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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jmb73 | @jmb73 | Oct 20, 2019

My husband has had Barretts for 10 years and is now having difficulty swallowing- occasionally. He sees a new Gastro doc on 11/20 as our usual one just retired! HIs PC wanted him to have a ct scan first as she wants his pancreas checked. Are they connected? Thanks for the help.

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1 reply
riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Oct 20, 2019
In reply to @jmb73 "My husband has had Barretts for 10 years and is now having difficulty swallowing- occasionally. He..." + (show)
@jmb73

My husband has had Barretts for 10 years and is now having difficulty swallowing- occasionally. He sees a new Gastro doc on 11/20 as our usual one just retired! HIs PC wanted him to have a ct scan first as she wants his pancreas checked. Are they connected? Thanks for the help.

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Yes they are connected because the pancreas secrete digestive juices for the stomach.

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riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Oct 20, 2019

It also produces insulin to control blood sugar. Just curious, did your husband stick to a strict diet or was he lax with it?

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1 reply
jmb73 | @jmb73 | Oct 21, 2019
In reply to @riflemanz64 "It also produces insulin to control blood sugar. Just curious, did your husband stick to a..." + (show)
@riflemanz64

It also produces insulin to control blood sugar. Just curious, did your husband stick to a strict diet or was he lax with it?

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He has kept to the same diet all his life except now he eats half of what he used to eat. He has been losing weight. He has bouts of loose bowels but the old gastro doc said they were normal as he had his gallbladder removed 5 years ago. They are getting more frequent. He has type 2 diabetes and the VA doc changed his meds and now his sugar levels are high and his A1c is 8.9. We are waiting for the results of the ct scan and then he will call the VA to have his meds changed. He has a PC outside of the VA and she had wanted him on a med that the VA wouldn't approve. So the VA put him on a different one that doesn't work. He gets his drugs from the VA as he is a Vietnam vet and has agent orange.

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3 replies
riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Oct 21, 2019

That's terrible that the VA won't pay for the drug. My sister is a RN at the VA hospital in Milwaukee Wi and she told me don't ever come here for care. I have a good insurance from my job so I don't use the VA. Serve your country and wreck your health and they won't give you the drug that was prescribed. Thank your husband for his service and I hope they figure out what drug he needs to improve his health. Take care.

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JK | @contentandwell | Oct 21, 2019
In reply to @jmb73 "He has kept to the same diet all his life except now he eats half of..." + (show)
@jmb73

He has kept to the same diet all his life except now he eats half of what he used to eat. He has been losing weight. He has bouts of loose bowels but the old gastro doc said they were normal as he had his gallbladder removed 5 years ago. They are getting more frequent. He has type 2 diabetes and the VA doc changed his meds and now his sugar levels are high and his A1c is 8.9. We are waiting for the results of the ct scan and then he will call the VA to have his meds changed. He has a PC outside of the VA and she had wanted him on a med that the VA wouldn't approve. So the VA put him on a different one that doesn't work. He gets his drugs from the VA as he is a Vietnam vet and has agent orange.

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@jmb73 I agree with @riflemanz64. That’s terrible that your husband can’t get the medication that would be most helpful. Is there a generic or is it too new for there to be generics. This makes me both angry and sad, that his health is not being cared for as well as it should be after he served our country. I am truly sorry.
JK

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ZeeGee | @fourof5zs | Oct 22, 2019
In reply to @jmb73 "He has kept to the same diet all his life except now he eats half of..." + (show)
@jmb73

He has kept to the same diet all his life except now he eats half of what he used to eat. He has been losing weight. He has bouts of loose bowels but the old gastro doc said they were normal as he had his gallbladder removed 5 years ago. They are getting more frequent. He has type 2 diabetes and the VA doc changed his meds and now his sugar levels are high and his A1c is 8.9. We are waiting for the results of the ct scan and then he will call the VA to have his meds changed. He has a PC outside of the VA and she had wanted him on a med that the VA wouldn't approve. So the VA put him on a different one that doesn't work. He gets his drugs from the VA as he is a Vietnam vet and has agent orange.

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@jmb73 You may want to try an app like Good rx to find the best price on the medicine. You might also call the company and ask if you qualify for a reduced price or even free. Sometimes just talking with your pharmacist is helpful they can help you figure out best price or maybe a medicine that will work just as well.

I am of the opinion from experience with my dad and brothers using the VA drs that you are better off not going there unless it is all you have available.

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Kanaaz Pereira, Connect Moderator | @kanaazpereira | Nov 6, 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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Hello @syl1,

I was wondering how you’re doing, and whether you received more information to help with your concerns? Has your doctor outlined any “next steps” or surveillance protocol?

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jackiem95 | @jackiem95 | Nov 7, 2019
In reply to @jmb73 "He has kept to the same diet all his life except now he eats half of..." + (show)
@jmb73

He has kept to the same diet all his life except now he eats half of what he used to eat. He has been losing weight. He has bouts of loose bowels but the old gastro doc said they were normal as he had his gallbladder removed 5 years ago. They are getting more frequent. He has type 2 diabetes and the VA doc changed his meds and now his sugar levels are high and his A1c is 8.9. We are waiting for the results of the ct scan and then he will call the VA to have his meds changed. He has a PC outside of the VA and she had wanted him on a med that the VA wouldn't approve. So the VA put him on a different one that doesn't work. He gets his drugs from the VA as he is a Vietnam vet and has agent orange.

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Where does your brother live? If anywhere reasonably near a U.S. border with Canada or Mexico, would he be able to travel there to buy his meds? This requires some extensive online research to ensure that his meds are available from reliable sources and the quantity he could legally bring back into the US as well as the cost. We have done this many times in the past in both countries. There are also online pharmacies in Canada that will ship meds to you in the US. Never have used them but again, do the homework. Some are certified as legitimate, others are not. Some of the Canadian pharmacies are indicated to sell meds shipped from overseas. Personally, I would be very suspicious of buying meds shipped from anywhere but Canada. And there are Mexican online pharmacies too, but for various reasons I wouldn’t use them. And don’t buy generic drugs from or in Mexico. Good luck!

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nasale | @nasale | Jan 17, 2020
In reply to @l3440r "I was diagnosed with BE in 2008 and started taking omeperozole 20 mg once a day...." + (show)
@l3440r

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.

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I am a little alarmed because until last Wednesday I had no idea that there was even a name for what I have-Barrett's. I was diagnosed with precancerous cells last year but not told much else. So, now I find out that I should have been watching my diet and restricting acidic foods. So, I guess the rest is learning and damage control.

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