Completely Obstructed

Amy0309 · April 2013

Hello, my 82 year old mother was diagnosed with hypopharangeal cancer T3 N0 October 4, 2012. She was an alcoholic most of her life, she fought it and was not a bad mother but never overcame the disease. She has managible emphysema from smoking which she quit 10 years ago. She had a debulking of the cancer in early October and made it through all the radiation. She had swallow therapy throughout her radiation treatment, no chemotherapy. She has been on complete PEG tube feeding since surgery, she could swallow a little in the begining but was aspirating. Her PET scan came back all clear. Last Thursday she went to have the esophagus dilated. The scarring is so severe they were not able to get through. They went from the mouth down and from the PEG up. No lumen(opening) was seen. She has always been extremely small, currently she is probably barely 5 ft. and 90 lbs. They did say they would try to dialate again in six weeks. She is not really the kind of women that is the wake up and smell the roses kind. My father 83 is alive and pretty well for his age. I believe my Mom would like to to dialate again, but if that does not work I do not believe she would like to live. Her back has been acting up at L4 and we are going to that doctor later this week. My mother will not have anyone for help in the home. They are managing and are quite cognisant but she is now so depressed and negative about everything. She has been on Ativan(help with withdrawls) and very small amounts of hydrocodein, but since her most recent surgery last week they told her take whatever she needed, so she has been taking more hydrocodein and to a very small addict, the effects are not very fun to deal with. My poor Dad just cannot take it anymore. I work, my husband has his own businesss and live 45 mins away, but I still manage to take them to all there appointments and an emotionallly there for them 24/7. I am worn out, I cannot imagine how they are surviving. That is it in a nutshell.

Any thoughts on what the chances are of getting through the scar tissue to dialate? If that does not work, and she wants to die, how can I help her. I know that may sound morbid, but I know it is what she wants. She had a great fun life and has given this all she has, so I do not blame her one bit. What should we expect next. I am sorry that I am just coming her asking for support without offering anything at this moment. Please if anyone has input it would be truely apprectiated. Thank you, Amy

phrannie51 · April 2013

Hi Amy....and welcome to our

little part of the internet.

I never had to be dialated, but there are many here who have. You didn't say when she finished her radiation.....so I wonder how much of her blockage is caused by actual scar tissue, and how much of it is swelling. It takes a long time for the radiation damage to the throat to begin to recover. That is probably why they aren't giving up on getting it opened up. There are many people here who have had the dialations, and I'm sure you will hear from them.

As for taking the hydrocodone....many people get ornery on it. There are other pain meds out there that they can switch her to, tell them that she is making life miserable for her main caregiver, and that you want her to switch to something different. She's been thru a LOT, and has fought a big battle, I'd hate to see her just give up now in the healing phase. It takes months to get backto abi-normal (John's descreciption of where we land when all is done).

Hang in there, Amy.....I'm sure she's disappointed that things are taking so long to get better....but that's just how it is with this disease...

p

Amy0309 · April 2013

phrannie51 said:
Hi Amy....and welcome to our
little part of the internet.

I never had to be dialated, but there are many here who have. You didn't say when she finished her radiation.....so I wonder how much of her blockage is caused by actual scar tissue, and how much of it is swelling. It takes a long time for the radiation damage to the throat to begin to recover. That is probably why they aren't giving up on getting it opened up. There are many people here who have had the dialations, and I'm sure you will hear from them.

As for taking the hydrocodone....many people get ornery on it. There are other pain meds out there that they can switch her to, tell them that she is making life miserable for her main caregiver, and that you want her to switch to something different. She's been thru a LOT, and has fought a big battle, I'd hate to see her just give up now in the healing phase. It takes months to get backto abi-normal (John's descreciption of where we land when all is done).

Hang in there, Amy.....I'm sure she's disappointed that things are taking so long to get better....but that's just how it is with this disease...

p

Thank you.

Phrannie, thank you for your helpful response. I have already discussed this with my Dad and we will talk to the Dr.'s soon about if there is something else for pain. She completed her radiation on January 9th 2013. I did ask the ENT Cancer Surgeon if the 6 weeks could improve the swelling and obstruction. He indicated it could a bit but the obstruction appears to be quite scarred. One thing that did happen after the surgery was I heard her burp, before it would just stop at the obstruction, but I did hear an escape of air(puff) come out. The doctor was very pleased to hear that, maybe he made a tiny bit of progress. The surgery report did sate there was "No Lumen" though. Thank you again, and I do hope to hear from others with were dilated. I am happy to hear you did not require dilations. Your profile pic is adorable you look like a young cloris Leachman. Thanks again.

