Hi all...firstly I have not been diagnosed with anything...so I am sorry if I sound paranoid and selfish...but I am just desperately nervous and just read a post from years ago about the hoarse voice, ear, jaw and throat pain related to EC! I've been going insane with anxiety for months now. I went to my GP in sept with a single enlarged tonsil, indigestion, acid reflux, sore throat and flu like symptoms, was prescribed a course of antibiotics which didn't resolve it, I had an MRI and ultra sound of my neck with no abnormalities shortly after. By this time, I was already experiencing severe gastro related issues such as excessive burping, dull ache in left chest and upper back, especially when I exhale through the mouth or after eating. I also experience strange bowel movement and stomach pains despite daily dosage 40mg of omeprazole. I recently had a ct scan of my abdomen which only showed a small hiatus hernia and a spine issue. Ent consultant advised to have tonsillectomy despite the Mri test results just to be sure as symptoms were continuing including gastro issues and I wonder whether they could be related? Post surgery, the Ent surgeon said he scoped my esophagus (ie esophagoscopy?) said it was inflamed because of acid reflux but did not see anything of concern and hence did NOT take anything for biopsy. What? I was not reassured by his comments. Now I am waiting 2 weeks for the results of biopsy of my tonsils and throat area which is making me more depressed and anxious, if at all possible. I also had an X-ray and barium swallow the morning after my surgery as I had a fever and they thought they perforated my esophagus, but the results were normal. Except for prominent rugal patterns recommending clinical correlation and motility issues. I am not due to see a gastro consultant until I recover from tonsillectomy in 2 weeks time. Do you think the Ent surgeon could have missed any signs in my esophagus during the surgery? Would an ENt surgeon be trained to detect such any abnormalities in the esophagus? Any insight or assurance would be greatly appreciated. Also had cea and ca19-9 blood tests which came back okay just after surgery.
Ear ringing , throat and headache, bl... - Oesophageal & Gas...
Ear ringing , throat and headache, blocked nose, voice gone, intermittent cough, chest and upper back pain...awaiting endoscopy...pls help.
Hi Harry,
You've had lots of tests, and if you had an obvious cancer, it would have been found. You can be sure of that. It's just possible you have a tiny beginning of a cancer hiding somewhere, but that's the same for everyone, everywhere, no one can be absolutely sure. But we don't want to spend our lives worrying about it. And you'll be seeing a consultant in two weeks, nothing is going to happen in that short time.
I think the trouble is when we start thinking of something as scary as cancer, it's difficult to think of anything else, and we notice every little twinge and ache, (and big twinge and ache) and things get worse and worse.
Please try not to worry too much. If they do find something in the biopsy of your tonsils, it will be very early, and very treatable. We all know what it's like to worry, everyone does it at times, but try to relax and think about something else.
I've just read through what I've written, and it sounds very condescending. I'm sorry, I don't mean it that way. But I can't think how else to say it. Did you ever, as a child, play the game where you have to think of a pain in your little toe, or left ear lobe, or other unlikely place, and if you think enough, you find you really do have that pain? Would you have noticed the sore throat or indigestion etc. if you'd been thinking of something else? If you were in the middle of a war? Or if you'd just fallen in love?
Normally, we hope people will notice all their signs and symptoms, and here I am telling you that you shouldn't notice yours, but you've had the tests, now relax and wait until you see the consultant.
Jane
Hi Jane, thanks for your reply. The biopsy results for my tonsils was fine, so that's a huge relief. I just had to reschedule my endoscopy for the 6th of January and this will be done via my Bupa insurance. In fact, all my gastro work will be done privately as well. Meanwhile, i have been prescribed medication for depression and to help me sleep. I am only taking medication for sleeping at the moment. I know what you mean about overthinking things, physcho semantic, and i hope I am in a way. The symptoms are quite persistent and this morning because of ear pain, I had to wear ear plugs to try to sleep, first time in my life. Noise is really getting jto me. I feel dazed and restless.
All the symptoms you recite could have been caused 'just' by reflux. In this regard I note that you have already been diagnosed with an hiatus hernia, which might be the initiator of that; also that your oesophagus is inflamed.
You are already on omeprazole; have you done anything else to mitigate the effects of reflux such as altering the contents, timing, quantity of meals? Also what about your sleeping habits, such as raising the head of your bed?
You are fortunate that the NHS is already revved up to full speed in caring for you and if the ENT team has missed something then surely you will be referred to other experts in addition to the gastroenterologist who has already agreed to see you . Another two weeks is neither here nor there regardless of any other condition you may have.
Most of us on this site have learned that the best thing we can do to help ourselves is to relax (whilst remaining watchful), go with the flow and have faith in the professionals attending us.
