Feces smelling like tar

[medic1]

This amazes me, surely their are emergency departments that treat, say, the homeless?

 

[Benvolio]

I've only been penetrated once and the guy wore protection. I'm on a soup diet now but that's no different than what I was eating before. My eating times vary depending on how I feel when my stomach is sick (I have a condition called Barrett's esophagus).

Barrett's esophagus does not cause symptoms and does not make your stomach feel sick. It is a change in cells in the esophagus, caused by acid reflux. It seems to precede the development of esophageal cancer, but seems to improve or disappear with the use of Nexium, Prilosec or similar medicines, called proton pump inhibitors. which control the discomfort of reflux. Critically, since it seems to precede esophageal cancer, you should be seeing a doctor regularly and the your recent bowel changes should cause you to now see a doctor, preferably the one who diagnosed the Barretts. That must have involved an endoscopic exam. How long ago was it?
When you refer to your sick stomach, are you meaning acid heartburn, i.e. esophageal reflux? Are you taking Prilosec, Nexium, or a generic omeprazole?
I should add that I am not a medical professional, but I have reflux, and was diagnosed with Barretts, which has since gone away, apparently because of the use of Prilosec, etc.

 

[Benvolio]

I am sure this has you very worried, but no one here can give you a satisfactory answer. By all means find a way to go to your doctor. Call him and explain your problems to his nurse and perhaps he will discuss it over the phone enough to relieve your worry.

 

[KaraBulut]

This amazes me, surely their are emergency departments that treat, say, the homeless?

For those who don't live in US, it is always a shock. For the indigent, some counties have public hospitals but the cost is the same. The only difference is that they will apply for Medicaid for the patient and they are more willing to write off the residual after Medicaid pays.

There are urgent care clinics that would probably charge about $500-$1,000. An insured friend recently went to an urgent care for food poisoning. The ED fee was about $2,000 for 3 hours of care that included 2 liters of IV fluid; the physician fee (separate from the ED fee) was over $1,000.

By contrast, a trip to a primary care doctor would cost between $75-150 for someone without insurance.

 

[medic1]

^Thank you for the explanation. I thank god for our system.

 

[IceColdLover]

Barrett's esophagus does not cause symptoms and does not make your stomach feel sick. It is a change in cells in the esophagus, caused by acid reflux. It seems to precede the development of esophageal cancer, but seems to improve or disappear with the use of Nexium, Prilosec or similar medicines, called proton pump inhibitors. which control the discomfort of reflux. Critically, since it seems to precede esophageal cancer, you should be seeing a doctor regularly and the your recent bowel changes should cause you to now see a doctor, preferably the one who diagnosed the Barretts. That must have involved an endoscopic exam. How long ago was it?
When you refer to your sick stomach, are you meaning acid heartburn, i.e. esophageal reflux? Are you taking Prilosec, Nexium, or a generic omeprazole?
I should add that I am not a medical professional, but I have reflux, and was diagnosed with Barretts, which has since gone away, apparently because of the use of Prilosec, etc.

Mine makes me sick, since it's recurred several times and the vagus nerve is irritated a lot, causing the pain, nausea and discomfort. I take Nexium twice a day every day but it only helps for so long. I have a chronic case of acid reflux and my stomach produces way too much acid. I've had several endoscopies, the last being in early December. February is my follow-up appointment but not for a procedure (was supposed to be this month but was postponed for some reason). I have a lot of symptoms: pain, nausea, acid reflux, discomfort, spasms, etc, all of which cause me a great deal of anguish.

 

[Benvolio]

I am glad to hear that you are keeping on top of this. Your doctor should be willing to discuss you bowel concern by phone under the circumstances. Good luck.

 

[Benvolio]

Do you drink coffee? In my experience, it is the single most serious cause of heartburn. If you have not tried giving it up for a day or two, you will be surprised at the difference it makes.

 

[IceColdLover]

Do you drink coffee? In my experience, it is the single most serious cause of heartburn. If you have not tried giving it up for a day or two, you will be surprised at the difference it makes.

Nope, not a coffee drinker whatsoever. Every rare once in awhile, I'll grab a "glacier" drink from the coffee store at the mall back home, but that isn't at all often that I do that.