GERD

Hello Fdka77,

I can only suggest 2 things.

The 1st is raising your headboard end on your bed, 20 degrees, you'll always have that angle to help limit/stop reflux acid climbing upwards. Just put solid wide items under the bed feet at that end.

The 2nd is what my dad had. Omeprazole, an anti reflux med.

My dad also slept on 4 pillows so he was virtually upright. This may be overkill, I wouldn't get any sleep at that angle.

Would it be possible for your GP to examine & look as far as they can down your gullet. They could check your glands for size as well. If they are very concerned, maybe they could expedite your scope examination.

I always say this, "Don't worry until you have reason to worry". East for me to say I know, but it took 2 years of reflux to cause OC in my dad, & he was a stage 3, the tumour hadn't broken through the gullet wall. So he had chemo, & surgery to chop out the tumour so the stomach could be re-attached to the Oesophagus. 2 months later he was digging in the garden. And the treatment worked, cancer vanquished.

Please feel free to ask or vent any worries on the forum.

Hope this helps your state of mind a little,

My best regards,

Graeme.

Gray

many thanks for that advice and for taking the time to reply 

No, distressing though it is, and worrying no doubt, it doesn’t sound like oc. If your doctor suspected cancer you would be having a scope within two weeks. I’m no doctor but I have been reading and contributing to this forum for over seven years and have experienced oesophageal cancer myself and read of others’ experiences.
The symptoms of oesophageal cancer are swallowing difficulties. Graeme if right about the omeprazole (if you are not already on PPI’s, your GP can prescribe them for you if you ask)  and sleeping position (a wedge pillow will help - available via a link on the the  o p a charity web site)

The waiting for tests and then for results is always the worst. I can sympathise. But the key to best possible outcome is positivity. Don’t spend the next six weeks in a daze. You have a four month old and you won’t want to miss the joy of seeing her grow into a six month old and all the changes that will happen in the coming weeks. So for her sake and yours try to be positive and patient. And worry will make your symptoms worse!

If things do get so bad that you need help with your mental state seek professional advice. Your GP may well be able to put your mind at rest or refer you to a counsellor.

I’m sure everything will turn out well. 

Brent

Thank you so much for that. Great advice that I’ll certainly take on board.

very much appreciated 

Hi, it's also worth asking your GP about Helicobacter pylori, a gut bacterial infection that can cause acid reflux. I found out that I had it when I had the endoscopy and was also diagnosed with oesophageal cancer. That was almost 5 years ago and as Brent said being positive really did help me. Good luck and kind regards Frank.

Hi Frank

many thanks for taking the time to reply.

Hi. Just to say that for us, the time between emergency hospital admission with suspected cancer and biopsy was nearly 3 months. Admittedly at the height of winter Covid, but the 2WW was far from reality. We foolishly thought that because there was 'no rush' it couldn't possibly think it was cancer.

Hang in there. You don't know till you know. Creina 

Hi, can I ask what the outcome was? Like you I have had on and off symptoms of reflux for years. However the last 7/8 weeks I've had prolonged symptoms and I'm worrying myself sick. I've had numerous trips to GP and a&e who are not overly concerned and recent blood tests and chest xrays were all normal however after googled the symptoms etc and my terrible mental health I have convinced myself it's OC and I'm really struggling. I've not got a date yet for my endoscopy and the wait is killing me.