Confusing 3 years!

[nenah08]

Hi, I have a history of dysphagia, i had this since 2009, recently it has got a lot better. I've had lots of tests, barium swallow , x rays, endoscopies, mri scans. When i had the first endoscopy they found a very small hiatus hernia and inflammation in my esophagus. i was put on 30 mgs of zoton fastabs. I still had swallowing trouble. I then had a videofluoroscopy done of my swallow and they saw that when i drink liquids the liquid goes down into the vallecular space before i swallow. The speech and language therapist said that for some reason i may have become too aware when this was happening and that a bit of fear may be involved. She also let me watch the video of my swallow and i saw that when the vallecular space filled with water i tilted my head forward so i do think i was aware that something felt different. I would like to know is it normal that the vallecular space  fills first before i swallow liquids? And if not what can be done about it? Yesterday i had another endoscopy and the Doctor said that the inflammation in my esophagus has cleared up but they found inflammation in my duodenum. Because they said the inflammation in my esophagus has cleared up i thought i could come off the ppis but I've read online that if you have duodenitis you should take a ppi. Can you give me some answers, as you see i have had  a very confusing 3 years!    

[patient915]

Getting tested for H Pylori is a good idea; this can cause inflammation.

[nenah08]

Hi patient915 and CalGal, thanks! yeah i saw a gastroenterologist she did the endoscopy for me. She took a photo of my duodenum and i saw the inflammation. She took a biopsy of the fundus of my stomach and the area near where the inflammation was found. She is going to test it for H pylori. After the endoscopy i asked her what could cause the inflammation and she seemed not too bothered and she said that it could be caused by using aspirin, but i gave up taking aspirin 3 years ago because of the inflammation and acid reflux in my esophagus! I know that the gastroenterologist didn't seem too bothered but i just don't like the idea of inflammation in my body. I just don't want it to cause long term damage.

[CalGal]

Nenah, was the problem in the duodenum directly related to putting out too much acid? Or could it have another cause such as problems with the ingestion of gluten? Did they biopsy the duodenum and give you any further information such as a pathologist's report?

[patient915]

Welcome to the gastroenterology community!  No, I believe that is not normal.  Have you seen a gastroenterologist about this?