Well, what a tale to tell...... As in the previous thread quite a few (including me) added our bits about long term coughs etc. I have finally come to get some answers, and now start on fixing it up.
ENT said yes it was reflux, but just in the throat, referred me to a Gastroentorologist, who in turn decided to do an endoscopy. That was done yesterday, and blow me down I have a hiatus hernia at the 38cm mark - just below the ribs, and to add to this I have Gastritis and Duodenitis (both inflamations caused by acid). So back onto the Nexium for about 6 weeks to 'heal' the problem, then we start with working out which foods trigger the situation.
Oh, and I had my next lot of blood tests last week - and my iron levels have gone up double in the last six months to borderline before another venesection. Don't know why, been keeping a check on what I eat with iron in it, and the doc says, could be just my genes!! Oh great!
Other than that, all is good.
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Pejay are travelling in a 2014 Holden Colorado LTZ Twin Cab Ute + 2013 Coromal Element van
Even when the "answers" aren't all that great, at least you know what needs to be done Pejay. Best wishes!
I've been on Pantoprazole to reduce stomach acid for a couple of years, it has made life much nicer now. But I still cough when its cold.
I am glad they found where the cough was coming from. This is part of our body that should be checked.
Two days before Christmas last year my husband found out he had Oesaphagael Cancer stage 4, he had no idea anything was wrong until about a month before he had trouble swallowing a piece of apple. The cancer has been there for some time and has spread to his bones and adrenal glands.
The first question the Drs asked him did he suffer with reflux or heartburn or have a cough. No never had it. It seems reflux and heartburn (Gord) can lead to cancer in some people. they still can't give us any answers as to how it started ,doesn't smoke, doesnt drink, eats lots of veges and fruit. in fact before he was diagnosed he looked a picture of health and we were looking forward to 3 big trips this year. You just never know do you.
So Pejay your Dr is on track and sorting all that out now will be only good for you. For my husband it's too late.
High iron levels is hereditary and is very common in Australians. Our son has it and we researched both side of the families and found a couple had it too, also our other son is a carrier. It can be easily controlled Once diagnosed.
I hope the treatment is successful for you and you are back in the pink again soon.
Yes, I was sent for all the same tests for my cough with scan suggesting possible cancer(but it wasn't) or hiatus hernia. My understanding is that continuous undiagnosed reflux allows the gastric acids to change the cells of the oesophagus so they become cancerous. It's called Barretts oesophagus I think. My brother has it and they are monitoring him. I too was given Nexium but have cut it back as I am not convinced my cough is caused by reflux. I think it may be a sensitivity to some foods such as those containing salicylates like kiwi fruit and strawberries and liquorice. I've had the cough since last July!
But I still cough when its cold.
