Good health news...

[seawasp]

... after seeing my doctor yesterday, we are reasonably certain that the symptoms are, indeed, gastrointestinal tract related. A re-examination of the barium swallow films showed that I have a hiatal hernia (basically this is an inversion at the stomach-esophagus interface), and a Schatzki ring higher up. A Schatzki ring is basically a web or outgrowth around the interior of the esophagus which can indeed catch food and cause the pains/spasms I've been feeling. These phenomena are reasonably easy to treat; I have an appointment with a specialist next week, and hopefully within a few days after that they'll actually treat it and the problems will be mostly behind me.

This is a great relief.

Comments

[autopope.livejournal.com]

It's good news indeed, but bear in mind you'll need to keep an eye on it in future; IIRC, the damage caused by the reflux can lead to an increased risk of oesophageal or stomach cancer in future. (On the other hand, if you know that and you're keeping an eye on it, you stand a much better chance of surviving such an illness than someone who doesn't know it's a risk ...)