H pylori question? - Digestive Disorders Message Board

dizzyone · 12-09-2004, 11:11 AM

I have been having some stomach problems for about 5 weeks, my doctor just thinks stress helped irritate my stomach problem. I had an upper GI came back normal. She prescribed Zantac which seemed to help for about 3 weeks then the symptoms started creeping back. I went to urgent care yesterday and the doctor prescribed an acid blocker now, a precautionary ultrasound on the abdomen just to make sure nothing else there bothering the stomach. I have read several persons having the blood test for the bacteria and they came out incorrect. Does anyone know how accurate they are, My doctor has not even mentioned doing one, should I ask her? I live in Canada and the scope to check your stomach may takes weeks or months as I have not even seen a specialist. I don,t want to just be dumped on a drug, just to find out that there is a bacteria later, and have to be put back on the drugs again, this just seems like a big circle. Please anyone have any input. Sandra

Gareth_rogers · 12-09-2004, 12:34 PM

Hi, I am also from Canada (Toronto area). I have been told the best test for H pylori is the breath test and actual biopsy taken via the scope........but a blood test is a good place to start. The persons who may have said the blood test is not to good - maybe saying that the blood test only works the first time to check, as even after you kill the bacteria you retain the antibodies in the blood, so subsequent tests to check have to be done via breath test /biopsy taken via the scrope...

Why not just go to another walk-in and ask for a blood test looking for H pylori ? I have asked for such requests before and glad I did..............

suzyshop1 · 01-01-2005, 01:22 AM

About a yr ago i tested positive for h.pylori,it was discovered when i had an endoscopy and biopsy done.Previously i had a blood test done that turned up negative.So yes you can show a false negative and still be carrying the h.pylori infection.Hope this helps.