burning / Irritated stomach and throat

[Erminia]

Dear Doctor Kevin,

I'm a 26 y/o woman
Diagnosed achalasia in 92, had dilation & tonsillectomy. 2nd dilation (97).

In early 2005, I was scheduled for a colonoscopy and the doc mentioned that I should have an endoscopy every year. Both tests were clear. In fact, the doctor said my esophagus looked so normal, he wondered if I’d had achalasia at all! He said I had IBS.

That spring, I started having difficulty breathing, chronic sore throat, hoarse, lump in throat that seemingly came out of nowhere. I found out that these issues were probably due to a combo of: allergies, PN drip, and acid reflux. The ENT said the back of my throat looked like two cherries and scheduled me for barium study and gave me 2 wks of aciphex. I never got around to taking the xray, and ended up changing to an isurance program with my school...but I didn't really use it.

Recently, my throat has really been bothering me and feels very raw, kind of swollen, irritated when I breathe, or swallow. I also have light burning in my stomach, sometimes nausea and it feels full easily. It also feels tight on the right upper part of my stomach area, (but I’ve felt this since 05).
Seem to be losing weight / feeling weak…SO I finally went to the doctor last week for a physical and I mentioned some of these problems. The doc prescribed nexium and said to follow up in 2 weeks.

My concern:
Being that I neglected this for the past 2 years, I’m nervous that I may have some damage or worse to my stomach/throat/esophagus…is this possible?
Can I still push for an endoscopy / barium test even though Im a new patient under this new insurance? I’ve just started seeing this new doctor, and I don’t want to seem like an overbearing patient by immediately asking for an ENT & GI referral, but I’m concerned.

I will go over all of this with my doctor when I see her in 2 weeks, its just that even 2 weeks seems so long when you’re not feeling well…just looking for some insight.

Thanks for your help!

[Erminia]

Thanks for your help Dr., I think I will ask about the ph study once I get referred to a GI.

Hi austinsmom,
No, I don't really get those symptoms, but good luck with your doctor!

[Kevin Pho, MD]

The only way to tell if there has been damage to the esophagus or stomach would be to perform an upper endoscopy.

Unresolved GERD can lead to the symptoms, as well as lead to chronic damage.  In addition to the upper endoscopy, you can consider a 24-hr pH study to conclusively exclude GERD.

I also agree with the possibility of post-nasal drip or allergies.  Obtaining allergy testing as well as a sinus CT scan can exclude these possibilities.

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

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com

[austinsmom20]

Hey I have been having some weird troubles to with my throat when I oush on it it get warm  and sometimes when I breath  is feels really cool are you haveing any of these problems I am starting to get worried I am going to the doctor tommarrow