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Avatar universal

Pain near the spine that is worsened with eating....

Here are my symptoms and questions:

* Have had frequent bouts of pain that feels like an ulcer (like one in the mouth) but alot bigger and is near or around the spine between the shoulder blades. *

* Frequent "lump in the throat" phlegm kind of aggrievation brought on my stress also *

* The pain near the back (upper spine) is effected by eating. I may have no pain at all, but once I eat, as the food goes down it irritates and causes hours of pain afterwards. *

-- I have a mild hiatel hernia according to a stomach scope performed about 1 and 1/2 yrs. ago. --
-- When this test was performed, I didn't have ANY symptoms of GERD like I do now, but shorty afterwards I developed many symptoms and they last for a few weeks and go away for a few, then back for a few.--


My questions are:

Could I have developed Barrett's esophagus despite the scope revealing only a hernia - but given the fact that the scope was done BEFORE i ever had any 'painful' symptoms of GERD. I have had the heartburn feeling maybe a year or two before the scope.
It has been a year and a half since the scope.. APR. 2002.

At the age 28, could I get cancer if Barrett's has occurred.

Would you recommend me to get another scope since now I have been suffering with this pain near the back for a few days.

Again the pain is on and off but increases more as the day goes by.. when I first wake it is not present, and stress definetly makes the reflux happen and the pain increase.

I take Nexium pill once or twice a day, twice right now.

Last question is: Is this a esoph. ulcer? or what
17 Responses
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Avatar universal
I am a new comer to this site but feel it necessary to comment on your situation. Fear can cause all kinds of symptoms. First, rely on your physcian to help you come to a conclusion of what is the cause of the problem. You might also consult a ENT doc to evaluate for other causes of the feeling of a lump in your throat. Be leery of what all you read on the internet. For one unless you can fully understand the implications of what you are reading it can be misinterpreted. Request your physcian to do other testing that may rule out other problems such as a thyroid problem, goiter is another problem that they can check for. There is nothing wrong in asking your physcian to explain the results of any and all testing so that you can fully understand the results. Good luck in finding the problem. If you have not already gotten satisfaction from the doc you are seeing then find another doctor that you feel more comfortable with that you can speak honestly and opening about your aches,pains,emotions, etc...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Mine all started when I lifted a heavy object - that part I just don't get as the EGD didn't show a hiatal hernia.  I developed acid reflux - late night ice cream coming up in the middle of the night was a dead give-away.  The papillae(?) on the very back of my (upper) tongue are symetrically swollen - I actually watched one grow.  Its been a couple of months and they have not gone away.  You've got to check way back there for them.  My oral surgeon says its normal anatomy - could have been a reaction to the reflux.
I'm currently experiencing a tenderness at the base of my sternum and a minor stabbing pain between my shoulder blades.  Had the sonogram - nothing.  Sometimes, I swear I'm doing it to myself - it comes and goes, but the more worried I get, the more symptoms I seem to experience.  But then again - I'm 44. Never had a problem quite like this.  I'm taking carafate for the "minor bacterial infection" in the lining of my stomach, zocor for my cholesterol and wellbutrin to stop smoking.  All side effects of my medication point to abdominal pains and the like, so I'm stopping the wellbutrin today - back to basics.  Jog, eat well, swim and work on the abs - ignore "stress".
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello. First of all I have to say...CALM DOWN!!!
I have learned in the past month to stay off the internet sites. ONLY sites with actual medical doctors, like this one, should be taken into consideration. Any joe blow can make up a web site listing all kinds of information to make anyone think of planning their own funeral.
You are only 28 so the odds are on your side.
Do remember that even this site warns that this is ONLY ADVICE and that you need to speak w/ your own physician.
Lymph nodes can be swollen for many reasons. My newborn daughter has had swollen lymph nodes and she is fine.
Usually that just indicates some sort of irritation. Your stress can very well be causing this. I would tend to agree with the comments preceeding this and see if you can talk to you doctor and maybe even get some anti anxiety medication to help you cope with your fears of dying.
Good luck to you and God bless.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The exact location would be right next to the bottom of the jaw bone, and while I pull my finger down my jaw bone on the left and it makes a nice L shaped felling.. the Right is a different story, it is definetly swollen to the extent of making more of a 45 degree angle to reach my trachea than on the left which makes close to a 90 degree..

its like this

|   |
L   /
| |

Also me feeling it has swollen it up alot just feeling it for a few minutes to examine it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am so worried now, I never read about lymph nodes until just now.

