Im catastrophising. And scared. Convince me im ok.

[tiredemma]

For the last two -three years I have had intermittent periods of having trouble digesting food. It used to be only 'rich' foods that made me feel like this i.e. curry. The food would feel 'stuck' in my oesophagus and would result in pain radiating around to my back and would make it impossible for me to lie down/get to sleep.
This would result in me having to force myself to be sick (sorry TMI) - this would alleviate the feelings of food being stuck- my vomit would appear to be food that has not reached my stomach- always like a bolus of chewed food (this can be up to 3 hours after I had eaten).

As I say its intermittent, however i have had it now for over a month and it no longer applies to just 'rich' foods. I had a jacket potato the other night and it re-appeared. I don't become sick 'naturally'- I find that I am so uncomfortable that I have to make myself sick. past three episodes however I have brought up fresh blood. and its painful.

So I go to the DR's- she orders that I have a soft diet, no alcohol, refers me for either barium meal or endoscopy and sends off 'urgent bloods'. And if I vomit up blood again I need to go straight to A&E via 999.

Before going to the Dr's I was quite blasé about it all and convinced myself I just needed something like lanzoprazole prescribing. Since I have come back I am tearful, and catastrophising and have made the ultimate healthcare mistake of googling my symptoms. I am convinced I have cancer of the oesophagus.

Im not normally like this, I work in healthcare, I'm a bit of a battle-axe and don't give out sympathy to family members for ailments ("you're not dying FGS!!!! I holler!!")

Im scared. For the first time ever in my life I am referred for some kind of investigative procedure and Im scared. I'm over-reacting right???....

Tiredemma, dont panic. At least you are being assessed properly by the GP.

Perhaps your stomach is producing too much acid so it causes bouts of indigestion and acid reflux. Sometimes acid reflux can give you that sensation of something stuck in your throat. It's possible you may aggravated the lining of your stomach and have got gastritis too. This might account for the fresh blood you are vomiting.

Try not to worry. Anxiety can make the symptoms so much worse. Did the GP give you any omeprazole in the meantime?

2-3 years would be an awfully long time for cancer symptoms not to worsen.

There is a condition where the oesophagus goes into spasm - it does need treating, otherwise over years and years of indigestion it can become a precursor to cancer, but it is NOT cancer and it is treatable. So that is just one idea of something in between reflux and cancer on the scale of things...and I'm quite sure there are plenty more.

So yes, you are going from 'no big deal' to 'I'm going to die' and missing out the huge chunk inbetween: consider yourself reassured, you are over-reacting having probably under-reacted in the past

Could be related to reflux (GERD) or a hiatus hernia.

Am guessing you are a ward sister

Battle Axes Rule!!

Some of your symptoms sound like achalasia, my Mum had it and if it is that it is not a catastrophy. When you have your tests ask about it as it is quite rare.

Good luck in getting a quick diagnosis.

It's because your a health professional, we worry more because we see things go wrong but honestly it's more likely to be nothing than something isnt it?

Remember most patients with something sinister feel pretty bad in themselves dont they?.

Hiya,
I've had problems such as heartburn, nausea, vomiting, reflux and on occasions vomiting bowlfuls if blood. When they did an endoscopy they said I have a stomach ulcer and a hiatus hernia.

Stop making yourself vomit.
Eat less, chew well.
Select easily digestible food and give it a chance to digest.

I have had major issues with my digestive system so I have a feel for your concerns.

And now, breathe, and see the specialist, with chapter and verse. You will get more appropriate help sooner with a proper record, as you know.

You lot are fab. You have reassured me tenfold.

thanks so very much. x

I had symptoms like that and random spasms feeling in my oesophagus that has gone on for years. I had OGD that was normal but had barium swallow, ph monitoring and motility studies that shied severe oesophageal dysmotility! Basically no " muscle waves/ peristalsis" in top of oesophagus.

No treatment needed apparently