dont know what to do

tanker sgv
tanker sgv Member Posts: 124
in Esophageal Cancer #1
I have been told I have GERD and peptic ulcers. I have been dealing with reflux for the past two years on a regular basis. The past three months have been misruble. I have been having diarrhea &constipation, regurgitated at least once a day & blood in stools and vomit a few times. I have been to three er's in the past few weeks. I don't have insurance and the soonest county can see me is in October. I haven't had an endoscopy but got worried the other day when the er doc avoided telling me the results of the blood test but suggested I call the GI department first thing Monday. I'm 27 year old male with a family history of cancer . I've lost my parents to cancer in their 30's and 40's. So my question is, is there any test I should demand. I am scared of continuing the family legacy of cancer. Any advice or suggestions would be helpful. Btw I live in so Cal area if anyone knows a medical insurance I should try. Thanks for any knowledge u might throw my way.

Comments

  • DanaM
    DanaM Member Posts: 29
    #2
    Hi, Welcome/I hope this helps.
    Tanker,
    Reflux can be the beginning condition that precipitates esophageal cancer. Blood in the stool and vomiting are also symptoms of EC. Besides blood tests, an endoscopy must be done to examine your esophagus and stomach area.

    http://www.hmohelp.ca.gov/dmhc_consumer/hp/hp_uninsured.aspx
    http://www.plansforhealth.com/help_for_medical_uninsured.htm
    anthem.com/medical

    I hope these links help. They are resources for California residents without health insurance besides County. If he told you to call the GI department, I would. I'm not sure by your post, if they're the ones that told you to wait until October, but you can't do that.

    Don't be afraid. My mom and dad had cancer and my husband has been diagnosed with esophagus cancer and we're addressing it. He needs to have a surgery and we're going to do just that. I hope these resources help you. This site will help you alot. There are alot of amazing, caring people here who have extensive knowledge of EC-from research and personal experience who are SURVIVORS.

    Are you "dealing" with reflux because you don't have health insurance and can't afford prescription medication?

    https://www.purplepill.com/taking-nexium/purple-plus-savings-card.aspx (Check this link out, Nexium has a program to assist with the cost of this prescription drug)

    If so, you need to actively treat yourself the best way you can and avoid food or other substances that generate stomach acid like caffeine, alcohol or cigarettes. Are there any things that you know that set the reflux off? I'm asking because if you're blessed and examined and are cancer-free, you may not be for long if you don't get the reflux situation under control. Do you have any family/friends or support system at home that you're sharing this with? Try not to live in fear...you don't know what's going on yet. I know you're probably saying, "That's easy for you to say..." Believe me, I have had my moments but I can't stay there. My mom told me, "It's life-things happen-and we have to deal with it" which is what I'm doing. My faith in a higher power has kept me grounded and connected me with some great folks on this site. Hang in there. Do what you have to do to be seen. You must be your own advocate sometimes-even when you're feeling too scared and too weak to do anything but sit up. I'll be praying that you make a medical connection and get the treatment that you need.
  • tanker sgv
    tanker sgv Member Posts: 124
    #3
    DanaM said:

    Hi, Welcome/I hope this helps.
    Tanker,
    Reflux can be the beginning condition that precipitates esophageal cancer. Blood in the stool and vomiting are also symptoms of EC. Besides blood tests, an endoscopy must be done to examine your esophagus and stomach area.

    http://www.hmohelp.ca.gov/dmhc_consumer/hp/hp_uninsured.aspx
    http://www.plansforhealth.com/help_for_medical_uninsured.htm
    anthem.com/medical

    I hope these links help. They are resources for California residents without health insurance besides County. If he told you to call the GI department, I would. I'm not sure by your post, if they're the ones that told you to wait until October, but you can't do that.

    Don't be afraid. My mom and dad had cancer and my husband has been diagnosed with esophagus cancer and we're addressing it. He needs to have a surgery and we're going to do just that. I hope these resources help you. This site will help you alot. There are alot of amazing, caring people here who have extensive knowledge of EC-from research and personal experience who are SURVIVORS.