Thanks for the reply. Forgot to add that I am also having night sweats for weeks now. Around my abdomen and feel hot and flustered at night. Have changed my omeprazole to once morning and once evening. Gaviscon before bedtime. No food 2 hours before bedtime. No spicy food or alcohol. Stopped smoking 4-5 years ago. Eat decent meals 4-5 times a day, but not huge portions. I am petrified about having food stuck or choking although this has never happened . Weight is stable. What else can one do?
Stable weight is a good,positive sign apropos any possible malignancy.
Perhaps the night sweats are related to your tonsil infection?
I had a three stage gastroesophagectomy 25 years ago....prior to op constriction meant that I could only swallow a little soft spaghetti, but choking was never an issue. Now, owing to narrowing at the anastomosis (where the new stomach tube is sewed to the stump of the oesophagus, in the lower neck region) I get frequent choking. Anything hard such as a small piece of carrot, a bread crust, even cornflakes! So it's chew, chew, chew. It is unpleasant but the blockage shifts up or down given time. It is not life-threatening as it below the level of the Trachea and so cannot constrict breathing.
So I don't think you need to worry on that score.
Otherwise you are doing everything in textbook style - well done.
Hang in there for the medics, we are rooting for you.
Hi gutless wonder, thank you for your reply. Am sure your first name does not do you justice! I could i have sworn I replied to your post but must have failed to post in time. Of late, I feel very sensitive to light and loud noises, which is strange to say they least. Have sleeping problems so taking half a sleeping tablet per night now which is helping. Today is a good day as pain is barely noticeable by midday. Just a slight ache or itch on the left side of my chest. I am aware of how sometimes anxiety can play a big part in all of this, but the constant fatigue and feeling of in a daze is truly scary. My wife said she wants her husband back and seems to think that I have lost my mind. I actually went back to my cardiologist who did a ct angiogram recently to have him review results of the last scan and he said he will request this from the consultant radiologist. My gut instinct is to go for ct scan of my chest as soon as possible to put my mind at rest but my gastro said he cannot recommend it because of the radiation?!? I don't think a little radiation in light of my symptoms would matter no? Would a ct scan of the chest detect any issue with my upper gi? And based on your personal experience, would you recommend it? Thanks in advance
Hi Harry. Try and get hold of a meditation app, cd or whatever. You'll find it useful in reducing your anxieties. You know what you know at the moment, but if you think about all the wasted energy you spent on worrying about your tonsil biopsy which proved negative, think what you could have used that energy on instead! So try and stay positive. I find a bit of meditation helps when I have any tinnitus - I'm fairly sure it's related to levels of anxiety. And remember you are not alone. Best wishes.
Thanks quicksilver...This morning was a bit of a nightmare as chest and back pain was there as soon as I awoke and then tummy ached as well soon after lunch. This is a new and worrying development. I can get an earlier endoscopy on the 30th December as opposed to the 6th of January as doing it privately, do you think a delay of 1 week will matter? What happens after the endoscopy if they see something and where do we go from there? I really appreciate your time and kindness.
Hi has ENT checked for LINGUAL TONSILS??? I had exact symptoms, 2 years back and firth to gp, but as these are under tongue, they couldnt see them, hence sending me away saying nithing wrong. I went private, consultant said my right lingual tonsil was huge!. A week later had them both removed.!! 2 years on suffering same symptoms again, just oraying they are not growing back, which I was told cab happen.
Whether a week will make a difference depends on how much pain you're in and if you're willing to wait. Either way they will refer you on with the results, but should tell you there and then what they've found, if anything. If you can take your partner or a close friend with you to the endoscopy for support that would be good. You could go to the first one, and use the second one for a second opinion if the first one says they can't see anything assuming you can put yourself through it twice! Good luck with everything.
Best wishes.
Thanks quicksilver, it's either one or the other. Insurance will not cover both unfortunately. In the scheme of things, is a week a huge difference? My kid is visiting until the 3rd of January and I do not want to have her see me go through pandemonium if the results were untoward. She is visiting from Malaysia over the holidays.
Hi. I really can't tell you what you should do in those circumstances. And I don't know what age they are. Would you want to tell them if the endoscopy found something? Personally speaking I would want to know for myself, and so IF anything was found, I could move forward sooner rather than later. Waiting for tests and results can be exhausting, so best to carry on doing normal things, as all the stress sounds like it's taking a physical toll. Take care of yourself.
Best wishes
My girl is 17 and the boy is 18. The stress is actually overwhelming. For 2 occassions now I am passing dark stools. I also have stomach pain above my navel which is an added worry. I have put on some weight strangely enough. You are right quicksilver, I should try to get the earliest diagnosis possible. Thank you.
ask if they have done the blood test for Tumours?
completely understand your worries and concerns. It does seem to be a long drawn out time with loads of test. Hope this has helped
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