I think I might have H.pylori?

[Charlottevet]

Hello everyone

Im a 21 year old female veterinary student from the UK.
For the last 6 months I have been having a lot of stomach trouble. So much so I have had to take a year out of my studies as I was so poorly I couldn't work effectively. Tomorrow I am going to the dr to ask whether or not they think I have H.pylori and if they can test for it.
My Chinese housemate almost died a year or so ago from a perforated ulcer due to h pylori - he was projectile vomiting blood and needed 4 blood transfusions to survive...He has recently told me that he borrowed my toothbrush a few months before the symptoms started- though this could be a coincidence.
my symptoms are:

- constant nausea/ queasiness that gets worse upon eating
- severe stomach fullness, aching and bloating after eating anything.... and sometimes randomly
- random stabbing stomach pains under left ribs
- frequent belching and hiccuping every-time I eat
- acid reflux that im currently controlling with Omeprazole
- general fatigue

Im so sick of feeling so bad, i literally cannot seem to get enthusiastic about anything, i just feel too ill/ nauseated to do anything much... which is why I couldn't carry on with my course this year...

does this sound like h.pylori?

Please help me x

[ashulee]

hi
sorry to hear about your condition and you are not suppose to be in this condition at this age.
i am not the expert but hpylori sufferer.
you most likely suffering from hplori infection and would suggest you to get the endoscopy done . your GI 'll definitely collect biopsy and test for hpylori also he may advise you other tests to rule out other stomach issues.
there is no point in delaying the diagnosis since keep thinking about the problem only increase your symptoms and put you in trouble.

[Charlottevet]

hi ashulee,

thank you so much for your reply, its very comforting to know that there might actually be a reason behind my feeling ill.... im so terrified they will not find anything and i'll feel this sick forever

hope you are feeling better x

anyone else have any opinions?

[Helico_scientist]

Hi,
I'm sorry to hear about your problems.
This does sound like Helicobacter to me but the best way to know is to get tested asap.
If it is Hp, a treatment of antibiotics should solve your problems.
However, it is more likely you got Hp during your childhood rather than from your housemate otherwise this would be really interesting as no one yet has proven transmission of Hp through saliva.
Good luck and keep in touch

[Charlottevet]

sigh,
as I have been on omeprazole I have to wait 2 weeks before they can have my stool sample to test for it apparently they dont do the blood tests here anymore as they are not as accurate) - the put me on domperidone to try and ease the stomach fullness/ bloating/ discomfort... but its not doing much, if anything I feel worse! Though I guess that might also be because im off the proton pump inhibitors and am struggling with reflux now too! Does that give weight to the argumen it might be H.pylori? The fact that the drugs are doing nothing to help it?

x

[Helico_scientist]

It is difficult to say. Just be patient and wait for the results of your test.
Good luck