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General health

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Original poster

Heliobacter Pylori.....if you've had a blood test for it in the past does that mean you will never have it or can you just 'get' it?

14 replies

foxinsocks · 30/05/2008 22:33

because I've just remembered I was supposed to go for a blood test last week (no booked appointment, was just given a slip and told to go between 8.30 and 12)

thing is, I had this test about 20 years ago and it was negative

does that mean I can't have it now or is it something that you can pick up at any time? just wondering if anyone knew how it worked

OP posts:

MissingMyHeels · 30/05/2008 22:35

You can pick it up at any time. I had it 2yrs ago and it caused Gastro Oesophaegel Reflux Disease as it was untreated for a while and then when I did treat it I had to take three courses of the bad ass anti b's.

Def rebook your blood test!

Original poster

foxinsocks · 30/05/2008 22:36

ahh thanks.

I don't think I have to book. I just turn up with my slip.

grrrr. Don't like blood tests (have very squirty veins!).

I am on the omeprazole already but if I have this, I have to have the antibs too I think.

OP posts:

Nursejo · 30/05/2008 22:37

My Mum has had it and the treatment,and feels she has had it again since.Her GP said some people believe it is present in Tap water.So she stopped drinking Tap Water.

Marina · 30/05/2008 22:37

Good luck with the test FIS

Original poster

foxinsocks · 30/05/2008 22:38

lol nursejo. Sounds like a perfectly logical thing to do.

OP posts:

Original poster

foxinsocks · 30/05/2008 22:39

thanks marina.

I can't tolerate this reflux much longer tbh . It's really affecting my ability to commute first thing in the morning because I wake up feeling really sick.

OP posts:

MissingMyHeels · 30/05/2008 22:39

Make sure you get the anti b's on NHS prescription if you need them, my gastro consultant is a private one and my prescription for them cost £95

Three times

quint · 30/05/2008 22:40

You could well have it now even though you tested negative years ago. Also if you've had it once you can get it again. DH suffered really badly a few years ago, hopes it never comes back. Good luck

MissingMyHeels · 30/05/2008 22:40

Reflux is horrible, are you on metoclopramide? It's an anti-emetic and helps me with the vomiting/nausea.

emma1977 · 30/05/2008 22:44

A word of warning- the blood test for H pylori is notoriously inaccurate. Even if it is negative, you can still have the bacteria and need treatment. A test can also stay positive for a long time after the correct treatment.

My local NHS trust won't perform blood tests for this exact reason and insist that everyone has he breath test which is much more accurate and sensitive.

Original poster

foxinsocks · 30/05/2008 22:44

no, just on omeprazole. I didn't realise they could give me something else with it.

I'm waking up with food in my mouth (partially digested acidy food) and that horrible pain between my ribs.

I've had this several times but this time, it seems particularly bad I must admit. Am sitting up now because I went out for dinner and had a big meal and know I can't lie down yet!

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Original poster

foxinsocks · 30/05/2008 22:45

I didn't know that emma. If the test is negative, I have to have an endoscopy this time so I guess I'll get referred.

I had v serious bacterial dyssentery when I lived in Africa and apparently, it scarred my digestive tract v badly (don't know how this works) and I was told I'd probably have issues grrr

OP posts:

MissingMyHeels · 30/05/2008 22:49

I didn't have dysentry but I did have a bad gastric flu where I ended up hospitalised for a few weeks and this is what cause the H.Pylori and then the reflux too. It's a bit of a vicious circle because you have the damaged digestive tract so you pick up the bacteria so you treat with these hardcore anti biotics which cause yet more damage to the gut.

I would speak to your consultant about metoclopramide as well if you get the chance. I have to have six monthly endoscopy's, have you had one before? They're not that bad.

Original poster

foxinsocks · 30/05/2008 22:52

no, I had a barium meal though 20 yrs ago when they did the first HP test

just found that I had a hyperacidic stomach at the time

I'm guessing I've developed an ulcer (or two or three)

what actually made it a lot worse was that I got migraines and the GP did not take me seriously for a long time as they prescribed Imigran and when I said it didn't work, they said it couldn't have been a migraine and that I was taking too much nurofen/paracetomal so had some sort of headache the bounces back (or something). But actually, it was a hormonal migraine (arrived every time I got my period) so for years, I took nurofen every day for a week, every month as it was the ONLY thing that made life partially bearable in that week and I have a sneaking suspicion that this has eaten a blardy great big hole in my stomach lining

OP posts:

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