Should I get treatment?
Context: I went to the doctor a few months ago because I was having persistent dizzy spells, blood test determined I have anemia.
Doctor told me that anemia is “normal” (I’m a 29yr old female) for my age due to menstruation. I don’t have particularly heavy periods, and I eat well and plenty, lots of vegetables and high quality meat, beans, etc. I wasn’t satisfied with this explanation so I did a little research and learned that H Pylori can cause anemia. My doctor gaslit me really bad and refused to test me, so I got a new doctor who tested me with no hesitation and I came back positive for H Pylori.
My maternal uncle was diagnosed with stomach cancer from a persistent H Pylori infection a few years ago, and was told that his family should get checked for it. My mom was tested and came back positive and was treated, and it cured her of a long battle with acid reflux and other stomach issues. My mom and uncle grew up together obviously, but have lived in entirely different countries for their whole adult lives, so they think they both contracted it as children living in developing countries.
ANYWAYS I don’t have any crazy bad h pylori symptoms, other than belching. (Although now I am wondering if I have just gaslit myself about them)
I’m wondering if I should go through the treatment? Reading this thread it seems like there are so many horror stories about the treatment, and also it seems many people are suffering from the bacteria a lot more than me. I have a healthy distaste for taking antibiotics and try to take them as infrequently as possible.
I guess I’m just trying to figure out if it’s worth getting treated if my symptoms aren’t that bad. I’m taking iron supplements and seem to be responding well, no dizzy spells since I started.
Would appreciate any thoughts/advice! (Obviously will discuss it with my doctor but I find it helpful hearing peoples experiences!)