Ladylacy · April 2013

Your Mother

Sorry to hear about your mother. My husband has had several dilations. The last one was in February. He is open enough to swallow, but relies on his feeding tube and I think this is because his esophagus has narrowed considerably. The last dilation the doctor thought they would have to go up thru his feeding tube and down his throat, but thankfully they didn't have too. Radiation scars quite bad. I know his first round of radiation completely closed off his throat and they had to reconstruction his throat.

Second round of radiation did close off his throat, but thankfully they were able to open it. But now he is dealing with a recurrence of cancer at the cervical of his esophagus and spread to his right lung. He has elected to do nothing else. Only thing offered was chemo which wouldn't cure, only prolong and possibly hasten. To date he is doing pretty good. No signs but low energy level. He takes lortab for pain and does quite well. He was also a heavy beer drinker and smoked a pipe for over 40 years.

You might ask the doctor about a stent. Some people have no problems with a stent while others have lots of problems. We did talk about a stent, but the specialist said that he wasn't for stents because the tumor could grow around the stent causing more problems. Whatever, it is your mother's decision, as hard as it sounds. I don't like my husband's decision and neither do our sons, but we aren't saying anything. I would rather have him doing what he wants then suffering from chemo. Ask the doctor about your mother's pain medication. Everyone reacts differently to medication. My husband is having no problems with his.

Best wishes -- Sharon

Tim6003 · April 2013

Ladylacy said:
Your Mother
Sorry to hear about your mother. My husband has had several dilations. The last one was in February. He is open enough to swallow, but relies on his feeding tube and I think this is because his esophagus has narrowed considerably. The last dilation the doctor thought they would have to go up thru his feeding tube and down his throat, but thankfully they didn't have too. Radiation scars quite bad. I know his first round of radiation completely closed off his throat and they had to reconstruction his throat.

Second round of radiation did close off his throat, but thankfully they were able to open it. But now he is dealing with a recurrence of cancer at the cervical of his esophagus and spread to his right lung. He has elected to do nothing else. Only thing offered was chemo which wouldn't cure, only prolong and possibly hasten. To date he is doing pretty good. No signs but low energy level. He takes lortab for pain and does quite well. He was also a heavy beer drinker and smoked a pipe for over 40 years.

You might ask the doctor about a stent. Some people have no problems with a stent while others have lots of problems. We did talk about a stent, but the specialist said that he wasn't for stents because the tumor could grow around the stent causing more problems. Whatever, it is your mother's decision, as hard as it sounds. I don't like my husband's decision and neither do our sons, but we aren't saying anything. I would rather have him doing what he wants then suffering from chemo. Ask the doctor about your mother's pain medication. Everyone reacts differently to medication. My husband is having no problems with his.

Best wishes -- Sharon

Hi Amy ...

Several things here ...

1. I have no experience with dialation and not being a doctor I could never predict the "chances" of success, however one thing I have learned on this forum is "odds" don't matter. I whispered a prayer she can have the dialation and it will be a success.

2. As for if the worst case scenario plays out and mom wants to die and "how can you help her" ..legally you can't. Nobody can. It hurts me to see anyone want to die bc that means they are in pain or depressed. If it's the pain speaking, of course talk to your team of docs and work on a pain management plan of attack. If it's the depression speaking, gosh, some periods are worse than others, sometimes those dark periods pass ....but of course they have meds for that too.

I wish I could be more helpful. You certainly have your hands full and I also whispered a prayer you and your family will find strength to continue to aid your mother in anyway you see fit.

Best,

Tim

fishmanpa · April 2013

Attitude

Hi Amy,

Welcome to the club you didn't want to join. I've been here a few months and the folks here are great.

I'm going to be forthright and blunt. There's no sugar coating cancer. Head and Neck cancer is brutal. Albeit, while everyone is different, the treatment, morbidity factor and long term side effects can be devastating.

Concerning the dilation. Only the surgeons will be able to truly assess the situation. There are more factors to consider based on your mother's age and overall health.

The other thing I see that should be addressed is your Mom's general attitude. I'm in the middle of treatment and this is hard, harder than I thought it would be, so I do understand how this can happen.

