Finally! Partial answer...does anyone know what this means?

[Vee]

Hi Everyone:

Hope all are well. Well, finally have at least a partial answer to my dysphagia. Had CT scan of throat done Monday, after I screamed and hollered to get it, I might add. Results...

Findings: At the level of the epiglottis and arising from the right pharyngeal wall, there is a 1.2 cm mass impinging upon the pharyngeal lumen. No enlarged bilateral cervical lymph nodes. The thyroid glands, salivary glands, muscular, vascular, and subcutaneous structures are unremarkable. The larynx and visualized trachea show no abnormalities.

Can anyone tell me exactly what this means? My throat is still on fire, prevacid helping very little.

Thanks.

Vee

[daw]

Originally posted by Vee
Findings: At the level of the epiglottis and arising from the right pharyngeal wall, there is a 1.2 cm mass impinging upon the pharyngeal lumen. No enlarged bilateral cervical lymph nodes.

I looked back at your posts and got the impression that you did not see an ENT doctor for a laryngoscope. In my opinion, with the mention of a pharyngeal mass, you need to see an ENT specialist as soon as possible.

[Vee]

Daw:

I DID see an ENT....May 7...had a scope. She saw nothing.
Well.......guess what, they really remember me now!!!
I am on a RAMPAGE!!! This has been going on for about 9 mos. all of them seemed to think it was in my head. To get the CT scan I literally had to go to another Dr (male) in the practice and just about cry!! Well...I was REALLY scared when I got the report but now I am MAD and scared. All the incompetents that pooh poohed me better look out!

[Vee]

Update: Had surgery on July 11....benign, thank God. Went to Washington Hospital Center in DC..supposed to be one of the best in the country for ENT problems...surgeon could not believe the ENT I saw in May did not see the mass (with scope, I might add). He took a dental mirror and had me open REAL wide and saw it. Was a vallecular cyst...Dr's words after surgery, I have good news! Do not think cancer, (the actual lab report took forever) Verrrry large cyst, big as an egg, never see one like that before!
Well, I feel like I should be able to swallow better....still feel like pieces of food get caught in top of esophogus..not nearly the sensation of strangling I was having before. Unfortunately, I think my next step is gonna have to be a Psychiatrist or something...every time I DO try to eat anything solid I start shaking, cannot breath right..mini panic attack, remember full blown ones I had about 17-18 years ago...not nearly as bad.
Oh and the Gerd/lpr is still kicking...burning throat, sometimes burning esophogus, etc, etc. Any thoughts on this?
Hope all are doing okay!!

[daw]

Originally posted by Vee
Update: Had surgery on July 11....benign, thank God.

Wow, great news! Thanks for the update.

Originally posted by Vee
Well, I feel like I should be able to swallow better....still feel like pieces of food get caught in top of esophogus..not nearly the sensation of strangling I was having before.


Did your surgeon give you any idea how long it would take for the area to completely heal?

Originally posted by Vee
Unfortunately, I think my next step is gonna have to be a Psychiatrist or something...every time I DO try to eat anything solid I start shaking, cannot breath right..mini panic attack, remember full blown ones I had about 17-18 years ago...not nearly as bad.

You may need short term use of a tranquilizer/muscle relaxer and counseling. Don't let this go because anxiety/panic has a way of feeding on itself if not nipped in the bud.

[Vee]

Daw:
I know I need to get some kind of help for the anxiety...just sooo
sick of Drs at this point. Especially my primary care office (which I will have to go to to get a referral (PPO you know.)) Will probably make myself do it in the next couple of weeks. At least I am gaining some weight back, up to 110...Ensure 5x a day and mashed potatoes...
As for healing, etc....the ENT at Wash Hosp Ctr said I should be able to eat steak now! No way...told him about the feeling of food being caught, he looked at me like I was nuts! Then told him I am having alot of , excuse me, thiick mucous...he said yep he does see that...gave me a Rx for guaifenason sp? Never filled it...was afraid to take it, the antibiotic (Clindamycin) they had me on for weeks postop really messed with my......how shall I say..lower gastro area LOL...which lasted for two weeks after stopping it.
Thanks for your concern, hope you are doing well...how are you?
Vee

[daw]

Originally posted by Vee
Then told him I am having alot of , excuse me, thiick mucous...he said yep he does see that...gave me a Rx for guaifenason sp? Never filled it...was afraid to take it...

Vee, guaifenesin (glyceryl guaiacolate) is an expectorant. Most people use it for coughs under the brand name Robitussin. It reduces the viscosity of the mucus. You didn't say the dose but at high doses, which are usually given for thick mucus and sinus problems, some side effects can be N&V, GI upset, dizziness, headache, rash, itching. If you do not want to take it, just make sure you are well hydrated. which will help thin out the mucus.

As for me, I'm doing okay. I have my annual endoscopy in October and sometime soon I should be getting nervous thinking about the results. I would like to decrease my gerd/lpr meds but whenever I did in the past, the symptoms came back. Time will tell.
Thanks for asking.

[Diana]

Hi Vee,


Just brainstorming here- you could try your PPI plus Claritin. Claritin might help with the inflammation. Another idea but I don't know what meds you can mix it with but 1 kids chewable Benadryl slowly dissolved in your mouth or a Benadryl popsicle (dose of Benadryl mixed with juice in an ice cube tray with a popsicle stick . Keep us posted.