Quick question from a new member!

Hi, everybody! Thanks so much for creating and participating in such a great and helpful forum. So lucky I found you.

One question for now: I was recently diagnosed with GERD and a severely damaged esophagus. I have since altered my diet and lifestyle to the point where the noticeable heartburn symptoms are completely gone. Yay! What remains, however, is a swollen lump directly beneath my ribcage, dead-center, pushing outward and causing pressure and discomfort. It becomes more pronounced if I eat or drink the wrong things or too much of the right things. It can be rather painful, depending on the level of swelling/pressure.

Any thoughts on what it could be? My doctor says he doesn't feel or notice anything, but trust me, it's there. Maybe it's my stomach pushing up into my diaphragm. Or maybe a damaged LES that's causing inflammation. Or a badly inflamed esophagus. Or perhaps the extrusion of a hiatal or ventral hernia. I've read a ton of stuff on the web trying to figure this out, but it seems like I'm the only one who has an EXTERNAL swelling of the area (as opposed to an internal inflammation). Has anyone else experienced this?

Many, many thanks in advance for your time and consideration. Here's to healing and happiness!

brianpfitz

Hello and welcome to HealingWell.  Did you have a scope or an  X-ray of your upper digestive tract known as a Barium xray ?  How was your GERD diagnosed ?

Wondering if you have a hernia,  just an idea :)

That would be the next logical step to do. It can see somethings the barium can't see.

PS--I did have a hiatus hernia when the sensation was most intense. I've since had the surgery and no longer have that experience.
Denise

Denise, I would love to clarify one thing with you (especially) because you observed the closest symptoms. When I said "external swelling", that probably threw everybody off. In fact, your description of a lump/pressure/discomfort in that exact area is much more accurate. And if true, it sounds like I've got a possible hiatal hernia, which presumably would get worse and more swollen when I eat/drink the wrong things (or too much of them).

I'm going back to my doctor today to line up another barium as well as a possible scope. I guess I'll know more then! Thanks again for chiming in, friends...