Seriously confused-need adivce

[AJWS6]

After I eat, I feel weak, and everything swells from my stomach to my nose.  I start gasping for air.  I was takin to the ER 6 times in one week, and was given 6 different diagnoses, from hyperventilation syndrome, viral respiratory infection, allergic reaction, bronchitis, but the problem continues.  

Finally on my 6th visit to the ER, an ER doc did a CT scan of my throat & chest, I have an enlarged goiter with 3 additional nodules, my airway is crooked, but not obstructed, I can swallow normal.  My chest CT returned normal.      

What has developed over the past weeks, is my symptoms continue to get worse, after I eat.  What happens is, I can eat anything, drink anything, even a glass of water, a sandwich, small cup of jello, it feels like my esophogus is not opening and food fills my esophagul tube, my airway swells up, my throat swells up, the roof of my mouth swells up, my nostril swells up, everything swells from my stomach to my nose, I get short of breath bad enough to start gasping, I get extemeley exhausted and have to lay down, so I don't pass out.  I always feel like burping, but it never happens.  One ambulance tech listened to my lungs and said my upper airway was constricted and took me to the ER.  

Drinking a hot 7-up fast works sometimes, helps me burp.    

I went to several doctors and they all said the same thing acid reflux, I've tried Zantac 75, Mylanta, Maalox, Prilosec, Nexium, Prevacid, Gas X and now I've been taking Protonix for 3 weeks, dr thinks I have hiatel hernia, and my condition seems to be getting worse not improving.  

Dr's will not make me an appointment to see a specialist cause I don't have any health insurance, and also feel my symptoms can be treated with medications.  I am suffering bad, I already have shortness of breath, but after eating or drinking, I gasp & gag.  I've lost 50lbs since April 07, because I refuse to eat.  The only thing I eat now is campbell Chicken soup, but I have to force it down, any solid foods makes me gasp for air.  .  

Guess I get bloated real easliy, then the swelling begins.  

Really appreciate any suggestions or advice.  
Thanks
AJ  

  

[ggreg]

Dear AJ,
For gosh sakes, the goiter has gotta come out of there.  The time for medication treatment is over.  Go to the county health department (free) and they will refer you to a surgeon.  Then go to the county social services (free) and they will help you pay for the surgery.  It is absolutely outrageous that you have been dismissed on account of insurance.  While you're at it, write or email your Congressman concerning your personal situation.  National Health Care should be on their agenda, where every American can walk into a hospital and receive treatment.  Insurance companies gambled and lost.  THEY should be dismissed, and folks who gave them their money can instead pay the higher taxes and still come out even.
GG
.......

[lizziecee]

I have had Crohn's for 37 yrs and was doing fine on methotrexate (chemo) until I got breast cancer 4 yrs ago and had to stop the mtx in order to have FEC chemo. I then had a Crohn's flare - was faecally incontinent in the street, and even when home, could not make the 6 steps to the bathroom at times. Any kind of solid food, even home made vegetable soup with the solids strained out, gave me instant diarrhea. My Oncologist prescribed Frutijuice which came from the hospital pharmacy. It is in small wax cartons, and has all the nutrients and minerals needed to live. I had to sip 3 cartons a day, each carton having 300 cals.  I did this for 4 long months until I finished FEC chemo. I lost 28 lbs, but at least the Frutijuice kept me alive.  I live in England and some of our medicines and nutritional supplements are different, but you may have something similar in the US.

Hope you get some help soon.
Liz.

[Curls]

What I was trying to say is that it would be to everyone's advantage, not just yours if the doctors could figure out how to help you... but definitely to your advanage.  It must be scary.  I hope you figure it out soon.

[Curls]

Can you find out what kind of specialist and self-pay.  Pre call the doc office and ask about getting an insurance equivenlent rate?   Are there any state or otherwise programs with health care you can apply for?  As unpleasent as it is, I'd start pureeing some food so you can get adequate nutrition until you can get some help for it.  Also if you ask your doctor's office about what specialist and possiblities, maybe some googling can give you ideas?  Certainly it's not to anyone's advantage that you are going to the er and using those resources when proper care would probably end the problem.  The other thing I'd play with is try single foods to see if there are any that react more than others.  Much success and getting what you need.