Endoscopy

Symptoms:center to right abdominal pain, lethargic, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, occasional chest pains, headaches.

Diagnosed with H. Pylori

Dr. did upper and lower GI.

Left me a note when I woke up from procedure:

the colonscopy showed no signs of imflammation or infection or cancer.  Strong contractions of lower left portion of colon.  I did take biopsies of colon and stool culture.

the upper endoscopy showed reflux of stomach acid into the esophagus and poor motility/contractions of the stomach.  I took a biopsy looking for the H. pylori bacteria.

My question is this:  Since Dr's have done a multitude of blood tests, stool cultures, Contrast CT, shouldn't something have shown up in any of these tests if the diagnosis is to be stomach cancer?  Wouldn't my white blood cell count be abnormal?  No blood in stool.  all tests results so far have only confirmed H. Pylori but I do read how that CAN lead to stomach cancer and diabetes.  I have been tested for diabetes and tests came back normal.  And would anyone have any idea why there has been 3 blood tests done to confirm H. Pylori and then a biopsy "looking" for it?  This does not make sense to me.........was hoping someone could help me out!

Hi Cami

It sounds as if your doctors are doing their job and erring on the side of caution.  Over analysis of a "medical mystery" is better than brushing you aside.  Of course, it's normal to be concerned.  Anyone in their right mind would be concerned given what you've been going through.  I believe, however, that it can be treated with antibotics, though it is a stubborn bug.  And you're right to get this tackled before it leads to diabetes or stomach or colon cancer.  Since H. pylori bacteria is transmitted via fecal matter, ask yourself what is your water supply like?  Are you on well water for example?  Do you live near a slaughter house or meat packing plant?  Maybe you should look closely at your own immediate enviroment to ensure you're not being constantly being bombarded with H. pylori bacteria that could reinfect you and result in anti-biotic resistance.  Just a thought. 

Paula Jean

Hi Cami,

previous poster made sense, evaluate your water supply, as it is spread thru fecal matter, I didn't know that. Keep in mind that its pretty common, and yrs ago went untreated. Because it was not discovered, many people developed bleeding ulcers!

Cami are you on antibiotics yet??

As far as the biop, that would be standard w/ positive blood test, he is alread in there and it is the "gold standard" for testing, right at the source. I guess it could be in your blood after treatment, but it wouldn't be in your stomach, make sense?  I just wonder why the 3 blood tests, but Cami dont drive yourself nuts, that really would be standard, just like if they found celiac in your blood, if doing endoscopy they WILL do biops.

Please dont over worry, again if your not on antibiotics then that would be suspicious, but everything your GI did is standard.

 Please keep us posted.

                                     Denise

The Serum Antibody is a blood test that tells them if you have ever been exposed to H-Pylori. If it is negative then you absolutely do not have the bacteria. If it's positive, it only tells them that at some time you had the bacteria, not whether you still have it. They did the biopsy looking for active bacteria. Another test they can do to see if you have active bacteria is the breath test. Good luck.