Help! Trouble swallowing, pain under right rib, stomachache.

[Pocono1]

My wife is 59 years old, and has been having problems with swallowing, stomachache, pain and burning under right rib and stomach, burning sensation in chest, and occasional vomiting. She has had this for about 5 years. She has ultrasounds of gallbladder, pancreas, liver, spleen, and kidneys. She has also had a abdominal, liver, pancreas, gallbladder, and spleen cat scan. Also done was a barrium swallow, along with chest x-rays. She has also had 3 endoscopies in the last 4 years, and a colonoscopy. This along with all types of blood work, and the best diagnosis is possibly GERD, or acid reflux. However, Tums, Rolaids, Prilosec, Protonics, etc. (all of the acid remedies) do not work. If anyone has a problem similar to this, please let me know what it is, and any information about a remedy.

[Carl in Tampa]

What did the doctors who ordered all of these tests say? Was there a diagnosis?

Sounds like a hiatal hernia, which should be detected with the Barium swallow. They sometimes respond to medication, but sometimes require surgery.

Hiatal Hernia Causes, Picture, Symptoms, Tests, and Treatments (http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/hiatal-hernia)

[PennBF]

You may want to consider going to Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. It is only a
2 1/2 to 3 hr's from The Villages and it's main responsibility is to "diagnosis"
problems.?:wave:

[gerryann]

If she has only seen Dr's here in TV, she really needs to go elsewhere. The Dr's here can take care of minor situations. Your wife needs better care.

[gomoho]

Agree - your best bet is to go to the Mayo - hope you insurance is accepted there. The business of the Mayo is to diagnose and if they can't do it - no one can. Best of luck.

[Villager Joyce]

Shands in Gainesville Is another option.

[gerryann]

Mayo does NOT accept medicare. Try Cleveland clinic in Florida.

[gerryann]

Sorry, just realized she's only 59.

[blueash]

If biopsies were done on her upper endoscopies, did they look for eosinophils? Sounds like eosinophilic esophagitis which fits the story and lack of response to the things you listed.

[lanabanana73]

The first thing I would suggest is to have her start taking a really good quality probiotic. It can't hurt and it might help.

[CFrance]

Mayo does NOT accept medicare. Try Cleveland clinic in Florida.
From Mayo Florida's web site:

Mayo Clinic will file your primary claim to Medicare. If you have Medigap or other supplemental insurance coverage, Mayo Clinic will submit a claim on your behalf. If your plan includes an automatic crossover option, Medicare will submit the claim to your supplemental plan without your interaction. If you don't know whether your policy has this crossover feature, contact the company that issued the policy.
Since Mayo Clinic is nonparticipating with Medicare (http://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/florida/billing-insurance/medicare/your-medicare-coverage-claims), payments are made to you. Medicare will pay 80 percent of approved charges. Your supplemental insurance may cover a portion of your remaining balance. Most covered laboratory services will be paid in full by Medicare and do not require supplemental filing.

[Madelaine Amee]

From Mayo Florida's web site:

Mayo Clinic will file your primary claim to Medicare. If you have Medigap or other supplemental insurance coverage, Mayo Clinic will submit a claim on your behalf. If your plan includes an automatic crossover option, Medicare will submit the claim to your supplemental plan without your interaction. If you don't know whether your policy has this crossover feature, contact the company that issued the policy.
Since Mayo Clinic is nonparticipating with Medicare (http://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/florida/billing-insurance/medicare/your-medicare-coverage-claims), payments are made to you. Medicare will pay 80 percent of approved charges. Your supplemental insurance may cover a portion of your remaining balance. Most covered laboratory services will be paid in full by Medicare and do not require supplemental filing.

I was a patient at the Mayo Clinic for three years, my out of pocket bill for everything I had done over the three year period (including major kidney surgery) came to $72.00. Amazing facility with excellent doctors. I have Medicare and AARP Plan J.

[duffysmom]

Another vote for Mayo Clinic.

[Pocono1]

Thank you all for responding. Biopsies from the esophagus and stomach show no problems, including hiatal hernia or ulcers. One of the endoscopies included a duodenal endoscopy. Again, all normal. Diagnosis from the barium swallow was possible pre- achalasia. All bloodwork came back normal, no allergies. Ultrasound scans showed everything normal. Endoscopies showed everything normal, but one showed a slight reddening of the stomach lining. All doctors and gastroenterologists say there is no physical cause, but something is causing esophageal spasms, and possible spasms in the abdomen. The only thing that we have found that helps swallowing food, is to sip diet Coke while eating. For some unknown reason, this helps the food get "un-stuck" and allows it to be swallowed! This problem is a real mystery, and the doctors seem to be guessing.

[courtyard]

Most dry food gets stuck in my throat, especially chicken. I prepare my throat before eating by drinking hot liquids (soup or coffee), and eating more juicier foods in smaller bites. Also, I keep away from all fried food and all dairy to avoid intestinal pain, and never drink any diet sodas that contain aspartame.

[gerryann]

From Mayo Florida's web site:

Mayo Clinic will file your primary claim to Medicare. If you have Medigap or other supplemental insurance coverage, Mayo Clinic will submit a claim on your behalf. If your plan includes an automatic crossover option, Medicare will submit the claim to your supplemental plan without your interaction. If you don't know whether your policy has this crossover feature, contact the company that issued the policy.
Since Mayo Clinic is nonparticipating with Medicare (http://www.mayoclinic.org/patient-visitor-guide/florida/billing-insurance/medicare/your-medicare-coverage-claims), payments are made to you. Medicare will pay 80 percent of approved charges. Your supplemental insurance may cover a portion of your remaining balance. Most covered laboratory services will be paid in full by Medicare and do not require supplemental filing.

I agree, I made a blanket statement. This is part of a letter that I received from Mayo in regards to coverage. I think the key is to have a supplement plan like Madalaine Amee has.

"According to the insurance information you have provided, you have a PPO/PFFS Medicare Advantage Plan. Your Medicare Part B benefits are now administered by a commercial insurance company and not traditional Medicare. Mayo Clinic in Florida is a non-participating provider with Medicare Part B. Therefore, our charge is set by Medicare at a rate of 15% above a participating provider. We will file your claims to your Medicare Advantage plan and you will be responsible for the remaining balance. Please be aware that if your insurance company requires additional authorizations this may delay your care."