Big Lesson. What I thought was too insignificant to mention to my doc during my yearly physical

[snagglepuss]

turned out to be rather significant. For the last few months I've been feeling really hungry when I awoke and ever so slightly nauseous. I've had other health issues so I didn't think much of it. When I did a 12 hr fast before having typical blood work done I felt quite nauseous but again I dismissed it. At the very last moment of my physical, I told my doctor about the symptoms and apologized for sounding a hypochondriac. However she said it sounded like H Pylori infection and sent me to do a test. I just found out it came back positive so I have to take two antibiotics and a proton pump inhibitor for seven days to eradicate it. Sheesh.

I had never heard of it but H Pylori can cause ulcers and has been associated with increased risk of stomach cancer. It also messes with stomach acids which make one more susceptible to infections and less able to absorb nutrients and it depletes iron so its associated to anemia. I was diagnosed with severe anemia two years ago and its taken me that long to build my iron back up. I now wonder whether H Pylori contributed to the anemia which my doctor had attributed to heavy periods and insufficient iron in my diet. OTOH iron is very important in fighting infections so having anemia perhaps made me suspectible to an H Pylori infection so women take note to monitor your iron levels.

This has really has taught me a lesson about not dismissing subtle clues about one's health. Had I had not mentioned what seemed to me to be a paltry a complaint I might have ended up with an ulcer and a host of nutritional deficiencies.

Symptoms of H Pylori

Most cases of H. pylori infection produce no signs or symptoms. Signs or symptoms that can occur with H. pylori infection include:

An ache or burning pain in your abdomen
Nausea
Vomiting
Frequent burping
Bloating
Weight loss



A short but informative article about the infection


http://www.acu-cell.com/dis-hpy.html

[RKP5637]

1. Thanks for posting this! I sometimes make light of symptoms, this is a good

example of why to discuss things with the dr. even if they seem minor.

[snagglepuss]

2. And what could seem more minor than than feeling really hungry in the

morning. I really felt dumb mentioning it.

[Poll_Blind]

3. Thank you! Post like yours are a good example of the "fringe benefits" of DU...

...in my opinion. I come here for politics- and I get exposed to all kinds of interesting topics and wisdom.

PB

[virgogal]

4. Thanks for that info. I had a female problem so minor seven years

ago I didn't want to bother my M.D.,but I did. She did an exam and a few tests.

Endometrial adenocarcinoma. Hysterectomy within 4 days. All OK now.

Glad you are healing and for giving great advice for all. Good luck.

[gateley]

5. K&R - Glad you mentioned it at the last minute!

Usually if you notice something not quite right -- or different -- it's worth mentioning.

I went to the Derm for Retin-A since it was the hottest thing in wrinkle treatment, at the last minute I mentioned a mole that I didn't remember looking quite like it did (almost didn't mention it). Turned out to be melanoma and it was THIS CLOSE to entering my blood stream -- curtains. Ever since then I don't care how wimpy I sound -- if something causes me even a second thought, I mention it. (Or I did when I had insurance. :7)

Hope you heal fast! :hi:

[snagglepuss]

8. Thanks. At one time I would have done that but the anemia really threw my

system out of whack so I assumed it had something to do with that. When things get out of balance everything including judgement is skewed. This has been eye opening.

Your discovering melanoma by chance and at such a critical point is quite a stroke of luck and really underlines the fact that people shouldn't dismiss anything when it comes to odd changes healthwise. Good to hear you had insurance at the time.

:hi:

[roguevalley]

6. I'm glad you are going to be fine. :O) Make sure you tell everything

each time now. We want you around.

[snagglepuss]

9. Thanks. After this I'll let the doctor determine whether something is

inconsequential. I also realize that after any fairly serious health condition it's probably likely that one's system will for a time be out of whack so being extra aware of any changes is in order.


:hi:

[dixiegrrrrl]

7. A very informational web site.

Thank you.

[Odin2005]

10. Just think, they used to think ulcers were caused by stress before they found that little bugger.

The story of it is quite funny. Apparently the guy that proved that it caused ulcers made himself a guinea pig and ingested the beaker full of the bacteria, and it gave him ulcers! :rofl: