1. < Esophageal Cancer

Have question being tested.

Posted by sassy1dannie @sassy1dannie, Mar 15 1:32am

Hello I don't have a diagnosis as of now. I am waiting for testing . The last 4 years iv slowly gotten worse food getting stuck in my chest it feels like and I puke or recurgitate it it's gotten worse and become more painful I'm very worried 😟 ib had gerd for 11+yrs I'm 32 with 4 kids I found this group to ask what were the first sighs some of you had. My husband says not to worried but I very much am worried.

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seanski | @seanski | Mar 15 4:38am

My first symptom was weight loss, weakness & fatigue. I went from weighing 210 to 150 in 8 months time. I had no pain while eating during that time. Then, all at once it felt like a knife in my chest every time I ate, I had no sensation or feeling of having to vomit. Then I noticed the black stool. This all happened in 8 moths time. By the time there are symptoms with this type of cancer, it progresses quickly. In my case just a few months.
This cancer more common in older men. I was 58 at the time of diagnosis.
My cousin has a Hiatal hernia & has the same symptoms as you. It could be a lot of things , even uncontrolled GERD. I wouldn't jump into the cancer boat just yet!

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1 reply
diannesmcneill | @diannesmcneill | Mar 15 6:05am

Changing your diet to liquid nutrition drinks then advance to soft foods. Stay away from meat. Don’t eat after 4 pm. Don’t lay on your right side. Raise the foot of your bed 6 inches or get a lift triangle pillow. Don’t eat spicy foods. Pepsid ac complete is OTC. Don’t drink and don’t smoke. Drink lots of water. Don’t drink carbonated foods. Read on line suggestions to treat reflux as those ideas may improve your esophagus. Things you can do while waiting for your appointment. Good luck!

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diannesmcneill | @diannesmcneill | Mar 15 6:07am

Don’t drink carbonated drinks or coffee. Don’t eat fatty or fried foods. So much you can do to help yourself while waiting.

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sassy1dannie | @sassy1dannie | Mar 15 7:54am
In reply to @seanski "My first symptom was weight loss, weakness & fatigue. I went from weighing 210 to 150..." + (show)
@seanski

My first symptom was weight loss, weakness & fatigue. I went from weighing 210 to 150 in 8 months time. I had no pain while eating during that time. Then, all at once it felt like a knife in my chest every time I ate, I had no sensation or feeling of having to vomit. Then I noticed the black stool. This all happened in 8 moths time. By the time there are symptoms with this type of cancer, it progresses quickly. In my case just a few months.
This cancer more common in older men. I was 58 at the time of diagnosis.
My cousin has a Hiatal hernia & has the same symptoms as you. It could be a lot of things , even uncontrolled GERD. I wouldn't jump into the cancer boat just yet!

Jump to this post

Thank you 😊

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lionsfan | @lionsfan | Mar 15 9:23am

I had GERD symptoms for years and was on a double dose of Omeprazole for a couple years with little relief. I started having difficulties swallowing and my appetite was diminished. I told, didn't ask, my general practitioner to order an endoscopy for me to see what was going on. She finally did and in fact, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 (only 1 neighboring node), locally advanced EC. I proceeded with a clinical trial of FolFox 5 and 5 sessions of radiation for a month. After 45 days of healing, I had an Ivor Lewis esophagectomy to remove the remaining microscopic cells in the esophagus. I had my first scan in March and showed NED. I know I'm very early in my treatment but I am so happy I advocated with my Doctor to get the endoscopy. If you're worried, discuss it with your Doctor and advocate for aggressive testing. EC is aggressive if left alone so be aggressive in your treatment requirements also. I'm hoping it's not EC but you're better off knowing than not

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