Barrett’s esophagus

I was diagnosed with hiatal hernia and Barrett last year. Hiatal was only 1 CM and Barrett was without Phasia. I have taken three different type of prescription GERD meds. Nothing works. I try my best to figure out diet. There are obvious foot that is a no no for me: tomato sauce, spicy foods, green peppers and chocolate and eating before bedtime. Those foods will upset me for days I find a banana which I don’t like works tremendously. Especially if I have a flare up. I smart the point to stop meds? Why continue to take them when I obviously don’t think they are working. I think the Gaviscon liquid works pretty good on flare ups. The dr says he will do another Endoscopy next year. I think I may ask for it to be done asap.
My question how soon was your endoscopy repeated after being diagnosed with Barrett non phasia?
Thank you and I wish everyone good health.

@vlf
I take 10 mg each night. It’s important to find a high-quality brand - I use Natrol Fast Dissolve.

@khowe2000 Find another GI doctor asap. I had GERD, and hiatal hernia, and was on 40mg of omeprazole. the strong strength of the omeprazole caused severe constipation so I had to get off of it. My acid reflux was horrible and it got to the point that I could hardly eat anything that didn't cause the acid reflux. Long story short, I had Hiatal hernia repair and esophageal valve repair surgery this past March. It is called the TIF procedure with hiatal hernia repair. I had two surgeons do the surgery. The worst part of the surgery is post surgery because of the liquid diet/soft food diet for 6-8 weeks but it was well worth it! I am back to my normal diet and I am off of all acid reflux meds and no longer have any acid reflux. Good luck to you!

How does one heal Barrett’s esophageal disease? I’m still prescribed PPIs ( protonix, or omeprazole 40 mg). and continue to need quarterly endoscopies. I Have been dealing with this for 8 yrs. Gastro Drs. Say I have inflammation, however they do not advise how to improve the inflammation?
I avoid caffeine, and citrus, even red meat, I currently have multiple ulcers in the upper esophagus. Would like to hear how others have eliminated internal inflammation!

@dcdonly45 - I moved your question about Barrett's esophagus here to where many others were talking about this same condition so that you could ask them about how to heal this and improve the inflammation the doctors say you have. Please meet, if you've not already, @marjoriem @bapetersen @vlf and others who may have some thoughts for you.

Has your gastro doctor commented on whether your habits of avoiding caffeine, citrus and red meat are helping your condition at all? Is the plan for you to be on the PPIs long-term?

@dcdonly45
I had BE in 2018. My doctor said it looked really bad and to go on a low acid diet. My last 3 EGD scopes were free of BE. I take 40 mg of omperazole. I avoided soda, booze, smoking, vaping. No tomatoe dishes or products. No Mexican dishes. No apple cider anything. No vinegar products. Only eat fried in water chicken breast and steamed green vegetables. Only drink 9.5 ph or regular bottle water. For breakfast eat Cheerios with unsweetened almond milk which is alkaline. I would have a cup of decaf green tea or half caffeine low acid coffee with almond milk as a creamer. Buy the book the avid watcher diet off of Amazon. No eating 4 hours before bed. Raise your headboard 6”. Good luck!

A few more things to do are no seasonings of any kind. No citrus only eat ripe bananas (less acid). Melons are ok too. No fried in oil stuff. Shredded wheat and bran or oatmeal is good. Baked fish is ok. I also take fiber powder in the morning. CUT the sugar out. Exercise a 2 mile fast walk if you are able to. You will start to lose weight which is good. Your new drink is water. That's how I cured my BE. You can do it.

I was diagnosed with BE and prescribed pantoprazole and told to avoid acidic foods. My diet was already restricted due to a chronic digestive condition and was already low acid with the exception of coffee. I dropped my coffee intake to one cup in the morning, avoided alcohol and spicy foods, and drank a LOT of water. I also did some research and learned melatonin can protect the esophagus and help reduce GERD, so I started taking 10 mg every night. And at the recommendation of a friend, started taking a spoonful of Reflux Gourmet regularly. The BE was gone at my next scheduled endoscopy- to my doctor’s surprise- and hasn’t returned (it’s been 10 years). I still take Melatonin (Natrol fast dissolve) every night and Reflux Gourmet (vanilla caramel; the mint is vile) as needed. I stopped pantoprazole a couple years ago, drink 1-2 cups of coffee a day and have an occasional cocktail (no wine - too acidic) and still drink a lot of water. My diet is still restricted: low-carb, gluten free, lactose free, no fruit other than berries, no cruciferous vegetables, no beans or corn. I make my own Greek yogurt which I eat everyday and also a ginger shot (fresh pineapple or apple juice with ginger and turmeric) every morning for inflammation. Sounds cobbled together, I know, and it’s taken years to figure out what works and what doesn’t, and this is working for me for now. Good luck!

@lisalucier
Thank you Lisa, for your assistance. I’m a Life Long resident of Minneapolis and great healthcare. However, I’ve been in Austin Tx for past 4 yrs.. still not finding real help. Yes they want me on PpIs for rest of my life. I go to
Austin Gastro, they seem to understand, mine has gotten worse over the past 4 yrs due to my caregiving for my WWII husband and the stress I’ve been through. My diet is healthy, greens, fruit, no fast food, lil meat and work on an alkaline diet.
I’ll have my next endoscopy in June, if no real answers, I’ll research Mayo or John’s Hopkins who has developed a procedure. I do not have cancer, but last testing Dec. 2025, indicates I’m a couple yrs away from it. I’m an 80 yr old female. So appreciate the Mayo Connect site. Diane

@riflemanz64
Thanks for responding to my request! Glad to hear your healing.
I’m an 80 yr old and eat a pretty bland and healthy diet, but will switch up to alkaline Water,, and green tea.. which I already drink.
Blessings, Diane