Looking for advice on where to go next

[Samdrugrbringer]

So, a few months ago, I had a ballish feeling in my throat, and my doctor perscribed some PPIs and told me to take them.  However, I'm not good with medication, and ended up not taking them, and it came back.  This time I took the PPI's religously, but I felt I was having side-effects (Constapation and dihera) So he recomended I buy some off-the counter H2 blockers (Zantac 150)  And asked for a Barium Swollow.  It came back normal.

This is where the **** hits the fan.  The day after the barrium swollow, my health insurence ran out.  I didn't think this was a big deal, since the barrium swollow told me what I was terrified the problem was (Esophigal cancer) was not there, as any tumor big enough for me to feel they said would be easy to detect.

However, it is now almost a month after the test, I have been taking the H2 blockers pretty regulary, but my symptoms seem to be getting worse.  Swollowing is a little harder (Though not so much a problem I have real diffictlty eating) and most destressingly, I've tasted blood several times in the last month.  I called my ENT doctor, who told me it was proboly no big deal, but yesterday I noticed black tarry streaks in one of my stool passings.  It was rather unerveing.

Right now I'm trying everything I can to get as accurate a diognosis as I can without health insurcne, but it's rather hard.  I'm 19, overweight, but otherwise in good health.  The idea that I might have esophigal cancer is driving me crazy.

For around 700 dolars, I can get back on it and get an endoscopy, which is what I am leaning toward, but I REALLY don't want to spend the money.

Just looking for some more opinions.

[Samdrugrbringer]

Thank you, though.

[Samdrugrbringer]

Yes, I was very afraid of that.

I'm actualy hoping it's due to the inflamation of the esophigal and/or larynx, since my EnT doctor told me it was pretty red and inflamed when he saw it.  I know my guesses aren't the medicaly relevent though.

The PPIs are just for the LPR symptoms really, which haven't been going away on h2s.

[Ratnakar Kini]

Hi Samdrugbringer,
Cancer esophagus at 19 years is very rare.
Since you have said that you have tasted blood several times and also noticed passing black tarry stools, it indicates you are bleeding inside.

This definitely warrants an upper GI endoscopy to locate the site of bleeding.
PPI help only if the bleeding is due to ulcers.But bleeding could be due to various other causes as well.
So endoscopy has to be done to find out the cause and treat appropriately.
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The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.