GERD or worse

[Pudley]

Over the past year I have had roughly 3 attacks of very bad pain behind the breastbone, enough to wake me up.  It has lasted approx. 1 hour at the longest.  More recently, I have occasionally woken up feeling nauseous.  I have on occasions had acid reflux, but not all the time.  There are certain foods which are painful and difficult to swallow such as Doner Kebabs also chips.  2 days ago I had acid reflux and still have a sore throat.  I also feel as though I have a lump in my throat and cannot stop burping after meals.  I also have had a cough since the acid reflux, with mild indegestion at the moment.  When I look back I suppose I have been suffering acid reflux and indegestion for some time now but havn.t really worried about it, but now it is worrying me because the symptoms have got worse.  I am particularly worried because within the last 2 months, two people who I knew very well, one a man and the other a woman friend, have both died of oesophagal cancer.  At the time I didn't know much about it, but recently I have checked the symptoms of that and Barretts oesophagus and I must admit I have filled myself with anxiety over this.  I do have an appointment with the doctor, but within a few days yet and I am trying to remain calm.  Both of my friends were diagnosed and died within a few months of diagnosis.  I would really appreciate any comments.

[MIserableinKy]

I am too a big worry wart, but have figured out that worrying does make things worse. I have had acid reflux for almost 18 years and have been on some kind of medicine for it for all those years. I have recently had my third EGD and everything was fine. I do have a hiatal hernia and that gives me the sensation of food getting stuck. You do learn to live with these things however. Cancer does take many years to develop so take the prevacid and make some adjustments in diet....whatever your dr. recommended and just relax. It hard not to worry, but there are a lot of people that live with acid reflux. Good luck!

[Pudley]

Thank you so much for your encouraging reply.  I have just had my first appointment with a great GP who, thank God,  listened well, explained everything and has started me on Lansoprazole Capsules. We go from here now! God bless.

[Flycaster305]

I have Barrett's Esophagus because of long-standing GERD.  The chances of someone developing cancer are about 2% after the diagnosis.  I'd also suggest you rest easy, as Livenhope suggests.  See your doctor, get the tests and sort things out from there.  If you have GERD, there are simple things that can give you great relief.  Stay in touch.