What type of stomach scope (endoscopy) and H. pylori test do I need for my symptoms of occasional indigestion, gas, heartburn, stomach burning, acid reflux, difficulty burping, frequent passing of gas, bowel movements only every 2 to 3 days (which are sometimes loose), and upper stomach pain two hours after eating, considering I have previously taken Razo D, Histac 300, Ganaton OD, and Sugrafil O gel?
I understand how uncomfortable these symptoms must be. To evaluate your heartburn, upper stomach pain, and reflux, a standard Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy is the most appropriate scope. It allows direct visualization of your esophagus, stomach, and duodenum. During this procedure, a biopsy or rapid urease test can be performed to check for H. pylori. Alternatively, a non-invasive urea breath test or stool antigen test can be done. Please note that acid-reducing medications like rabeprazole (Razo D) or ranitidine (Histac 300) should ideally be paused for two weeks before any H. pylori test to ensure accurate results. Please consult your gastroenterologist to plan this safely.