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I wrote yesterday and got two responses from two very helpful people. I have read some of the posts on here and I am more confused then ever. I had to ask the doctor to send me back to a GI specialist. The one that I first saw who diagnosed me with Barrett's Esophagus, said they would call when I should come back for another scope, but I never heard a word. That was 3 years ago. So, my friend went to a GI specialist and she really liked him. Very thorough and nice. The thorough part is important. When my weight started out at 127 a few months ago and kept dropping, why didn't the doctor seem concerned then? Not enough weight loss? The last time I saw him, almost 2 months ago, I was down to 106. Now I am down to 100.8 in less then 2 months. I have NEVER been this thin in my life. I don't have trouble swallowing food, but I do have trouble swallowing. At times I start to panic because I can't get the swallow response to happen! If that makes any sense. Other cancers run in my family but no-one has ever had this. The other GI didn't seem all that concerned. He just said, well, it's pre=cancer... That was it! Oh yes, and he said there are no symptoms which I did have. I have trouble swallowing pills so I mostly chew all of them. They get stuck in my throat. I don't always feel very good and don't know why. I have other health problems but they are all chronic pain related, not something like this. I guess I just need to know there is support out there that I can turn to and someone can help me understand this better. July 10th is only for the consultation. I just pray that I can hold my weight at 100.8 or gain, would be even better. Thank you for listening to this very long post. I look forward to hearing from someone!!! Thanks in advance.
Posted on 06/28/12, 05:34 pm |
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Hi Gramybear:
I can see why you are frustrated. Sounds like you need a new team of doctors. I am glad you got a new gastro doc. You also should find an experienced EC Oncologist. Then let them test you to a fare-the-well. If nothing else, you can establish a baseline to compare to later. Your swallowing difficulty might not be EC, but with your past history, I would do this sooner rather than later. Make sure they both are experienced with EC. There is usually a small percentage of Barrett's patients who develop EC. But it can happen. You did not really ask a question, so I hope this info helps. We will continue to keep you in our prayers. All the best, Fred 
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Hi Fred
I thought I did ask a question.. Well, I meant to. I guess I just need to know more about Barrett's and also, if weight loss has anything to do with it. It just seems like 27 pounds in a few months, without trying is an awful lot of weight to lose. I don't know if there is any correlation or not but I'm just kind of lost right now... Thank you for responding, it means a lot to me.
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The only symptom leading to my own EC diagnosis was occasional difficulty swallowing pills. It felt like they'd get stuck low in my esophagus. Some of these times resulted in radiating pain (burning and aching) over my heart area. I ignored this for over a year, then had an endoscopy and cancer was found at the junction of my stomach and esophagus. I can't understand why any doctor would not order you an endoscopic ultrasound - a far more defining type of endoscopy than a routine one. Please insist on this test?!! I never had trouble swallowing food, by the way, and I've never heard of Barrett's causing swallowing problems.
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I would be worried and upset with the doctors also. sometimes you just have to keep looking for one that will listen to you and help you. My only symptom of my cancer was i couldnt swallow pills and some breads seemed to stick. Keep pushing them to get it figured out and get all the tests you may need to be sure. Good luck and sorry you are going through this. Prayers. cindy
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I didn't have trouble with weight loss. I had trouble with food getting stuck in my throat -- first chicken, then breads, then everything. As others said, I would be frustrated with your doctors. Sounds like it is time to find new ones who will pay attention. If you are eating enough calories to maintain your weight, and still losing at that rate, something isn't right.
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Just a quick thought for you and this comes from personal experience. It wasn't until we told the doc that my hubby was having trouble swallowing that they finally paid attention and fast-tracked him through the tests that ended in discovery of cancer at the esophageal/stomach junction. Are you TELLING the docs you're having trouble swallowing? Sometimes, this is a trigger in getting a quicker diagnosis. (They treated my hubby for ulcer for 4 months up until this point, no diagnostic imaging tests whatsoever!)
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I to went through what your going through with the swallowing food for over a year. I was being treated for acid reflux by my family doctor and it did no good. He sent me to see a GI doctor and all he wanted to do was stretch my Esophagus. He did it 3 times which did no good because I still could not swallow food or pills. He told me he did not know what was wrong with me and to come back and see him in 6 months. Well at that point I decided to seek another GI doctor and I am so glad I did because he went down there one time and found the start of cancer and put me right in for surgery to remove my whole Esophagus. That was Dec 22nd 2011. PLEASE find another doctor for a second option and yes request a endoscopic ultrasound. GOD be with you and prayers as well. Terry
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You need another doctor now!
someone that has a back round in EC when we found my EC while looking for something else my MD didn't get real worked up. But I guess it was not his body and I could be replaced as someone to pay his over head. The folks in this group are great and can guide you But you need to find the right doctor and I don't think you have it now Good luck gary
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Thank you so much for all of your replies. I do have an appointment with a brand new GI specialist on the 10th. That is where my problem with swallowing comes from too, mainly trying to get pills all the way down without them feeling like they are stuck in my throat, and bread seems to be difficult unless its toast. Sometimes just plain ole swallowing is a challenge and I start to panic. I decided to switch GI doctors because my first one just didn't seem to take anything seriously. He tells me I have Barrett's Esophagus but I never had Acid Reflux or Gerd... I was confused. My regular MD sees me on the 9th, the day before the GI doc. He wants me to keep track of what I'm eating, what my weight was for that day, and my blood pressure. My weight is still 100, from 127, my blood pressure has been rather low, and I am eating A LOT of food! Someone on this Forum mentioned that cancer eats calories? I had never heard that before. When he found the Barrett's Esophagus, he also said I had a hiatal hernia and diverticulitis which he didn't seem concerned about either. I lost a friend that I use to work with, from Barrett's Esophagus. He was always eating yogurt. It didn't seem like he got the results, much before he passed. I really appreciate the posts, it makes me feel less alone and right now, I do.
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You keep us posted on how your doing.
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