Calling all GI’s and others with experience with esophageal conditions... I am finally able to get a gastroscopy scheduled next week to determine the cause of my difficulty swallowing that started about six months ago. My lazy rear end took several months to get motivated to do something about it and of course COVID-19 shut downs struck the week I moved forward with talking with a GI. I have been on an anti-acid medication (pantoprazole) for the last six weeks and have strictly adhered to the six-food elimination diet (been really easy during this quarantine.. let me tell you!). Unfortunately, there has been no change to my condition and I could argue that it might be worsening slightly.
I was suspect of the acid reflux idea as I do not have any symptoms of the burning or typical acid reflux disease you hear about. My symptoms are best described as the food getting stuck half way down my esophagus. I have been tracking all my meals since deciding to get this straight and there is no rhyme or reason to it. Doesn’t matter the type of food, time of day, or how big my bites are. It just happens either once a meal or never during a meal. On several occasions now, I have no choice but to vomit up the food. Once I do and restart my meal, I am pretty much fine for the remaining meal. I also have trouble burping if I swallow air, it is like a plumbing vent being clogged.
So I have been thinking for several days on posting to this forum to see if any fellow riders that ride in aero predominantly have had this trouble. I searched the forum and found a few interesting articles that led me to the SFED diet idea and I am appreciative of that recommendation and will probably adapt many parts of the diet. However, I was really discouraged this morning during my workout because even drinking water during my rides is becoming problematic. I fully suspect some form of narrowing caused by either a growth or inflammation is going to be found. Maybe even webs or rings that might have been caused by reflux. Any successful treatment stories out there? Obviously, I am also hoping and praying that the big “C” is not found. Certainly biopsies will be taken.
Fire away folks, I would love to hear any insights you might have. Thank you Slowtwichers!
2020-08-01 UPDATE:
Testing, Treatment, and Results to Date since late January:
1. Upper Endoscopy and Biopsy - All results completely normal, no evidence of acid damage, etc.
2. Did 6 food elimination diet for nine weeks with no improvement of symptoms
3. Esophagram with and without Barium Swallow - No evidence of a problem
4. Brain MRI with and without contrast- Normal
5. Every blood test possible including autoimmune disorders, normal panels, neurological markers - all 100% normal
6. Manometry Testing - Diagnosis - Early onset of Achalasia - Don't have full report back yet but tech who performed the test told me that there was definitely several seizures of my esophagus during the test.
Any Slowtwitchers out there living and racing with Achalasia? Tips, tricks to cope? Nutrition ideas that don't get stuck or at least are easy to swallow? For me water, shakes, or even gels are not always tolerated at times (very random moments when it all gets stuck). Of course doctors don't know what to do with me being so healthy and active and just tell me that I might have to stop racing long distances if I can't swallow my nutrition. I am not to that point of a problem, but seems like it will get progressively worse.
Thank y'all for your thoughts!
I was suspect of the acid reflux idea as I do not have any symptoms of the burning or typical acid reflux disease you hear about. My symptoms are best described as the food getting stuck half way down my esophagus. I have been tracking all my meals since deciding to get this straight and there is no rhyme or reason to it. Doesn’t matter the type of food, time of day, or how big my bites are. It just happens either once a meal or never during a meal. On several occasions now, I have no choice but to vomit up the food. Once I do and restart my meal, I am pretty much fine for the remaining meal. I also have trouble burping if I swallow air, it is like a plumbing vent being clogged.
So I have been thinking for several days on posting to this forum to see if any fellow riders that ride in aero predominantly have had this trouble. I searched the forum and found a few interesting articles that led me to the SFED diet idea and I am appreciative of that recommendation and will probably adapt many parts of the diet. However, I was really discouraged this morning during my workout because even drinking water during my rides is becoming problematic. I fully suspect some form of narrowing caused by either a growth or inflammation is going to be found. Maybe even webs or rings that might have been caused by reflux. Any successful treatment stories out there? Obviously, I am also hoping and praying that the big “C” is not found. Certainly biopsies will be taken.
Fire away folks, I would love to hear any insights you might have. Thank you Slowtwichers!
2020-08-01 UPDATE:
Testing, Treatment, and Results to Date since late January:
1. Upper Endoscopy and Biopsy - All results completely normal, no evidence of acid damage, etc.
2. Did 6 food elimination diet for nine weeks with no improvement of symptoms
3. Esophagram with and without Barium Swallow - No evidence of a problem
4. Brain MRI with and without contrast- Normal
5. Every blood test possible including autoimmune disorders, normal panels, neurological markers - all 100% normal
6. Manometry Testing - Diagnosis - Early onset of Achalasia - Don't have full report back yet but tech who performed the test told me that there was definitely several seizures of my esophagus during the test.
Any Slowtwitchers out there living and racing with Achalasia? Tips, tricks to cope? Nutrition ideas that don't get stuck or at least are easy to swallow? For me water, shakes, or even gels are not always tolerated at times (very random moments when it all gets stuck). Of course doctors don't know what to do with me being so healthy and active and just tell me that I might have to stop racing long distances if I can't swallow my nutrition. I am not to that point of a problem, but seems like it will get progressively worse.
Thank y'all for your thoughts!