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For new members with concerns about Barretts

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Posted Yesterday 2:03 AM (GMT 0)
Hello all.  I am new to this site.  I guess I'm one of the stats of people with silent GERD, gets scoped 8 weeks ago, to find erosion in lower esophagus.  My GI calling it "Pre" Barrets.  Some small cell changes but no dysplasia.  I am 52 y.o. non-smoker, athletic, gluten free, female whose only symptom was intermittent upper left ab pain just below sternum.  Kind of like a "stitch" that would come and go.  I am totally thrown overboard.  I had no clue about GERD.  No symptoms of reflux.  Always ate healthy.  I am miserable in pain.  The PPI's are making me actually more sick now than I felt before.  Currently on Dexilant 60 mg (only 2 1/2 weeks).  Prilosec and Zegerid did nothing for me.  Dexilant is giving me actual reflux and gurgling feelings in my gut now.  Doc and Pharm say I need to give med time to work 3 -4 weeks.  Now I really feel sick..  can't eat. 

Does this get any better?  Will the meds really help heal the erosion and possibly reverse the damage?  I'm ready to stop everything and just try to handle with natural remedies and holistic therapies.  But I'm scared about the Barets.  Does anyone know why some people with GERD get ulcers and erosion but cells don't start to change like in Barets??  I'm making myself sick with worry.

 

Posted 12/14/2012 1:52 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone,

This is my first time posting on this forum, although, I have been "stalking" it for a while. I was diagnosed with Barretts about a month ago. I have no history of GERD. I am 32 and very healthy. I do not have any of the typical markers for Barretts, thus my diagnosis came as a huge surprise. I am considering getting a second opinion as the biopsies taken were from my z-line, which appeared normal. My doctor was less than informative over the phone and I ended up following up with another doctor in the practice who told me, "I'm not convinced you have Barretts." So you can see my consideration of a second opinion. (Any one have experience with this type of situation?)

Lady1741, I had the exact same "stitch" in the abdomen feeling, which is what prompted them to do the endoscopy in the first place. I took Prilosec prior to the endoscopy, but afterward they put me on Dexilant. I also think it is making me worse. I never had reflux before, but I feel like I have it ALL the time now. Are you still taking it? Did your symptoms ever improve? I am thinking of asking my doctor to change my meds. Maybe to Nexium?

Any advice or encouragment would be very much appreciated. I am struggling with the diagnosis, although I am trying to keep things in perspective. I just feel so "young" to have this hanging over my head for the next forty years!

By the way, this forum is great...and I've read a lot of patient forums in the last few weeks!

 

Posted 12/14/2012 4:19 PM (GMT 0)
Hi McCanna,
My understanding is that you can just have spots of these cells, so repeat testing may not take a sample from the exact same spot. I think those spots never return to normal cells, but may heal over.
I have Barrett's, it was startling news. I take great comfort in the fact that esophageal cancer is rare, develops very slowly. People who die from it are usually in their 80s, beyond our average life expectancy. I don't lose sleep over this, but I am always on the look-out for better strategies for controlling my GERD.
Posted 1/3/2013 8:01 PM (GMT 0)
bump for new members with concerns about Barretts
Posted 1/18/2013 2:14 AM (GMT 0)
Bump
Posted 1/18/2013 7:04 AM (GMT 0)
www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/health/tissue-engineering-procedure-to-save-the-esophagus-feeds-effort-to-build-human-organs-647782/

I've posted this elsewhere but it seems more relevant here.
Posted 1/20/2013 4:04 PM (GMT 0)
Wow! I hope we can all find easier solutions before we come to wanting oesophageal transplants!

MMM
Posted 2/19/2013 1:37 PM (GMT 0)
Bump
Posted 2/19/2013 5:46 PM (GMT 0)
This report/study on risk of Barretts progression came my way recently and as it is free to access so posting it here. Apols if previously posted,
http://jnci.oxfordjournals.org/content/early/2011/06/16/jnci.djr203.abstract

Hope all B.E. folk are keeping well.
Posted 2/19/2013 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Yes I think that one has been mentioned - the incidence is much lower than they used to say. If I get chance I will start a new thread with just the research links and pertinent bits of the thread as I think it's always of concern and interest to members new and old. Thanks.

