More health reports. Today I had my third EGD in 3 years, and this was
a little more depressing than the last two. The first one, about 3
years ago, showed some reddening from the GERD (reflux), but nothing
significant, and no ulcers or bleeding.
The second EGD showed a small hiatal hernia too
This third EGD shows much more damage from the GERD. I went into the
doctor's office last July, complaining of sore throat and some difficulty swallowing because of a reduction of my medications
(Prevacid went from 30 -> 15 mg). So I was put back on Prevacid
(30mg) and Zantac (150), but the symptoms just didn't get any better.
I put off going to the doctor about it, because I was just
sick of seeing them. But as the months progresses, I had more and
more troubling swallowing, and I have a sore throat every day, and I
was having some chest pains.
So the GI doctor says that it sounds like it's time for surgery, and
that he'll need to do another EGD to make sure I don't have any tumors
or anything.
So the results today were more disturbing, because the GERD symptoms are continuing to increase. I still have the (small) hiatal hernia, but now I also have Schatzki's ring,
which is a ring of scar tissue in the esophagus, most likely caused by
the acid reflux. The doctor dilated that area, which should break up
the ring and reduce the swallowing problems.
Also found was Erythema in the antrum,
which is the first step in esophageal damage. Basically, it's just red
spots where the acid has started removing the mucosa (lining).
And last, the doctor did biopsies of teh Erythema and some normal
mucosa from the duodenum. I'm assuming the second biopsy was for
comparison purposes.
Sounds like the medecine's not working. I'm hoping that the
doctor will prescribe more Prevacid, but he seems to think I'll need
the surgery. I'll be seeing the doctor again on May 2, for more
feedback.
10:32:53 PM 
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