Barrett's esophagus, gastroesophageal reflux disease and acute gastritis

Posted by jafd @jafd, May 9, 2016

Hi, I'm new to the site and would like some advise on my situation. Im a 56 year old female. who loves good food and drink but for many years i was having chest pain and popping tums before bed. My gynecologist suggested i have a endoscopy done. They said I had Barretts esophagus without dysplasia, gastroesophageal reflux disease with esophagitis, and acute gastritis without hemorrhage. I'm taking omeprazole 20mg twice a day. first endoscopy was in 2014 and 2nd one was in 2015 (which I lost 30 pounds) and still showed barretts but no ulcers or esphagitis. my concern is I would like to get off the omeprazole with the scare of Kidney problems. a friend said the local natural food store has many effective ways to stop acid and that omeprazole doesn't cure barretts. been stressing about all the side effects of being on this medicine the rest of my life. should i get a second opinion? Are there other options for me? i having been following a healthy diet, stopped drinking alcohol, caffeine and soda, spicy foods ect...

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Lorraine | @yyyy | Jul 5, 2016

In reply to @kelseydm "Hi @yyyy. Welcome to Connect! Glad you found our little corner of the internet :) You..." + (show)

WOW! Thank you so much<br><br>

Jackie, Alumna Mentor | @travelgirl | Jul 5, 2016

In reply to @kelseydm "Hi @yyyy. Welcome to Connect! Glad you found our little corner of the internet :) You..." + (show)

Thank You... I hope it works for me as well.. I stopped taking the omeprazole 2 weeks ago. I lost 2 pounds now in a couple of weeks. I think it does make you gain weight. The bloating with different foods hmm.. I eat lots of fruit as well and protein bars too. I can't wait to read the book.. Thank You again for sharing @saucy

cocacolabear123 | @cocacolabear123 | Mar 14 7:21am

Hi, I’m new to this site. I’m 76 years old female. For years I have had problems with reflux and GERD. I finally found a gastroenterologist. Last September I had an endoscopy and Colonoscopy. Findings, of intestinal metaplasia in the distal can be seen in Barrett's esophagus and gastric carditis, and focal specialalized intestinal metaplasia. Focal means IM is limited to a small, localized area in your stomach. Because I have low bones density and I take Prolia injections every 6 months I cannot take omeprazole. I go back to the gastroenterologist in two weeks. Any advice for question's to ask the Dr?

jackielb | @jackielb | Mar 15 9:01am

I have been on protonix 40 mg since 2021 and had my first Reclast infusion six months ago.

baguette | @baguette | Mar 15 9:33am

In reply to @cocacolabear123 "Hi, I’m new to this site. I’m 76 years old female. For years I have had..." + (show)

You can ask him if famotidine will work for you. It's an h2 blocker, which also suppresses acid, but at a much lower rate than the proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole. May not affect bone density according to the little I read. Also ask if you went the low-acid, whole food and lifestyle route changes would that address all your issues? I have GERD and did omeprazole for four years until I found out it the drug blew out my kidneys. I do the diet/lifestyle option now. It takes longer and a lot more discipline, and you are restricted in what you eat, but it is working better for me in terms of overall health. Some doctors see it as a legit option, others poo poo it. Doesn't hurt to ask though. There are two ENTs who have competing low acid diets; one is Dr. Aviv, and there is a FB group that has a ton of recipes based on his diet: https://www.facebook.com/groups/199013402360712. The other is Dr. Koufman, and she has a web site with a lot of info on GERD and LPR: https://jamiekoufman.com.

tjoanne | @tjoanne | Mar 15 10:15am

In reply to @baguette "You can ask him if famotidine will work for you. It's an h2 blocker, which also..." + (show)

My husband received Dr. Kaufman’s book for Christmas and went on her DETOX diet and now is on maintenance. He feels 100% better and has reduced his medication as well as taking Gaviscon Advance before bed. A huge positive affect on him GERD!

cocacolabear123 | @cocacolabear123 | Mar 15 12:04pm

In reply to @baguette "You can ask him if famotidine will work for you. It's an h2 blocker, which also..." + (show)

Thank you for your reply. I will ask the Dr. about Famotidine.
I’m trying so hard with the low acid, Whole Foods and lifestyle changes. I’ve been a vegetarian for 34 years. Now I’m on blood thinners, and all the green vegetables I like have vitamin K, which thickens your blood, I need to keep my blood thin. And having Barrett’s esophageal, geez, the food, I’m not supposed to eat.. Therefore, I feel like it’s been a whirlwind for me. I feel overwhelmed. But, I’m a strong person and I will get through this. Wow, on the blow out of your kidneys. Sorry to hear that. It sounds like you have everything under control. Thank you for informing me about FB group. I will take a look.
Thanks

rozy288 | @rozy288 | Mar 16 11:39am

All PPI’s are meant for short term use . Dr’s ignore that fact because they don’t know what else to put you on . That’s what they learn in medical school and can’t think outside the box .
I tried many through my last 10 years w/ everything you have plus horrendous churning and 1000’s deep wet horrible tasting belching .
I never get a day off from this weekend in 10 years, plus small hiatal hernia . I’ve tried it ALL , I mean everything diet wise ( I eat super healthy, small ), holistic approaches, every supplement they make for gut health, anti depressants here and there for IBS-D , on my 6 th Gastro Dr. Just had my 4 th endoscopy/ colonoscopy. Everything is about same . They can’t help me . I’m 62 and I just have to live in this misery rest of my life .
I feel for you . Maybe the Pepcid OTC ( they have generic brand at Walmart , drug stores) will help you ?
I live on Ultra Pepto Bismol for 10 years.
I’m at my worst trying to eat anything from 12 pm til 4 pm .
By that time I’m so hungry & fatigue sets in .
Need to do all my work from 8 am til noon .
Keep us posted if you find anything that helps .
Good Luck 🍀

stoclady | @stoclady | Mar 17 7:19am

Until you have an operation like a fundoplication, you can only be told your hernia is small. They told me too however, it was large. I suggest you see Dr Wolfson the GI at Mayo in Jax Fl. Then have a fundoplication to fix your situation. Dr Edwards, the best! I went thru the same stuff you are for 14 years, I gave up trying to remember the endoscopy count after 7. I have a partial mesh implant and I am much better off after the surgery.

darleneporter | @darleneporter | Sep 16 8:59pm

I'm 77 yrs old and also found out 1yr ago, and have Barrett's also, have lost a lot of weight since I have been on meds and diet. Really miss eating a lot of foods especially some fruit , like pineapple and mandarin oranges, tomatoes. That has been the hardest for me is the diet. I weigh 106 lbs and wear size 6 ,extra sm shorts, shopping is hard, mostly everything is designed for younger girls.