thaigators Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 Having chest pain for about a month here in Chiang Mai. Being treated at BKK Hospital Chiang Mai for 3 weeks with no improvement. Actually getting worse. Having difficulty swallow or maybe better describe as feeling like something is stuck in my throat. Does anyone have current information on an appropriate Gastroenterologist in BKK or Chiang Mai. Doctor here has me scheduled for gastroscopy, but said if that’s negative I’ll need to go to Bangkok for an upper GI motility series. Thanks heaps! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momofarang Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 I am getting followoed by this great Doctor, for my Barrett's oesophagus: https://www.bumrungrad.com/doctors/Charkaphan-Osangthamnont Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaigators Posted October 21, 2019 Author Share Posted October 21, 2019 Thank you Momofarang. Anyone have experience with BKK Hospital? Dr. Parit Mekaroonkamol? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 Dr Jaruwat Yossombat at RAM has been recommended by several TV members. I haven't had any feedback on GI docs at Bangkok Hosp CM (bearuin mind it has only been open a few years now). However any qualified GI doctor can do a gastroscopy and diagnose or rule out gastritis/ulcer, GERD, esophageal and gastric cancer. Gastritis/ulcers and even GERD are a frequent source of chest pain and easily mimic the pain associated with heart disease. Dr. Parit is an exceptionally well qualified GI specialist but news to me if he is at Bangkok Hosp CM. I know he is at Bumrungrad. Trained in some of the best US hospitals. If the gastroscopy comes back negative for anything before moving on to a motility specialist, given what you describe feeling in your throat, and tests I would suggest you see an ENT specialist to rule out a mass in the larynx or trachea. Especially (but not only) if you have a history of smoking. I assume you have already had a chest Xray that was negative? if you are or were a smoker - even with negative CXR should consider getting a low dose CT to screen for lung mass. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaigators Posted October 21, 2019 Author Share Posted October 21, 2019 48 minutes ago, Sheryl said: Dr Jaruwat Yossombat at RAM has been recommended by several TV members. I haven't had any feedback on GI docs at Bangkok Hosp CM (bearuin mind it has only been open a few years now). However any qualified GI doctor can do a gastroscopy and diagnose or rule out gastritis/ulcer, GERD, esophageal and gastric cancer. Gastritis/ulcers and even GERD are a frequent source of chest pain and easily mimic the pain associated with heart disease. Dr. Parit is an exceptionally well qualified GI specialist but news to me if he is at Bangkok Hosp CM. I know he is at Bumrungrad. Trained in some of the best US hospitals. If the gastroscopy comes back negative for anything before moving on to a motility specialist, given what you describe feeling in your throat, and tests I would suggest you see an ENT specialist to rule out a mass in the larynx or trachea. Especially (but not only) if you have a history of smoking. I assume you have already had a chest Xray that was negative? if you are or were a smoker - even with negative CXR should consider getting a low dose CT to screen for lung mass. Thanks heaps for the advise Sheryl! Yes, because of the possibility of mimicking cardiac symptoms (left sided chest pain radiating to left upper back), I had a full cardiac workup with chest X-ray, ECG, stress test, and CT with contrast. But it never felt like my heart- no shortness of breath, etc. I do find it disconcerting that PPIs, antacids, and the other prescribed meds have seemed to worsen symptoms. Initially no difficulty swallowing, no feelings of trapped gas in my throat until about a week ago. I’ve not smoked in years and was only ever a “recreational smoker”. However, I have a history of breast CA (small stage 1 tumor successfully treated with lumpectomy and radiation) 14 years ago-treated at Bumrungrad. Ill go ahead with gastroscopy tomorrow am. The question of Dr Parit is if they refer me to BKK hospital in BKK ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 If you have been on the PPIs 2 weeks or more with no improvement that makes gastritis/ulcer/GERD much less likely. With a history of CA an aggressive workup would be indicated including -- if the gastroscopy sheds no light -- lung scan and bronchoscopy IMO. You might want to consult an oncologist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritManToo Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 4 hours ago, thaigators said: Having difficulty swallow or maybe better describe as feeling like something is stuck in my throat. Sounds more like cancer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted October 21, 2019 Share Posted October 21, 2019 Sounds more like cancer.Actually thus sensation (called globus) is common and can have many causes. Sometimes no cause can even be found.But of course with her history the index of suspucion for cancer is above average and it needs to be carefully and thoroughly excluded.Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaigators Posted October 22, 2019 Author Share Posted October 22, 2019 21 hours ago, Sheryl said: If you have been on the PPIs 2 weeks or more with no improvement that makes gastritis/ulcer/GERD much less likely. With a history of CA an aggressive workup would be indicated including -- if the gastroscopy sheds no light -- lung scan and bronchoscopy IMO. You might want to consult an oncologist. The Gastroscopy showed an erosive esophageal lesion, reflux esophagitis and gastritis. I guess that’s good news? My meds were changed and I have follow up in a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 Good news in that, much better than not finding a cause and certainly better than finding an obvious tumor. But erosive changes to the esophagus can be pre-cancerous. I assume he will have boipsed the erosive lesion. Both reflux and gastritis can cause significant chest pain. And reflux can cause the swallowing discomfort you mention, as can esophagitis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thaigators Posted October 22, 2019 Author Share Posted October 22, 2019 2 hours ago, Sheryl said: Good news in that, much better than not finding a cause and certainly better than finding an obvious tumor. But erosive changes to the esophagus can be pre-cancerous. I assume he will have boipsed the erosive lesion. Both reflux and gastritis can cause significant chest pain. And reflux can cause the swallowing discomfort you mention, as can esophagitis. Yes, he did biopsy and I should get results next week. He also mentioned the lesion was an “inlet patch”. My sister in the US sent me an article that recommends endoscopic surgical ablation of Gastric Inlet Patches... I’m not sure? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted October 22, 2019 Share Posted October 22, 2019 Ablation will often relieve the globus sensation. Sent from my SM-J701F using Thailand Forum - Thaivisa mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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