Any advice would be appreciated

vickio · New User Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 2

Three weeks ago I went to my GP complaining of constant pain in my chest and difficulty swallowing. It feels as though I have an obstruction in my esophagus, which is there most of the time but is worse when I eat solid food. He did an ECG, blood tests including cholesterol and an H.Pylori test (all negative) and put me on a six-week course of Nexium 40 mg. Over the next two weeks my symptoms got worse, not better. The pain is fairly severe, comes and goes during the day, is worse at night and when I bend forward. Right now I am only able to eat things like soups and ice cream and have lost about 12 - 15 pounds. Because we have paid for a month-long trip to Italy starting May 10, my husband and I went back to the GP and asked him to do some more diagnostic tests: not easy to get done quickly here in Canada where we have a long list for such procedures. Fortunately he pulled some strings and next week I am having a stress test, I guess to rule out heart problems, which I think is a bit of a red herring, and a barium swallow. Given my symptoms, I am positive I either have a stricture of some kind, or something worse. My results will not be available until 3 days before I am due to leave. Would you go to Europe if you were me? Or should I cancel and wait to have a scope? It's a tough decision given that this is the trip of a lifetime. For cancellation insurance purposes this is a pre-existing condition so we would lose everything anyway. I want to go but I don't know how much fun a trip to Italy would be if I cannot eat, or if I feel any worse.

micklemuk · New User Joined: 26 Jan 2006 Posts: 9

knowing what i know now,about syptoms and how they all fitted into place once i was dx,i would have all the tests done

mousa

Thank you Mike for your reply. I have been trying to compose a reply to Vickio but nothing sounded right! Vickio, I have a feeling that you have a hiatus hernia. Have you ever had barium swallow to look for hernia? You mention that for insurance purposes this would be a pre-existing condition.

Kindest regards,

Val

vickio · New User Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 2

I really appreciate your replies.

Val: you could very well be right about the hiatal hernia, hopefully I will know by the end of the week. When I mentioned a pre-existing condition, I meant that prior to travel I had visited my GP about this specific problem, which effectively nullifies any trip cancellation insurance. My symptoms have come right out of the blue. I'm 55 and have never had GERD or any sort of reflux problems. I'm a journalist specializing in health and I know how much you help people facing diagnosis and treatment and their caregivers. You are sharing very important information and offer wonderful support to people coping with EC. My problem seems very minor in comparison. I will see what the swallow shows and make my decision then. I realize I am lucky to have options.

My very best to everyone here.

Vicki

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