Barrett's Esoph and feeling of lump in throat

I am a 49-year old female who has had severe acid reflux for several years.  I have been on Nexium 2 X day for the past 7 years and have still managed to develop Barrett's esophagus.  At this point, the Barrett's is at the lowest stage, however given the aggressiveness of my case, my biggest fear is that it will turn into full-blown cancer.  I have slept with the bed raised for years; I have used Nexium before meals 2x day for years.  I don't usually have any heartburn as part of my GERD.  However -- recently when out on the town, I had several bouts of a "crushing feeling" in my chest.  It was different than just heartburn though.  For the past few days, I have been feeling a "lump" in the front of my neck about where the thyroid is not only when I swallow but all the time.  I don't feel anything unusual when I do a neck evaluation with my hands, but there is definitely a dull lump feeling there now that at times also feels a bit like a mild sore throat.  My gastroenterologist is having me go to get an ultrasound on my thyroid next week.  Thyroid disease is in my family but I am worried that this "lump" could be thyroid cancer.  

A little more about me.......I have been regularly checked for colon polyps since the first one was found as part of another evaluation when I was about 30 years old.  (My father had colon cancer when he was 50)  I also have "hundreds" of gastric polyps that so far have been tested as part of my colonoscopies but so far have been benign.  

I am really worried about this lump feeling in my throat!  If it turns out to be hypothyroidism, I can deal with that; however, my fear is that it will turn out to be something more serious.  

Can anyone shed any light on the "lump in the throat" feeling and what it turned out to be?  I know I have written alot but I didn't want to waste your time.

Thanks,

[selmaS]

Hi and welcome to the GERD forum.

It is possible that u have an auto immune disorder such as Hashimoto's thyroiditis it is known to cause nodules to develope on the thyroid.

Have it checked by an ENDO and let us know...I was dx with it a yr ago and am on synthroid....

In addition to ur Gerd meds and having ur bed elevated are u watching ur diet as well?

"selma"

[baronness01]

Hi Selma,
thanks for your post. I had not heard of Hashimoto's thyroiditis but I am having an endoscopy soon (my annual one) and an ultrasound of my thyroid also so hopefully they will be able to determine more.  As for my diet, no I am not good at watching my diet but heartburn has never been much of an issue for me.  However, I am going to start the Nutrisystem diet this week because I know that getting this weight off will be very good for me.

Lynne

[selmaS]

Hi Lynne,

In addition to the Nutrisystem diet, be aware of the food triggers that affect ur gerd.Our Health Pages list foods to avoid/safe foods.In keeping a journal u will know what foods u can/can not eat.

Most people do not realize that a food trigger does not have to cause pain to cause an affect.....dairy slows the closing of the lower esphopagus sphincter and allows reflux back up into the throat and over time will cause damage.

Learn what foods to avoid and u will loose the weight u want and u can control ur gerd at the same time.

Keep us posted on ur progress on both!!

"selma"