I mentioned earlier in the post that one side of my neck seems to have some puffiness.

It is under the jaw near, above my adams apple.. just about where you would check your pulse at. On the right side, not the left it seems swollen and i am running no fever and don't know of any infection. I really do not have any sinus either.

Could all of this be because of my throat problems.. or is this pointing to some kind of cancer.

The swollen part isn't that big, but I can recall noticing it just recently within 2 weeks and before the golf ball feeling came up but during the pains near my back that are aggrevated by eating.

I can't say it is swollen that much more than my left side, but it goes down farther on the right towards my adams apple, and there is definetly a difference in what i feel on the left and on the right, and i noticed it as being unusual..

I DID tell the doc. about it and he wondered if it was from an infection. Please god don't let me have cancer, I am only 28 and have feared dying all of my life (since my teen years).

It doesn't really hurt when I fool with it, and doesn't feel hard either though. It kind of hurts a little at times, but the pain is really fast and goes away fast. Hard to tell with all the other pains in my throat area.

** Does anyone know if bloodwork would show lymph type of cancer??? ** And If so what reading does it change, if any.

Someone advise please. I am really getting scared now.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
2 questions regarding this:

(1) Is taking a barium swallow the proper course of action for my symptoms.. does it show preliminary results that would indicate a need to get a scope?

(2) Why does my lump in throat pain feel better when I eat but when I swallow it seems to get worse.. It almost disappears when I eat (hot or cold) or suck on something. (butterscotch candy.

If I eat real slow.. i don't hardly feel the golf ball, but I do feel the back pain increasing with eating.. it is like one goes away and the other comes.

Thanks everyone!!
Helpful - 0
233190 tn?1278549801
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
To answer your questions:
1) In most cases, Barrett's esophagus appears to develop to its full extent over a short period of time (ie, <1 year), with little or no subsequent progression.  If you had your scope 1 1/2 years ago, there is a possibility that Barrett's may have developed.

2) It is very unlikely that cancer could have developed if a scope 1 1/2 years ago was negative for Barrett's or esophageal cancer.

3) I would recommend another scope if you continue to have symptoms.  If the GI workup is negative, you may want to consider an ENT referral to further workup causes of the "lump in the throat".

4) An endoscopy can determine whether an esophageal ulcer is present.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Good,

I think you are doing the wisest thing. A doctor is the only one that can tell you accurately what may or may not be wrong.

I do hope you get some reassurance, when you do try to relax and forget about your symptoms.

Regards,

Pat
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Just to clarify I had the scope done about a year and a half ago.

I was just recalling the lump in the throat sensation due to the numbing agent that they spray down your throat.

