Missed EC diagnosis

Cora11

sandy1943 said:

I experienced the same
I experienced the same things before my diagnoses in 2007 with stage 111 Ec.I had silent Gerd also, even though I would have indigestion. My doctor would send me to the heart doctor when I experienced very bad chest pain and hurting between my shoulder blades. I was even in the hospital once with chest pain, but all test on my heart was always negative. The doctor never followed through to see why I would hurt and I would start feeling better so I didn't either.
I have a friend experiencing severe acid reflux. At her appointment with gastrologists today, she was told he is going to treat her with three different medicines and if this doesn't help, then he will scope. He said this is the only way the insurance will pay. I don't know why doctors or insurance companys had rather treat the unknown instead of finding out the cause and then treating.
Thats also why so many of us ended up in the last stages of Ec. Thankfully mine was found at stage 111.
I worry about my daughter because the doctor is refusing to scope, even though I am a survivor of EC. Her doctor says there is nothing to worry about unless her food sticks. Wonder what medical school she went to?
Thanks for posting. It gave me a chance to vent again. I'm hurting for all our friends lately that have lost the battle, and I get so mad at the medical doctors for what I feel is neglect.
Sandra

no way
Sandra,
just saw your note. That is absolutely insane. Your daughter absolutely should be scoped. Get her past the gatekeeper. I'm sure your GI dr. would support a scope. Keith's whole family go scoped after his dx. This is shameful. Be a squeaky wheel.
Cora

jgwright

Cora11 said:

same here
My husband too was a silent gerd and had 2 months of indigestion. He is also a dr. He went for colonoscopes and would have had ample opportunity to get an EGD but there were absolutely no clinical signs to warrant it. When he had 6 weeks of GERD symptoms finally and tried treatment and failed, he immediately sought a scope. 4 cm tumor stage 2a. I think his doctor "spidey sense" got him in sooner, but still even us medical people had no warning and there are not protocols for screening.

Cora

Missed as well
I had an endoscopy and colonscopy together in August of last year with Barret's diagnosed by a thoracic surgeon, and NO biopsies. Had the endoscopy redone by a gastroenterologist in October, discovering a malignant walnut sized tumor. Could it have grown from non-visible to walnut sized in just three months? I don't know, but it seems unlikely. Of course, now I'm stage IV. More fun than people should legally be allowed to have...

--Jerry

Unknown

jgwright said:

Missed as well
I had an endoscopy and colonscopy together in August of last year with Barret's diagnosed by a thoracic surgeon, and NO biopsies. Had the endoscopy redone by a gastroenterologist in October, discovering a malignant walnut sized tumor. Could it have grown from non-visible to walnut sized in just three months? I don't know, but it seems unlikely. Of course, now I'm stage IV. More fun than people should legally be allowed to have...

--Jerry

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stephikindred

unknown said:

This comment has been removed by the Moderator

Sherri
From your post it sounds like esophageal cancer is not always caused by acid reflux...if Jim's was on the outside and grew in, right? My mom's was clearly from acid reflux that turned into Barrett's and then progressed to ec.

tmpage1273

stephikindred said:

Sherri
From your post it sounds like esophageal cancer is not always caused by acid reflux...if Jim's was on the outside and grew in, right? My mom's was clearly from acid reflux that turned into Barrett's and then progressed to ec.

Worries myself.
I've got gastritis and in past few months I've bad severe back Pain between shoulder blades and hiccups more frequently. My GI (2 diff ones) didn't seem worried about it. But after reading this, I'm scared. I dont have reflux tho. I take 60 mg of dexilant a day.