please share you Barrett's Esophagus symptoms

Hi, I have been really suffering with esophageal problems and stomach problems for a year now. Things have just gotten worse the last two months.   I feel like I have a lump in my neck all the time, but that may be because of the thyroid enlarged on the right side along with a cyst.  I have been on prevacid for many many years now.  I have burning down my esophagus and into my stomach. I had a colonoscopy and endo done last week, it's been since then that my stools are very loose and now since yesterday I can't eat without it going right through me. I feel sick in my stomach, which I am wondering if it could be a virus. But strange that it's been since the tests.  I have burning in the right side under the ribs and into my back. I had my gallbladder out three years ago.  I was told I probably have an autoimmune disease, but no one seems to follow through and taking the time to really check into things. The ENT saw I have the enlarged thyroid and cyst, but he said that can't be doing anything to me because all the NUMBERS on the report say it's ok. GRRRRR, they can't seem to go by symptoms.  So he said he will keep an eye on it.  I went over his head and made an appt. with an endocrinologist to get it checked. My sister has an enlarged one plus she has sarcoidosis and has those lumps inside her.

 But with the problems I am having with my esophagus, could people share about their  Barrett's Esophagus.  It was mentioned by one of the doctors too, but like I said, no one seems to walk through this with me. And believe me I have tried.

The endoscope wasn't real bad, no major things going on, but I feel like I am going to die some days, meaning the last two with the burning and discomfort I have.  I take my prevacid faithfully can't go without it. I even take one in th evening sometimes.

Please help

I am not sure it's meds.  How ever there's always that possiblity.  I am only on prevacid daily,  and occassionally Lodine for the fibro. I take vicodin occssionally, mostly mornings to get started, but only after I have eaten something.  Basically that's it though. I have gone to tylenol this last week to see if that would help, since I have fever.   I do not take any meds unless I eat something or drink some choco milk which is very rarely too.  

But I guess your saying the symptoms are similar to gerd? and only can they tell it's barretts if they take a tissue sample? and only if it's active?  I have been struggling with this thing for well over 3 years since I had my gallbladder out in 2003 and things only got worse.  A friend of mine who's son has a sphyincter muscle problem had similar pain.  But then I was told it could be polymyositis too which involves the esophagus and chest.   It almost makes one feel like they are going out of their mind when they can't find a doctor who will follow through with finding out what is going on.   And most of them are too proud here in my area to say, well since it's been so long and we can't seem to find what is going on and I don't know what to do for you, we need to get you to someone else who can maybe help.  but then don't, they let it go on for years and years.  My oldest sister died from kidney cancer in Sept. My other sister had pre-cancerous polyps. My aunt had breast cancer and my other aunt had colon cancer.  Two of my sisters had to have bowel resections and they have diverticulitis and my mom had and my brother has colitis.  So with this stuff running in the family and the pain I am in, they surely should not take this so lightly.

Thank you for the input though, sorry to whine.  I am just feeling so sick today

B2 I am sorry about your son.  The really sad part of this is, that the radiologists are not picking up things that they should be.  And then when the doctors do know there is something to check into, they don't think it's as important.  Did your son have any ultrasounds done of his gallbladder?  The docs usually get those things checked. I can only imagine how angry you must have been. and maybe still are.  With all this training the doctors and the radiologists are supposed to have, they seem to be very uneducated, at least here in our area.  I can't believe how they leave things go. My sister was bleeding through her urinary tract pretty bad, she went to the ER and they said they checked her, but sent her home telling her she had an infection and gave antibiotics. This went on for quite a few months.  They then finally did an ultrasound and found a tumor on her kidney.  this was two years ago, but she died in Sept.  I was told I have some kind of tissue sac midway on my esophagus, which the gastro doc said he didn't see anything when he went in.  So I told the nurse practitioner that I spoke to today that I am assuming it's on the outside of the esophagus.  She said well you can't assume that since he didn't see anything.  Well it was on the report from the radiologist.  so why not check it out.  It's dangerous leaving things go these days.  Why can't they get that through their heads.

   I know there are people who say they have a good doctor and they care.  But I am seeing more and more on these forums who do not have doctors who can help them.  Months, years go by and peopel suffer, And they do not know why some one has a disease there are more and more odd things people are getting and try to mask the symptoms with meds that cause so many other things.

    And even if you have an insurance who doesn't require a referal, some doctors now are requiring referals from a doctor. ya can't get in without one.  Which we have to be our own advocates now days and do our own research.  One person told me to not say anything to a doctor when I go about what I have read on the internet.  Well if I don't say anything, I will go months and months or years without getting help which is what is happening. 

I am sorry to go on and on, but They are playing with out lives, we miss out on years of our lives because they are too proud to admitt they are stumped and should refer us to another doctor who does have the knowledge.  I went through that with an ENT just a couple of months ago.   Because a report said my thyroid was normal, even though the one test was just about below normal, he wouldn't refer me to another doctor who specializes in thyroid problems..  I said if nothing is wrong with it then why is it enlarged on the one side and have a cyst on that side too.  And why do I have all these symptoms. and feel so sick with it. 

No wonder people go to herbal remedies and things.

I am very sorry, I guess it's because I am feeling very sick and have so much pain around my liver area and esophagus and all I am getting from the new gastro doctors office is a run around.  They didn't see anything really on the scopes, but I have diahrrea since the scopes and am very sick, I can't eat a hole lot

So when you said about people thinking you didn't care about your son, I don't think that in the least, I know how these doctors are and how they leave things go and don't think symptoms are serious.  My older friend from church said she was bleeding from her rectum, the gastro doctor told her to go home and if it gets worse to call him.  So she changed to the other gastro practice too.  It's like going to a grocery store and being pushed down the conveyor belt for a price check.

 

B2  I am sorry I vented like I did.  Some of know we're sick and just can't seem to get to the bottom of things.   I may have to try the cardio doc too.  I know women have different heart symptoms then men. 

You mentioned Actigall?   What is it supposed to do since the gallbladder is out.   Only I have had this liver right flank pain for quite some time now.  even since my gallbladder is out, it got worse.   

If you could share about the med I would greatly appreciate it.  I really don't like taking  meds, but I have to try to do something to feel better.  And taking vicadin to jump start me in the mornings isn't my way of starting the day.    I have tried not to take much at all, only because the doctor abused antibiotics with me and I think I am suffering from my body being over loaded.  Yes it was almost two decades of going on stronger and stronger antibiotics for sinus infections and it was an ENT that did it.  I had four sinus surgeries and after the last one, I was told I should go on IV antibiotics, which my husband and I knew this was not good, since the pills weren't helping and I got sick each time I was on them a coupld of days.  So now I am cautious about taking them and anything else. 

Thank you for sharing though. 

Deb