Are these symptons of esophageal cancer

[mikeyb]

I have had a dull ache(on and off) in my chest for years which the doctor thought was skeletal.
For the last week only I have been having problems swallowing, it feels like something is blocking the food.
Even when just swallowing saliva it feels incomfortable when passing by the breastbone.

Due to this new developement The doctor now thinks its acid reflux and as given me Nexium. Doesn't seem to be working at all.

Could this be Esophargeal cancer?

[Lynn28]

If you told your doctor about "Those" symptoms and he has yet to do an endoscopy, than you need a new one! With those symptoms, a PPI shouldn't be given, but rather an investagation as to WHY you ahve these symptoms should be done and than a PPI if that's
what's needed. Have you had an endoscopy?

[mikeyb]

Thanks for your advice guys.
I have had to be very strong with my doctor and demand a referral for an endoscopy. He wasn't very keen at all but says he will write a letter to them.
Here in the UK it can take about a month to get your appointment I believe. The sooner the better for me.
What were your symptoms?

All the best

Mike

[pilchard]

Hi there

Just to let you know I am in the UK and had have been having problems with my stomach acid, I had to insist to be refered to the specialist which took 2 months then said it would be a further 6 month waiting for an Endoscopy.

I decided I can't wait that long so I am going to pay for it and it is getting done in 10 days!

Hope you have more joy.

[mikeyb]

Hi Quany,

Many thanks for your advice, how did you get a private?
Do I need to wait for my appointment first?

All the best

Mike

[pikamom]

Hi, I had to wait 2 months for an appointment when I called the gastroenterologist the first time. Had my consultation last week which turned up blood in the stool and the doctor wants to do both upper and lower endoscopy, but again I have another 2 month wait. If I have cancer, just think how much it could spread in the 4 months it took from the time I made my first phone call till I got tested. And I've been having severe symptoms of reflux for a couple of years before I finally decided to do something about it. I hope you'll be alright, the swallowing thing sounds like you could have a narrowing in the esophagus...my uncle has esophagus cancer and he first had severe reflux for years and then swallowing difficulty until finally the food would just come back up and that's when he had to get help and by then he had advanced cancer. The bad thing about esophagus cancer is that it is usually diagnosed when the tumor is quite large and by then it's usually too late.

[pilchard]

If you want a private referal just ask your GP they will send a letter and in the mean time you can ring the private hospital and book an appointment. I rang the hospital and got a consultation in 3 days!!!

The private consultant was very good and honest, saying he thought I still did not need an endoscopy however I want it done for piece of mind.

I strongly recomend this if you can afford it as you will be fobbed off unless you have alarm symtoms such as losing weight or lack of appetite, which is usually when its too late. I'm sure as I keep getting told there will be a non serious reason for your symtoms but after having a bad experience in the familly some years ago I decided not to wait around for a diagnoses.

Hope you get sorted soon.

[Mr. Mike]

COMMENT: I am in the USA and am glad that we don't have socialized medicine.

REGARDING Acid reflux and waiting for a doctor in the UK.

Please read and follow this info.  In 2 months, you may be able to cancel the appointment.  Others have found this to be true.

The Standard American Diet (SAD) is sad.  It is the primary cause of the difficulties that you and the rest of us face here in the good old USA.  

Gastroenterologists are not needed in third world countries, for the most part.  Its the MODERN way of life = eating of western diet that is killing us with digestive problems, diabetes, and heart disease et. al.

I strongly encourage you to let the good foods push the bad / processed foods off your plate.  Begin to juice (pulp separated from the juice, discard the pulp) several times per day.  This will feed your cells, may cause some detoxification, and begin to heal your body including the G.I. tract.

If you experience detoxification, then adjustments must be made.

Raw fruits and vegetables eaten properly along with other lifestyle changes

can radically, and I mean radically, improve your health.

Let the digestive tract rest and heal.  Healing comes from cellular feeding and activity.

Need more info,Contact me at ***@****

If you want to be anonymous, get a fake email address and we can correspond through that.  

I can direct you to many other resources.

[gregd64]

I have acid reflux and before I started taking prilosec I had trouble swallowing also which has cleared up. Blood in the stool can be from many reasons that do not mean cancer. The highest risk for esophogus cancer are alcohol-smoking and age. esophogus cancers are rarely seem in people that are younger that 60+ and they have had a long life of smoking and drtinking.

[geejay]

Any thoughts?
When I first had this pain I thought I was having a heart attack! Severe chest pain, broke out in a sweat, couldn't breath, heart beating really fast.  Had to lay down in the floor in order to ease the pain.  Had ekg, nothing wrong with my heart. Am taking prilosec, at first it really helped-one per day.  Now if I go 1 day without a prilosec the pain is back.  I can forget about trying to climb the stairs, or pick up anything (grandaughter weighs 30 lbs), or walk any kind of distance.  I have a pain that stays in my upper left breast as well as what feels like my windpike.  Im up to 2 prilosecs a day.  Has anybody heard anything about shingles causing this kind of pain?
I've got to do something, tell my doc to try something cause I'm not getting any better.

[Wee One]

My father has been very sick since April 2002.  Loss of energy, vomiting, loss of appetite, acid problems and major weight loss 40 pounds)!  We finally convienced him to get to a doctor.  He is currently in hospital on numerous IV's in order to help him gain back weight.  THe DR did a scope test into his esophagus and found what he said to be, "A very angry thing in your esophagus." The next day he was sent for CT scan and the DR was unable to read the results due to lots of inflamation (inflammation).  I guess I just want to know if anyone out there has had a similiar experience.  I just want this guessing game over with. I want to know what is wrong with my DAD.
Thanks
WeeOne