Stuck feeling in throat, heartburn-freaked it's Barretts

I certainly wouldn't panic about Barretts. Barretts does not equate to cancer, nor is there any strong evidence that it will turn into cancer in all but a few per cent of cases. There is a thread I got going on this which I'll bump up for you.

There are lots of us with Barretts, and so long as you don't have dysplasia you don't even have to have it monitored. There are also plenty of people out there with Barretts who don't even know they have it as they have no symptoms at all. If anything they are the ones most at risk because they are unlikely to get scoped. And of course if your docs are concerned they will send you for an endoscopy. Meanwhile, give the tablets chance to kick in and try not to worry.

I know it's tempting to panic about cancers connected with our symptoms, but remember that statistically we are more at risk of the other more common cancers such as breast, prostate and bowel. So if you're going to worry, please worry about those bits too!!

MMM

Post Edited (mudmagnetmum) : 11/21/2012 1:02:54 PM (GMT-7)

Hi there

I feel your frustration - I used to joke about having an almost biblical ability to change water into battery acid! It can take quite some time to get the right combo of medication, dietary tactics and (if you're into them) natural treatments. Hopefully this is just another sporadic event for you and you'll be able to step down from treatment after a while. Meanwhile you need to persevere with the medication for a bit and get yourself some relief. Once the medication starts to kick in you'll probably find you feel more reassured about what you're dealing with.

Hang around the forum and I'm sure you'll pick up more replies and tips.

Has your GP/PCP got some tests planned for you to check on your hernia?

MMM

You could try drinking alkaline water, Evamore is one brand. Some people find their throat symptoms are lessened by this. Dr. Jamie Koufman, an ENT specializing in reflux, has information about this on her web site.

MMM,

I just wanted to add that I too had suffered for over 20 years with heartburn. I am 52 now and just had fundoplication surgery in Sep. Recovery is going great. I also freaked out when I found out I had Barretts, I was also equating it to cancer. Thanks to this forum and people like you I know a lot more about it. Doctors don't seem to have the time to educate us about our condition and that is why I am so grateful that a forum like this exist.

incontrol 23,

I had suffered from heartburn for a long time. I then developed that "something stuck in my throat" thing on and off. I had and endoscopy done and found out I had Hpylori bacteria, Barrets, esophagitis and acute grastritis. My only advice is to get an endoscopy done soon and make sure you get the lab results. I had an endoscopy done 5 years ago but never got the lab results (long story).  Good luck, let us know how it goes.

Thanks everyone for your replies. Of course I'm still freaking out. Every twinge I feel I go online and read and the "C" word always comes up. I've been on the Prevacid (15mg once a day) for 7 days and it doesn't seem to be much of an improvement. The heartburn is annoying, not being able to eat what I want is hard (btw, there isn't much we can eat? It seems everything is bad for reflux?) and everytime I swallow I wait to see if something gets struck. I'm stressing myself out. I have an appointment with the GI but not until January. I'm thinking of calling my regular GP today and make an appointment. The worry is making me sick. I think my husband thinks I'm crazy!

MMM,

I think you directed to your question to me. Well, I am not very good about Gastritis, still uneducated about the condition. Don't even know what the symptoms are but I know I have Gastritis because it was in the lab results.

I will tell you that since my surgery I have had no heartburn at all. I have put the wrap to the test, ate hot wings, drank beer/coffee and ate some chocolates. I do get a lot of gas, I can burp so that is a plus but still having to pass a lot more gas than pre-op. Don't know if its the Gastritis, diet or just part of the healing process.