MMM
Posted 2/20/2013 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
I know the risks of Barrettsturning into esophageal cancer is low relative to other issues like heart disease, etc. My GI doc is a recogonized specialized in diseases of the esophagus & has said that they are getting closer to finding genetic links in ppl who get adenocarcinoma after Barrett's. Watching my brother die a miserable death because of esophageal adenocarcinoma & knowing, my other brother having a bad case of Barrett's,the dr says my risk is much greater for getting adenocarcinoma. If you are ever watched someone deteriorate & die from this disease, you would know to take this disease very seriously & have your Barrett's monitored. Most cases of esophageal cancer don't get diag oases until its too late.
Posted 2/20/2013 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
I know the risks of Barrettsturning into esophageal cancer is low relative to other issues like heart disease, etc. My GI doc is a recogonized specialized in diseases of the esophagus & has said that they are getting closer to finding genetic links in ppl who get adenocarcinoma after Barrett's. Watching my brother die a miserable death because of esophageal adenocarcinoma & knowing, my other brother having a bad case of Barrett's,the dr says my risk is much greater for getting adenocarcinoma. If you are ever watched someone deteriorate & die from this disease, you would know to take this disease very seriously & have your Barrett's monitored. Most cases of esophageal cancer don't get diag oases until its too late.
Posted 2/20/2013 2:57 AM (GMT 0)
I know the risks of Barrettsturning into esophageal cancer is low relative to other issues like heart disease, etc. My GI doc is a recogonized specialized in diseases of the esophagus & has said that they are getting closer to finding genetic links in ppl who get adenocarcinoma after Barrett's. Watching my brother die a miserable death because of esophageal adenocarcinoma & knowing, my other brother having a bad case of Barrett's,the dr says my risk is much greater for getting adenocarcinoma. If you are ever watched someone deteriorate & die from this disease, you would know to take this disease very seriously & have your Barrett's monitored. Most cases of esophageal cancer don't get diag oases until its too late.
Posted 4/3/2013 8:10 PM (GMT 0)
hi MMM,

Just came across this article referring to some newly released info concerning genetics role in B.E.
Free access and some useful facts.

http://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(13)00225-4/fulltext

...and this one concerning lifestyle factors/cancer risk reduction

http://www.fhcrc.org/en/news/releases/2013/04/esophageal-cancer-risk-vary-lifestyle-factors.html

Something to start that new thread with perhaps?

All the best

Phil
Posted 4/3/2013 11:37 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, I always read this thread since I have Barrett's. I wonder if that testing for biomarkers is widely available? Aspirin is hard on stomachs, so I'm surprised that people are taking it. I don't have any of the risk factors other than GERD and Barrett's. I was surprised to recently learn that the average age for death of esph cancer is 67 years. I had thought it was older than that.

Post Edited (sunbeam48) : 4/3/2013 5:44:14 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/4/2013 9:41 AM (GMT 0)
Hi sunbeam,

I think the idea of a preventative dose of aspirin is to take a very small amount that could be diluted with water an taken a few times during the day. This can help avoid stomach problems.
I take Turmeric. Any supplement or food containing Salicylate is worth considering if you have B.E.

cheers

Phil
Posted 4/4/2013 9:47 AM (GMT 0)
Average age of death from Eso Cancer is due in part to late diagnosis, as noted by poster LIGTM above [3 times!].

Statins look interesting, all the more reason to check blood lipids on a regular basis.

phil
Posted 4/4/2013 11:00 AM (GMT 0)
"Take something a few times per day" isn't going to happen in my life. I don't think about this that much, don't want to.
Posted 4/4/2013 5:02 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks Phil.

I think the most amazing thing about the study is that anyone with Barretts is well enough to smoke, drink alcohol or take daily Aspirin. I'm not even well enough to eat my five a day!!

MMM
Posted 4/5/2013 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
MMM, I still make time for an occaisional glass of red wine, despite everything!

Sunbeam, the point I was failing to make clearly, is that there are other ways to obtain the main active ingredient of Aspirin [salicylic acid] through foods etc. for anyone interested here's a link for further info,

http://www.livestrong.com/article/111493-foods-contain-salicylic-acid/

All the best
Posted 4/5/2013 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Phil, that's just the link I needed. I will continue to eat some almonds daily, continue eating berries in my yogurt (that I froze last summer), and cook up the peppers in the fridge.
Posted 5/7/2013 12:25 PM (GMT 0)
bump
Posted 5/7/2013 3:47 PM (GMT 0)
Bump again !
Posted 6/26/2013 7:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hunch back. I have a hunch back. It used to be a lot more. Lost so much weight with the GERD diet that all my muscle is gone. Thus my top half lost at least 20 pounds. I have always wondered if that was causing me to reflux. I have to be very careful not to slouch.
Any ideas or equipment that helps lift the shoulders up and chest out?
Posted 6/26/2013 7:25 PM (GMT 0)
How many folks with Barrett's don't take ppi's? For me, ppi's cause other issues. At least that's what I think. But I am scared to get off them. Obviously my GI thinks it is a must to take them.
Anyone know people out there who have Barrett's and don't take ppis
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