Barium swallow - results normal

So I had my barium swallow today after my ph test came back normal, and my GI said I hadn't come off the PPIs long enough.

But my barium swallow was normal, he got me to roll around and cough and said there was absolutely no sign of reflux. He said everything was opening and closing ok, and that there was also no sign of a hiatus hernia, which my endoscopy a few months ago diagnosed.

I am at a bit of a loss at to what to do now. My GI has discharged me to a surgeon for NF, but none of the tests so far have confirmed the problem is reflux. I have constant pain in my esophagus and a lump in my throat. The pain only eases if I sit down for 30 minutes or more. It also gets worse if I walk around for any length of time and is worse after eating and moving around.

But saying that the pain also gets worse after I DONT eat for a long period. It feels like my esophagus is constricting and usually it will feel a bit better after eating, like the food soothes it or something. It isnt spasms, just constant pain.

Im going to go back to the GI, I dont want to get NF until we're more sure it's reflux. My pH test did show some reflux but nothing abnormal, is it possible im getting reflux infrequently but my esophagus is constantly inflamed by it, hence causing me pain?

I've also had a look at eosinophilic esophagitis, could it be this? - I've had a problem of food getting stuck in my esophagus all my life, manometry showed weaker than normal esophagus. Endoscopy didnt see any 'rings' though.

Post Edited (Andy1986) : 3/14/2013 4:55:52 AM (GMT-6)

Thanks Molly. My manometry showed my LES was normal, although my esophagus had weak contractions. My endoscopy showed mild inflammation in esophagus, mild gastritis and large hiatus hernia (which has apparently since gone). I just dont want to go for surgery until Im sure thats what it is. I know hernias slide so its possible it wouldnt come up in the test, but i was having some symptoms during the test, and on the day of the PH test which makes me weary that there is something else going on.

Can surgeons schedule tests as well? If so I may just go to see the surgeon then, but Im not going through with a surgery until they have at least some evidence that my reflux is causing the problems. Up until now its just my explanation of the symtoms but I could easily be wrong, its only occasional that I actually feel as if I have reflux, for me its just constant pain, especially when I fast which makes no sense to me!

I have had a problem with dsyphagia all my life, which is why Im now thinking maybe its Eosinophilic esophagitus causing chronic inflammation, for some reason I wasnt tested for it during my endoscopy and Id prefer to at least try the medication for it before going through with a surgery to see if that is it.

Post Edited (Andy1986) : 3/14/2013 5:35:03 AM (GMT-6)

Thanks, think Ill do that then because I wasnt very impressed with the GI I had

I dont think the dsyphagia causes pain itself, ive been on liquid diets and such before and it actually seems to make it worse. Sometimes I get relief if i take a huge mouthful and swallow, maybe it stretches and opens up the esophagus?

Its not really a problem itself, I just drink some water and it washes it down, had it all my life but never any pain with it, but if its indicative of EE Id like to get tested for it.