[Karen W. (OP)]

Friday I had a Upper endoscopy and they found a ton of

problems inside one of which is Heliocobacter Pylori.

I would like to know more about how it works. I have read

the data she gave me but would like the low down from you all.

I have had 0  stomach symptoms, or problems, except for occasional diarrhea or

constipation from pain medicines. My stomach has most always felt fine..

I have however had trouble swallowing for the last year and this

has progressively gotten worse, and was the reason for the procedure

to begin with!

They did the scope and took many biopsies inside on Friday.

She said that my insides are a complete mess... whatever that means?

I have to wait two to three weeks for the results from all the biopsies!

The reasons  for procedure was to determine if thyroid goiter or aneurysms

or Hiatal Hernia were the reasons for my swallowing difficulties..

1. GERD Gastroesophageal reflux Disease

2. Heliocobacter Pylori

3.Hiatal Hernia, (which we already knew I had)

 So I am wondering about H pylori...? I have a friend who has

it and has been being treated for several years for it.. his

insides were truly a mess but he felt horrible, My tummy has

always felt pretty good.

I have been immediately started on a proton pump inhibitor called

Lansoprazole, and no antibiotics as of yet.. tomorrow we will see

what they say.

So where does it come from or start? How does it multiply or become

worse?  Why, oh why, am I now feeling iccky in my stomach when it was fine,

before she disturbed my insides with biopsies etc.. ? Now I am having loads of digestion

trouble , pain I suspect from the biopsies and a generally sore tummy and I recieved a

fat lip compliments of the scope and tools used.. my lip is still swollen and numb

feeling...BOOOO...LOL...

[BenV]

Sorry to hear that Karen - I'm sure someone with some qualifications will come along soon and answer your questions...

[Karen W. (OP)]

Thanks Ben... I understand that it can be irradicated but also might have to be treated for life. Can lead to stomach cancer if it hasn't already etc.. won't know other results for two to three weeks unless She said depending on what all we are working with some results may come as soon as tomorrow.. My appt is at 9:45 I was just called Monday to discuss bad lab results.. I am not sure if its from biopsies or from old blood work? We will see.

[RD]

In some parts of the world most adults have H. pylori ...

[Korea] H. pylori infection was present in 75% of adults and 22% of children, and its prevalence increased with age

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8561159

More than 50% of the world's population harbor H. pylori in their upper gastrointestinal tract.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helicobacter_pylori

Your other medical conditions and treatments may have created the conditions which enable H pylori to reach  levels where it is causing problems, e.g. steroid treatment which suppresses the immune system and can also thin/ulcerate stomach lining …

What are the possible side-effects of steroids? …
    * Increased chance of infections as steroids may suppress the immune system …
    * An increased risk of duodenal and stomach ulcers. Tell your doctor if you develop indigestion or abdominal (stomach) pains.

http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Steroid-Tablets.htm

Non Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) can also cause stomach ulcers ...

Ulcers can also be caused or worsened by drugs such as aspirin and other NSAIDs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stomach_ulcer

Only doctors familiar with your case are in a position to judge if the benefits of any treatment outweigh the risks,
 i.e. don't change your medication unless your doctor says so.

...Can lead to stomach cancer if it hasn't already etc..

Does H pylori cause cancer?

H pylori is associated with a very slightly increased risk of stomach cancer. However, treating H pylori for this reason alone is not recommended. The risk of any of us getting stomach cancer is small and no one knows whether treating H pylori will actually reduce your risk of developing stomach cancer

http://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/encyclopaedia/p/article/pepticulcer/

Stomach cancer

The risk of developing stomach cancer is thought to be increased with long-term infection with H. pylori. However, it has to be stressed that more than a quarter of people in the UK become infected with this bacterium, and the vast majority do not get stomach cancer. The increased risk is small. Your risk may be greater if you have H. pylori in addition to having a first degree relative (mother, father, brother, sister or child) who has been diagnosed with stomach cancer.

http://www.patient.co.uk/showdoc/23068756/

[Karen W. (OP)]

Thanks RD for  the information... I have read and will now read further in your links.. much abliged !

[Karen W. (OP)]

Ok My labs I mentioned turned out to be for previous blood work.
She cut my Metoprolol and Furosemide  by half trying to bring my blood pressure up, as she said I am having trouble with Bradycardia.
I also had two Borderline high blood sugar readings..
I have the results of biopsies but do not completely understand them.. so Thursday she wants to discus them in depth. she said there were some bad findings.. so Thursday I will no more..

[Karen W. (OP)]

By the way even though she started me on the proton pump inhibitor for H pylori, Most of my pathology reports said it was negative on the H-pylori! The report said she was trying to rule out Barrett's disease...
an esophageal problem as far as I can tell.