Barrett’s esophagus

Posted by jvanstratten @jvanstratten, Mar 22, 2018

Looking for info and help with Barret’s esophagus. I can’t figure out just how serious this is. I have read way too much online! I don’t really know how strict my diet really has to be. It is really stressful-. Does anyone here have it? And exactly how serious is it?

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darleneporter | @darleneporter | Jan 8 7:42pm

In reply to @phantastic2000bp "Hello, I am 24 year old female and was diagnosed with GERD, Barrett's esophagus without dysplasia..." + (show)

@phantastic2000bp

Hello, I am 24 year old female and was diagnosed with GERD, Barrett's esophagus without dysplasia (distal end), mild chronic gastritis (antral), and esophagitis from an endoscopy. I have been struggling with this since August 2024. I am already on the slim side but I used to weigh 103 lbs, now 88 lbs. Below are my symptoms, some tests I have done, medications I took/currently taking, natural remedies I am trying, and my diet/water intake. Any advice, opinions, or recommendations would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Symptoms:
Stomach pain/pinching/itching at bottom of stomach
Nausea
Early fullness
Burning in upper right abdomen area that comes and goes that lasts a few seconds
Tingling sensations on my back (the sensation moves around a lot but mostly upper back)
Chest pain
Lump in throat feeling
Chronic constipation
Regurgitation of liquid even when sleeping upright
Amenorrhea (haven't had period in 3 months - probably from under-eating)

Tests:
CT Scans: everything normal, mild thickening of distal esophagus

Ultrasound: everything normal, no signs of any problems with liver, gallbladder, pancreas

Endoscopy:
Esophagus, Distal:
Barrett's mucosa negative for dysplasia, minimal esophageal reactive changes consistent with gastroesophageal reflux, no evidence of eosinophilic esophagitis
Gastric, Antrum:
Mild chronic gastritis
No h. Pylori
Small bowel:
Unremarkable duodenal mucosa
No evidence of celiacs

Stool: No infectious bacteria, parasites, or white blood cells

SIBO: Negative

Vitamin Deficiency Test:
Vitamin D (Low)
Vitamin A (Slightly low)
Magnesium (Good)
Iron (Good)

Medications
Pantropazole 40mg (didn't work)
Omeprazole 40mg (didn't work)
Famotidine 20mg
Sulcrafate oral suspension 1g/10mL (currently taking 2x a day - 5mL half dose because constipation)
Gaviscon (Taken as needed for flare ups)
PPIs do not seem to work for me. They make my acid reflux worse.

Natural Remedies
Aloe vera in the morning (eating inner gel)
Arrowroot powder water
Artichoke water/tea
Chamomile tea
Slippery elm tea
Dgl licorice chewable tablets
Cabbage juice/boiled cabbage

Diet (all small portions)
Breakfast (8am): Veggie soup puree (carrots, cauliflower, green beans, beetroot), steel cut oatmeal, boiled chicken
Snack (11:30am): Banana, rice cake
Lunch (1:30pm): Veggie soup puree, chicken, soft white rice, half avocado
Snack (4:45pm): Banana
Dinner (7pm): Rice porridge (congee), salmon, spinach or boiled cabbage
No gluten, dairy, soy, red meat, eggs, or processed foods except for rice cake, crackers, fig bars. All bland diet.
Chewing slowly/thoroughly

Water Intake:
80-100 fluid oz a day
I drink water mainly 15-20 minutes before before and 30-45 minutes after meals, never during.
Constant dry mouth

Exercise:
Light walking after meals for 45 minutes

Jump to this post

I took also have Barrettes disease, going to have another endoscopy done, have burning in my stomach. and indigestion a lot, try to stay on a stick diet, my downfall is coffee, have just started mixing it half de caf and half caffeine,, been trying to stop. Caffeine, but have been drinking coffee sincei was 16 yrs old, now I'm 78 yrs old, any ideas how to get off caffeine?

riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Jan 9 11:16am

In reply to @phantastic2000bp "Hello, I am 24 year old female and was diagnosed with GERD, Barrett's esophagus without dysplasia..." + (show)

@phantastic2000bp

Tests:
CT Scans: everything normal, mild thickening of distal esophagus

Ultrasound: everything normal, no signs of any problems with liver, gallbladder, pancreas

Stool: No infectious bacteria, parasites, or white blood cells

SIBO: Negative

Vitamin Deficiency Test:
Vitamin D (Low)
Vitamin A (Slightly low)
Magnesium (Good)
Iron (Good)

Natural Remedies
Aloe vera in the morning (eating inner gel)
Arrowroot powder water
Artichoke water/tea
Chamomile tea
Slippery elm tea
Dgl licorice chewable tablets
Cabbage juice/boiled cabbage

Water Intake:
80-100 fluid oz a day
I drink water mainly 15-20 minutes before before and 30-45 minutes after meals, never during.
Constant dry mouth

