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Possible Barrett's mentioned once but not in follow up test
Digestive Health | Last Active: Feb 22 6:08pm | Replies (13)Comment receiving replies
@californiazebra
Hi. Sorry to hear about your brother. What symptoms did he say he had that he did not follow up on? I did an upper in 22 and 2023 with same dr. he said Barretts. I did another upper in 2025, this doctor said nothing about Barrett's after upper. When i mentioned about the other dr, then this dr. said, oh yes, you have Barrett's. I think he was just saying it to cover his butt. I'm so confused not to mentioned a little wigged out. I do not know what to do. A lot of things i read say acid reflux is due to to little acid, and Barrett's is more Bile reflux than acid reflux and/or from a hiatal hernia/ something basically pushing things out of place????
i was told to take Nexium from Gastro doc. My MD says to take Pantoprazole. Again i'm scared and confused. What are your thoughts??
Thank you
Beth
Replies to "@californiazebra Hi. Sorry to hear about your brother. What symptoms did he say he had that..."
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@elizabeth2024
My brother had Barrett's and didn't know it. They called it silent reflux. He said he never had any reflux or heartburn he was aware of. Overall, he was a very healthy guy or so he thought. The reason his esophageal cancer was diagnosed is because he was put on blood thinners after he had a massive heart attack and heart surgery. After that, he kept passing out from internal bleeding and they discovered the bleeding was coming from a large tumor in his esophagus -- stage 3. Too bad he didn't have symptoms of the GERD or the 99% blocked artery he had. He was a slender and fit guy, avid golfer. Symptoms can be a good thing.
I have had GERD issues forever. They put me on a PPI (pantroprazole) 9 years ago after an EGD (upper endoscopy) showed my esophagus was red and irritated. I've had 3 EGD's since then and each time my esophagus has looked pink and healthy. I've been told to stay on it forever. It has caused stomach polyps, but that's it. I was told that OTC meds like Nexium treat the symptoms, but do not heal, whereas PPIs like pantoprazole actually heal the esophagus, hence the reason mine looks healthy now. I never had Barrett's. Naturally, I still try to avoid any foods that cause heartburn.
Barrett's is concerning, but I just re-read the stats on that and only 1% of people with Barrett's go on to get cancer, if they are taking proper care with diet and meds. I hope that brings some comfort. Any esophageal cancer in your family? I ask just in case there is a genetic component they don't know about. I take my brother's cancer seriously since there is so much cancer in my family and I have other kinds.
If you're not comfortable with your current GI, don't stick with him. There are lots of good ones out there. Why did you stop going to the first one?
Best wishes, Zebra