Question:
HAS ANYONE HAD H-PYLORI BEFORE SURGERY?

I FOUND OUT TODAY THAT I TESTED POSITIVE FOR THE H-PYLORI BACTERIA. DOCTOR HAS PUT ME ON A 10 DAY REGIMENT OF ANTI-BIOCTICS. HE SAID I WILL HAVE TO HAVE A SCOPE SO THEY CAN TAKE A BIOPSY. HAS ANYONE HAD THIS DONE, AND DOES IT HURT? IT ALL SOUNDS A BIT SCARY TO ME, I NEED SOME REASURRANCE HERE.    — Gale G. (posted on July 1, 2002)

July 1, 2002
Hi. Yes, I had it too, but didn't know it until I was told. I took 10 days of antibiotics and then that was it for me. No other testing or follow-up. Hope this assists you in some way.
   — Annie H.

July 1, 2002
Hi Gale! I was diagnosed with H. Pylori and something called Barrettt's Esophagus back in November 2001. The GI doctor done an endoscopy and a biopsy was performed at that time. Relax-there is no cause for alarm as for as the procedure goes. You will be given an anesthetic which will totally knock you out-you won't know or feel anything while you are under. After they gave me the happy juice, I din't know anything until I woke up. The thing is just be sure that you take ALL of the medicine and do everything they tell you to do. Drink plenty of water-the medicine has a tendency to leave a metallic taste in your mouth. Finally, get your rest. Hope this helps. XOXOXO Hadiyah
   — yourdivaness

July 1, 2002
Hi. My doctor called and told me that they had found that I had H-Pylori when they did my blood work and said that it is a very common parasite for where I live (Alaska). I took the 10 days of antibiotics and needed no further tests. I will warn you, that those antibiotics kick your behind. One of my pills warned about driving while taking the drug and of course I didn't realize this until about 4 days into the series and suddenly realized why it was hard to concentrate-duh! So check the meds for that sort of thing. The made me extremely tired and caused nausea and diarrhea. But it is all worth it to get ready for surgery. I would much rather have it taken care of before surgery, rather than afterwards. Good luck. If I can answer any other questions let me know.
   — Shannon C.

July 1, 2002
I had an EGD/Colonoscopy done last Wednesday. You will most likely only have to have the EGD done. Like the other poster said, it is not a huge deal. You will receive an IV which they will give you Versed and most likely Demerol through the IV line. They place a small plastic block in your mouth so that the camera can be guided down your throat/esophagus without any obstruction. You are sedated so you aren't too aware of what is going on. The procedure takes about 10 minutes to scope your throat, esophagus down to your stomach. You might experience some gagging reflexes but you won't throw up or anything. After they withdraw the scope, you are taken to a little recovery waiting area until you start to come out of the conscious sedation a bit. Then you go home. You might have a slight sore throat the following day. All and all, it is a tolerable test. It was no worse than having my teeth cleaned. Hope this helps!! Hugs, Kathie (in Hawaii)..........
   — KathieInHawaii

July 8, 2002
Alot has been written, but not really decided about the H-pylori over the past few years. Is the the cause of or the result of ulcers?? Can it cause cancer of the stomach?? It can be treated. Your doc is probably being very caution to make sure tht you do not have ulcers to begin with that are areas for the bateria to hide. I was never even teasted for it...and lots of other docs do not test for it. Do not worry about the endoscopy, you will do fine. You may want to have your primary doc follow up with the h-pylori in a few years to see if it is "back" and needs retreatment. You have to take care of the part of the stomach that is not attached any more!! You may also want to follow the research on line about h-pylori every now and then to see if any other recomendations arrise. Like I said, lots of new stuff being written about long/ short term infections. I am sure that new recomendations and findings will continue to surface.
   — Vicki L.