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Barrett's esophagus: What to expect?
Esophageal Cancer | Last Active: May 17 5:01am | Replies (13)Comment receiving replies
I was recently diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus and intestinal metaplasia. My GI sent me a message in portal letting me know and that he would redo the scope in 3 years. This seems like a long way off. My GI scope a year ago was clean. So this could appear in a single year I am concerned about what 3 years will do. No instructions at all other than continue on medication prescribed a year ago.
I was able to get an appt with a GI close by that appears to have very good reviews regarding this issue.
Any insight on the 3 years would be appreciated.
I can research on the diet but the 3 years is not sitting well with me.
Thank you!
Replies to "I was recently diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus and intestinal metaplasia. My GI sent me a message..."
@jeahunt12
Hello Jean,
Diane here, 80 yr old female, who was diagnosed in 2016 with BE. In the beginning I went every 2 yrs for my scope, stayed on a PPI but also faithfully took an over the counter Probiotic/Ultra Flora Spectrum, (Metagenics, online). for the upper and lower GI. Do not take at the same time of day as the PPI. I continued to have a scope every 2,yrs and my case did not improve nor did it change much. However In the past year, my BE has worsened with multiple ulcers in upper GI! I now go every 6 mos to 1 yr for the scope and through my own online investigation ( not the doctors suggestion, they just hand out medication after medication!! ) I have found to stay on an “Alkaline” diet, which has tremendously helped! YouTube and Internet have some good alkaline suggestions!
Avoid red meat, citrus and caffeine.. consume green tea, alkaline PH water, or filtered water, green vegetables and berries, there are foods to help improve. But DONOT wait 3 yrs for another endoscopy! Change doctors if you must!
I have my next one in 2 mos., hoping the past 6 mos on alkaline diet, omeprazole 40mgs( losing my hair) will help improve my condition. I DO NOT have Disphysia at this time. Just Trying to heal the ulcers. 2 online sites I have found helpful are Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins to deal with Barrett’s. Wishing you a complete recovery,
Blessings, Diane
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@jeahunt12 I was diagnosed with Barretts in 2015, a results of chronic acid reflux over many years. I was having trouble swallowing, I had the endoscopy and dilation of the area in my esophagus where the metaplasia had occurred. I was then put on a 3-year endoscopy schedule (2018 and 2021, 2024), and 40mg Omeprazole. Biopsies were taken at each of these procedures.
The biopsy analysis in 2024 showed a likelihood of dysplasia (pre-cancerous), so I was placed on a 6-month endoscopy schedule. A new GI doctor came into the practice in late 2025, he did my late 2025 endoscopy and sent the biopsy samples to both the regular testing lab, and also to a “Tissue Cypher” test that tests the likelihood of dysplasia advancement. That result came back as “very likely” to become cancerous.
Consequently I had a “Radio Frequency Ablation” (RFA) in February of this year, where the Barrett’s cells were burned off and new “normal” cells replaced them. Disclosure- This procedure has an extremely painful recovery, it’s like being very badly sun-burned on the inside of your esophagus, and I also had trouble swallowing from the swelling, however now (3 months later) I have no pain and everything appears to be normal. I go back in for an endoscopy on May 27, where any remaining Barretts cells will be ablated, and just to check on how things are down there. I am also now on 80mg daily of Omeprazole.
I hope this helps you with your question, please feel fre to DM or reply back here with questions.