peptic ulcer??

i have been getting a gnawing burning pain in the very pit of my stomache off and on for 5 months that comes and gos  and is getting worse--the pain radiates into my chest and mid back and is worse with activity esp bending over ,i saw a clinic doc who asked me if i drink or smoke-- no too both-- and do i take alot of ibuprofen type meds--nope tot hat too-- have been under tons of stress,,he pressed on my tummy in the pit of stomache area and it was very very sore--he said i have a peptic ulcer and gave me a sample of tectra to take for 2weeks and then come back--dont i need to know if it is for sure an ulcer and if it is h pylori???was expecting to be sent for some sort of tests but he didnt ,,does this sound right???i am fem 38  need to lose weight ,health is -ok-- in general

[harrald]

I had a peptic ulcer about 15 years ago when the bacteria that causes ulcers was announced. Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that can bury itself in your stomach wall and go for years without being detected. Fifteen years ago, it was unheard of that a bacteria could cause an ulcer. Antibiotics were never prescribed for an ulcer, so no one knew a bacteria caused ulcers. My treatment for H. pylori included an antibiotic and an acid reducer for 2 weeks. My ulcer disappeared, but my chance could return, so I take Prilosec, 20-mg, once a day. Prilosec will reduce your stomach acid, but you will need an antibiotic prescribed by a doctor. Prilosec OTC is 10-mg as compared with the prescribed 20-mg Prilosec.

There is an experiment you can conduct on yourself.  Determine whether your stomach acid is the true villian of your pain. Purchase the smallest package of Prilosec,OTC, 10-mg, and follow the directions on the container. If the directons say take one capsule a day, or two capsules a day, you can determine which strength of Prilosec you need. If you get some relief from Prilosec, but you still have some pain symptoms, it may mean that you will need an antibiotic to kill the bacteria, and you need your doctor's help for a prescription.

Harrald

P.S. About 15 years ago, an Australian doctor asserted that bacteria caused ulcers. He was laughed at and critized by fellow doctors for making such a pronouncement . The doctor drank from a container that held the bacterium while his same doctor friends declared he was crazy. In a few weeks, the doctor was diagnosed with an ulcer caused by H. pylori. Today, everyone knows H. pylori causes ulcers.