Barrett’s esophagus

Barrett's esophagus(BE) could be bad if left untreated and it progresses to BE with Dysplasia then BE with H-Grade Dysplasia and finally cancer. What stage are you at? Each person diet restrictions varies.I can eat spicy foods with no problem but chocolate especially at night is bad. Again for me, smaller but more frequent meals work.The last time I was scoped which was in December I didn't have BE, but 2 years ago I had BE with Hi-Grade Dysplasia. If no BE in June hopefully I can just be scoped annually. I can say that the treatment I have received at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester has been fantastic. Good luck with your treatment.

Dave

Thank you so much,Dave, for your comments. I have not had such a good report from anyone else. I have been concerned because I did not know what to expect my prognosis might be. At my last scope, they did an ablation, and I have not had a biopsy since September when they did an EMR again to be sure that all traces of the adenocarcinoma cell was gone. In Dallas they would do a biopsy at the same procedure but before the ablation, but at MDAnderson, they do not do it at the same time. So I have been a bit uneasy that it has been such a long time. I will be going back on June 6 but have thought about trying to get in a little earlier. My doctor there was encouraging me that we might get all of the BE this last time, but I have not had a way to know until wee do the next endoscopy and biopsy. So I hope I can be so lucky as you to get rid of BE, but am told that it can come back and to perhaps expect that. I heard of someone on this site saying that after getting rid of it it, it came back in two years, so you go back to the same treatment routine. I wish that we could hear from others to know how long they have lived with BE and what their treatment has been.

I seem to do OK with eating smaller meals, but I try to leave off the spicy Italian or spicy chili. I love chocolate but have been also leaving that off except for small chocolate covered peanuts after a meal. I haven't noticed that chocolate is worse at bedtime, I have been told to not eat sugar and especially at bedtime but I wonder if that is hearsay. I love fresh squeezed orange juice and that satisfies my sweet tooth but because it has so much natural sugar, I wonder if I should limit that. I guess I am doing alright for the moment, but my throat (esophagus) seems to be tight and wonder if I should mention that to my doctor to be stretched or should wait until it becomes a problem swallowing. Linda

Not a MD, but what reason would MDAnderson give for not doing a biopsy and then the ablation at the same time? Only reason I can think of is that they can charge you 2x for the procedure room etc. Good luck

I would mention the tightness to my MD if I wasn't asked about swallowing. Actually I'm always asked about it.

Barretts was found about 8 years ago. Endoscopies every 2-3 years. Do not like taking Nexium because worried about my bones and nutrition.

I was diagnosed with BE in 2008 and started taking omeperozole 20 mg once a day. I worried about taking so long but in June 2016, it went to low dysplasia and he increased My dosage to 40 mg a day. Then in February it went to high dysplasia and he started doing an ablation every three months and asked that I take 40 mg twice a day. That was a lot it seemed because I worry about the long term effects too. I must take it however because in iJune, I went to MDAnderson and had an EMR and he found a trace of the adenocarcinoma cell so I go in every three months now for an ablation and when we are rid of BE we can probably go for the endoscopy less often. I am wondering what it looks like now Due to go back in June 6.and hope I have some good news. I am told I will have to have these every three months for the rest of my life. I appreciate hearing from others about their treatment and outcome.

They said it was harder on the tissue. But I might ask again. I am anxious to hear about this next appt.

I have been asked but it hasn’t been a problem yet. I don’t want to do any more than necessary until I have to. This is the first time it has been noticeable that it feels a little different than normal. I guess the stretching makes that tightness go away?

I take 40 MG of Nexium's generic twice a day.I also take vitamin D3 which suppose to help with calcium absorption. So far my calcium level's are fine, but each person is different.