What to do? Scared...

Hi all:

Things have really been weird lately. My acid issues have been up and down. But lately, I have noticed burning in throat. I went to new gastro doctor, who just gave me Carafate. I was expecting an endoscopy since I have not had one in 3 years. But, he did not seem like I need one now. So, what to do? He says I should see ENT. Is that tube thing up the nose down the throat scarey? I have not been taking any acid meds at all. I had trouble swallowing Protonix. Is there something over the counter that could help? I tried Nexium, did not help at all.

My current symptoms:

Weight loss
burning in throat
heart palpitations
general feeling of dread
anxiety/worry
discomfort near adams apple

I am thinking the following possibilities:

acid reflux/silent reflux which needs to be addressed through meds and better eating
depression/anxiety
could this be cancer? (stomach, esophageal, throat)
thyroid?
weight loss due to simply poor diet? (sometimes I do not even get 1000 calories in a day)
barretts? i have discomfort near my adams apple

I am really messed up. I just had blood tests (thyroid), waiting for the results. I also have psoriatic arthritis and bad neck arthritis. A trip to the ENT would probably not be a bad idea. But, I am afraid of tube up my nose. Sometimes I get burning in my stomach. Also, lately have had slight diarrhea. I am stressed out and scared. I do not drink, I do not smoke. And am underweight, not overweight.

I just want to feel better. I look on the internet, see all these possible diseases, etc. I get more scared.

I appreciate your comments.

Thank you.

Hi LawChick:

Thank you for your very encouraging words. I really appreciate it.

Hi:

CMarshall:

Thank you too for your encouraging comments. I will be contacting the ENT office this week. I do have severe arthritis in my neck, but, since the tube to be used is flexible, hopefully, that will not present a problem when inserting the tube in my nose and guiding down my throat. I look and feel dreadful.

B

Hi all:

Well, I went to the ENT. I made it through the tube up the nose! Praise God! Anyways, looks like I may have some allergies. I asked the ENT about acid, she did not say much. She thought I should be on some acid meds, but, did not really elaborate. I thought I should get an endoscopy, she said, sometimes you have to ask the gastro doctor to do this. So, I feel like I am in no man's land. I got some allergy meds, but, not sure if I should just go back on the Protonix? Or, contact the gastro doctor. I do not, of course "want" a tube stuck down my throat, but, I think it would be good just to check if there is damage to my throat/esophagus and to rule out Barretts.

At this point, I am coughing up phlegm, have a runny nose, slight scratchy throat, watery eyes, slight sore throat, sometimes, i get pain near my adams apple. I recently had some blood tests to check for thyroid stuff, but, came back normal.

Anyways, not sure what to do next....
BR

Your ENT just throwing meds at you leaves me discouraged. I have an appointment with one after going to my GI and I was hoping it would be less throwing pills at a fire.