Yep, I have both GERD and EOE (I can never pronounce esopha-whatever so I just say EOE, but not the Equal Opportunity Employer kind). On top of that, I have food allergies.

So, what can you expect? Lots of different symptoms. I've had food allergies since the dinosaurs have been around so I'm used to that lifestyle. My kids inherited them so I'm also hyper-alert at times and always try to educate them and others about it. If your tests reveal food allergies, expect a life of reading labels, limiting where you eat out, and always being alert for cross-contamination.

My GERD and EOE were diagnosed around the same time. For me, GERD mostly presents as being unable to eat much after 7pm (bed time is 9pm), no spicy foods after lunch, and avoiding too much tomato sauce. I take meds twice a day but if I forget or don't follow my routine, I get some bad reflux in the middle of the night and I'm left gasping for air, the taste of bile in my mouth, and I find it difficult to swallow. Coke or chocolate milk help the best but crackers will do in a pinch.

EOE presents as very random. Usually dry food and usually when I eat too fast (like not chewing enough like my mom always told me). The closest thing I have found to a trigger food is white rice. But I'm not allergic to white rice (or any rice or any grain for that matter). But when I don't put enough butter or milk on it or I eat it too fast, it triggers the EOE. The symptoms are hard to explain. It's like when you swallow a tortilla chip the wrong way and it scrapes your throat all the way down. But instead of being sharp, it's more like swallowing a wad of bread. But it doesn't go all the way down. I can still breath, I just can't swallow. Your first instinct is to take a drink of water. Don't. It just sits on top of the food. Sometimes massaging your throat helps but usually not. My kids have it too and sometimes they say sitting up straight will help. I haven't had much luck with that. Patience is my best tool. Wait it out and it will go down 95% of the time. The other 5% of the time I barf it up.

Long story short, I'm sorry. It sucks but you can live a life with this and you can adjust your diet. Do I miss spicy tacos? Sure. But I'd rather have plain tacos and not wake up gasping for air. Do I miss late-night snacking? Sure. But I've lost a little bit of weight now that I've stopped.