Barrett’s esophagus

Thank you for always responding:) I am researching the diet.... does the sore throat and difficultly swallowing just mean it has gotten worse? Sorry I’m just finding a lot of conflicting info.

Yes it does! I am ordering the book you suggested!

Hi cdrake, I thought I'd jump in with my thoughts. I also have difficulty with swallowing, chocking on bites of food, sore throat, waking up by coughing up acid, and even breathing problems. I'm hooking up with Gastrointerology next Friday. I'm hoping they can either cut some of the damaged tissue out or procedurally open the esophagus a bit. Scarry stuff when the Barretts is acting up. My heart goes out to you.

Hi cdrake, I thought I'd jump in with my thoughts. I also have difficulty with swallowing, chocking on bites of food, sore throat, waking up by coughing up acid, and even breathing problems. I'm hooking up with Gastrointerology next Friday. I'm hoping they can either cut some of the damaged tissue out or procedurally open the esophagus a bit. Scarry stuff when the Barretts is acting up. My heart goes out to you.

Great book with lot's of info that no one else will tell you. It has a 30 day healing diet in it too which I did.

I will ask. Hospital called yesterday to let me know that I would need a down payment for the endoscope as it is an elective procedure.... not sure how that will work for me. I’m becoming increasingly worried as I read more. I have been going to Dr on and off for a couple years for different issues. I’m beginning to think it’s all related to this.

Hello @cdrake,
I moved your message and combined it with this existing discussion as I thought it would be beneficial for you to meet the many members who are discussing Barrett’s esophagus. Simply click VIEW & REPLY in your email notification to find your post.

I also encourage you to visit the "Gastroenterology & GI Surgery Page” on Connect, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/
where you can browse through newsfeed posts from Mayo Clinic experts, and learn more about Barrett’s esophagus. Here are some videos that might interest you:
– Barrett’s Esophagus – Risk of Recurrence after Endoscopic Therapy https://mayocl.in/2L3bGiU
– Breath Test for Esophagogastric Cancer https://mayocl.in/2SG8Owq
– Esophageal Self Dilation Therapy: An Effective Alternative https://mayocl.in/39IgHbJ

@cdrake I hope the other problems are not indicative of Barrett's. Prior to my diagnosis I mentioned to the PCP that I had at the time that I was always hoarse. I mentioned this over a couple of visits but she basically just ignored that until I got more persistent. Then she referred me for an endoscopy. My endoscopies have always been paid for by insurance.

You sure did have a lot going on, I can completely understand why the GERD problems took a backseat. As I said above, my only symptom was hoarseness, I never had GERD or heartburn. Crazy, huh?

I was given the dietary restrictions and did obey most of them except for summer tomatoes -- irresistible. Over the last year I have been very lax though so I was quite surprised with my current results. After being diagnosed up here in NH I went to a doctor in Boston who has done a lot of research on Barrett's. He also told me to either get one of those beds where you can raise the upper part of it, or to put something under the legs of the headboard. We opted for that and my husband put a couple of thick boards under the legs to raise that end of the bed. Apparently my Barrett's was fairly mild. He said if I really liked my coffee that a cup in the morning would not hurt. He actually said, "go for it!"
JK

Glad to hear yours is mild. I’m anxious to see what 3 years has changed in mine ....