I've had issues with my throat since I was a child. About 4 years ago, it was discovered that my choking, difficult swallowing, hoarse voice and constant infections was due to a congenital hiatal hernia, which caused gastric reflux, which cause intense food allergies, which caused clinical anorexia.
Yup, I've been a mess!
It hurts to talk, it hurts to eat, it hurts to swallow, sometimes, it even hurts to breathe.
After begging my family doctor for years, he finally found me the most amazing specialist who diagnosed me in the first consult (which everyone else missed but I've chosen to not be bitter) and we now have a plan to work on.
Taking steps to recovery means several procedures, the first of which took place on Tuesday. My specialist gently put me to sleep, inserted a camera down my throat, took some tissue for biopsy, then used a series of weighted discs to dilate my throat. I woke up several hours later to discover that I can now swallow without difficulty. I may have to have this procedure done at various times throughout my life but its painless and I get a deep sleep out of the deal, plus the added bonus of not having food get stuck in my throat!
The next step is a test where a tube will be inserted in my nose and down my throat. Not sure when that will happen but I have complete faith in this guy and will do whatever needs to be done.
The last step is surgery. The hernia will be closed up and the pain will end. My allergies may even clear up. I can't wait but again, not sure when this will happen.
Years of pain will soon be over. I'm one happy lady today!!
P.S. The anorexia has been overcome and I'm now a healthier weight, with a bit of extra. My condition was never about body image but totally about painful eating. I didn't realize until 4 years ago that hurting was NOT supposed to hurt. It's hurt all my life, creating a pattern of eating very little. Once the diagnosis was finally made, with some meds, I was able to begin to eat again, without too much pain. It still hurts but not as bad. Can't wait to be totally pain free!!
4 comments:
Oh my that sounds like you have had quite an ordeal! I am glad they are finally getting to the bottome of it. I am also glad when you had your surgery you were in a deep sleep. My poor mother in law has had a couple of things done to her throat and she was always forced to be awake with just a local anesthetic. I could not do it that way. I am keep my fingers crossed for the day to come for you to be pain free!
Wow, what a terrible thing to have had to live with all these years! So glad you are finding some relief!
Thank you Softie! The one reason I am put to sleep is because the spray they use to numb the back of the throat is made with banana extract and I'm deathly allergic to bananas, so it's safer to put me to sleep then numb my throat. Bonus I guess! Thank you for your kind thoughts for the day when my throat will be pain free. :)
Thank you Cheapchick. It seems so unreal now that I've lived this long with this pain, not knowing that I should not have had to do so but knowing nothing different. But we've turned the corner and relief is in sight!
Post a Comment