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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Profile picture for phantastic2000bp @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

Are you on any medication that might be causing dry mouth? Also see if you can take allergy blood tests sold through Life Extension.

REPLY
Profile picture for phantastic2000bp @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

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Interested in your post. I, too, live on a very restricted diet. I am gluten, dairy, fructose intolerant, no carbs, fruit, veggies etc. I live on meat and fish. Have you had the fructose tolerance test? No one could diagnose my problem until I had that test. I have had these restrictions since I was 40 with continually worsening. After reading your problems, it makes my issues seem minimal. Give the fructose test a try. Lots of luck in finding help--it's a never ending battle. Linda

REPLY
Profile picture for phantastic2000bp @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

Hi @susanmaria and @celiacpt
I see @phantastic2000bp hasn’t been active since writing their original post. Quite a few have commented since and hopefully they will have input for you.

REPLY
Profile picture for biga282 @biga282

I was diagnosed with Barrett’s several years ago. After a few years I had 3 RFA’s (Radio Frequency Ablation) done. They basically burn and scrape the brown tissue away at your esophagus and stomach connection then new pink healthy tissue grows back. I’m not sure about it being a cure for Barrett’s but so far so good years after this was done. Gerd they say causes the burned “ brown” tissue I was told. Which can maybe become cancerous. I take 40mg of Omeprazole every morning which helps with the acid reflux. Good luck and I hope you make out okay 👍 oh and I must say whenever I went to bed right after eating dinner or on a full stomach the “gerd” was the worst!!!! Wait AA couple hours then go to bed.

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Hi!! Did you have the RFA's because you had dysplasia? I was told thats the only way anyone will do that. That Barretts without dysplasia they just monitor 🙁

REPLY
Profile picture for bqt @bqt

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

Jump to this post

The stomach acid from Gerd had burned the tissue where my esophagus connects to the stomach and turned it brown. I was told that healthy tissue should be pink. When they do this procedure they also provide pictures similar to a regular scope, dysplasia sounds familiar.

REPLY

I was diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus (no dysplasia) in March. I also have had a small hiatal hernia for years. I’m on 40 mg famotidine 2x day, I’m allergic to ppi.I find that I wake in the middle of the night chocking/coughing. My belching gets so bad that it can go on for 30 minutes at a time. I’ve changed my diet quite a bit but still haven’t found that magic spot.My dr is only focused on the medicine and changing diet. Is this the gold standard and I just need to wait and see until I see them next year?

REPLY
Profile picture for hcollado @hcollado

I was diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus (no dysplasia) in March. I also have had a small hiatal hernia for years. I’m on 40 mg famotidine 2x day, I’m allergic to ppi.I find that I wake in the middle of the night chocking/coughing. My belching gets so bad that it can go on for 30 minutes at a time. I’ve changed my diet quite a bit but still haven’t found that magic spot.My dr is only focused on the medicine and changing diet. Is this the gold standard and I just need to wait and see until I see them next year?

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Maybe you should see a nutritionist? Doctors don’t necessarily have a lot of training on diet and my personal experience with GERD was that finding the right diet took trial and error. With guidance, and tracking your response to foods you most likely will find out what makes you feel better. I hope you start feeling better soon.

REPLY
Profile picture for hcollado @hcollado

I was diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus (no dysplasia) in March. I also have had a small hiatal hernia for years. I’m on 40 mg famotidine 2x day, I’m allergic to ppi.I find that I wake in the middle of the night chocking/coughing. My belching gets so bad that it can go on for 30 minutes at a time. I’ve changed my diet quite a bit but still haven’t found that magic spot.My dr is only focused on the medicine and changing diet. Is this the gold standard and I just need to wait and see until I see them next year?

Jump to this post

Thank you

REPLY
Profile picture for hcollado @hcollado

I was diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus (no dysplasia) in March. I also have had a small hiatal hernia for years. I’m on 40 mg famotidine 2x day, I’m allergic to ppi.I find that I wake in the middle of the night chocking/coughing. My belching gets so bad that it can go on for 30 minutes at a time. I’ve changed my diet quite a bit but still haven’t found that magic spot.My dr is only focused on the medicine and changing diet. Is this the gold standard and I just need to wait and see until I see them next year?

Jump to this post

@hcollado
You may be interested to check out another conversation about Barrett’s: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/newly-diagnosed-barretts-esophagus/

Also, what Mayo Clinic has to say about treatment that depends on the various levels of dysplasia: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/barretts-esophagus/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352846

REPLY
Profile picture for hcollado @hcollado

I was diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus (no dysplasia) in March. I also have had a small hiatal hernia for years. I’m on 40 mg famotidine 2x day, I’m allergic to ppi.I find that I wake in the middle of the night chocking/coughing. My belching gets so bad that it can go on for 30 minutes at a time. I’ve changed my diet quite a bit but still haven’t found that magic spot.My dr is only focused on the medicine and changing diet. Is this the gold standard and I just need to wait and see until I see them next year?

Jump to this post

I’ve had Barrett’s for years. Suffered with badly with Gerd which is what caused it I guess. Stomach acid burns the esophagus. My Dr recommended 40mg of Omeprazole a day which helps considerably. No belching at night. I always eat 2-3 hours before bedtime never on a full stomach which causes my Gerd. If for some reason I’ll eat late I need to sleep on my back and not my side which also helps. You might be taking too much famotidine ? Get a second opinion. Best of luck !

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