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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 6/2/2013 2:33 AM (GMT 0)
Scared. I've been suffering a burning, sore throat for about 2 months. Now when I swallow, it feels like it's getting stuck. I had a chest ct with contrast but I don't know if that would show my esophagus. I'm terrified I have cancer. Help!!!!!

title edit

Post Edited By Moderator (dencha) : 6/2/2013 8:27:36 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 6/2/2013 5:41 AM (GMT 0)
My symptoms:
burning throat
globus sensation
hoarsness
difficult swallowing
throat clearing
belching
nausea
Posted 6/2/2013 2:12 PM (GMT 0)
Somebody please reply if you have had similar symptoms.
Posted 6/2/2013 2:21 PM (GMT 0)
HI PCBBCOACH,

 

Welcome to Healing Well!  You're definitely in the right place, as what you're describing are symptoms of GERD/reflux and LPR.  Many with GERD/LPR worry that they'll get or already have cancer, but it's rare, and just because you're having those symptoms does NOT mean you've got cancer, so RELAX.  Take a breath.  Being anxious and stressed out can make your reflux worse, so try to calm down.

Here is a link to a Mayo Clinic page that provides lots of information about GERD and its symptoms and treatments.  Check it out:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gerd/DS00967/DSECTION=symptoms

Here's a link to Cleveland Clinic's LPR information:

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/laryngopharyngeal-reflux-lpr/hic_laryngopharyngeal_reflux_lpr.aspx

Don't drive yourself crazy looking for cancer symptoms and assuming you have it.  It is EXTREMELY unlikely.  Get yourself to you primary care doc and see if he/she will refer you to a GI doc.  It's not a huge rush, so don't panic if you can't get in to see someone right away.  You'll be fine.

I'm sure others will be by to share their own experiences and support.

Hang in there!

Best wishes,

Denise

Posted 6/2/2013 2:23 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Pcbbcoach,all the symtoms you have are indicative of GERD which is Gastro esophageal reflux disease.The stomach contents reflux upwards into your esophagus causing the numerous symtoms your getting.I seriously doubt that you have cancer. Are you taking any medication for your symtoms,ie.ppis or h2 blockers? By the way im no medical expert or is anyone on this forum. Barry
Posted 6/2/2013 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks so much for your replies. My biggest problem now is I swear the lymph nodes in my right collar bone are swollen and this is usually cancer. I've had a chest x ray that was clear, a chest ct-scan that was clear, and a head ct scan that was clear. I just don't know if any of these would have shown the swollen nodes or a problem with my esophagus. I noticed on my chest ct that it was done to look for a pulmonary embolism, so I don't know if it would show nodes or esophagus. Really anxious. If I don't make it to work tomorrow I will lose my job, but I haven't slept or eaten in 3 days and I've lost 30 lbs over the past month and am very weak.
Posted 6/2/2013 2:53 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,your really anxious right now and so was I when I first developed gerd,its very frightening when you start getting those symtoms,you start imagining all sorts.Youve had a lot of scans and they where all clear especially the chest one which you can take comfort from. Can you get to see a Gastroenterologist as soon as,so he can have a look at your esophagus with a camera and tell you whats going on in there.Barry
Posted 6/2/2013 2:56 PM (GMT 0)
I have an endoscopy scheduled, but the earliest they could get me in was July 9th. I won 't make it until then. I'm considering checking myself into the hospital, even if it's in the mental ward.
Posted 6/2/2013 3:09 PM (GMT 0)
That's good,an endoscopy will tell you whats going on,youll probably be inflamed in there with the acid washing back up which gives you all those uncomfortable feelings your getting. I though I was having a heart attack when mine started,i was rushed into hospital but after a few days one of the docs there thought it might be reflux so they done an endoscopy and that was it.They put me on PPi tablet called nexium to heal the esophagus.
Please try to stay as calm as you can,stress makes reflux ten times worse. Sorry I cant give you any better advice. Barry
Posted 6/2/2013 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Well, I'm in the psychiatric ward.
Posted 6/2/2013 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
I hope they are able to relieve your anxiety. My brother had your issues and it turned out his esophagus was narrowing. He had it dilated and he was fine. Please relax.
Posted 6/2/2013 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Hi PCBBCOACH,

From what you're describing your fear of cancer and health anxiety is making it difficult for you to function.  If you'd like some help in getting it into control so you can live your life while you pursue medical testing, etc., then check out the Resources page: https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=45&m=52985

Scroll down to the bottom and you will find 9 modules that will help you work through your worries and perhaps make it possible for you to live your life as you wait.  Most of the links aren't "clickable" and need to be copied and pasted into your web browser.  They're simple modules without a lot of heavy duty reading involved.  Check them out and see if they help.

Hang in there,

Denise

Posted 6/3/2013 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
Pcb, i have suffered from severe anxiety too and so can sympathise with how youre feeling. Its isnt quick to fix but you can make a full recovery. There may not be a need to check into a mental hospital, i felt like doing it a lot of times in my worst states but that is based on a fear that you cant cope. That is also part of the anxiety and over time you will learn you can cope and how to stop the anxiety controlling your life. Your anxiety is there to protect you, it is trying to help, you just need to learn how to put it at ease. Youve got the endoscopy in a few weeks, just reassure yourself that you just need to make it until then, and then everything will beok. Small steps are the key. Take each day as it comes, set mini tasks, keep your mind busy but dont force anything. Stay relaxed and belive me, you will get throug this ok.

Your symptoms are very common, almost everyone on this forum probably has them. Still important to get an endoscopy and get it confirmed though, there are other conditions that can manifest as gerd (not deadly but difficult to diagnose) and they are teated diferently so its important to get the correct diagnosis.

Try relaxation techniques, i find autogenics very helpful for anxiety and it also relieves gerd symptoms for me so is doubly effective.
Posted 6/3/2013 10:50 PM (GMT 0)
Also forgot to mention about the eat and sleep, this will make things worse. You need to try and eat during the day, just a little bit even a bite at a time. I used to do soemthing, like play a gameon the computer and eat at the same time, found it easier to eat. Try taking some ginger supplements, they really help with nausea which should hekp your appetite.

With sleep, i know how it makes things a lot worse. My worst was about 6 days with only 5 hours sleep in total. When we get so bad it is time to seriously consider sleeping pills. I went on them (with drs prescription) for a couple of months and being able to get some sleep really helped ease my stress levels. Once i was doing better i weened myself off them very gradually without much trouble.

Relaxation techniques frequently during the day really help with sleep too. BETTER than any drug i took.
Posted 6/11/2013 12:56 AM (GMT 0)
I'm home. I know it sounded drastic to admit myself to the pschiatric ward, but it was the best thing I could have done at the time. I got the help I needed to handle my anxiety and am doing much better. Unfortunately, a small mass was found in my chest and I go in Thursday for a biopsy. Praying for nothing serious!! Thanks for all your support. PEACE
Posted 6/11/2013 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
Hi PCBCOACH,

Glad to hear you got help and are feeling better.  Good luck with the biopsy. Let us know how it goes!

Take care,

Denise

Posted 6/11/2013 3:18 AM (GMT 0)
PCBBCOACH

Do they know if it's in your lung? If so, do you live in the Midwest area? The reason I ask is that I had a growth in the lower right lobe of my right lung that was found on a CT for GI issues. I had surgery to remove it and it turned out to be a benign growth caused by mold spores found around the Midwest rivers and farmland.

Take care,
Bill
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