Expert: Dr. Ravindra Bhaskar Ghooi - 5/2/2009

Question
I was diagnosed with eroding esophagus. I spent one year on protonix and it seemed much better. Recently I have had episodes when I eat. It feels as if a bite of food has gotten stuck and nothing( not even water will go down). It usually last for 15 minutes and then it feels as if something releases and I can resume eating. But as of late it lasts quite some time. I have no medical insurance to pay for anything so I try to wait it out until it passes. Can I do something to make it better?

Answer
Hi Kimberly,
Your oesophagus is going in spasm, producin this feeling. While I appreciate your lack of insurance, I think this needs medical attention. What you require is an endoscopy to find out why this is happening, and whether a surgical procedure is required. Having used Protonix, you had had the best drug that one could have used, there arent better drugs in the market presently, I believe a surgical procedure may be reuired, but that only an endoscopy can tell. I would suggest you go to a public hospital where free treatment is available.
Ravi Ghooi