Barrett’s esophagus

Are you fine with the medicine ? Considering surgery option ? I’m learning more about the procedure but it’s not a sure thing. You have no significant issues or discomfort staying on medicine ? Seems to make me anxious with body aches. I have my repeat EGD in two weeks

I was in similar situation in 2014, with no prescription able to help my gerd. Saw a specialist who does outpatient wrap of top of stomach around where esophagus enters stomach to "seal" better. Procedure is called Toupet Fundoplication. They suggested as they didn't want me to take gerd prescriptions for too long. I won't get into the effects of having this laparoscopic surgery, which you should definitely research, discuss with surgeon before considering. But I have been very pleased 11 yrs so so far, can eat almost anything I want and no more gerd. They did extensive pre-tests to ensure I was a viable candidate. Found I had lower motility (swallowing) ability...so only did a 270 degree wrap (Toupet) instead of full 360 degrees (Nissen).

@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”……

Just officially diagnosed with this myself. In the learning stages and pissing off the Dr stage by questioning treatment protocols. It’s simple reality that medical treatment is now controlled by insurance companies and especially in my age group (I’m 71 so “how much longer can he live” is a factor).
WHY not do a simple ablation at the earliest stages?? Why wait for it to actually become cancerous?? It doesn’t help that I have my own personal (medical expertise based) beliefs regarding cancer and how it responds when “poked” (discovered) in our bodies….think dandelions in spring!!….would really like to receive some “not pissed off at me for asking questions “ explanation for waiting. Retired PA, background is ER and ICU, do give me both barrels, I can converse at this level.

@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?

FWIW, here is a link to an ENT who states that BE can be reversed: https://jamiekoufman.com/barretts-esophagus/. I can't vouch for this except to say that if I follow a low acid, whole food diet I do better with reflux. Wouldn't hurt to try while figuring out what else you can do. Best wishes.

@baguette
I was diagnosed with BE about five years ago. My doctor prescribed pantoprazole which I took daily for at least a year. My own research found that melatonin has a beneficial effect on the esophagus, so I started taking 10 mg a day at night. I had a follow-up endoscopy about a year after my initial diagnosis, and the BE was gone. My doctor was very surprised. I can’t say with any certainty that the melatonin was the cause, but I still take it every night and no longer take the pantoprazole. You might research melatonin and esophagus and see what you find.

@bapetersen thanks for the info. I haven't been diagnosed with BE but melatonin might be good for healing inflammation. Will look into that.

@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.

@bapetersen what dosage for melatonin? Thank you