29 Years Old - fears over oesophagal cancer

Hi Adam

I can understand your worry but really, don’t! All will be revealed on 4th.

Diaphragm injury can result in referred pain in the shoulder, as anyone who has had the Ivor Lewis surgery can attest. it could be you have got a hiatus hernia which compared to oesophageal cancer is pretty trivial though uncomfortable. The diaphragm injury might account for discomfort when taking a deep breath.

So stay positive and carry on with life!

Thanks very much for your reply Brent.

You're right of course, it's not healthy to focus on the worst case scenario in any situation really. 

I will post an update subsequent to the 4th.

Thank you,

Adam 

Hi please don't worry I'm sure it's highly unlikely that it's anything serious and the test will reassure you. Are you normally a worrier? Most people have some kind of swallowing problem when they are first referred. Anxiety can  often give symptoms of discomfort in the chest area. Let us know how you get on 

Adam, don't get yourself measured up for the coffin yet! There's numerous things it could be, too many to list here. As Brent said be positive and keep living don't worry too much. Good luck with the endoscopy and keep us posted, we're here to support you. Kind regards Frank.

Hi Poppy, I would say that I was a bit of a worrier during my teenage years, but not really so much in recent years. I've not really ever felt like this before in terms of worrying what could be wrong with me. I'm trying not to think too much about things until Tuesday, it's the nausea that's getting me down the most as my appetite has gone completely. I've noticed my stomach is very bloated throughout the day too. I'm thinking positive! Just doesn't help that my parents are currently abroad until next Friday. 

Thank you very much Frank - my grandad was actually called Frank and he was the best man I knew, so I'd be a fool not to take your advice on board! 

I will post an update on Tuesday. 

Hi everyone,

just to provide an update, I had my endoscopy this morning. The good news is that they did not find any tumour etc, which is obviously brilliant news. 

I have however been diagnosed with reflux oesophagitis and short segment Barrett's. I have a follow up with the consultant next month to go over the diagnosis of Barrets and the monitoring which may have to take place on an annual basis. 

They have put me on 40mg omeprazole to try and calm down the acid- I was sure there would be irritation found in my stomach as I've been very bloated and loose on the toilet for weeks now, but they said my stomach was fine. I'm not sure whether it's worth going back to my GP and asking for a test for h pylori maybe? 

Anyway, I just wanted to say thank you for everyone's help. You've been great :) 

Adam

Hi Adam

thats good news. 

When I asked to be rested for H Pylori some 20 years ago I was told it is cheaper quicker and simpler to treat than to test. Two antibiotics plus omperazole. It seemed to improve the symptoms but just for a couple of years. 

But testing and treatment could have improved since.

Now you can stop worrying and enjoy life again.

All the best

Brent

Thank you Brent.

Just one final question - would the endoscopy have picked up if I had a hiatus hernia?

I am going back to the consultant next month to discuss biopsy results (they took a few samples to be on the safe side to check for any pre-cancerous cells) and monitoring of barrets - in the interim, i'm on 40mg Omeprazole every day.

Although I can already feel a relief from heartburn, the pain/burning sensation under my ribs and pain upon taking a deep breath in my left shoulder blade is still there. My stomach is also still pretty bloated.

I'm going to ask at my GP re tests for H Pylori, but did wonder whether I am suffering from a hiatus hernia? this was not diagnosed during the endoscopy.

Thank you very much,

Adam 

Hi Adam, I was told within 45 minutes of the endoscopy that I had a tumour and heliobacter pylori. It seems to be different depending on where you are tested. Good luck and write down questions you want to ask the consultant. Kind regards Frank.