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Barrett’s esophagus: Your tips and treatment?
Digestive Health | Last Active: Aug 28 11:33am | Replies (26)Comment receiving replies
I was diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus in Dec. 2022 at age 41. To be frank, I'm very concerned. For one thing, I have it at a relatively young age, and I am underweight. Neither of these traits is typical of people who get Barrett's. If anyone here is in a similar situation and has any insights/experiences/tips to share, please do.
Also, I have 2 questions:
1. Should I get a biopsy?
The 2 doctors I have talked with so far did not bring up the biopsy. They only told me to have the yearly endoscopic surveillance and not to worry too much, but I'm skeptical.
2. Should I start taking PPI?
Currently, my symptoms are fairly manageable. Heartburns are occasional and not severe. More of an annoyance than pain. I've made lots of changes to my diet and lifestyle since I was diagnosed with BE 2 months ago, and I'm planning to take another endoscopy soon. I know that BE will never go away but if the next endoscopy shows some improvement in other areas of my esophagus, e.g. in areas that are still in the inflammation stage, would it be reasonable to try to manage my BE & acid reflux by dietary and lifestyle changes alone? Or is it too risky to live a life without PPI once BE is formed?
Replies to "I was diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus in Dec. 2022 at age 41. To be frank, I'm..."
I suggest that before going to a PPI you see if you can manage with lifestyle changes but also with Tums and Gaviscon if you feel anything (throat, tongue irritation, coughing), to avoid any further irritation If still problematic then first try H2 blocker before PPI. You can ask them to do a biopsy in the next endoscopy if they don't see improvement, or check cancer markers in the blood, but maybe there is no concern if you're treating it early.
Raise your head board 6". No eating 3-4 hours before bed.
Welcome @geri1 and @spacefaringcat, I moved the 2 discussions you each started about Barrett's esophagus to this existing discussion:
- Barrett’s esophagus: Your tips and treatment? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/barretts-esophagus-3/
I did that to bring everyone into the same virtual "room" so to speak, where you can read previous posts and continue to easily connect and share advice with other members experience in EB like @riflemanz64 @wmbcat @t98 @rashida @fourof5zs @robertatheriveter and more.
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Sorry to hear you have BE at such a young age. I was diagnosed with it at age 63. I was eating and drinking whatever I wanted right up to bedtime. My Dr. put me on 40 mg of Pantaprazole 1/2 hr before supper. A good book that explains BE is The Acid Watcher Diet from Amazon. Lot's of good info your Dr. never tells you about. I was told BE can go away and on my last scope there was no sign of it! Watch your diet like a hawk. Low acid food only. No fried foods, tomato , vinegar products. Lose the salt, pepper, hot sauce. No booze, NO Soda. Low acid coffee is also on Amazon
(Healthwise) brand. I only drink unsweetened almond milk which is alkaline, Decaf green tea, water and 2 cups of low acid coffee with almond milk as a creamer. That neutralizes any acid in the coffee. Eat chicken breasts, fresh green veggies, melons, NO citrus, ripe bananas are OK.
Breakfast is oatmeal or cheerios with almond milk. Lose the fried fatty foods like bacon. Fresh is best, processed foods are loaded with chemicals. Your Dr. will decide if a biopsy is needed when he scopes you and sees tissue he wants to test. I get scoped in October for BE so I hope mine is gone like last time. Stay away from salty junk foods. Control your diet and you can lessen the chance of getting cancer. You could ask your Dr. to be put on a PPI to lessen the acid.
Good Luck!