Possible Barrett's mentioned once but not in follow up test

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.

@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.

@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. ❤️

@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/

@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.

Request clarification from the doctor.
Also, do you have a "patient portal"? That usually will give doctors notes and other information about your health. Ask more questions.

@jamiemj As I said in my OP, more than a year has gone by. I have found that doctors, at least specialists in my area, won't respond to portal inquiries if you haven't been seen within 12 months. Just like they won't renew a prescription if they haven't seen you in a year unless you come in again. I don't feel like making an appointment to see an NP who will tell me to make an appointment for an endoscopy to see what's going on. As I said, I am not a fan of the sole local GI practice and am considering traveling elsewhere for a scope. My inquiry here was aimed at people who had a similar experience. Apparently there are none, at least so far.

If the 2nd test, didn't mention Barrett's, that sounds like good news to me! I was diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus in Iowa. Now, 5 upper endoscpies later, I no longer have Barrett's esophagus. I changed my diet and the Barrett's went away. I was having bad acid reflux and now I have gastritis and a hiatal hernia. I was throwing up and having diarrhea and tummy aches a lot. Got tested and they said it was acid reflux and Barrett's Esophagus. I went to an alternative Dr. and he did food testing, extensive on me. He found that I had an intolerance to wheat, gluten, and dairy. He told me to go gluten free and dairy free. I started with gluten free first and I feel so much better now. Dairy free was actually the hardest, as I love cheese! I still have some issues even with gluten free and dairy free foods, overall I feel so much better.
My suggestion to you would be to get tested for any food allergies or intolerances. 2 types of food testing available:
Allergy Dr testing- traditional type prick testing on your back or arm.
Non-traditional testing- blood work/lab type testing- sent to a speciality lab.
Both are great to have, as both give you different results. The blood work kind is usually done by a Functional Medicine or alternative type Dr. It is pricey, but well worth the extra money to know what your body doesn't like or rejects.
Keep a food journal/symptoms too. Your Dr. would have told you if you have Barrett's. I had to request for my Dr. to do a 2nd upper endoscopy, and he said he would go further down in my esophagus. That is how he found the Barrett's with me. They told me it is pre-cancerous, and you have to be watched, every 5 years get another upper endoscopy. I am so thankful mine went away, I believe that is all from me cutting out what my body was rejecting-the wheat, gluten and the dairy. Food is huge and it has a huge effect on our body. Problem is our doctors aren't trained much in education of foods, so they can't educate us on food, when they only have 1 class on it in medical school. I see a Functional Medicine Dr. and she has a health coach that goes over your food log and will help educate you how to change your diet/the foods you eat.

I inadvertently got tested for food allergies. I asked to get tested at the GI practice for celiac disease. Turns out that test is part of a panel. So the results said no celiac, sensitivity (not allergies) to dairy, almonds and sesame seeds. I love cheese too, and almonds, so a bummer. I am probably sensitive to gluten. The way gluten products are grown and processed in the US makes them problematic for many of us. I do feel better not eating bread, etc. However, like many Americans, when I went to Europe, bread did not bother me. I agree that you being conscientious about your diet probably banished the BE. Good for you! That is a big deal. I could still do a food journal to see if there is anything I missed. Thanks!