Barret's Disease

Hi April:
I have Barrett's and hiatal hernia - or should I say had. Actually the Barrett's is still there but I had the Nissen Fundoplication on October 14th. This repaired the hiatal hernia and will prevent any further acid exposure to my esophagus. The GI doc suggested the surgery to me because I am 30 years old and he didn't think I should be on Prilosec for the rest of my life. So far so good. I was able to have tomato sauce and coffee again with no pain. Surgery was rough but not as bad as it could be. I am still recovering but each day is a little better. Let me know if you have any questions.

Lisa

April-
There a lot of tests that need to be done before you should have the Nissen. You may be able to keep things in check with the meds. I am assuming they found the Barretts after doing biopsies?
Before you decide to go with the surgery make sure they do a ph study and manometry at least. There is a chance of having swallowing issues after the Nissen and if there is any motility issues present before the surgery they can be multiplied with the surgery. I have had the Nissen done twice. The first was done wrong and it took them 3 years to figure out why I had swallowing issues that wouldn't clear up after over 10 dilations. If you do go the surgery route, please be sure your surgeon has done a lot of these and done them successfully. There are many surgeonswho say they can do this surgery, but it takes a lot of practice to do it correctly.

Take care,
Bill

PS- I also have Barretts and mine has spread even after having the Nissen done twice. I am back on Prilosec again and probably will be on it for life. So don't let them tell you that just because you have the Nissen you won't have to take PPIs anymore or the Barretts will be stopped.

April,

 

I have/had Barretts.  I found out when they did an endoscopy after me complaining of pains in my chest.  They put me on a double dose of Protonix to control the pain.  It took a couple months but there is no longer any discomfort.  Many doctors suggested I get a Nissen Fundo as I have a weak LES.  I decided against this as the side effects for this surgery is to severe for me since I don’t have any pain currently.  My personal stipulation to that decision was that I must find a way to get rid of Barretts.  In my area I found a doctor that is extremely experienced in the HALO ablation technology to destroy Barretts.  I had my first treatment about a month ago and my doctor says he believes the Barretts will be completely gone when he goes back in for the follow up in a few weeks.  If its not he will do a touch up and another followup.

 

Maybe someday if the PPI's can't control the acid I will reconsider the Fundo.  Hopefully I can hold off till they come up with an alternative!