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Post by hellsbells on Apr 23, 2010 12:05:38 GMT -5
Today I've been diagnosed with H.Pylori for the second time. First was two years ago. There's no way to know if the treatment didn't work last time or if I've been re-infected. It's a very common stomach infection that can have no symptoms and cause no problems, but then again, the opposite is also true! Nausea, bloating, diarhoea, constipation, reflux, fatigue, weight gain/loss. It can affect your absorption of nutrients fom food. The treatment prescribed is a pretty harsh combo of antibiotics and stomach acid inhibitors, but I'm happy to do it for a week as i felt pretty good after the last lot! Anybody else had it/got it?
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Post by Karen on Apr 23, 2010 17:22:18 GMT -5
What causes it, do you know? Or is it some mysterious thing? How is it diagnosed? More info, please!
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Post by hellsbells on Apr 24, 2010 5:43:36 GMT -5
Well, it's a bug that gets into your stomach. It's not nice - it's generally ingested, and usually by eating/drinking something that may be 'tainted' with fecal matter from somewhere. It's estimated that 50% of the world's population has it, but it's more prevalent in developing countries but because of sanitation problems. I swear I'm not a dirty girl!!! It can be diagnosed with a blood test, breath test or stool sample. Treatment is two antibiotics and an acid inhibitor. The persky creature survives in the mucous lining of your stomach so it's protected from the acid. Its full name is Helicobacter Pylori.
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Post by Karen on Apr 24, 2010 7:37:29 GMT -5
Interesting... How did they know to test for it the first time? I'd assume that since it's more common in developing countries, it's not something that's routinely tested for? Funny, the symptoms and description make me think of a friend of mine... I'll have to pass along the info. No worries, I don't think you're a dirty girl. Well, at least in terms of things with fecal matters!
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Post by hellsbells on Apr 24, 2010 7:49:19 GMT -5
Lol. Because it messes with your nutrient absorption, etc I think it can ring alarm bells with other things. When I saw an immunologist a couple of years ago about Urticaria she tested for it as it can cause urticaria. A lot of docs don't seem to think about it, but even in the UK and US etc it's very common.
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Post by hellsbells on Jun 17, 2010 15:29:43 GMT -5
Ladies, please check out this link. I've been re-tested for this and after the treatment I took last month I'm still testing positive and have to do it again. Please take a look and consider getting tested. h-pylori-symptoms.com/h-pylori-symptoms/
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Post by sunshine78 on Jun 19, 2010 0:13:38 GMT -5
I've had this, before... and likely still have it. When I have the insurance/money, I'll go get treated. I was treated twice in a couple of years, before they did the dual-antibiotic thing.
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Post by hellsbells on Jun 19, 2010 6:38:33 GMT -5
I'm convinced it may be responsible for a lot of my health issues. Evil little thing!
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Post by Karen on Jun 29, 2010 20:58:25 GMT -5
Helen forwarded this to me and I thought it was worth sharing... Fascinating, eh? If you've never been tested for digestive issues, consider it. I know I'll be asking my doc when I see her next week!! Digestive issues can lead to vitamin and mineral deficiencies, which can lead to - get this - anxiety, depression, unbalanced hormones, bloating, etc. www.davehompesblog.com/how-can-h-pylori-cause-anxiety-depression/
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Post by hellsbells on Jul 2, 2010 16:32:51 GMT -5
There are so many gastro symptoms that could be attributed to this. It's such a simple test, well worth ruling out or getting treatment for!
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Post by ohmandie on Sept 1, 2010 18:39:59 GMT -5
This is QUITE interesting...especially since I've been having tummy issues for the past few months. AND I just saw an episode of Dr. Oz about this! I had no idea that acid reflux was related to H. Pylori either.
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Post by Karen on Sept 1, 2010 18:43:37 GMT -5
Sounds like such an easy test, might be worth at least having it done!
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Post by omaklackey on Sept 1, 2010 18:59:08 GMT -5
The test does require an Endoscopy for an accurate diagnoses, for my insurance that was about $450. Like endo it can't be purely diagnosed with a swab or scan. It requires being knocked out and an acutal biopsy/swab of tissue from the digestive tract. My doctor tested for it in Jan. and said its actually really common! I know when I researched it they said a lot of people get tested by doing the swab and then think they are okay but they actually still had it. Defintily a good idea for all of us ladies who have digestive issues to test for it because it is very common.
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Post by Karen on Sept 1, 2010 19:43:30 GMT -5
An endoscopy is not required. There are other very simple and much less expensive tests available.
(http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/h-pylori/DS00958/DSECTION=tests-and-diagnosis)
Tests and diagnosis By Mayo Clinic staff
Tests and procedures used to determine whether you have an H. pylori infection include:
* Blood test. Analysis of a blood sample may reveal signs of an H. pylori infection in your body. A blood sample is usually collected by pricking your finger. * Breath test. During a breath test, you drink a solution that contains radioactive carbon molecules. If you have an H. pylori infection, the radioactive carbon is released when the solution is broken down in your stomach. Your body absorbs the radioactive carbon and expels it when you exhale. You exhale into a bag and your doctor uses a special device to detect the radioactive carbon. * Stool test. A laboratory test called a stool antigen test looks for foreign proteins (antigens) associated with H. pylori infection in your stool. * Using a flexible scope to see inside your stomach. During an endoscopy exam, your doctor threads a long flexible tube equipped with a tiny camera (endoscope) down your throat and esophagus and into your stomach and duodenum. Using this instrument, your doctor can view any irregularities in your upper digestive tract and remove tissue samples (biopsy). These samples are analyzed for H. pylori infection.
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Post by cherry on Sept 2, 2010 7:16:58 GMT -5
Yep I never had an endoscopy for it, and luckily I'm good now. They caught it right quick.
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