Scared....tell me it's gonna be OK

[aleet7]

Hi Stina!
I know exactly what you're feeling because I have GERDs! Everything you said is consistent with GERDS!!!! I had an appointment yesterday with my Gastroenterologist. Yesterday my throat was burning, I was hoarse, my chest was burning and I was very frustrated! He told me that stress will have back in the hospital getting another upper GI to stretch my esophagus! He told me to avoid all the trigger foods, and take Prevacid. Also I found that eating apples helps me for some weird reason. My last biopsy(September) indicated that I had esophagitis. I'm working on keeping that under control.

This is a very scary illness! But we can try to keep it under control by staying away from spicy, fried, citrus, caffeine etc..I hope you feel better!!

Aleet7

[Janster]

Try to relax..... as that extra stress isn't gonna help you.

Believe me, I understand and have been going through similar health issues the past 6 months. I have a long history of allergies & the last several years - clearning my throat, sinus drainage, snoring, etc.

Back in July - It all started with a *chest tightness* that freaked me out. I honestly didn't think it was serious, as my blood pressure has always been on the lower side of normal.

To make a long story short.... multiple doctor visits later (regular doctor, pulmanary specialist, gastroenterologist) multiple different medications later (Allegra D, Advair, Singulair, Protonix) and multiple tests later (blood work, pulmonary tests, lung function tests, endoscopy) .... I still have a lump in my throat and still trying to understand exactly what I have and how to help the situation.

Currently, I'm still taking asthma medications (singulair) and acid Reflux medication (Protonix). The good news is.....the sinus drainage and the *clearing throat* have improved greatly. I stopped taking the Allegra D at night because my sinuses are much clearer now.

I've never had problems with heartburn or stomach issues. I like to eat and I'll admit, I eat big meals and that's probably the straw that broke the camals back (so to speak). I also work strange shifts and I've eaten big meals before I go to bed. Everything they tell you to avoid - are my survival foods and I can't live without my pizza, burgers, fries, & strawberry daiquirries. I don't smoke and I don't drink coffee and I have reduced my caffeine intake.

I'm 40 also - and my dad has a history of reflux and my mom is currently taking Protonix. So - I've come to the conclusion that I'm doomed to have these problems. Right now, it's a mental fight. I can't change my diet (atleast not yet) but I really and truely need to cut my portions down greatly. I've also stopped eating before I go to bed. These changes are gonna be hard enough to accomplish - one step at a time.

In your case - the best thing you can do is go to the doctor. It might take a while before you see any results - so you've gotta be patient. Yet - you've gotta be firm and PUSH getting the attention you need.
For me - It's been 6 months now and I'm still having symptoms (lump in throat). It took a long time for all the tests & results and meds.....but at the same time, I was the one who pushed to see a pulmonary and gastroenterologist. They (regular doctors) weren't the ones to suggest that.

Good Luck and try to relaz..... hopefully, in time...you'll get the help and relief you need to get back to normal someday!

[LELE31]

Hi everyone

Hope today has been a better day for all of you -- I'm frustrated -at my wits end, went to the Doc again today, with no support of how i'm feeling --tomorrow I go for the PH bravo test, this is the 7th test for me. Patience is truly a virtue!

On a previous thread, I mentioned that I need to put this all in perspective, I've had trips to the ER, dr. after dr. I'm in my 40's and have friends with breast cancer, I cry for them and with them now -getting to know more about my GERD and the support from these msg boards has been so helpful --now I will keep all of you in my prayers and pray that in the near future we can feel well again.
Bye for now
lele

[LELE31]

Originally Posted by stina3246

Thanks LeLe31.
I have an appointment for Mon. I'm feeling so scared that I'm dizzy. I felt really bad yesterday but today I woke up and only feel a slight congestion. The lump feeling is nearly gone....I guess that good right?

HI -- keep your chin up --and try to stay calm til Monday's appt.

I went through and probably all of us on the msg. board have been in your shoes. You have to control the anxiety feeling makes things a lot worse.

Today I had another Dr. appt. got no answers. Tomorrow I go for a PH Bravo test and will have to wait for answers. Everyone is telling me to be patient, so I pass it on to you. Try to stay calm - we're here for you.
lele

[fotolady]

Originally Posted by stina3246

OK...first, here are my symptoms
1.feeling of a lump in my throat
2. tighness in throat
3. constant clearing of throat
4. occasional dry cough
5. occasional feeling of congestion
6. Occasional raspy voice, mostly in the morning.
7. Symptoms are worse when I worry
These symptoms come and go, yesterday I felt GREAT! Today I feel aweful.
These symptoms started almost 3 weeks ago. I DO have a large thyroid nodule (about the size of a golf ball) It has been there for over 15 years and I've had every test done on it possible. The last one was just over a year ago and everything was normal. ANY time I get a cold I do get this feeling of a lump in my throat and I always assumed it was just my lump being irritated. It always goes away. I drink a HUGE amount of coffee and eat a lot of spicy foods. Because of work I often eat late at night before I go to bed. Once in a while I get classic heartburn symptoms but have had NONE since these other problems started. I'm a bit over weight (only in the last 2 years) but am working out however I don't seem to be loosing any weight. I'm 40.
The rest of the sypmtoms are new accept for the throat clearing. I feel better being up and moving around then sitting.
I had myself convinced it was throat cancer and was freaking out until I started reading this and another site with so many people with the same symptoms. I'm going to make an appointment with my doctor ASAP but I'm still very scared.
Please someone tell me that I have a very high chance of it being GERD or acid reflux and almost none of it being cancer.