Breath test after treatment-? for Dr. Marshall

[ihatehp]

Dr. Marshall,

I was finally diagnosed with H. Pylori after battling gastritis for a couple of years and being basically ignored by my primary care physician. The diagnosis was via endoscopy. I was treated with Clarithromycin, Amoxicillan, and Prevacid for two weeks. This week I saw Dr. Kevin Dye in Roanoke, VA. I am aware of Dr. Dye's history with you so I sought him out once discovering I had H. Pylori.

I completed treatment in late June but only went for the breath test this past week because I needed a round of antibiotics for a respiratory infection in August. My result was indeterminate, 192. This has me disappointed and confused. I was really shocked as I didn't even know this was a possible outcome. Dr. Dye has scheduled me to come back in a month to do the test again. He said if we got the same result we would do a stool test and potentially another endoscopy. I was too stunned to really think of any questions at the time so I left the office.

Now I'm wondering what can cause this result. I know it's closer to positive than negative and I'm thinking of calling Dr. Dye's office Monday to ask if we can go ahead with a stool test now. If I am still infected I'd rather get on with the second round of treatment and get it over with. What can lead to this indeterminate result? I was more concerned prior to testing with the prospect of a false negative and was extremely conscientious about not taking any antibiotics, ppis, pepto, etc.

Any insight you can give me would be hugely appreciated. I know I'm not the first to say this, but this has been a long road. After spending the last few years suffering, finally getting correctly diagnosed, getting through treatment and making it in for retesting, this result has left me in limbo. I am a 39 year old female with two elementary school children and my quality of life has been very negatively impacted.

Best Regards,

ihatehp

[Helico_expert]

Hi,

it's a border line count for your breath test. It could be any reasons, such as the pill was not correctly ingested, other urease positive bacteria is around, etc etc. I agree with your doctor. repeat the breath test again in a month time.

also, I like to remind you that it takes time for your stomach to recover to normal. the recovery time vary among people. let's hope your breath test will come back negative next month.

[barjammar]

Borderline Breath Test
We occasionally do see a borderline result. In most cases, a test which starts > 1000 and ends up <200 will be a negative result. Dr Dye is being thorough. I agree, just repeat the breath test, but make sure you are at least 1 month away from antibiotics and follow all the rules. If the next test is negative then you are all clear. If you keep getting borderline results then use a stool test to adjudicate - but it probably means you are HP-negative but with some kind of minor abnormality (I don't know what). If you still feel unwell in that case a further endoscopy may be warranted.
Good Luck. Please give my regards to Dr Dye if you see him again.
BJM