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@dandl48 I am currently pissing off my Dr. by questioning the reasoning for NOT doing anything immediately now that it has been confirmed I have BE at the lowest level.
I feel like I have the alien baby in my chest, we know it’s there, but I take a medication to pretend it’s NOT there….wait and see if it (what?? If nothing done) or if it decides now is the time to BURST out of my chest!!
Doesn’t help that I am a retired PA and can discuss this at a level her average patient cannot, although I have admitted this type of medicine is not my forte. My background is ER, ICU, emergency fix ‘em and turf ‘em medicine, but my ability to understand and LEARN this (and consequently question insurance based treatment protocols) is apparently a bit threatening.
Can anyone explain WHY if we know the alien baby is there, why not go after it now with an immediate ablation of the non-cancerous cells BEFORE giving them time to grow and mutate further??? Dr only says “it’s not protocol and no one would do the ablation for you now”……
Replies to "@dandl48 I am currently pissing off my Dr. by questioning the reasoning for NOT doing anything..."
@riccid in a similar relationship with the GI who performed my recent upper and lower scopes. I won't call her my DR. for multiple reasons. Diagnoses were: GERD, 2 cm hiatal hernia, and Barrett's Espohagus Stage C0-M2. I was already on 40mg omeprazole, so only recommendation is follow up endoscopy in 5 years. What caused me to push back is I have a first degree relative who died from esophageal cancer; diagnosed and died within 2 months, granted, he did not go to the DR. We know it is a brutal disease. WHY in the world would I wait 5 years to get another scope?? WHY can we not do something proactive? If this were YOU, dear DR, would you not request a different path? Not to mention, this does not address the abdominal pain that I have nearly daily, that prompted my primary to send me for the scopes. I will be changing primaries beginning of next year, and trying to find an Internalist who cares enough to view my WHOLE health picture - I also have MGUS diagnosis and have full bloodwork screening every 6 months so that is helpful at least. Our system is so broken. I hope you can get someone who be more proactive for you.
*edit -- after 10-15 minutes or so of research, I find this A Toupet or “Partial” Fundoplication could be helpful for me, repairing my hiatal hernia and reducing acid reflux, and oh, btw, maybe while in there do something about that small segment of BE -- or maybe then we won't need to worry about that in the future. I'm not a DR, I don't know, but WHY WAS THERE NOTHING MENTIONED about possible surgeries or other remedies that could help improve my health for the future? Insanity, that's what our health care system is right now.
I will be seeing a new GI DR in the new year. Would love to hear from any one else with a Barrett's diagnoses with a first-degree relative with esophageal cancer history as well, and treatment or monitoring plan.
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@riccid I had a choking scare and was losing my voice. My GP sent me to a specialist who diagnosed BE. They arranged an immediate ablation the same week and I’m going for another one a year later. The prescription is for the hiatal hernia so acid will not creep back up into my throat. I’m surprised at your doctor. It rarely goes to cancer, but easing the throat and treating the acid should have been a priority. Perhaps look for another doctor?