Severe Esophagus Issues--PLEASE HELP!

Hello:

I am in dire need of some assistance--I have an appointment with my GI on 11/3 but I am trying to gt him to squeeze me in this week.

For the past several days, I have had severe trouble swallowing and a "lump-like" feeling in my throat. I am 35 years old female , never smoked, and have had GERD for several years. In June, I had a routine endoscopy where they found I now have esphagatitis Grade A, gastritis and a small hiatal hernia. Since then, I've been taking Zantac 150 mg 2x/day which has not been helping much anymore.

A couple weeks ago, I had a scary incident where I nearly choked on a piece of cucumber (with skin) when I was alone--not sure if that left any scarring. I will not eat anything hard like certain fruits and vegetables anymore if I am alone.

Over the past week, I've noticed an increase in symptoms, mostly a very sore throat and difficulty swallowing. I still have the burning chest symptoms but it's mostly my throat now. Over the past few days, it's gotten really difficult to swallow and I feel like certain foods are getting stuck in my throat. I've basically stuck to very soft foods and today--just pure carrot juice and apple sauce. I only drink water, coconut water and chamomile tea. I was only drinking a few sips of coffee in the morning to help me with headaches but even that has been difficult (I used to have a small cup of coffee in the morning and iced coffee in the afternoon but no longer).

I have also tried the DGL licorice tablets and pure aloe vera juice for occasional temporary relief and sometimes chewing non mint gum helps. I've completely eliminated the usual trigger foods now also. It's horrible since I used to enjoy food and at 35, I cannot do that possibly for the rest of my life...

Not sure how in less than 5 months my condition has progressed so much--I try not to eat 3 hours before bedtime and stay away from the trigger foods...except the coffee I mentioned above. I really can't sleep upright so I at least try to sleep mostly on my left.

I'm worried every time I put something in my mouth that I will choke. I really want my doctor to give me another endoscopy even though last one was in June. I was trying to avoid PPIs, especially since we are trying to get pregnant, but maybe they will bring some healing and I should try them for a short period but not sure if they are safe if I am trying to conceive.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!!! Thank you very much.

I

Post Edited (suzieq521) : 10/23/2017 9:37:11 AM (GMT-6)

Everyone is different and with different intensity of GERD, but I would recommend to try Gaviscon Advance --the one that ships from UK ...research on ebay and you will find it, most economical in 250 ml Bottles).

I too had choking incidents twice few months ago, but have not had any since I started taking this Gaviscon for past 4 months.

Endoscopy is actually no trouble at all. I had one done (along with a colonoscopy) in few months ago and did not feel anything, was just a nap under anesthesia.

I also took other supplements, but have now stopped them, as I don't think they help me.

Dr prescribed PPI to me, but I have not taken any (yet)..

Thanks all for your help.

After a visit to my GI last week and an ENT yesterday (who performed the TGL procedure--camera in throat), they believe that it's allergies/post nasal drip that have aggravated my throat reflux/esphagatitis.

GI does not think I need another endoscopy since I just had one in June that revealed Grade A and small hiatal hernia (and doubt my insurance would pay for another one so quickly).

He put me on Prilosec for 2 weeks (although ENT thinks I should take it for 6 weeks) and I'm doing anti-allergy measures like a saline nasal spray and sal***er gargle. I've also purchased the Acid Watcher Diet book and have tried to incorporate some of the dietary changes (it really seems like a useful book). I also just ordered Gaviscon advance from Amazon yesterday after many recommendations so hopefully that helps too.

I'm finally able to eat some solid food and have seen minimal improvement...hopefully it continues. (cutting back on coffee though is difficult as well as chocolate!).

Any recommendations on weaning myself off of Prilosec when the time comes as we are trying to conceive? Doctor suggested just maybe take it every other day and then I will go back to Zantac. I just don't want to stop it cold turkey and have my issues come back with a vengeance.

thanks

When you see your GI doctor, ask if you should have testing to rule out 'Jackhammer Esophagus'. I have this condition and it is controlled with medication. Rather than go into it here, check online under this term. It is rare and frequently misdiagnosed. It took 9 years to finally get the right GI doctor to order the right tests to diagnose it. Acid controllers never helped at all.

Good luck!