Helicobacter test in Bangkok.

[shid0x]

Hello everyone this is my first post I joined this forum since it seems to be the biggest community about thai life these days

So about a month ago i got diagnosed with a bacteria named helicobacter ( which mostly causes stomach & intestine pain ), i got treated in my home country (France ) but it did not fully work ( only about 75% It appears that it sometimes happens ).

So i'm now getting a new batch of antibiotics and to make sure its gone once and for all I have to do a simple breath test. By the time i will have to pass this test i will be in Thailand studying so i was wondering where should i go to pass it ?

Helicobacter is a really common disease worldwide and the test is really easy to realize ( you drink something and then blow in a tube ). Do i have to go to the Hospital or is there some laboratory where i could pass it ?

Moreover i'm wondering if i can get the test without a prescription there or if i should take one from France ( but would they be able to perform the one that we have here ? ).

If any of you has information regarding that i would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

shid'

[oncearugge]

Any of the major hospitals.

You will need ask about the exact means of obtaining the test.

A french prescription/order would not be accepted in Thailand.

A transcript (in English) of your medical history and treatment would be helpful if further treatment is required.

[Sheryl]

Yes, you will need to go to a hospital for this and see a GI specialist. Do not eat anything the morning before going if you want the test on the same day.

It will not be difficult to get the test based on your history if you are able to clearly explain it, but having a written summary will indeed be helpful especially if another round of drugs is required (as can happen) - they need to know what was already tried.

It takes a couple of hours to do - they have to test your breath after having given you a tablet to swallow and waiting I think an hour or so afterwards. So plan on that.

[shid0x]

Oh i see.

Thanks for the answers guys, that's very reassuring, i'll try traduce to english everything i've been thought in France and give them i think.
Pretty neat that you don't have to buy the test yourself at the nearest pharmacy.

Seeing a GI specialist for such a small disease feels to me wayyyyyy over the top but hey while i'm there might as well get the full package.

Edited September 21, 2015 by shid0x

[oncearugge]

Oh i see.

Thanks for the answers guys, that's very reassuring, i'll try traduce to english everything i've been thought in France and give them i think.

Pretty neat that you don't have to buy the test yourself at the nearest pharmacy.

Seeing a GI specialist for such a small disease feels to me wayyyyyy over the top but hey while i'm there might as well get the full package.

You should ask your Doctor(s) for the transcrip. That could then, if not written in English, be professionally translated.

Do not rely on personal memory to produce a medical transcrip which would include many details you may not be aware of.

[shid0x]

Oh i see.

Thanks for the answers guys, that's very reassuring, i'll try traduce to english everything i've been thought in France and give them i think.

Pretty neat that you don't have to buy the test yourself at the nearest pharmacy.

Seeing a GI specialist for such a small disease feels to me wayyyyyy over the top but hey while i'm there might as well get the full package.

You should ask your Doctor(s) for the transcrip. That could then, if not written in English, be professionally translated.

Do not rely on personal memory to produce a medical transcrip which would include many details you may not be aware of.

I see him next week, i'll be sure to ask him about it thanks.

[theguyfromanotherforum]

This breath test is not cheap in a private hospital. May as well go for a full endoscopy where they will take a sample of your tissue and test for bacteria.

[shid0x]

This breath test is not cheap in a private hospital. May as well go for a full endoscopy where they will take a sample of your tissue and test for bacteria.

Mmm personally i'd rather spend a bit and do a non invasive exam. I'm quite the anxious man when it comes to medical stuff.

Out of curiosity do such procedures are done with general anesthesia ( or can you at least ask for it ) ?

Edited September 24, 2015 by shid0x

[Sheryl]

Not a general but IV sedation sufficient to knock you out if you request it. The cost for endoscopy is many fold that of the urease breath test. Main reason to do it would be if there was concern that more than gastritis was present. If you are no longer symptomatic and there is no occult blood in your stool then probably no need. But if still symptomatic it might be worth considering and if there is occult blood then I'd advise it.