by MamaLily » Jul 20, 2004 2:23 pm
Yes, I've also done some reading about the link between H.Pylori and HG. Apparently Caroline at Motherisk has some good info about it, but when I was researching earlier this year she was on maternity leave. Does anyone know if she's back? I know that Andy has done some research on this subject as well.
Anyway, I think the link is enough to recommend that HGers get tested before ttc - and then during pregnancy. Apparently pregnancy hormones are such that a woman can be negative before conception and then prone to infection during pregnancy.
I was treated for H.Pylori back when I was in college and after a regimen of antibiotics and other meds, I have not had a recurrence. It is rare to have H.Pylori more than once, but I think it can occur. Once you have H.Pylori, you will test positive on the blood test for at least five years.
Before ttc earlier this year, I talked with my peri about H.Pylori and she thought it was worthwhile to get tested. And since the blood test probably would have shown a false positive, I went to the radiology department to be tested. It wasn't anything dangerous, so I think even pregnant women could be tested this way. I fasted for a certain number of hours before the test, then they had me drink some water, take a pill to make the H.Pylori airborne, and then I blew into two balloons. And that was it! Talk about the fastest, easiest, most painless medical test I've ever heard of!
I was negative for H.Pylori (which I suspected). But I think it's worth all HGers being tested before and after conception. Anything that can make a difference is worth doing, in my opinion!
- Anna
"The little reed, bending to the force of the wind, soon stood upright again when the storm had passed over." - Aesop