1. < Digestive Health

Newly diagnosed BARRETTS esophagus

Posted by bqt @bqt, Dec 14, 2024

I am sooo happy to find this forum. I am really sad about my diagnosis two weeks ago. My understanding is that while erosive esophagitis can be reversed — Barrett’s cannot. I am extra fearful because I witnessed my younger brother die of stomach cancer in his mid 30s (non drinker, non smoker, healthy and fit while eating organic and having a six pack abs etc — when he complained of stomach pain docs did not scope because of his age and he was treated with protonix for what they aaaimed was an ulcer. A few months later after liver pain he was diagnosed with stomach cancer and he died 3 1/2 months later).

Sooo … I’ll always have post traumatic stress from my reflux lead me to get scoped (although the docs don’t think this is related to my family history). I was recommended to have another endoscopy in 3-6 months for more extensive biopsies . So far it’s non dysplasia Barrett’s.

I’m scared but have gone full speed revision of my diet , habits, sleep at incline …

I lost my job two weeks ago (but start a new one soon luckily). I’ve been spending the last two weeks scouring the net and YouTube videos and have found a TON of great info. But I love seeing other people that have experience living with Barrett’s.

I am scared

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aunt | @aunt | Dec 17, 2024

I was diagnosed with "long segment Barrett's" when I was 30, back in the 1980's. Now I'm almost 69 yro and have had scopes and biopsies yearly ever since and it's never progressed to cancer. I understand the fear of that "Wait and see" approach since I lost my dad who went from healthy at 60 to a brain cancer diagnosis and passed quickly. Today there are so much better medications to control the acid and Drs have much more experience with Barrett's and how it progresses. Watch your diet, take the meds and raise your head while sleeping

REPLY
trippster | @trippster | Dec 17, 2024
In reply to @rsedlock1958 "I as diagnosed with Barrett’s high dysplasia in August. Since then, I have been on omeprazole..." + (show)
@rsedlock1958

I as diagnosed with Barrett’s high dysplasia in August. Since then, I have been on omeprazole (sic) 40mg x2 a day. I have also had two endoscopies with ablation. The procedures themselves are easy. It did take me about two full weeks after each one before I could eat solid foods.

I have cut out coffee, alcohol, tomato sauce, and spicy foods from my regimen. With the medication and procedures, I do not have any reflux. I am back for another procedure in February. It looks like every three months for a while.

Good luck.

Jump to this post

Do you find that non-caffeine coffee works or did you have to cut out coffee altogether? And no tomato products as well?

REPLY
2 replies
riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Dec 17, 2024

I never cut out coffee. I buy healthwise brand low acid coffee off of Amazon. I also add unsweetened almond milk as my creamer which will neutralize any acid in the cup. I always have 2 cups every morning.

REPLY
rsedlock1958 | @rsedlock1958 | Dec 17, 2024
In reply to @trippster "Do you find that non-caffeine coffee works or did you have to cut out coffee altogether?..." + (show)
@trippster

Do you find that non-caffeine coffee works or did you have to cut out coffee altogether? And no tomato products as well?

Jump to this post

The issue seems to be with the acidity in the coffee. I just cut it out, which was hard because I enjoy coffee. I now drink herbal teas, which is fun given all of the varieties.

I am a 66 year old bodybuilder, so I do take a preworkout in my he morning that has about 200 mgs of caffeine. That does not seem to bother me.

REPLY
1 reply
bqt | @bqt | Dec 17, 2024
In reply to @rsedlock1958 "I as diagnosed with Barrett’s high dysplasia in August. Since then, I have been on omeprazole..." + (show)
@rsedlock1958

I as diagnosed with Barrett’s high dysplasia in August. Since then, I have been on omeprazole (sic) 40mg x2 a day. I have also had two endoscopies with ablation. The procedures themselves are easy. It did take me about two full weeks after each one before I could eat solid foods.

