1. < Esophageal Cancer

Barrett’s esophagus

Posted by jvanstratten @jvanstratten, Mar 22, 2018

Looking for info and help with Barret’s esophagus. I can’t figure out just how serious this is. I have read way too much online! I don’t really know how strict my diet really has to be. It is really stressful-. Does anyone here have it? And exactly how serious is it?

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cim37343 | @cim37343 | Sep 12, 2019
In reply to @syl1 "BE and intestinal metaplasia the same thing. I got a letter saying I have precancerous cell..." + (show)
@syl1

<p>BE and intestinal metaplasia the same thing. I got a letter saying I have precancerous cell changes. When I went to my GI he said basically I have intestinal metsplasia where my cells resembles the cells in my intestines and that hes not too worried. My PCP said what they are trying to do is prevent BE. When I read online its saying they are both the same thing. I'm confused.</p>

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It is my understanding that they are the same thing. Perhaps your PCP misspoke. By the way I had Barrett’s Esophagus about 10 years ago but with Nexium twice a day mine went away. But it sounds like following the book referred to in this thread would be a wise move for all of us with GERD rather than depend upon meds.

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1 reply
riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Sep 13, 2019
In reply to @sylvias "It is serious business. I was diagnosed with 8cm of Barrett's at the age of 32..." + (show)
@sylvias

It is serious business. I was diagnosed with 8cm of Barrett's at the age of 32 and told I was 30 yrs ahead of the game. What ensued is 26yrs of yearly trips to Endoscopy for biopsies because Barrett's can be pre-cancerous. I had terrible reflux even after a Nissan at the age of 34. I was also told no acid can touch my esophagus so I was high dose PPIs like prevacid. The progression is Barrett's, low grade dysplasia, high grade dysplasia then cancer. My brother's neighbor developed esophageal cancer because he ignored his Drs. Now it has metastasized.
5 yrs ago mine began to change to low grade dysplasia. I've since had 5 esophageal ablations or what I like to call burn and scrapes. I've got 2cm of Barrett's left. Normal esophageal tissue grows back In Jan 2019 I had another hiatal hernia repair, a reversal of the Nissan from 24 yrs ago b/c the wrap slipped and a LYNX band placed around the lower esophageal sphyncter. And voila I am reflux free for the 1st time. I go back for ablation number 6 at the end of October.
In hindsight if I had known about the ability to burn away the Barrett's I would have done it much sooner before the Barrett's started to change but my GI at the time didn't do them and he never mentioned the procedure. I later also learned to take high dose B12 like methylcobalime b/c your body won't absorb it from your food when on PPIs. Long term use of PPIs can cause a host of issues down the road.

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They won't ablate the esophagus unless there is low or high grade dysplasia. Insurance will not cover just plain BE. This book talks about all the young patients he sees for BE. I blame all the chemicals in our highly processed foods we eat. I looked at log cabin syrup ingredients and it has phosphoric acid in it along with a bunch of other chemicals. I now read all labels before buying food.

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riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Sep 13, 2019
In reply to @cim37343 "It is my understanding that they are the same thing. Perhaps your PCP misspoke. By the..." + (show)
@cim37343

It is my understanding that they are the same thing. Perhaps your PCP misspoke. By the way I had Barrett’s Esophagus about 10 years ago but with Nexium twice a day mine went away. But it sounds like following the book referred to in this thread would be a wise move for all of us with GERD rather than depend upon meds.

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I was told BE does not go away. All i can do is stop eating acidic foods that will burn my esophagus on the way down.

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1 reply
cim37343 | @cim37343 | Sep 13, 2019
In reply to @riflemanz64 "I was told BE does not go away. All i can do is stop eating acidic..." + (show)
@riflemanz64

I was told BE does not go away. All i can do is stop eating acidic foods that will burn my esophagus on the way down.

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My BE went away. I don’t think that’s common. I feel very lucky. I’ve had at least two more endoscopes since the one that showed no BE. All are clear.

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2 replies
riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Sep 13, 2019
In reply to @cim37343 "My BE went away. I don’t think that’s common. I feel very lucky. I’ve had at..." + (show)
@cim37343

My BE went away. I don’t think that’s common. I feel very lucky. I’ve had at least two more endoscopes since the one that showed no BE. All are clear.

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You are blessed! I’m very happy for you.

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pdilly | @pdilly | Sep 13, 2019

Wow @cim37343 ! That is amazing! That is a miracle!
@riflemanz64 is correct — you are indeed blessed!

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JK | @contentandwell | Sep 13, 2019
In reply to @riflemanz64 "Friday is my 30th day on the healing diet from the book. I'm down to 175#..." + (show)
@riflemanz64

Friday is my 30th day on the healing diet from the book. I'm down to 175#
I donated a pint of blood and my BP was 117/69.
I feel really healthy with 0 acid reflux issues. I see my GI doc on Wednesday for a check up. I'm looking forward to a cup of low acid coffee! This book has given me a lot of great info and recipes.

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@@riflemanz64 What great progress, congratulations on doing such a good job. I wish I could get my BP down, I’m afraid my PCP is going to want to put me on a medication. My BP tends to be somewhat erratic. I went to urgent care a couple of weeks ago and it was 130/75, and then I had an endoscopy for my Barrett’s last week and the systolic was over 170! Not good.
Someone, maybe you, mentioned low acid coffee on here. There are two on Amazon and I’ve tried both. I like the Healthwise more and it comes in a decaf too.
Apparently my Barretts is stable, has not gotten any worse. That was a relief.
JK

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1 reply
JK | @contentandwell | Sep 13, 2019
In reply to @cim37343 "My BE went away. I don’t think that’s common. I feel very lucky. I’ve had at..." + (show)
@cim37343

My BE went away. I don’t think that’s common. I feel very lucky. I’ve had at least two more endoscopes since the one that showed no BE. All are clear.

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@cim37343 @riflemanz64 I just had an endoscopy and in an exchange I had on the portal with the nurse she first said I didn’t have Barretts. I responded with surprise because I thought once the damage was there it was permanent, you could only prevent it from getting worse. She then said I did still have it but it was minor. I am so confused. I’ve let this set a couple of days but I want a better understanding of exactly what the status is, I loved my old gastroenterologist but he moved to Columbia in NYC. I’m actually thinking of seeing him again because my daughter lives in NYC so I could stay with her.
JK

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sarasally2 | @sarasally2 | Sep 14, 2019

I have it from GERD so take Nexium and get an endoscopy every three years. Try to stay away from acidic foods. The doc was shocked when he found it, if it is something rare I have it,ugh

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plm2019 | @plm2019 | Sep 14, 2019
In reply to @syl1 "I was diagnosed with intestinal metaplasia in June 2018. I had a follow up in February..." + (show)
@syl1

I was diagnosed with intestinal metaplasia in June 2018. I had a follow up in February and I'm scheduled for a follow up in 3 years. Can someone help me on how to manage this, I was put on dexilant. My regurgitation flares up sometimes but for most times I'm just bloated.

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I am on Dexilant also, if you follow a diet with non acidic foods you should be fine. Its the acidic foods that are the problem. NO ACIDIC FOODS!!! NO SPICY FOODS!! Does that help lol

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