You know your mother better than we do, and for you to say she would consider suicide should the surgery be unsuccessful, is a very serious statement. She's on Ativan which treats anxiety. She's also, by your admission, hitting the hydrocodone in a manner that doesn't match the instructions on the bottle. BIG RED flags here!

Obviously should your worse case scenario pan out, there's nothing legally you can do to help your mother. Your life situation and distance puts you practically out of reach from an assistance standpoint.

An appointment with a professional concerning your Mom should be considered so she can discuss the feelings she has. Maybe some additional medications are needed to help her cope with the life changing effects of cancer.

I wish you the very best. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.

"T"

debbiejeanne · April 2013

amy, i've had my throat

amy, i've had my throat dilated several times. i still have problems swallowing tho. my pills always get stuck and my food sometimes gets stuck. is your mom having trouble swallowing pills, food or both? maybe the swelling will go down some before she gets the dilation again. i'll keep my fingers crossed. i'll be praying for you and your family. i wish you the very best.

God bless,

debbiejeanne

D Lewis · April 2013

A comment relating to your other question

A passing comment on your unanswered question. An elderly relative of mine was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was pain-free with medications. He reached a point where he simply stopped taking food. He accepted water, but refused all food. He was aged and infirm, and he passed quickly and peacefully, with his family by his side.

Deb

Amy0309 · April 2013

Ladylacy said:
Your Mother
Sorry to hear about your mother. My husband has had several dilations. The last one was in February. He is open enough to swallow, but relies on his feeding tube and I think this is because his esophagus has narrowed considerably. The last dilation the doctor thought they would have to go up thru his feeding tube and down his throat, but thankfully they didn't have too. Radiation scars quite bad. I know his first round of radiation completely closed off his throat and they had to reconstruction his throat.

Second round of radiation did close off his throat, but thankfully they were able to open it. But now he is dealing with a recurrence of cancer at the cervical of his esophagus and spread to his right lung. He has elected to do nothing else. Only thing offered was chemo which wouldn't cure, only prolong and possibly hasten. To date he is doing pretty good. No signs but low energy level. He takes lortab for pain and does quite well. He was also a heavy beer drinker and smoked a pipe for over 40 years.

You might ask the doctor about a stent. Some people have no problems with a stent while others have lots of problems. We did talk about a stent, but the specialist said that he wasn't for stents because the tumor could grow around the stent causing more problems. Whatever, it is your mother's decision, as hard as it sounds. I don't like my husband's decision and neither do our sons, but we aren't saying anything. I would rather have him doing what he wants then suffering from chemo. Ask the doctor about your mother's pain medication. Everyone reacts differently to medication. My husband is having no problems with his.

Best wishes -- Sharon

Kind thoughts

Dear Sharon, thank you for you kind thoughts and information on the pain meds. I will talk to the doctor about a possible switch. My prayers to you and your family for the strength do deal with your near future and after. Thanks again, Amy

Amy0309 · April 2013

Tim6003 said:
Hi Amy ...
Several things here ...

1. I have no experience with dialation and not being a doctor I could never predict the "chances" of success, however one thing I have learned on this forum is "odds" don't matter. I whispered a prayer she can have the dialation and it will be a success.

2. As for if the worst case scenario plays out and mom wants to die and "how can you help her" ..legally you can't. Nobody can. It hurts me to see anyone want to die bc that means they are in pain or depressed. If it's the pain speaking, of course talk to your team of docs and work on a pain management plan of attack. If it's the depression speaking, gosh, some periods are worse than others, sometimes those dark periods pass ....but of course they have meds for that too.

I wish I could be more helpful. You certainly have your hands full and I also whispered a prayer you and your family will find strength to continue to aid your mother in anyway you see fit.

Best,

Tim

Thank you

Tim, thank you for your kinds thoughts and prayer.

Amy0309 · April 2013

Ladylacy said:
Your Mother
Sorry to hear about your mother. My husband has had several dilations. The last one was in February. He is open enough to swallow, but relies on his feeding tube and I think this is because his esophagus has narrowed considerably. The last dilation the doctor thought they would have to go up thru his feeding tube and down his throat, but thankfully they didn't have too. Radiation scars quite bad. I know his first round of radiation completely closed off his throat and they had to reconstruction his throat.

Second round of radiation did close off his throat, but thankfully they were able to open it. But now he is dealing with a recurrence of cancer at the cervical of his esophagus and spread to his right lung. He has elected to do nothing else. Only thing offered was chemo which wouldn't cure, only prolong and possibly hasten. To date he is doing pretty good. No signs but low energy level. He takes lortab for pain and does quite well. He was also a heavy beer drinker and smoked a pipe for over 40 years.

