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Barrett's Esophagus Recent Diagnosis
I am a 65 year old female 5 year CRC stage 4 survivor currently NED. I had an endoscopy/colonoscopy done locally on Tuesday. My colon looked great but I had what appeared to be some inflammation in my esophagus, esophago gastric junction and stomach soy gastroenterologist biopsied the 3 areas. According to my local pathology it looks like I have Barrett's Esophagus. I really didn't have any clear cut symptoms. I do have occasional heartburn and sometimes I do get full easily but I only eat a couple times a day so maybe it's a lot of food at one time. I plan on having my cancer team at Mayo review everything and see what they recommend. My local gastroenterologist recommends another EDG in 3 years and a low dose of omeprazole daily. Is it possible to reduce my silent GERD without medication using the usual suggested methods such as eating smaller more frequent meals, elevated sleeping at night, last meal no less than four hours before bedtime etc? I do not smoke or drink alcohol and the only beverages I drink are decaffeinated Swiss water processed coffee, herbal tea and water. I eat very healthy with lots of fiber and protein and healthy fats. I have been feeling good lately withplenty of energy and very happy that I am showing no evidence of disease (CRC). Any info on what works for others is welcome!
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Good Morning, I too have had Barrett’s for over 8 yrs. I’m now 80 yr old female. Still have it but following an Anti inflammation diet as mine has advanced. Check out “A Silent Fire “ by Dr. Shilpa Ravella” (Amazon) it’s been around 5 yrs
inflammation is the root of many major diseases including cancer! So glad to hear you have a team from MAYO u can rely on !
As for omeprazole, not a drug to be on low dose or any dose for more than a few mos. It interferes with absorption of your B vitamins, magnesium and can cause heart issues!! ( as it did in my case) I was put on a low dose for 2 yrs.
I would look for a “Functional” Medicine Doc, I would start with Mayo! Cleveland Clinic has an excellent Functional Medicine dept run by Dr.Mark Hyman. Also I depended for yrs on an upper and lower GI Probiotic called “Ultra Flora Spectrum by METAGENICS .
And “DO NOT” wait 3 yrs for the next Endoscopy! Take care of yourself with rest and sleep and reduce STRESS!
Wishing you Many Blessings for a speedy recovery!
Diane from TX
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3 ReactionsI had BE in 2028 and my last 3 EGDs it was gone. I take omperazole 40mg every day since. No side effects yet and BE is gone. I did watch my diet closely. I’d rather have side affects than cancer of the esophagus.
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2 Reactions@riflemanz64
Thanks for the reply. Do you have any other medical issues? Other than taking the Omperazole did you make any other changes?
My BE started in 2018. I went on a strict low acid diet. I stopped eating 3-4 hours before bed. I cut out all soda and juice. I only drink water, unsweetened almond milk which is alkaline and decaf green tea. I bought low acid coffee because I have to have a few cups in the morning. I now drink low acid half caffeine coffee. I use almond milk as a creamer. I basically lived on chicken breast, steamed green vegetables and rice. I ate bananas, watermelon. I ate oatmeal and Cheerios for breakfast. I cut out all the junk in my diet. I also did a 2 mile fast walk every day. I cut out a lot of sugar too. I bought the book The acid watcher diet off of Amazon. Interesting reading. I don’t drink or smoke. Good luck getting rid of your BE!
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2 ReactionsFor over 20 years I was told I had Barretts. When those doctors retired I went elsewhere. I was told I didn't have it? They kept on taking out pylops. Did it just go away when I started eating better. I don't know or did I ever have it .
@riflemanz64 I have it too, but I'm confused because I was told you cannot get rid of it. I was told that once those cellular changes take place, they don't revert to normal cells.
I quit taking esomeprazole because after a year of it, my osteopenia advanced to osteoporosis. I now take only famotidine. But, with a low acid diet and drinking alkaline water only, I have very few symptoms.
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2 Reactions@bonnie51k
I am told I have BE (no polyps, but the endoscopy shows the cellular changes). Eating better definitely helps. I had gastritis when they did my last endoscopy. Since I cleared up my gastritis (from eating better), I don't or rarely ever notice effects of Barretts. My GI doctor said not to worry about the BE because statistically, women don't die from BE.
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2 Reactions@bonnie51k
Good Evening, I’ve had BE for over 8 yrs. Each time I had an endoscopy, They took samples or biopsies to send to a lab, that shows they determine you have BE. Were you ever on Protonix ( a PPI) or Omeprazole? I do not have an answer why it went away, only the Biopsies and the gastroenterologist could tell you!
If it were me Id request a copy of my endoscopies ( I have had One every 2 yrs and recently every 3 mos). Each time they provide me with a printout and photos from the endoscopy and also the final review from the Lab!
Wishing you continued good health and enjoyable eating
Blessings, Diane,TX
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1 Reaction@sgreger1
My GI doc said no sign of BE and keep taking the omperazole to keep the acid down. So I’ll take it until I die. I’m going to be 71 and the average man lives till 77 so I’m not worried about side effects.
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1 ReactionYes I was on omperazole. I went off it many years ago when I had a dexa scan and my bones aren't as strong as I thought they were and that's because this type of medication weakens the bones . I take levothyroxine on and off but but that's only because my thyroid levels were down. So I bought some organic vitamin d and I make sure that I watch what I eat. Anything like oranges or tomatoes tend to stay away from but I do have an ongoing prescription for a zofran which is for nausea which I also have gastroparesis. I still have too much acid in my body. Often I take A little bit of baking soda in warm water and I gargle and I spit it out and then I take a little bit more and well. Then I just drink it. And I only make sure that the baking soda is organic. That does the trick