The globus sensation described on some webpages is Exactly what I am feeling.. the cause is unknown.. I will go see a doctor ASAP. However ERs around here only treat emergencies and you have to be dying for them to do a test on you.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just wanted to say. I have Barrett's and it would be unlikely that you have developed it this quickly, last 1.5 yrs., if you had a clean EGD at that time...You said it only reveled a sm hiatal hernia..Im assuming it didnt show any ulcers, erosions, stricture "narrowing of esophagus" or any indications of barrett's that would have prompted your GI doing the test to take biopsies? Barrett's normally occurs after many yrs. of reflux disease.....Usually untreated reflux for many yrs. It is most prevalant in males in their 60s although it is believed that it is usually present for some time before diagnosis...Also, women do get barrett's, I am one, but at a much lesser percentage than men....Yes, anyone with barrett's can develop esophageal cancer....Once you are given that diagnosis, Barrett's esophagus, it is a lifetime of surveillance through EGDs and biopsies to be able to catch any progress that may occur at a time that you can then receive proper treatment to avoid a cancer diagnosis....The only accurate way to diagnose Barrett's is through biopsy, the Dr. can sometimes think they see barrett's on visual examination through EGD but that always has to be confirmed through biopsy and most people get a second pathology opinion, on their slides, from one of the large training hosp.....Take care, tessa
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Have you been tested for parasites? I am a new evangelist now that I have been diagnosed and am receiving treatment. Parasites can cause incredible suffering. See my post in the question above this one. Good luck.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
i went to the doc today, and he is having me get a barium swallow tomorrow at the hospital.

i won't know anything for a few days though, unless they find something critical.. hopefully they won't.

My throat has started hurting to the point where it feels like strep throat like if there is pus bags but way down it..

then i ate just now and it feels better when i eat.

but is starting to hurt again..
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,

I know only too well what is involved in an OGD or scope test as you call it. the spray tastes horrible but it soon goes away, as does the sore feeling. I had one done only last Friday and i have no sensation of a "lunp" or any soreness of any kind.
Obviously, your throat may have been injured during your test but it's unlikely.

You say you are taking Nexium,a Doctor prescribe this for you, or are you self medicating? If you are then you should stop doing it. If a doctor did prescribe the Nexium for you then why don't you return to that doctor.

The more you write the stronger my feeling that you need help, probably from a counsellor or other therapist, but the first call you should make is to a Doctor or an ER if it is really bad.
you need reassurance and you will not get it unless you see a doctor. Even the doctors here, and I admire the work they do, can only give you an opinion, not a diagnosis.

And that's what you need!

Make that call to your doctor, now. Don't keep putting it off, in the unlikely event that there is something seriously wrong then the sooner you have it treated the better the outcome will be.

Kindest regards,

Pat
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I don't mean to be harsh or unkind but why on earth don't you go and see your doctor or go to the nearest ER?

Difficult swallowing and accompanied by pain should never be ignored. I'm not a doctor but i am a longterm Gastro. sufferer and I don't think that Barretts could occur so quickly.
It could be an ulcer but it could be a lot of other things also, some that are not very serious but some that are.

Speculating as to what it may or may not be will only lead to further sress and distress, you seem to me to be very anxious as it is and that alone can present symptoms, even when there is no physiological reason for them.

Please, for your sake only,if you are afraid to see your doctor then ask yourself, could anything the doctor say make you any more anxious than you are now? I suspect not and the doctor may put your mind at rest immediately or organise some tests to discover what is causing your discomfort.

Kindest regards,

Pat

Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
actually it is not difficulty swallowing..

for those who have had a stomach scope (endoscopy?), when they spray your throat with the numming stuff, and it feels like there is a lump in it, and makes you keep swallowing.. that is what I am experiencing.

All day I have had the feeling that something is there. For the last few days I had it on and off, but now just constantly on which occasional, slight reliefs.

The back pain, or esoph. pain is getting better..

If I could just get rid of this lump feeling.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Also, this lump in my throat feeling occured today after someone got into a small accident with my vehicle which may now raise my insurance.

Having the shakes (action tremors) is another problem I have been dealing with, and stress increases both the tremors, speech problems, and reflux altogether.

I have had this pain near the back only on occasion and it has never lasted this long or been this bad. It used to only hurt for a few minutes/hours and was increased by drinking sodas, or eating spicy..etc. Now it stings, stabs, and burns really bad and won't let up!!

Thanks!! Any info that you can think of would greatly be helpful.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I just drank some tea, and it made it hurt more.. sugary things seem to increase the pain.. does that make sense??

Water is the best but I am out of spring.. guess it's time for faucet!
Helpful - 0

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