swollen lymph nodes. Barrett’s esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma

butterflygrrrl

Regular Member

Joined : Feb 2003

Posts : 28

Posted 3/16/2006 1:49 AM (GMT 0)

I was diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus several years ago--I also have Crohn's disease and those attacks always bring heartburn. The last few months I have had the lymph nodes in my neck swell up funny. They don't stay at the same size all the time; sometimes they are so swollen I can't swallow but sometimes you can't see them. Sometimes they get sore. I don't have a fever or ear infection and I have tried eliminating foods and medicines to see if it is an allergy. All I have been able to find so far is that esphageal cancer can cause the swollen nodes but I can't find out if the swelling remains the same or goes up and down like mine. Prednisone helps the swelling some; benadryl does not. I am passing blood but I just had a colonoscopy last week that showed my Crohn's was back so it could be from that; it seems too bright to be from my throat.

Does anyone know the answer or where to look for the answer? I like my internist but he is just obsessing over the idea it is an allergy because I have many allergies but this feels unlike any allergy I've had before. I also had a MRI yesterday on my pitiuitary gland but I won't know how that comes out until tomorrow or Friday.

--Heather

Aggiemom04

Regular Member

Joined : Apr 2006

Posts : 72

Posted 4/11/2006 3:14 PM (GMT 0)

I'm brand new to the site. Melissa, PLEASE get in touch ASAP with a GI doctor!!! My husband was diag. w/Barrett's synd. and esophageal adenocarcinoma in Oct,1997. He had terrible GERD for more than 20 years, but in approx. 1995 it just stopped. We found out that when the pain stopped, that was when it really got dangerous...the lining of his esophagus was completely eaten away, thus the Barrett's and in time, the carcinoma. In 1997 he had two rounds of serious chemo, six weeks of rad. and surgery ('98) at MD Anderson in Houston (they are the best). He was fine until Jan. '99 when the cancer showed up in lymph nodes, gall bladder and liver. I'm not saying your problems are from cancer, but please have it checked by a gastro dr. w/possible endoscopy. Don't let the drs blow you off...my husband only had one symptom---pain when swallowing (we thought maybe a hernia). No dr. had ever mentioned the GERD as being so potentially dangerous. My oldest son is on Nexium due to his problems and the first dr. he talked to told him that there was no such thing as Barrett's and that GERD could not have caused his dad's problems. Please keep me informed of how you are doing...I'm glad to listen and help if I can.

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