worried newbie

Hi willava

Welcome to Healing Well! First, stop worrying. Cancer is always a scary thought, but the odds are in your favor, as it's highly unlikely that's your problem. Reflux can do damage to the esophagus, and it takes a long time to get something healed. My guess is that you'll be put on a different or higher-dose PPI to get better protection.

You might want to as your GI doctor about Carafate suspension. It coats the esophagus (and stomach) and helps protect it while healing. It can also provide great comfort and relief from pain. My PCP says it's a very benign drug, and most is excreted through the GI tract. I have a reactive stomach, so keep it on hand to help with that. Before my Nissen surgery, I'd get esophagitis often, and it really helped with healing and making me more comfortable.

I don't know when you had the endoscopy, but that and the biopsies can create some pain/symptoms afterward. That is common and normal, so don't worry.

Good luck with all of this. Let us know what your GI doctor says!
Best wishes,
Denise

Hi willava,

Esophagitis can take a very long time time to heal. I had bouts of esophagitis that lasted several months. Be very careful to only eat foods that are smooth going down. Poor eating choices can slow down healing tremendously.

Be sure to take small bites and chew, chew, chew your foods to a liquid before swallowing. No rough or scratchy foods. No spicy foods, acidic foods/drinks, or alcohol. Making the wrong eating choices can undo healing quickly, and set your recovery back.

Wish it wasn't so, but that's how it is. Hang in there!!

Best wishes,
Denise