Barrett's Esophagus, PPIs and Reversal of Barrett's

I have been diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus. I was on a PPI for years and found that it wasn't working. Got off the PPI (difficult) and was controlling reflux by keeping my gut moving with a non-systemic osmotic (think Miralax). I also have a hiatal hernia. Was doing well until my last endoscopy where I was diagnosed with Barrett's. I now must be on a PPI. I see all the negative stories about PPI's. Does anyone have a positive PPI story? I have changed my diet to a vegan diet, cut out caffeine, alcohol, tomatoes, etc. I take DGL, digestive enzymes, and zantac. I am a woman, 54 years old and physically fit. Would love to hear from anyone who has reversed their Barrett's to hear how they successfully managed to do that.

Good luck with your surgery C. I wish you a swift recovery!

Hi Petrus. I had what I call a "radical recovery" from Barrett's. Three years ago, after a hospital endoscopy I was diagnosed with mild Barrett's. My GE at the time told me to take Protonix and come back in three years for a follow up. This struck me as a great way to wait for cancer, which I could not abide.

So, after several months of still not feeling well, and with lab report in hand, I went to see Dr. Jamie Koufman. I had just read her books and did some additional research on her pioneering work related to airway reflux. Figured I would go to the authority to figure out where I stood.

She literally took one look at my lab report and said "I can almost guarantee that you don't have Barrett's". After putting me through a battery of tests, including a Transnasal Esophagoscopy (awake and sitting comfortably in a chair), she told me that I did not have Barrett's (my "radical recovery"). A recent follow up showed the same result. It seems that many GEs take the biopsy too low and get stomach cells which results in a false positive for Barrett's.

So, this is a long drawn out response to suggest that you make sure you indeed have Barrett's. At least in my case, a second opinion with a noted doctor relieved me of the stress associated with thinking I had a pre-cancerous condition. Best of luck in your journey.

Petrus said...
Thank you Sharon and Guitargerd.
I am fairly certain my results are correct because my doctor did his biopsies plus I was part of a Barrett's study with brushing from specified locations. i also have a decent amount of reflux that I need to control no matter whether it's a false positive or not. That said, I will hold out hope that it may not be or that I get this under control and heal.

Thanks for the reply. Yeah, if you're in a Barrett's study I would assume they have done all the requisite testing properly.

Regarding your reflux, when does it bother you the most? In my case (and I have silent reflux) testing indicated that I was being most seriously effected at night. At Dr. K. urging, I got great benefit by eating an early dinner as well as not lying down before at least three hours after this last meal. This and taking DGL has really helped.

Again, best of luck in your quest for health and happiness.

GG