Exercise:
Light walking after meals for 45 minutes

Jump to this post

You can buy Healthwise low acid coffee off of Amazon. That’s what I drink and I use unsweetened almond milk as a creamer because it’s alkaline.

bonez3861 | @bonez3861 | Jan 11 4:49am

In reply to @phantastic2000bp "Hello, I am 24 year old female and was diagnosed with GERD, Barrett's esophagus without dysplasia..." + (show)

@phantastic2000bp

Tests:
CT Scans: everything normal, mild thickening of distal esophagus

Ultrasound: everything normal, no signs of any problems with liver, gallbladder, pancreas

Stool: No infectious bacteria, parasites, or white blood cells

SIBO: Negative

Vitamin Deficiency Test:
Vitamin D (Low)
Vitamin A (Slightly low)
Magnesium (Good)
Iron (Good)

Natural Remedies
Aloe vera in the morning (eating inner gel)
Arrowroot powder water
Artichoke water/tea
Chamomile tea
Slippery elm tea
Dgl licorice chewable tablets
Cabbage juice/boiled cabbage

Water Intake:
80-100 fluid oz a day
I drink water mainly 15-20 minutes before before and 30-45 minutes after meals, never during.
Constant dry mouth

Exercise:
Light walking after meals for 45 minutes

Jump to this post

I have barrett's esophagus and many gastro diseases. Are you seeing a gastroenterologist? I was thinking also and suddenly started losing weight and like you none of the medication you take made me worse. I ended up on a feeding tube into my small intestine because my stomach would vomit anything in it and my nausea is chronic and never gets better. I take lots of Zofran. I also have bile reflux and gastroparesis and malabsorption. I have been on a feeding tube and pump fed for 10 years now. My esophagus is almost closed and in bad shape. I would see a gastroenterologist until they figure this out. There are alot of gastro diseases that need to be caught early. So please as I know 1st hand don't stop until you find a gastroenterologist that will listen and run test's until he figures what is wrong. I went through 4 before I got one who finally listened to me and by then I had several chronic diseases that are not curable. Good luck and please take this seriously.

nobby | @nobby | Jan 20 8:35am

In reply to @wmbcat "I have BE but can’t take PPIs or H2 Blockers. I’ve developed a cough. How do..." + (show)

hello. if i simply post here, will i get updates on this subject, [Barrett’s esophagus: Your tips and treatment]
I am suffering dredfully with this. thank you.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Jan 20 9:36am

In reply to @nobby "hello. if i simply post here, will i get updates on this subject, [Barrett’s esophagus: Your..." + (show)

Welcome @nobby, To check to make sure you will get email notifications for this or any discussion you want to follow, scroll to the top of the discussion and click the bell icon at the bottom right next to the 3 dots below the discussion text and select the send me an email and on-site notifications option. Click the picture below to see what it looks like.

nobby | @nobby | Jan 20 11:17am

In reply to @johnbishop "Welcome @nobby, To check to make sure you will get email notifications for this or any..." + (show)

Many thanks @johnbishop

rsedlock1958 | @rsedlock1958 | Jan 21 7:47am

In reply to @wmbcat "I have BE but can’t take PPIs or H2 Blockers. I’ve developed a cough. How do..." + (show)

I have BE with high dysplasia. I have had two ablations and I am scheduled for my next endoscopy in Feb.
I am on 40 mgs of omeprazole, twice a day. That has alleviated any GERD I was having. I have cut out coffee and other acidic foods. Hopefully, the actions taken will prevent things from progressing.

ninasgotthis57 | @ninasgotthis57 | Jan 21 10:47pm

In reply to @rsedlock1958 "I have BE with high dysplasia. I have had two ablations and I am scheduled for..." + (show)

Try buying (or checking out at a library) the Acid Watcher Diet by Jonathan Aviv MD. It’s an excellent book and resource. I follow the diet and so many of my Barrettes symptoms have gone away. I have been able to lower my omeprozole from 80 mg a day to 30 🙂 My ENT is very pleased and I am hopeful my next scope should prove improvement.
ALSO Look up the Acid Watcher Diet Warriors Support Group on Facebook.
They are so supportive and in fact someone in this support group, connect.mayoclinic.org, directed me to both the book and the support group mentioned above. Life has truly improved!

nobby | @nobby | Jan 22 6:47am

In reply to @ninasgotthis57 "Try buying (or checking out at a library) the Acid Watcher Diet by Jonathan Aviv MD...." + (show)

Many thanks ninasgotthis57. appreciated.

biga282 | @biga282 | Jan 22 8:31am

In reply to @wmbcat "I have BE but can’t take PPIs or H2 Blockers. I’ve developed a cough. How do..." + (show)

I have Barrett’s esophagus too. I’ve had 4 RFA’s. So far so good, I’m on 40mg of Omeprazole a day. My problem was gerd after lying down in bed on a full stomach. It was terrible. Other than dieting I suggest NOT to go to bed on a full stomach. I eat at least 3hrs before bed and never on a full stomach. Hope this helps.

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