Barrett’s esophagus

@nasale. I’m stunned that you were not told to restrict certain foods. I was also told to sleep with my head/upper body elevated. The doctor suggested the type of bed on which you can raise the upper body, and as an alternative to put something under the legs at the head of the bed. We did that option. My husband put blocks of wood under those legs. I also sleep on two pillows.

Is the doctor who did not tell you these things a gastroenterologist? If not you should go to one.
JK

Yes, He is a gastroenterologist. I'm stunned that he didn't tell me even what my problem was. I have seen him for about 4 years. It started with choking on food. All he ever said was chew foods better and take these pills. I thought I was otherwise going to be okay.
I will get my bed elevated and try to eat better. I'm really confused about what to eat and drink. 🙁

@nasale I’m sorry you have been diagnosed with Barrett’s esophagus. Here are some questions I think you should ask your doc:
1. When you told me last year that I had precancerous cells in my esophagus, was that just another way of saying I have Barrett’s?
2. Or were you saying I have Barrett’s with low grade or high grade dysplasia?
3. What eating plan should I be following?
4. Should I be on any medication?

Good news: Even though Barrett’s is identified as a precancerous disease, most people with Barrett’s esophagus do NOT develop esophageal cancer!

I was diagnosed with Barrett’s over 20 years ago. I’ve taken prevacid ever since. After 18 years I developed low grade dysplasia on segments of my Barrett’s. That is still not cancer thank goodness. But if it progresses to high grade dysplasia, it’s getting really close to cancer. So my doc is making sure I have RFAs (radio frequency ablations) to remove the areas of dysplasia.

@nasale I take omeprazole daily. The gastro that I went to initially had me taking two 20 mg a day to get it under control, and then after a month or two, it was reduced to one. It barely showed up on my last endoscopy in the fall.
Good advice from @pdilly too.
Also, sorry I did not previously welcome you to Connect. I hope you can get some help here from other patients experiencing the same or similar problems. Barrett's is definitely a highly discussed condition.
JK

Thank you.. I'm taking two omeprazole 40 mg and have been for quite some time.. years. I am still trying to sort out what I can and cannot eat/drink. I confess to being a soda addict. I'm struggling with what to drink, mostly. I drink a lot of fluids. It will take time to sort it out.. Thank you for the advice.

@nasale I was very surprised at the results of my last endoscopy because I do drink coffee, and eat tomatoes. I rarely have citrus though, and I gave up soda years ago except for a very occasional decaf, low-cal cola. Sometimes I just need something with flavor.
I drink a ton of water, some green tea, and some other fruit teas that celestial seasonings makes. They are pretty tasty, especially iced. We were in Denver visiting my son and went up to the Celestial Seasons plant where they have a lot af samples in urns. That got me turned on to them as a good option.
Good luck, I hope you will be as fortunate as I have been.
JK

Welcome nasale to the forum. Sorry to hear about your Barrett's condition. I think I would find a new Dr. After hearing he didn't inform you about your Barrett's. I have it too and really watch my diet. I bought a book off Amazon ( the acid watchers diet) great info about gerd and diet. Number one is stop drinking soda, booze, regular coffee, fruit juices and oj. I only drink unsweetened almond milk and water. Almond milk is alkaline.
No tomato products of any kind. No Italian, Mexican, or fried foods. Baked fish, baked chicken and turkey are good. You can have a cup of low acid coffee ( healthwise brand).
I have mine with added almond milk instead of creamer. Eat fresh vegetables like carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, spinach, Lima beans, green beans,asparagus, mushrooms. Brown rice and baked potatoes are ok. Eat brownberry 100% whole wheat bread. For dessert I have peanut butter whole wheat toast. Stay away from high sugar and highly processed foods. Don't eat a lot of red meat. Stay away from foods with a lot of added acids in the ingredients. Hope this helps you! Time to change your diet. I didn't like it either but I'm used to it now. I also exercise a lot.

Also only use pink Himalayan salt instead of regular salt. No pepper of any kind.

Stop eating 3hrs before bed. No vinegar products, no chocolate or mint. Oatmeal is good, shredded wheat and bran cereal is good too.

@nasale Chiming in here . I know some soda junkies, love there soda but all in all the carbonated water or seltzer is bad for our stomachs and for women there bones back especially. try to go for non-seltzer water like just flavored water or I found coca cola syrup you add it to water I T. I think it is I love it and it is good for your stomach. I also have a bad stomach not Barrett,s Esophagus