esoniphilic esophagitus

[mac227]

I was diagnosed with EE about 6 months ago - My esophagus reacts to anything going down it (food/fluids) and closes over to a narrow hole. This followed diagnosis from gastroscopy after an episode of a tablet getting stuck in my throat and temporary loss of breathing!
Does anyone know or have any idea if this allergic response of esoniphils gathering in my food tube is a reaction to food or possibly pollen? I do live in the asthma capital of the world - Melbourne Australia!
My consultant has given me a steriod spray since diagnosis which has done nothing to help.

[CalGal]

Mac, there's a decent website with an overview of EE at apfed.org. You may want to consider following the very strict diet suggested and then start 'adding back' to see if you can put a halt to some of the symptoms you're experiencing and try to isolate some of the food groups that may be causing problems. I know it's a rough way to go, but if it cuts back the misery it could be worth it.

[mac227]

Thanks for the very knowledgeable response, I'm going to get some allergy testing done as I'm convinced it is something to do with pollens or food. The condition sneaked up on me over 3-4 years, and I found I was chewing my food smaller and smaller until the tablet stuck and that was enough. Rather than keep treating the symptoms if I can find the cause then at least I can try to eliminate it!
I had a repeat gastroscopy performed yesterday as my consultant was concerned that I had made no progress on the steroids. I'll let you know the outcome on Tuesday next week.
I forgot to mention last time as well as EE I had fungal growth and signs of acid burns. I also take a proton pump inhibitor at night following the first diagnosis and took Nilstat for the fugus for 3 months. Unfortunately one of the side effects of Steroid sprays is fungal growth in the mouth/esophagus!
I do have problems (particularly more recent) with swallowing...I think it's called dysphagia or something similar. Basically it can become stressful swallowing so the body says "I don't want to swallow" and you can end up gagging. Drinking fluids has been worse for some reason?

[CalGal]

Outspoken, a steroid spray is one of the only forms of treatment for EE. An antihistamine will do very little since EE is not a typical form of 'allergy.'

[outspoken1]

Did they give you an antihistamine to control the reaction? Steroids are an anti-inflammatory and only helps with the swelling. Antihistamines block the histamine which trigger the allergic reaction in the body.
Ask your doctor if an antihistamine will work for you.  

[CalGal]

Mac, eosinophils are not normally found in the esophagus. The problem you have was more typically found in children, but is now being found more and more often in adults, too. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EE) is an allergic inflammatory disease characterized by elevated eosinophils in the esophagus EE is a newly recognized disease that over the past decade has been increasingly diagnosed in children and adults. This increase is thought to reflect an increase in diagnosis as well as a true increase in EE cases. Fortunately, the medical community is responding and new scientific information is emerging to guide management of this disorder, which often persists with ongoing or recurrent symptoms.

EE means that you now have a large number of eosinophils and inflammation in the esophagus and unfortunately those eosinophils are going to persist. In those with EE, they also typically have another 'allergic problem such as rhinitis, asthma, and/or eczema.  EE can be 'driven' by a food allergy or intolerance. Many people find that if you can eliminate the 'offending' foods from their diet they may do a lot better.