Please help I don't know what to do!

[Help please]

I have great insurance, live in the US and the gastro doc can't help me! I've had 3 endoscopies in 5 months... 1 with ulcers. I was taking achiphex at the time a ppi. I was always told I have GERD but now I wonder if its something else? H pylori?? My doc that did my initial endoscopy didn't tell me to stop taking my ppi before doing my biopsy. I have read u can get a false negative on h pylori if ur still taking ppis. My burning throat and ulcers are gone because ive upped my ppis...but I still have burning stomach pain that really hurts! I don't know what I should do.

I am just lost. I really think I have h pylori.

[Helico_expert]

Have you had antibiotics before? if you havent, you can do blood test.

if you had antibiotics treatment for H. pylori before, then you'll have to stop PPI for at least a week before breath/stool test.

sometimes, if you are lucky, your pathologist will be able to see H. pylori from histology or even culture it from biopsy when you are still on PPI.

[Help please]

Well I also have IBS and had really bad runs for a week and had to take antibiotic because my GP thought it was samonela posioning. I haven't had h pylori triple therapy before. I took ampincillin for the bowel issues 4 weeks ago so I think I'm clear. Btw my gastro refuses to do a blood test because he believes they are inaccurate. He doesn't even do breath test... Only endoscopy. I think he's out to make money and its time for a second opinion. Would u agree? I mean I went from 20 mg aciphex to 60 mg dexilant. I'm a mess lol! I also have a colonoscopy scheduled with him on 10/1.

Thank u so much for ur response JG

[Helico_expert]

second opinion is always good. Blood test is about 95% accurate for H. pylori infection. I think you can still have your blood test done to check for H. pylori infection. at least we can rule out one factor that affect your IBS.

Amoxicillin can reduce H. pylori load and give false negative in Breath/stool test. So, I wouldnt recommend them for now.

you mentioned that you had ulcer detected. So you'll have to take PPI for a few months until it's healed. However, if H. pylori is responsible for your ulcer, then ulcer coming back is very possible.

In addition, some ulcers may be due to pain killers (eg. ibuprofen, neurofen, etc). So, if you are taking any of these, you'll have to stop or discuss with your GP.

[Help please]

Can a ppi cause a false negative for blood test? If not at least that's a possible option. I am so fed up with my doc so I think it's a good option to get a second opinion ASAP. I am worried the ulcers will come back

Btw I don't take pain meds so it's def not that.

My ulcer healed according to my endoscopy yesterday but I have moderate inflammation which is concerning.

[Helico_expert]

PPI will not give affect blood test result.

Brief explanation, in blood test, we are detecting the antibody against H. pylori. If you are infected with H. pylori, your body will have anti-H. pylori antibody.

the antibody will stay in your body for 1-3 years (sometimes even longer). therefore, if you are positive in blood test, you'll always be positive for the next 3 years.

As a result, blood test is only good for the first time tester. to confirm H. pylori eradication, you'll need either breath or stool test.

[Help please]

Oh ok. I don't think I've ever been tested for that. Initially I had a blood panel to check my levels to see if I was anemic and things like that. Never for h pylori cuz my gastro was set in his ways lol.

[Help please]

So I saw my GP today and I have my second opinion with another gastro on Friday in the am. My GP gave me the blood test for HP... and said I should start carafate for my stomach lining and take zantac 150 twice a day to get off the PPI's... I am really worried about acid rebound since my stomach is already moderately inflammed with esphogitis. How many days total do I have to be off PPIs for the breath test? He wants me to come back in a week for the breath test. I am afraid to be off them for even a day. Thanks.

[Helico_expert]

you will need to be off PPI for at least a week before breath test. unfortunately, you cannot take any other remedy that may reduce your acid. your stomach has to be acidic to make breath test work.

[Help please]

According to the website I can take Zantac up to 24 hrs before and possibly pepsid and mylanta for relief. Is that safe? Thanks.