGL form) is very helpful in healing the ulceration site itself.

I dont know if there are any contra-indications for these two supps with medications