Connect
Possible Barrett's mentioned once but not in follow up test
In reviewing my endoscopy results, I noticed the first test stated Barrett's could not be ruled out.
The second test didn't mention Barrett's at all. The tests were done three months apart.
These tests were done in 2023 and the doctor won't discuss them unless I make another appointment. And yes I should have read them in more detail at the time, but here I am.
Does anyone have a similar experience who could tell me if the lack of mention of Barrett's the second time means that there was no evidence to even suggest the condition? I am trying to understand whether there was some good news in that report. I haven't had great communications with the sole GI practice in my area so I don't want to make assumptions. TIA!
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.
Connect
Did you take meds during that three months? When I had my first endoscopy my esophagus was red and irritated (but not Barrett’s). Since then, I’ve been on protonix which heals the esophagus and the esophagus is pink and healthy looking even though I still get reflux at times. After your last test, did they suggest you have another endoscopy in the future to monitor? If concerned, maybe it’s best to just make another appointment rather than worry. Better safe than sorry, right? Every time I have a colonoscopy, I request an upper endoscopy as well since I’ve had ongoing issues with reflux, take meds for it and my brother died at 59 from esophageal cancer. He had silent reflux w/Barrett’s and never knew he had an issue until it was too late. I always worry about genetics since I have other identified genetic mutations. I hope you get some answers and they are all good news.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@californiazebra I weaned myself off PPIs before the second endoscopy. I had been on omeprazole for four years and by happenstance had a blood test that showed I had chronic kidney disease stage 4. Magically the CKD barely disappeared after I stopped PPIs, so I am pretty sure it was a side effect of the drug. I do not trust the GI practice in my area; for example the first doctor who gave me an endoscopy four years earlier got me set on taking PPIs forever without telling me to come back for a follow-up. I have no plans to return there, I need to find an alternative, which is difficult when I don't have someone who will accompany me for a scope that requires anesthesia. I may look for an ENT who does a scope via the nose and then goes down. I am sorry to hear about your brother passing. I wish you well in your journey.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@baguette
Sorry to hear about the CKD yikes. I’m on my fourth GI in 20 years so I know how you feel with the wrong doctor. Hope you find a good one. I don’t think an ENT looks past the throat but who knows. I’m not sure what you do when you don’t have a driver for anesthesia because they won’t let you uber. Hmmm. Google “what do people do when they don’t have someone to drive them for procedures with anesthesia?” I just did that and it gave lots of suggestions to find rides. I hope that helps. ❤️
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@californiazebra I can google on the ride question, thanks. There is an alternative to a GI doing an endoscopy. ENTs can do transnasal esophagoscopy. Not a lot of them do though. Here is information/rant from ENT Jamie Koufman on the topic:
https://jamiekoufman.com/tne-transnasal-esophagoscopy-is-the-best-and-safest-endoscopy-choice-for-acid-reflux/
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction@baguette
Wow, that was an interesting article. I can see why ENTs don’t want to do it though. I recently had a camera put down my throat thru my nose to look at my vocal cords for about 30 seconds. The ENT numbed my nose. It didn’t hurt but I could feel the little scope in my throat and it made me start coughing so I’m not sure I could take it for 10-15 minutes. I like the concept though. I hope you can find an ENT that does it. Medicare reimbursement is so low for everything that I’m surprised most doctors accept it at all. Medicare pays about 50% as much as my group PPO did and I thought some of the group reimbursements were low. Thanks for sharing the article.