1. < Esophageal Cancer

Barrett's esophagus to Esophageal cancer

Posted by ricknclermont @ricknclermont, Feb 22, 2018

I have had Barrett's esophagus for several years. I take Omeprazole on a daily basis. It's been about two years since my last endoscopy procedure and I am scheduled for another in April. My Barrett's symptoms have been worse than usual and I wonder how long it takes to transition to Esophageal cancer?

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Sep 24, 2022
In reply to @bookelly "I was diagnosed with Barretts in 2018. I have been experiencing nausea for the last 2..." + (show)
@bookelly

I was diagnosed with Barretts in 2018. I have been experiencing nausea for the last 2 months. I normally take 40mg of omeprazole at 6:30AM and then go back to bed for about 2 hours. For approximately the last 2 months I have been waking up with nausea, but AFTER I took my omeprazole it disappeared. Now, the nausea is there all day long. I have asthma, but I noticed since I have developed the nausea, I also have wheezing during the night. I saw the gastro doctor and am scheduled for an endoscopy on October 6th, soonest they could get me in. I was told there is a possibility of esophageal cancer. Has anyone else observed these symptoms prior to cancer diagnosis?

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@bookelly, I know waiting until Oct 6 must be hard. How are you doing?

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1 reply
bookelly | @bookelly | Sep 25, 2022

I would say the most difficult thing is night time. I wheeze alot, terrible sour taste in my mouth, nausea. This may sound strange and I wonder if anyone has experienced this......I feel like there is a belt tied tightly around me, directly under my breast bone. I have seen others have had to wait to get tests and procedures done too. Isn't it sad the world has come to this? People out there are suffering and, IF cancer is involved, time is a wasting. I really miss my husband, BUT, my "little man," Ricky, sits glued to my side. I think he senses Mommy isn't feeling up to par. What would I do without him? It is scary when you are by yourself, but you try to do the best you can. Thoughts and prayers to all of you.

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bookelly | @bookelly | Oct 1, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "@bookelly, I know waiting until Oct 6 must be hard. How are you doing?" + (show)
@colleenyoung

@bookelly, I know waiting until Oct 6 must be hard. How are you doing?

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Hi Colleen....I am hanging in there. My week is finally here (October 6th). Yesterday I got a terrible burning sensation on my chest. It dissipated, but then my voice was very hoarse. The scary part.....you know your body and you know things just aren't quite right. Sometimes I think, well you will be 77, you can't do all the things you did years ago. I am terribly fatigued, but I keep on trucking because that is who I am. My motto....where there is a will, there is a way. Thank you for asking. I really appreciate it.

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1 reply
alison0 | @alison0 | Oct 8, 2022
In reply to @l3440r "I have been diagnosed with Barrett’s Esophagus since 2008 but only in June 2017 did it..." + (show)
@l3440r

I have been diagnosed with Barrett’s Esophagus since 2008 but only in June 2017 did it progress to low dysplasia. Then in February 2017 it progressed to high dysplasia. That really worried me as I have had no symptoms of BE.i have never had symptoms but about six different times over the years I have been aware of GERD. But I do have a family history of cancer with my Dad dying at age 59 with lung cancer and my sister dying at age 35 of breast cancer. I had two RFA TREATMENTS TWO MONTHS apart and they both came back high dysplasia. Then in June I took myself to
MDAnderson for an appt and they did an endoscopy and an EMR and found a small stage 1 adenomacarcinoma cell. cell. Three months later I had another endoscopy where they did smother EMR and found just high dysplasia. Then I. November and February 2018 I had another RFA treatment. I am scheduled to go back in June of this year. I am going they will show that the BE is eradicated but I understand that I will
Have to go back every three years for the rest of my life to have these endoscopes. I hoping to hear from someone who can tell me that they have cleared the BE and are not having to go back so often. Is there anyone out there hi is being monitored as I am. How long have you been treated? I have not had many people to talk to about this. I appreciate this connection.

