Don't understand my referral :/

[Woolyhooker]

Visited my gp on Monday expecting to get a pat on the head and a prescription for omeperasol, instead I walked out with an urgent two week referral to hospital for investigations. (Barium meal and a colonoscopy) Was a bit taken aback and never really questioned him on it, he did mention achilasia but that wouldn't warrant an urgent referral. Reason for me going was that every time I eat my food gets stuck behind my breast bone and it's getting worse, some regurgitation if I eat past my limit etc.

Any thoughts? I have cancer running about my head. Had a breast scare last year and the thought of getting on that train is making me a bit wobbly.

Thanks.

[FannyFifer]

Sounds a bit like a hiatus hernia,it's good GP is being proactive with the referral, try not to worry.

[PenguinPoser]

Without knowing about the specifics of your case - if you have the symptom of food sticking on swallowing that means you fulfil the criteria for an urgent referral for investigations. It's to make sure there isn't a physical obstruction in the oesophagus - which could be caused by many things. Cancer is one of those things - but rare and not the most likely diagnosis by any means, the reason for the 2ww referral is to exclude serious conditions like that, even when the more likely thing is something more simple.

Sorry you have been left in this situation - the GP ideally should have explained this to you when they referred. Hope everything is ok I know it's easy to say from the outside but try not to worry as the most likely thing is that it's not cancer, and you're going to be seen and investigated quickly to get to the bottom of your symptoms.

[BigBroIsWatching]

I was in a similar situation, I was getting food stuck behind breastbone, and food and drink would (and still do) reflux up.

As soon as I mentioned food getting stuck, the locum GP referred me for an Endoscopy. I imagine that's what you will be having unless you mentioned bowel symptoms which would explain a Colonoscopy?
The Barium Meal is the best procedure to show a Hiatus Hernia, which sounds more likely.

I had an Endoscopy and they found nothing. Yet I am still suffering so now having Barium Meal which will hopefully show the hernia.

Hope this helps you understand the procedure and what they are looking for. Don't worry too much about the 2 week referral. Look at it as they are looking into the cause and will treat it with the correct medication. Do you get heartburn?

[Hobbes8]

The two week referral is indeed because they want to rule out cancer. However around 90% of patients referred on a two week referral don't have cancer, and in your case it doesn't sound like the most likely cause (I'm not a doctor though).

It's good that the NHS don't fuck about when it comes to cancer but I appreciate it must be scary! Good luck.

[Woolyhooker]

Argghhhhh, yes I meant an endoscopy. I don't get heartburn at all, have had two bouts of gastritis in the past after heavy weekends but that's it really. I can feel the food squeezing past what ever it is, even liquids though they're not causing me pain yet.


Thanks for the posts, I'm feeling a lot more reassured now.

[Woolyhooker]

Could a hiatus hernia slip up so far? The pain is nearly at the top of my boobs.

[FannyFifer]

Yes that's where pain is quite commonly, the acid etc can irritate the osophagus, feels like something getting stuck where you describe, food can't go down etc.

[BigBroIsWatching]

That's where I get the initial pain then I sometimes get it where the hernia would be.