Eosinophilic Esophagitis: A North Carolina Woman's Battle with a Chronic Eating Disorder

Understanding Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE)

• 💡 Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is a chronic immune system disease where white blood cells called eosinophils build up in the esophagus, causing inflammation and injury.
• 🎯 This buildup is often a reaction to food or allergens, leading the body to attack its own esophageal tissue.
• ⚠️ Symptoms can include a constant feeling of choking, a sensation of something stuck in the throat 24/7, difficulty eating, and severe food-related anxiety.

Shelby's Personal Journey with EoE

• 🚀 Shelby's symptoms began in 8th grade with a terrifying incident of feeling like she was choking while eating, leading to significant weight loss and fear of food.
• ⏳ After years of remission, her symptoms returned in her early 20s, making it impossible to eat solid or dense foods for eight months and severely impacting her mental health.
• 🔍 A diagnosis was finally made by Dr. Dylan during an endoscopy, revealing her throat was significantly narrowed (9 mm), preventing the scope from passing.

Challenges and Coping Mechanisms

• 🧩 The disease can cause severe acid reflux, difficulty keeping food down, and the risk of food impaction requiring ER visits.
• 🥤 Shelby found that carbonation in soda temporarily eased her symptoms by creating bubbles that helped food go down.
• 🗣️ Explaining EoE to others is difficult, as the constant anxiety around eating affects nearly every aspect of life, from social events to daily meals.

Treatment and Management of EoE

• 🔬 Regular endoscopies with balloon dilation are used to stretch the esophagus and break up scar tissue, improving food passage temporarily.
• 💊 Shelby has found significant relief through Dupixent, a weekly medication, which, combined with endoscopies, has been life-changing.
• ✅ She advocates for others with EoE, emphasizing that they are not alone and encouraging them to seek diagnosis and support.

Raising Awareness for EoE

• 🌟 Shelby is actively using social media to raise awareness about EoE, helping others recognize their symptoms and seek medical attention.
• 💬 She aims to provide insight and support to those affected by the disease, fostering a sense of community and reducing feelings of isolation.
• 💖 Her goal is to help at least one person, parent, or child find relief and happiness by raising awareness for this lesser-known condition.