Are there certain tests I should ask for?

[April2]

I saw the GI assistant today. My symptoms have been getting worse and worse. I have constant heartburn now that doesn't go away no matter what I eat or whether I eat at all. They did put me on Nexium and I think it's a little better but it's still there. Then I got a new symptom, a constant lump in the throat feeling. Today I felt like my throat was closing up. They do think I have Gerd. Is that something that can be tested for? What about hiatal hernia? How would I know what's going on? They do want to do a small bowel follow through. Will that show something? They upped my prescription of Nexium to double and told me to take it twice a day. They also want to schedule a colonoscopy because of the diahrea. I told them I wanted to wait on that just yet and focus on the upper stuff going on. I don't know if this is the Crohns, Gerd or what. Is there anything else I can do or any other tests I should request? Anybody know? I hate feeling like this. I'm really feeling it today in my throat pretty bad and I didn't even eat much today. I don't know what exactly is going on. I just want to feel better.

[SheriDale]

YES.  Ask for a scope.  They need to look down your throat to make sure you don't have Barretts disease or throat cancer.  

I was having all your symptons, especially not being able to swallow.  Things seemed to stick in my throat.  They did a scope and it is Barretts, which is pre-cancer of the asphagus.  If they catch it soon, you can be ok!  However, you have to change your eating habit...nothing acid at all!  At least until it calms down, eat no red meat or pork and chicken if you can give up all the meats!  Then just add back chicken and fish.

I am on Prilosec which is helping.  I opted to go el natural...didn't work for me.  My stomach got worse.  Highly recommend Prilosec or Nexum and changing your diet.  

I hope you get better soon!

[April2]

Thanks! You know, I did ask if they were going to do the endoscopy along with the colonoscopy and they said no. That surprised me. I think they should do an endoscopy. That's the upper scope you're talking about, right?
I'm also surprised they didn't say to do an upper GI along with the small bowel follow through. They act like they're more concerned with the diarrhea (which isn't even every day) because they're wondering if the Crohns is back. I'm actually more concerned with what's going on with my throat and the constant heartburn right now.
I'm really starting to get worried about my throat. Today I felt like it was closing up. I hate that everything takes so dang long. It took me months just to get in to see this assistant, Then another month and a half for me to see them again, plus whenever they schedule the procedures.
I'm asking for an endoscopy and if they say no or take forever then I may have to go to yet another doctor. I'm getting so frustrated anymore with doctors.

[April2]

Ok, I'm getting the upper GI with lower bowel follow through on Monday. I'm still going to ask for an endoscopy.
They also told me to double the Nexium and take it twice a day so I'm doing that.
They said I have GERDS. I'm worried about it getting worse. Lately I've noticed a raspy sounding voice. Is that par for the course with having GERD? It just seems like my symptoms have gotten worse so I'm a bit more worried.

[ggreg]

The acid forming in your tummy is bubbling up into your throat, and it burns the tissues, and causes the raspyness and tight feeling in your neck.  They're doing the tests to find out the origin of excess acid.  In meantime, you could try a couple things, see if it helps.  Keep up with the meds they say to take, but early in the morning, at least an hour before you take those, try an ordinary alka seltzer.  Then later that day, eat 100 percent whole wheat bread, just eat a slice whenever you get a funny feeling in your throat.  With the bread, drink a half glass of Acidophilus milk.  The bread should soak up more acid, and the milk will ease the discomfort in your throat by coating it.  Just bandaids, really, to make you more comfortable, but I hope they work.