You might ask the doctor about a stent. Some people have no problems with a stent while others have lots of problems. We did talk about a stent, but the specialist said that he wasn't for stents because the tumor could grow around the stent causing more problems. Whatever, it is your mother's decision, as hard as it sounds. I don't like my husband's decision and neither do our sons, but we aren't saying anything. I would rather have him doing what he wants then suffering from chemo. Ask the doctor about your mother's pain medication. Everyone reacts differently to medication. My husband is having no problems with his.

Best wishes -- Sharon

Prayers to you

Sharon, thank you for the response and pain med and stent information. I will talk to the doctor about a possible switch. My payers for you and your family for strength to handle your husbands condition. Thank you again. Amy

Amy0309 · April 2013

fishmanpa said:
Attitude
Hi Amy,

Welcome to the club you didn't want to join. I've been here a few months and the folks here are great.

I'm going to be forthright and blunt. There's no sugar coating cancer. Head and Neck cancer is brutal. Albeit, while everyone is different, the treatment, morbidity factor and long term side effects can be devastating.

Concerning the dilation. Only the surgeons will be able to truly assess the situation. There are more factors to consider based on your mother's age and overall health.

The other thing I see that should be addressed is your Mom's general attitude. I'm in the middle of treatment and this is hard, harder than I thought it would be, so I do understand how this can happen.

You know your mother better than we do, and for you to say she would consider suicide should the surgery be unsuccessful, is a very serious statement. She's on Ativan which treats anxiety. She's also, by your admission, hitting the hydrocodone in a manner that doesn't match the instructions on the bottle. BIG RED flags here!

Obviously should your worse case scenario pan out, there's nothing legally you can do to help your mother. Your life situation and distance puts you practically out of reach from an assistance standpoint.

An appointment with a professional concerning your Mom should be considered so she can discuss the feelings she has. Maybe some additional medications are needed to help her cope with the life changing effects of cancer.

I wish you the very best. My thoughts and prayers are with you and yours.

"T"

Hi T

My thoughts and prayers to you as well, yes this is an awful cancer. My mother probably has had mild depression for a long time she is on a mild med for that as well, but we should watch that closely and talk to the doctors if her current attitude continues or worsens. She is not over taking her medications, previously she was only taking a half tab of the hydrocodone three times a day. Currently she is taking the full tablet and the doctors have told her to take what she needs. I think that both my father and I are a bit hyper sensitve about her reactions to meds, but this hydocodone seems to make her a bit hyper and irritable, we will talk to docs about a switch. Also, we have offered to find someone to talk to for her, but she has never been one for that, it is part of the reason she never recovered from alcoholism. We did family therapy where she did not attend, she would not come. She is not an awful person, she gives what she can, I guess we all have are own baggage. Thank you again and my prayers for a speedy treatment.

Amy

Amy0309 · April 2013

debbiejeanne said:
amy, i've had my throat
amy, i've had my throat dilated several times. i still have problems swallowing tho. my pills always get stuck and my food sometimes gets stuck. is your mom having trouble swallowing pills, food or both? maybe the swelling will go down some before she gets the dilation again. i'll keep my fingers crossed. i'll be praying for you and your family. i wish you the very best.

God bless,

debbiejeanne

Hi Debbiejeanne

My mother cannot swallow anything. She is completely nurished through a peg and medication are either ground or are liquid form and put through the peg tube. I am happy the dilations have worked to some degree for you. Thank you for the thoughts and prayers, I know you been through so much too. Thanks

Amy0309 · April 2013

D Lewis said:
A comment relating to your other question
A passing comment on your unanswered question. An elderly relative of mine was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was pain-free with medications. He reached a point where he simply stopped taking food. He accepted water, but refused all food. He was aged and infirm, and he passed quickly and peacefully, with his family by his side.

Deb

Thank you Deb

Thank you Deb. My grandfather passed the same way at 97. It was a bit of a long process for him as he was still very healthy just tired.

George_Baltimore · April 2013

Amy0309 said:
Thank you Deb
Thank you Deb. My grandfather passed the same way at 97. It was a bit of a long process for him as he was still very healthy just tired.

