Ten Years Of Gerd, Very Afraid Of Stomach Cancer

Hello

I've just joined this community today as I've been scared in the last few months that my chronic gerd has turned into stomach cancer. I know a lot of people with gerd are afraid of this and I've been as dilligent as I can be with scopes and reporting any flare ups that I can't control to my doctor. I've been on Nexium 40 mg for years and it seemed to help up until the last two years, so my Nexium was doubled to twice a day and that also helped for a short time. Now I have symptoms that feel like I'm taking absolutely nothing at all and it almost seems like it did ten years ago, I find I'm also taking a spoonful of Gaviscon before bed and sometimes at noon. I've been doing all the right things food wise, haven't had coffee for years, in the last week have even stopped drinking tea, which I love, but I'm desparate to stop this awful feeling in my chest and ribs, and I feel that "something stuck in the throat" feeling again. I don't eat junk food or fast food, I'm not over weight nor do I smoke or even drink, but I've been told it probably all started from chronic stress through the years. Anyway, lately I've had a diagnosis of anemia, and even though a colon cancer kit showed to positive windows for occult blood, my colonoscopy was normal. I know I shouldn't google, but a lot of the things I've read all point to a stomach cancer, so I'm really scared from day to day, I'm not ready to leave this world yet but this feels really bad. If anyone else has had a relapse I'd sure like to hear from you. I have another scope scheduled, but I wonder if a stomach cancer could develop in two years, I guess no one can really answer that.

I've read that it's hard to swallow food, and the stomach feels full with just a small meal, blood in the stool, which I've had, and anemia, which I also have. The last scope I had two years ago showed moderate inflammation, my barium swallow showed mid chest reflux. That's why I'm thinking cancer in the stomach or esophagus. It's just a big fear of mine with having this condition that seems to never really be in control, I didn't consider that the Nexium would stop working after all these years and I certainly have had my share of stress. I'll read the information that you offered though and hope the scope comes out as being the same as it did two years ago at least. Thank you.

Gerd is a major risk factor for esophageal cancer, I just read that, along with Barrettes esophagus, and only 10% survive that. I feel so down in the dumps and the wait for my scope is close to unbearable, much like the horrible feeling I have in my stomach and throat. I feel as though I have a rubber band squeezing my ribs and it's hard to swallow.

Hi Croftboy

As it turns out, I ended up having a scope done July 2/14. and it was clear for lesions, ulcers, celiac disease, esophageal cancer, and even Hpylori. However, since I mentioned having a "lump in the throat" sensation that never seems to go away, he said that I had " globus pharyngeus". It can be caused by a variety of issues including stress, which, who wouldn't have stress worrying about what is going on with your stomach. I also ended up having a colonoscopy because that had come up positive for occult blood, but that to was clear. I still am having stomach trouble, but the major flare up has stopped for now, I can't say that I ever eat and feel comfortable after, I guess that will never change in spite of watching what I eat. I have raised the head of my bed and that also seemed to help, I take 40 mg. Nexium a half hour before eating breakfast, and a half hour before eating dinner, taking a spoonful of liquid Gaviscon before bed, also has seemed to help. I don't know when the lump in my throat feeling will go away, but I try to ignore it during the day and I'm able to swallow okay so far. I'm due to have a test called manometry in October, I'm not sure if I'm a candidate for Nissen Fundoplication, as I don't ever feel burning, just uncomfortable full feeling most of the time, but I guess I'll see. My anemia doesn't seem to be connected with my stomach problems so that's good to know, that's another story altogether and also somewhat under control.

I hope this helps out, I was sure I had a much bigger problem as you've read from my previous posts, it really felt that bad. Living with this stomach problem is just hell most of the time, it's hard not to focus on it everyday, but I'm sure you and countless others know what I'm saying. Best of luck.

Kim

Firelightglow, I just read your post. I have some of the same symptoms. I have been diagnosed with gerd and take omeperazole daily. My biggest problem is feeling full after eating a very small amount of food. Im so full it hurts. Since my symptoms began almost 2 years ago I have lost 80 pounds due to pain and lack of appetite. I sometimes get the stuck in the throat feeling. I was told that's a symptom of gerd. I now have been told I have functional dyspepsia with visceral hypersensitivity. Ive been on a new med for a month no relief. If anything im worse. Have you had a gstric emptying study for the fullness? Mine was borderline so my doctor wont diagnose me with gastroparesis. It could be your problem though. Ive also been told I have gastritis. Im very frustrated as well. Hopefully we can both get an answer. If I truly do have functional dyspepsia im under the impression that its chronic yea me! Good luck in your search

Update to last post - test for H Pylori in 2 weeks time but I have to stop taking Omeprazole for 2 weeks which I'm pretty worried about as if affects the result - but my Dr has given me Ranitidine to cover me for that period- v nervous about rebound having been on Omeprazole for approx 8 years! If positive will treat for h pylori if negative will try me on Nexium so I'm pleased with that

yes hate the weight loss thing-i lost a bit when it flared up in April and I cant put it back on-ironically I wanted to lose about half a stone (even though Im pretty slim) as I was just getting a little thick around the middle so had done the 5/2 diet intermittently last year:) I lost more than I wanted to though so Im now about 1/2 a stone off what I would prefer to be.
Re the rebound -I am really worried about that and praying that the ranitidine will stop any problems-first dose this evening having had an omeprazole 20 this morning. V Nervous!
Good about the nexium my GP told me that up until recently in our health area it was on a 'blacklist' ie she was not allowed to prescribe it even though she said they had been doing so at the ENT dept at a hospital no more than 20 miles away!
Pleased that at least its an option
Even though in some ways I don't want to have H Pylori it would certainly explain a great deal re my symptoms!
Hope all goes well for you -you are clearly braver than me re tests x :)

No-not yet anyway-always had a paranoia of them as I observed when I was a nurse (admittedly many years ago) which gave me the fear. I guess its inevitable though that sooner or later it will happen-I always hoped that by the time I needed one technology would have improved! It has as now I understand they have pill cams but that will not be with the NHS here for years I am guessing and I cant afford private as I've taken early retirement -as a University lecturer I did have cover for me and my wife the last few years but my wife's recent experience of private medicine on the policy was so poor I cancelled it -as a nurse myself I saw the corners they were cutting for profit and it worried the hell out of me!!

Thanks that is good to hear -trouble is everyone I meet says how awful it is so it doesn't help the anxiety! :) I think it depends where you go -I have heard of some places who wont sedate you (!) no way I would do that -maximum amount of drugs legally allowable for me :)
First day on the Ranitidine today after first dose last night-slept fine but a bit 'acidy' this morning and felt/feeling a bit nauseous and hoping my body will adjust quickly to a very different type of drug but having been on Omeprazole for 8 years it might be rough -thanks again xx