Diagnosing a stomach ulcer

[OutOfBlueComesGreen]

How are they diagnosed?
He Gp seemed to think my symptoms were gallstones. Bloods came back fine as did scan.
I'm still in pain. Still feeling very nauseous. Sometimes I have reflux.
I'm not losing weight as I'm finding that eating helps the nausea & reflux!
I shall go back to the GP obviously but I have consulted Dr Google & my symptoms add up to an ulcer.
Thanks for any help anyone can give.
(No blood in stools either btw)

[PurpleTraitor]

H.pylori can be detected using a breath test, no more scary than a breathalyser.

Non-h.pylori ulcers I'd imagine it'd be endoscopy.

Not a HCP just someone with previous ulcers.

[OutOfBlueComesGreen]

Thank you PurpleTraitor.

[DramaAlpaca]

All my DS's symptoms pointed to an ulcer according to Dr Google. He had all sorts of tests and an endoscopy finally revealed a hiatus hernia.

Hope you get sorted soon.

[FrillyFimbo]

I've suffered from ulcers & H. Pylori; diagnosed by a sputum sample. I was put on a strong combination of 2 antibiotics and an antacid for a month. Then a continued course of antacid. A gastroscopy was not required. Likewise I found eating soothed the pain, but I felt nauseous so I never felt like eating.

[OutOfBlueComesGreen]

Thank you. I've eaten some biscuits because it takes the nausea & general nastiness away. I will be putting weight on.

[sufferingicecakes]

I had suspected ulcers and I had a burning sensation, in addition to blood in stools, often quite soon after eating but also occasionally on an empty stomach. However, my main symptom now (after being on PPIs or the likes of ranitidine since mid Jan) are bad reflux if I try to come off the meds. If I do not take the meds I also get a burning sensation in the oesophagus and sore throat. The latest thinking is a hiatus hernia, which can also get ulcerated, but I am still to have an endoscopy. I also had the most hideous belching too, which has only recently disappeared.

I think with gallstones etc your issues would be on the right hand side, with stomach issues your issues tend to be on the left hand side, with hiatus hernia type pain being felt towards the middle.

[Oncandystripedlegs]

Hi, Did you find out if it was an ulcer? I am in a similar position, had a scan for gallstones yesterday which showed no obvious stones and my bloods were normal. I still feel nauseous and haven't had any big attacks of pain but my stomach is sore and uncomfortable most of the time.

[OutOfBlueComesGreen]

I had an endoscopy a few days ago. Nothing has shown up.
I still feel awful.
Worryingly, I have googled the blood tests I now have booked.one of them is CA25.
Googled that. My symptoms are very like ovarian cancer.
Must step away from google.
Am twat.

[user1490142285]

Urgh, sorry to hear you're not well. Try not to worry about ovarian cancer. The symptoms are vague and overlap with loads of other benign conditions, which is why it is so often not diagnosed until quite late in the day. If you have oc symptoms, there are so many other things it could be you could be worrying yourself sick for nothing if you focus on that. The good news is that they are going to be safe and try to exclude it straight away.

[OutOfBlueComesGreen]

Thank you User1490142285.
I'm hoping it's something & nothing. It's just so many other things have already been ruled out.
It is good that they are continuing to investigate though.

[user1490142285]

I think it's a good sign that eating is helping to control the nausea. Good luck and I hope you feel better. Keep us updated.

[OutOfBlueComesGreen]

Tummy really bloated. Lost weight but can't go down a size in bottoms due to tummy. Had bloods done yesterday. Haven't heard anything back so that's good news.
Still in pain.
Still no closer to know what's going on!