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My son has cleared it and doesn’t have to go back unless he feels it has flared up. Like most mothers I am very unhappy about this but he has a good GP who will advise him

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naomicanada | @naomicanada | Oct 9, 2022
In reply to @bookelly "Hi Colleen....I am hanging in there. My week is finally here (October 6th). Yesterday I got..." + (show)
@bookelly

Hi Colleen....I am hanging in there. My week is finally here (October 6th). Yesterday I got a terrible burning sensation on my chest. It dissipated, but then my voice was very hoarse. The scary part.....you know your body and you know things just aren't quite right. Sometimes I think, well you will be 77, you can't do all the things you did years ago. I am terribly fatigued, but I keep on trucking because that is who I am. My motto....where there is a will, there is a way. Thank you for asking. I really appreciate it.

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My mom is 77 she had chemo radio and surgery 2 months ago. She is better every day (just praying for all the cancer to be gone forever!) but 77 … you will be ok ! And after treatments focus on the fact that you will eventually feel better!
Sending love

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1 reply
bookelly | @bookelly | Oct 9, 2022
In reply to @naomicanada "My mom is 77 she had chemo radio and surgery 2 months ago. She is better..." + (show)
@naomicanada

My mom is 77 she had chemo radio and surgery 2 months ago. She is better every day (just praying for all the cancer to be gone forever!) but 77 … you will be ok ! And after treatments focus on the fact that you will eventually feel better!
Sending love

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Thank you so much, Naomi. I must wait until the 21st to see the doctor and hear the outcome. Of course, they took a biopsy. She is changing my omerprazole script, not sure which one yet. I hope your Mom is continuing to improve. Keep me posted.

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Lisa Pullen | @lisapullen | Dec 9, 2022
In reply to @dandl48 "I use Esomeprazole Magnesium which is the generic for Nexium. I take 4 20 MG a..." + (show)
@dandl48

I use Esomeprazole Magnesium which is the generic for Nexium. I take 4 20 MG a day which is way over the recommended dosage but is needed because without it I would have tremendous reflux at night. Since that dosage is very high and effects calcium uptake, I take D3 which supposedly aides in the uptake. I'm not a candidate for the wrap or LINX since my hiatal hernia & Barrett's is where the wrap would be and would cover up the area which would over time go cancerous. So I'm pretty much stuck with the high dosages of meds.

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I was taking 40mg Omprazole twice daily until my doctor sent me to surgeon who performed an esophagealectomy. I no longer have an esophagus and my duodenum is actually sewn to my throat to act as esophagus.

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rexsan20 | @rexsan20 | Jan 7, 2023
In reply to @dandl48 "Can't answer your question in regard to how fast Barrett's Esophagus(BE) proceeds to cancer. But a..." + (show)
@dandl48

Can't answer your question in regard to how fast Barrett's Esophagus(BE) proceeds to cancer. But a question for the both of you is did you get treatment for the Barrett's such as an RFA or are they just monitoring it? Assuming they did biopsy's at what stage is the BE, no dysplasia, dysplasia, or High-grade dysplasia. The higher the dysplasia the closer you are in developing cancer. I'm not a doctor but I believe I was told that without treatment such as a RFA, BE doesn't go away. If you are anywhere near Mayo in Rochester I would strongly recommend you get a referral to it. The department that treats BE is fantastic; my grading of them on a 1 to 10 scale is 14!

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Hey,
I have BE but I live near Savannah and Statesboro Ga is there anyone you recommend?

Thank you

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1 reply
dandl48 Dave | @dandl48 | Jan 7, 2023
In reply to @rexsan20 "Hey, I have BE but I live near Savannah and Statesboro Ga is there anyone you..." + (show)
@rexsan20

Hey,
I have BE but I live near Savannah and Statesboro Ga is there anyone you recommend?

Thank you

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Not familiar with the area; how far are you from Mayo in Florida? If you are close, I would go there. What stage is your BE at, BE, no dysplasia, dysplasia, or High-grade dysplasia? Good luck to you.

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1 reply
parki33 | @parki33 | Jan 8, 2023

Barratts to T2
Diagnosed in October 22 after 5 years of monitoring Barratts.
Started Chemo, final dose in two weeks then assessment for full surgery to remove.
It’s a tough regime but there is light at the end of the tunnel and reading the experiences of others who are on my journey at different stages really helps so thank you.

The hardest part is just abandoning yourself to the decisions of others and the awful taste of food for weeks after the chemo, chocolate tasting like fish is the weirdest thing ever and not conducive to a good appetite which is essential

Thanks again
YNWA

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