Hi Amy

Your Mom and I have two things in common, dilations and hydrocodone. Since June of 2007, I have been dilated almost 50 times. As a matter of fact, I have one scheduled for April 30th. If I had to bet about your mother's case, I would say the inability to dilate was due to swelling rather than scar tissue since it really hasn't been that long since her radiation. My rad treatments were finished in May of 2004. I didn't start having problems swallowing for three years. At first, I used to be dilated every couple months, then it went to every 4 to 6 weeks, then to monthly. These dilations were keeping me swallowing until I hit the BIG roadblock in 2011. That is when I had the mandible surgery. I've been on a feeding tube ever since. We've tried dilating but it just won't stay open, then I had an epiphany. I was trying to figure out what was different now as opposed to then. I got my speech/swallow therapist to check the results of the swallow test I had in June of 2011 before I had the surgery. At that time, my hyoid bone in the throat was monving forward to initiate the swallow. In the test in December of 2011, it wasn't. The only thing different was 6 more months of neck fibrosis had built up plus swelling from residual edema because of the surgery. A couple weeks ago, I discussed this with my surgical ENT and he said it was very possible that this was the cause of the stricture not staying open. I also came to this conclusion because at the end of last year, my other ENT had prescribed prednisone before I had sinus surgery. On the 8th day of the treatment, I had my semi annual checkup with my rad onc. He remarked about how my tongue was nowhere near as swollen as it usually is. When I got home, I decided to try to swallow some water. I tried four, separate small sips. None of them came out of my nose or made me cough which means they went down my esophagus like they were supposed to. So, in your Mom's case, the swelling may be keeping the esophagus so tightly closed that they are afraid to push any harder. After this upcoming dilation, we are going to try prednisone again to see if that helps. If it works, you will hear my squeals of delight all the way over on the west coast!

Now as far as the hydrocodone is concerned, did you hear her doctor say take as much as she wanted or is that what she told you? In 24 hours, I usually take about 60mg. I have 10mg tablets that are scored so I can break them in half. Her tablets might only be 5mg or 7.5mg. I've been taking it again now for several years. Between my neck and throat discomfort, I usually take anywhere from 5 to 15mg every four hours. In a couple rare instances, I've taken a 20mg dose. Hydrocodone is not like aspirin or ibuprophin where you take it and 15 minutes later your headache is gone. You need to build up a level in your system to have any effect. I think I'be rambled on enough. I hopeI have given you a little insight into your Mom's problems.

Amy0309 · April 2013

George_Baltimore said:
Hi Amy
Your Mom and I have two things in common, dilations and hydrocodone. Since June of 2007, I have been dilated almost 50 times. As a matter of fact, I have one scheduled for April 30th. If I had to bet about your mother's case, I would say the inability to dilate was due to swelling rather than scar tissue since it really hasn't been that long since her radiation. My rad treatments were finished in May of 2004. I didn't start having problems swallowing for three years. At first, I used to be dilated every couple months, then it went to every 4 to 6 weeks, then to monthly. These dilations were keeping me swallowing until I hit the BIG roadblock in 2011. That is when I had the mandible surgery. I've been on a feeding tube ever since. We've tried dilating but it just won't stay open, then I had an epiphany. I was trying to figure out what was different now as opposed to then. I got my speech/swallow therapist to check the results of the swallow test I had in June of 2011 before I had the surgery. At that time, my hyoid bone in the throat was monving forward to initiate the swallow. In the test in December of 2011, it wasn't. The only thing different was 6 more months of neck fibrosis had built up plus swelling from residual edema because of the surgery. A couple weeks ago, I discussed this with my surgical ENT and he said it was very possible that this was the cause of the stricture not staying open. I also came to this conclusion because at the end of last year, my other ENT had prescribed prednisone before I had sinus surgery. On the 8th day of the treatment, I had my semi annual checkup with my rad onc. He remarked about how my tongue was nowhere near as swollen as it usually is. When I got home, I decided to try to swallow some water. I tried four, separate small sips. None of them came out of my nose or made me cough which means they went down my esophagus like they were supposed to. So, in your Mom's case, the swelling may be keeping the esophagus so tightly closed that they are afraid to push any harder. After this upcoming dilation, we are going to try prednisone again to see if that helps. If it works, you will hear my squeals of delight all the way over on the west coast!