    Are you "dealing" with reflux because you don't have health insurance and can't afford prescription medication?

    https://www.purplepill.com/taking-nexium/purple-plus-savings-card.aspx (Check this link out, Nexium has a program to assist with the cost of this prescription drug)

    If so, you need to actively treat yourself the best way you can and avoid food or other substances that generate stomach acid like caffeine, alcohol or cigarettes. Are there any things that you know that set the reflux off? I'm asking because if you're blessed and examined and are cancer-free, you may not be for long if you don't get the reflux situation under control. Do you have any family/friends or support system at home that you're sharing this with? Try not to live in fear...you don't know what's going on yet. I know you're probably saying, "That's easy for you to say..." Believe me, I have had my moments but I can't stay there. My mom told me, "It's life-things happen-and we have to deal with it" which is what I'm doing. My faith in a higher power has kept me grounded and connected me with some great folks on this site. Hang in there. Do what you have to do to be seen. You must be your own advocate sometimes-even when you're feeling too scared and too weak to do anything but sit up. I'll be praying that you make a medical connection and get the treatment that you need.

    just the info i needed
    I'm on an h2 blocker, a ppi., pepcid and some pepto. I've tried all kinds of diets but I can't pinpoint the exact cause of the reflux. Thank-you so much for the links and advice. This site has helped me so much I knew it was the right place to ask because of people like u.
  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    #4
    tanker sgv said:

    just the info i needed
    I'm on an h2 blocker, a ppi., pepcid and some pepto. I've tried all kinds of diets but I can't pinpoint the exact cause of the reflux. Thank-you so much for the links and advice. This site has helped me so much I knew it was the right place to ask because of people like u.

    Hi, I agree with DanaM. The
    Hi, I agree with DanaM. The first thing you need is a gastrologists. Hope this will be NOW! Don't be too afraid to take your health in your hands and be active. You need answers fast.
    sleep elevated. This helps control the reflux at night.Raise the hesd of your bed, extra high pillows, a wedge. Anything to get your upper body permantly raised several inchs.
    Good luck, I'll be praying for you.
    Sandra
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member
    #5
    tanker sgv said:

    just the info i needed
    I'm on an h2 blocker, a ppi., pepcid and some pepto. I've tried all kinds of diets but I can't pinpoint the exact cause of the reflux. Thank-you so much for the links and advice. This site has helped me so much I knew it was the right place to ask because of people like u.

    Welcome
    Hello Tanker and welcome to our EC family discussion board. I was a caregiver for my dad. Unfortunately, he passed last March when the EC went to his liver. From my experiences with my dad, and from continuing to be on this discussion board, I have learned a lot about EC. I would suggest that you stop going to the ER, and start going to a specialist. A stomach dr. can perform the scope. The scope will determine if you have a tumor. The scope will also show the ulcers and the gerd. This is what you need to have done immediately. EC can be cured if you catch it soon and are able to have the MIE surgery. There are many EC survivors here. Take it step by step. Find that gastro dr. and get the scope done. After those results, go from there. We are always here for you. You can also chat with survivors/patients on the chat room. Keep in touch, you are on the right track, keep up the good work!
    Tina in Va
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    #6
    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • kcinpdx
    kcinpdx Member Posts: 13
    #7
    Some suggestions
    Hello tanker sgv, insurance is a challenge in terms of getting treatment, actively pursue the leads William offered, and personally visit the County Health department with PERSISTANCE to get in sooner. An endoscopy will give you peace of mind as the doctor can get a direct view with a camera of your GI tract and take biopsies to test for H. Pylori bacteria and cancer if warranted. In terms of WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY to help yourself is buy an over-the-counter (OTC) acid blocker like Prilosec, or its generic equivalent Omeprazole that you can get in the 42 dose package at Costco for the best price. It is a "Proton Pump Inhibitor" (PPI) the same as prescription Nexium that shuts off your stomach acid that will stop acid reflux, stop inflaming your stomach lining and any ulcers that may be present. It takes 3-4 days before it begins taking effect but will help you considerably at a cost of about 50 cents a day. In addition, cut back on acidic or spicy foods, stop drinking coffee, alcohol and citrus based drinks and google search "GERD foods" for ideas on what you can eat and drink. Switch to Tylenol if needed for pain, no more than 1500 mg per day, and STAY AWAY from aspirins, ibuprofen, motrin, advil, aleve or any other "non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)" pain killers that can cause stomach bleeding. I wish you the best, hang in there! Keith

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