I have cut out coffee, alcohol, tomato sauce, and spicy foods from my regimen. With the medication and procedures, I do not have any reflux. I am back for another procedure in February. It looks like every three months for a while.

Good luck.

Jump to this post

The info about ablation is inedibly appreciated. I am soooo happy for you—sounds like the ablation went well and perhaps we should be happy with our diagnosis being caught at the Barrett’s stage ♥️

REPLY
bqt | @bqt | Dec 17, 2024
In reply to @rsedlock1958 "The issue seems to be with the acidity in the coffee. I just cut it out,..." + (show)
@rsedlock1958

The issue seems to be with the acidity in the coffee. I just cut it out, which was hard because I enjoy coffee. I now drink herbal teas, which is fun given all of the varieties.

I am a 66 year old bodybuilder, so I do take a preworkout in my he morning that has about 200 mgs of caffeine. That does not seem to bother me.

Jump to this post

Since my diagnosis I have cut everything EXCEPT the coffee… I just ordered a “low acid/half caffeine” coffee called pure life on Amazon…my doctor, surprisingly, did not even recommend any dietary restrictions when he called to tell me that my biopsy showed Barrett’s.. he just said “we will do more extensive biopsies in 3 months , you will need to take a PPI the rest of your life and get an endoscopy every 3 years

REPLY
1 reply
rsedlock1958 | @rsedlock1958 | Dec 17, 2024
In reply to @bqt "Since my diagnosis I have cut everything EXCEPT the coffee… I just ordered a “low acid/half..." + (show)
@bqt

Since my diagnosis I have cut everything EXCEPT the coffee… I just ordered a “low acid/half caffeine” coffee called pure life on Amazon…my doctor, surprisingly, did not even recommend any dietary restrictions when he called to tell me that my biopsy showed Barrett’s.. he just said “we will do more extensive biopsies in 3 months , you will need to take a PPI the rest of your life and get an endoscopy every 3 years

Jump to this post

My Barrett’s showed a long segment with high dysplasia. This means ablations every three months until the Barrett’s is gone. Then monitoring. Looks like I am buying into the lifetime plan.

REPLY
rsedlock1958 | @rsedlock1958 | Dec 18, 2024
In reply to @trippster "Do you find that non-caffeine coffee works or did you have to cut out coffee altogether?..." + (show)
@trippster

Do you find that non-caffeine coffee works or did you have to cut out coffee altogether? And no tomato products as well?

Jump to this post

I knew before the diagnosis that things like pasta and sauce or pizza would give me heartburn and sometimes reflux. It just made sense for me to cut those things out.

REPLY
bqt | @bqt | Dec 18, 2024

DOES ANYONE STILL EXPERIENCE REFKUX? 🥹🥹🥹since my diagnosis I have made all of the changes (stop eating at 5pm, practically sitting inside sleeping, PPI, strict diet) and still experiencing reflux SOME nights (versus every night— before).. it’s not as severe but still about one out of 3 or 4 nights. I wake up soo sad 😔 has anyone who has had long term Barrett’s control, still felt reflux at times?

REPLY
2 replies
rsedlock1958 | @rsedlock1958 | Dec 19, 2024
In reply to @bqt "DOES ANYONE STILL EXPERIENCE REFKUX? 🥹🥹🥹since my diagnosis I have made all of the changes (stop..." + (show)
@bqt

DOES ANYONE STILL EXPERIENCE REFKUX? 🥹🥹🥹since my diagnosis I have made all of the changes (stop eating at 5pm, practically sitting inside sleeping, PPI, strict diet) and still experiencing reflux SOME nights (versus every night— before).. it’s not as severe but still about one out of 3 or 4 nights. I wake up soo sad 😔 has anyone who has had long term Barrett’s control, still felt reflux at times?

Jump to this post

With two ablations and taking PPIs (twice a day, 40mgs each), my reflux has stopped.

I would ask your doctor about the PPI dosage and maybe switching to a different one.

REPLY
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