Now as far as the hydrocodone is concerned, did you hear her doctor say take as much as she wanted or is that what she told you? In 24 hours, I usually take about 60mg. I have 10mg tablets that are scored so I can break them in half. Her tablets might only be 5mg or 7.5mg. I've been taking it again now for several years. Between my neck and throat discomfort, I usually take anywhere from 5 to 15mg every four hours. In a couple rare instances, I've taken a 20mg dose. Hydrocodone is not like aspirin or ibuprophin where you take it and 15 minutes later your headache is gone. You need to build up a level in your system to have any effect. I think I'be rambled on enough. I hopeI have given you a little insight into your Mom's problems.

Hi George, thank you for the

Hi George, thank you for the informative response. Great thinking on you part about the prednisone, I do have a bit of medical knowledge and I think you have a fantastic idea, look forward to hearing screams of delight on there way to the west coast, I am on the way in the Chicago area. I agree that this could be early for such scar tissue to develop, but his reponse after surgery was not very positive, I asked if more time could decrease it. He indicated possibly/slightly. Also, the operative report indicates there is no lumen(opening) at all a complete obstruction and it describes the tissue as firm and sounds like it is a mangled mess. Would swollen tissue be different then scarred? You have me thinking of some good questions for the doctor.

She is really not taking that much medication and I think part of the problem was the general anesthesia as well, a couple of days later she was much better. Her hydrocodein is 5mg and I think she can take it every 6 hours. She is back to taking a half in the am and evening then a full one at night now. She also is on Ativan in the am only, it helped her with withdrawl and I believe it helps her now for anxiety and she takes something mild for the depression(Miratzapine). That is it. The past couple of days she has felt awful though, stomach ache and just so tired, she does a continuous feed most the night, we are slowing that down, possibly the rate is a bit high while her body is healing, there is no fever. We will see what the next couple of days bring. Thank you again, Amy

George_Baltimore · April 2013

Amy0309 said:
Hi George, thank you for the
Hi George, thank you for the informative response. Great thinking on you part about the prednisone, I do have a bit of medical knowledge and I think you have a fantastic idea, look forward to hearing screams of delight on there way to the west coast, I am on the way in the Chicago area. I agree that this could be early for such scar tissue to develop, but his reponse after surgery was not very positive, I asked if more time could decrease it. He indicated possibly/slightly. Also, the operative report indicates there is no lumen(opening) at all a complete obstruction and it describes the tissue as firm and sounds like it is a mangled mess. Would swollen tissue be different then scarred? You have me thinking of some good questions for the doctor.

She is really not taking that much medication and I think part of the problem was the general anesthesia as well, a couple of days later she was much better. Her hydrocodein is 5mg and I think she can take it every 6 hours. She is back to taking a half in the am and evening then a full one at night now. She also is on Ativan in the am only, it helped her with withdrawl and I believe it helps her now for anxiety and she takes something mild for the depression(Miratzapine). That is it. The past couple of days she has felt awful though, stomach ache and just so tired, she does a continuous feed most the night, we are slowing that down, possibly the rate is a bit high while her body is healing, there is no fever. We will see what the next couple of days bring. Thank you again, Amy

My dilations

used to be done by my gastroenterologist. Earlier this year, I had a colonoscopy scheduled and I asked him to do the dilation at the same time. When I woke up, I found out that he was afraid to do the dilation when he looked. He wrote in his report that I might want to get used to the idea that I may never be able to swallow again. Needless to say, that didn't sit to well with me. I asked my surgical ENT if he would try to do the dilation. He said sure. He did the procedure and said he really thought he would meet with more resistance. He had no problem getting the dilator in my throat but, as usual, the stricture didn't stay open. I bring this up to point out that maybe a different doctor would see things differently. Is your Mom's dilations being done by a gastroenterologist or an ENT? After April 30th, when I find out whether to just give up hope, I hope to go back to the gastroenterologist who's been doing them on me since 2007 and getting him to start back dilating me again. My ENT does his procedures in a regular operating room rather than an endoscopy suite. I have to get a pre-op, bloodwork, and ekg every time my ENT does it. It becomes a pain in the tail.

I'm not a doctor but I would think if there was alot of swelling, you wouldn't really see the lumen too well either. As far as the hydrocodone goes, it doesn't sound like she is abusing the drug at those small doses. My directions say I can take one or two tablets every four hours as needed for pain. Keep in mind, mine are 10mg where hers are 5mg. I usually take one tablet every four to six hours. As I said before, sometimes it's only half a tab, sometimes it's a tab and a half. Compared to her, I am a raging addict, LOL.

Completely Obstructed

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