Gastric problems need H Pylori test & treatment

[Khoni]

I don't have a question now because the doctor who performed my endoscopy did a biopsy at the same time although he didn't see anything wrong.  Thank God he did because the biopsy revealed the very common H Pylori infection.  He put me on 3 medications for one week and cured all my stomach aches, bloating, horrible belching, etc I had for 8 years!  I have friends who had endoscopies without a biopsy and are still suffering.  I try to spread the word where ever I go or read about.  Look up H Pylori on the net and read 2 or 3 articles.  50% of all people in the US over 60 years old are infected.  Some never have symptoms, some have gastic distress of various types, and some develop gastric ulcers.  Please make sure you get tested for H Pylori if you are suffering.  The biopsy is most accurate, and the lab test where you are injected first and then breathe into a machine is next accurate.  Other lab tests like stool specimens are not accurate enough (for me).  Please research H Pylori and spread the word among everyone you know.  Thanks.

[helplesswith3]

Hi, my son is four years old and he just went this morning for blood work to test for h pylori. How effective is that test?? Is the breath test and the biopsy the only way to really know for sure? He is in a lot of pain.

[CalGal]

For most people the blood test is sufficient to tell you whether or not you've got H. pylori. If the test comes back negative and you're still worried, ask for the breath test to double-check.