This goes back some way but I do recall some of you mentioning this when I posted about it originally (oh, about 4 years ago!).

I am starting to suspect this may be at least part of my health problems but the online info about tests is confusing me a bit so wondering if anyone knows anything?

When it was mentioned originally, I'd been diagnosed with gastritis and the GP blamed high stomach acid, and put me on omeprazole.  Gastritis stopped, but I *think* since then I've had trouble with reflux - can vaguely remember having it a couple of times as a kid but nothing like it's been for the last couple of years.

The gastritis is starting to flare again in the last few months - nothing like before where it was constant, just the odd night just after I've gone to bed when it hits and is excruciating.  Doesn't last long though.  But the last two weeks I've been feeling constantly nauseous, and have a horrid stale backtaste when I breathe out.  Been mildly naseous first thing for a long, long time too - there's only a couple of things I can stomach for breakfast and often I just skip it.

Does that sound like H. pylori?  I'm trying to get hold of the docs to book in for a test but I've noticed some places online saying that antacids can cause a false negative but not sure sure which test, or which is the most reliable normally.  The reflux has just gone bonkers the last few months too, I use betaine HCl and while I had a lot of success with it originally, now I just can't get it right and am hitting the antacids rather a lot!

Some of your symptoms sound like a hiatus hernia. It can cause reflux and the acid from your stomach can cause nausea and a nasty taste in your mouth. Omeprazole can be prescribed for it too.

Perhaps you could ask the Dr if it's a possibility?

My dad had Helicobacteria and suffered for years with reflux and heart burn.
He only got tested for it as my mum tested positive (no symptoms)he was treated and symptoms disappeared and have never returned.

You will need to be off the antacids for two weeks before the test, I was tested because of "family links" and having some issues that could have been caused by helicobacteria and that was what I was told by my doctor few months ago.
My test was a poop sample :)

Hi Nikita

lots of info & links here for helicobactor, did they give you antibiotics to treat it?

http://www.pernicious-anaemia-society.org/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=10859

Mbro

reread you are trying to get diagnosis (doh) :)

The nausea was something I lived with for a lot of years before h. pylori was identified as the culprit. The ABs were given in sequence--can't remember what they were, other than different types to be taken over a period of several days. I was told they'd make me feel ill and that no matter what I should be sure to take them all on time as prescribed...felt very poorly on the 2nd-4th days but have been reasonably chirpy every since. If you are having problems with reflux then do make sure your doctor knows about it and refers you to a specialist. Hope you soon feel better xx

Hi Nikita

Did you have  gastroscopy when you were first diagnosed with gastritis? You may have had a Clo test for Helicobacter at that time. Might be worth asking if there was a result from then that you were never told about. Some GPs dont treat Helicobacter Pylori.

Are you still taking Omeprazole?

If you do indeed have Gastro Oesophageal Reflux Disease, then Omeprazole is recommended as a long term therapy because prolonged oesophagitis can lead to a condition called Barretts Oesophagus.

You really need to see your GP for another assessment, and maybe another Gastroscopy.

Dawn R.

No tests at all the first time - the approach was to see if the omeprazole helped it and if not, then test.  It did at the time so it was never followed up.  Not taken omeprazole in a long time now - not since the gastritis settled down.

But, I now know I have LOW stomach acid - omeprazole will only make that worse.  With the HCL up until very recently I had the reflux totally under control, it's just lately it's gotten worse again and the gastritis has returned, although as I said nothing like before.

May I ask how you know you have low stomach acid? Have you had Manometry?

Gastritis is active inflamation of the gastric mucosa, and that can only be diagnosed by Gastroscopy. So I think what you have is persistent dyspepsia. It's certainly a good enough reason to expect to be properly investigated and treated. I look after people on a daily basis that are referred with symptoms exactly like yours.

Be safe.

Dawn R.

Sorry, just realised I hadn't replied to this :-)

Low stomach acid was established through seeing a nutritionist, looking at the patterns of my reflux and how it presented; it's also a common problem for hypothyroidism sufferers, which I am but not on treatment as yet.  The nutritionist suggested I try taking cider vinegar in water to help it, then the betaine HCl was suggested on here and has been so much more effective.

I've stocked up with the first brand I tried - tried capsules last time but I get on better with the tablets from H&B.  It has improved a bit but the rest of the symptoms are still there and still a bit of reflux.

The initial diagnosis of gastritis was just through a physical exam - you know, poke-poke-does-it-hurt-there kind of thing.  Should point out that that GP practice is pretty pants and I have now changed but haven't seen anyone for this yet.

Not managed to get to the doctor yet - car broke down yesterday and then today I just slept straight through the bliddy alarm!! :-P  I do miss the days of just booking appointments, I have never gotten on with this stupid 'phone at 8am on the day' rubbish.  Ho hum.  I will get an appointment tomorrow.