1. < Digestive Health

Intestinal Metaplasia: What do you do to lower the risk of cancer?

Posted by evapa @evapa, Apr 22, 2021

Has anyone been diagnosed with intestinal metaplasia? What does your doctor recommend? I was just diagnosed and am very anxious about it because of the risk of cancer. Would like to hear your experience with it. Thank you.

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riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Apr 20, 2022
In reply to @callycamp "A year ago I was diagnosed with Intestinal Metaplasia. I had Barrett's Esophagus but was told..." + (show)
@callycamp

A year ago I was diagnosed with Intestinal Metaplasia. I had Barrett's Esophagus but was told there was no evidence of it now. I have been on PPI's for about 8 years or so. I have silent GERD--that is no longer silent! I have an endoscopy on May 26, 2022. Does anyone have advice for me regarding asking about my digestive health and my intestinal metaplasia. OH, need to add that one week ago I had emergency surgery for gall bladder removal (Choleocystectomy). . Surgeon said if I waited one more day, my condition would have been life-threatening. Yikes! Thank you Lord for wise doctors.

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Go on a low acid diet if your not already on one. No soda, booze, only drink water, almond milk, green tea, low acid coffee like Healthwise. Don't eat 3 hrs before bed. I live on chicken breast. No fried fatty foods. No vinegar products or tomato or Citrus. No Mexican or Italian. I also have Barrett's that wasn't on my last scope so I'm like you are. I take 40mg pantaprazole 1/2 hr before supper. I hope Barrett's stays gone! I like the book from Amazon The acid watcher diet. Good luck!

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Apr 20, 2022
In reply to @callycamp "A year ago I was diagnosed with Intestinal Metaplasia. I had Barrett's Esophagus but was told..." + (show)
@callycamp

A year ago I was diagnosed with Intestinal Metaplasia. I had Barrett's Esophagus but was told there was no evidence of it now. I have been on PPI's for about 8 years or so. I have silent GERD--that is no longer silent! I have an endoscopy on May 26, 2022. Does anyone have advice for me regarding asking about my digestive health and my intestinal metaplasia. OH, need to add that one week ago I had emergency surgery for gall bladder removal (Choleocystectomy). . Surgeon said if I waited one more day, my condition would have been life-threatening. Yikes! Thank you Lord for wise doctors.

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Welcome, @callycamp. You'll notice that I moved your post to this existing discussion:
- Intestinal Metaplasia: What do you do to lower the risk of cancer? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/intestinal-metaplasia/

Click the link to read from the beginning of the discussion to see the helpful tips posted by fellow members @riflemanz64 @evapa @annie2 @cdmazal @gastrogirl @laurarod @jillannw

What lifestyle changes are you considering?

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jgc | @jgc | Apr 25, 2022
In reply to @evapa "Annie, thank you for sharing. I am seeing a gastroenterologist in late May who specializes in..." + (show)
@evapa

Annie, thank you for sharing. I am seeing a gastroenterologist in late May who specializes in this. Will report back if with anything new I learn from him.

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What is the name of the GI physician who specialized in IM and where is the physician located? Thank you.

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jillannw | @jillannw | Apr 26, 2022
In reply to @evanssandy34 "I agree, long term use of PPI's have damaged my liver and are only meant to..." + (show)
@evanssandy34

I agree, long term use of PPI's have damaged my liver and are only meant to be use short term, not daily. Have you doctor check for low acid. It has the same symptoms as to much acid. Thank you to my sister and mom, I found out that I have low acid and the PPI's were just making things worse. Good luck!

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How did you find out you had low acid and not high acid?

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jillannw | @jillannw | Apr 26, 2022
In reply to @evapa "Annie, thank you for sharing. I am seeing a gastroenterologist in late May who specializes in..." + (show)
@evapa

Annie, thank you for sharing. I am seeing a gastroenterologist in late May who specializes in this. Will report back if with anything new I learn from him.

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Who are you seeing and how did you find a dr that specializes in IM?

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callalloo | @callalloo | Apr 26, 2022

I took proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) twice, each time for 14 days. My gastroenterologist was very specific, at least in my case, to not take them for longer than that. I don't know of any fatty liver risk but my cardiologist doesn't love them as they can trigger chest pains and has had patients confuse those with a cardiac event.

The PPIs are also implicated in osteopenia and osteoporosis as the acid balance affects bone health. That sounds counter-intuitive but there are studies looking at that relationship.

So, if you can modify diet to make them unnecessary, it's a really good idea.

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r400914 | @r400914 | Jun 1, 2022

I was just diagnosed (today) with Intestinal Metaplacia and feeling anxious as well. My GI doctor told me not to be alarm and to continue taking my medication to lower the acid in my stomach and to go on a low acid diet. He assured me that I should not worry. I will have another endoscopy in 3 years. Feeling very concern.

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1 reply
sue225 | @sue225 | Jun 2, 2022
In reply to @r400914 "I was just diagnosed (today) with Intestinal Metaplacia and feeling anxious as well. My GI doctor..." + (show)
@r400914

I was just diagnosed (today) with Intestinal Metaplacia and feeling anxious as well. My GI doctor told me not to be alarm and to continue taking my medication to lower the acid in my stomach and to go on a low acid diet. He assured me that I should not worry. I will have another endoscopy in 3 years. Feeling very concern.

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I was diagnosed with GERD in 1997 also gastritis. Originally took a proton pump inhibitor but developed over a year later allergic reaction (rash and itching). Then samething happened with h2blockers. For years I managed with gaviscon and occassional flare ups that I treated with liquid antacid Recently my gastritis is pretty constant and usual methods not working. Gastroscopy showed metaplasia on one of biopsies, and chronic gastritis. Have appt next Friday with allergist to see if there is a way to tolerate either an h2 blocker or ppi. Perhaps in combination with daily antihistamine. Will see. I am very careful with my diet but my usual methods no longer working.

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2 replies
r400914 | @r400914 | Jun 2, 2022
In reply to @sue225 "I was diagnosed with GERD in 1997 also gastritis. Originally took a proton pump inhibitor but..." + (show)
@sue225

I was diagnosed with GERD in 1997 also gastritis. Originally took a proton pump inhibitor but developed over a year later allergic reaction (rash and itching). Then samething happened with h2blockers. For years I managed with gaviscon and occassional flare ups that I treated with liquid antacid Recently my gastritis is pretty constant and usual methods not working. Gastroscopy showed metaplasia on one of biopsies, and chronic gastritis. Have appt next Friday with allergist to see if there is a way to tolerate either an h2 blocker or ppi. Perhaps in combination with daily antihistamine. Will see. I am very careful with my diet but my usual methods no longer working.

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I’m reading this book the Acid Watcher diet is giving me some tips on how eat better and understand a little better , perhaps that can help.

REPLY
1 reply
sue225 | @sue225 | Jun 2, 2022
In reply to @r400914 "I’m reading this book the Acid Watcher diet is giving me some tips on how eat..." + (show)
@r400914

I’m reading this book the Acid Watcher diet is giving me some tips on how eat better and understand a little better , perhaps that can help.

Jump to this post

I am SO careful with my diet.

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