Barrett's Esophagus at 37 :(

Posted by shifa47 @shifa47, Feb 24 8:31pm

I just turned 37, and the very next day got diagnosed with Barrets esophagus. I’m Celiac since 2016, have fatty liver and lactose intolerance too. In 2024, I was diagnosed with Pulmonary embolism which is not cured but all others are active and lifetime. This recent diagnosis made me die as a mother of 2 young children. I don’t know what to do but I’m so scared as my youngest is just 5. My Dr. is not willing to give me any PPI, she just gave me Enzyme MD (2) and Florastor (1) everyday. I don’t know what to do. I never smoked, no alcohol ever, never used any drugs or cigarettes. I was just not eating enough, just one meal a day. And soda 4-5 times a week. Does diet really help? I was little in school since that time Cancer has scared me to death. And I always felt scared and now the things are going I’m really scared only for my kids what would happen if I’m not there. This thought just makes me burst in tears that I can’t control. How should I be strong. I really want to fight this and be healthy atleast till my kids are old enough to take care of themselves.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Feb 25 5:08am

Don’t panic my friend, you’ll be alright. I was diagnosed at age 63 with BE and it scared me too. I went on a strict low acid diet and my last 2 scopes were free of Barrett’s. So it can be reversed. Try to eat 3 small meals a day. No soda, booze, citrus drinks. No fried food. Cook chicken breast in water. Eat green vegetables steamed. I was put on omperazole ppi daily 40 mg. Get rid of salt pepper and all seasonings. This is a bland diet. No Italian Mexican food. No vinegar products or tomato. Eat bananas melon for fruit. Buy the book The acid watcher diet from Amazon. This doctor explains it and tells you what to eat. No eating 3 hours before bedtime. Drink only water, alkaline water, unsweetened almond milk which is non dairy and alkaline. Decaf green tea I drank along with low acid coffee half caffeine in the morning. I wasn’t giving up a few cups in the morning. Good luck and don’t panic. Exercise daily by walking if you’re able to.

shifa47 | @shifa47 | Feb 25 7:18am

In reply to @riflemanz64 "Don’t panic my friend, you’ll be alright. I was diagnosed at age 63 with BE and..." + (show)

@riflemanz64 thank you so much dear. I will make sure to follow it.

phxbarb | @phxbarb | Feb 25 10:23am

In reply to @shifa47 "@riflemanz64 thank you so much dear. I will make sure to follow it." + (show)

@shifa47 I was able to beat it by giving up advil and all ibupropen pills. I was taking way too much of that. Also I don't eat after 8 pm. I am sure you will be ok, stop worrying. It doesn't help.

riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Feb 25 11:03am

Only take Tylenol for pain.

shifa47 | @shifa47 | Feb 25 1:49pm

In reply to @phxbarb "@shifa47 I was able to beat it by giving up advil and all ibupropen pills. I..." + (show)

@phxbarb I don’t take any medication due to fatty liver. Only excedrin when my migraine is uncontrollable.

nycmusic | @nycmusic | Feb 26 7:48am

In reply to @phxbarb "@shifa47 I was able to beat it by giving up advil and all ibupropen pills. I..." + (show)

@phxbarb ibuprofen can help with pain, but too much can be dangerous…we almost lost a family member who took too much….there are numerous other ways to deal with the many causes of pain …wishing you the best.

Lisa Lucier, Moderator | @lisalucier | Feb 26 10:01am

In reply to @nycmusic "@phxbarb ibuprofen can help with pain, but too much can be dangerous…we almost lost a family..." + (show)

@nycmusic - that's a sad story, and I'm very glad you did not lose this family member, in the end. Wow.

@shifa47 - I'm feeling your fear as I read your first post in this discussion. Please know that we care. Are you concerned about your BE possibly progressing to cancer? Something else?

t98 | @t98 | Feb 27 4:09am

soda can cause acid reflux (which causes Barrett's) so don't drink that.
Follow the hints mentioned above.
Read up on the internet about acid reflux and how to prevent.
No caffeine and no chocolate, which loosen the sphincter and allow acid to go into your esophagus.
Do you feel any symptoms of reflux? Heartburn, or a burning feeling in your throat, or the need to clear your throat or cough? Analyze when you feel the symptoms and then address that. For example, if you have more of a problem at night, then make sure to eat early, raise the head of your bed or sleep on a wedge. You can also take Gaviscon advance which creates a barrier between the stomach and esophagus. Or use pepcid/famotidine when you have more symptoms.
Don't eat spicy food.
Focus on making the changes and less on worrying.
Stretch and exercise. Don't crouch after eating, but walk around.
Barrett's is treatable. If it doesn't go away with the lifestyle changes you can take a PPI. Do a follow up test when they recommend to do so.
Also, eating one meal a day is problematic because it bloats your stomach, which then pushes the acid up to the esophagus. Important for you to instead eat multiple small meals during the day!!

shifa47 | @shifa47 | Feb 27 4:14am

In reply to @lisalucier "@nycmusic - that's a sad story, and I'm very glad you did not lose this family..." + (show)

@lisalucier hey Lisa, yes of course concerned for it as my kids are young, 5 and 10 and I don’t even want to imagine their life without me.

shifa47 | @shifa47 | Feb 27 4:18am

In reply to @t98 "soda can cause acid reflux (which causes Barrett's) so don't drink that. Follow the hints mentioned..." + (show)

@t98 yes, I still have heartburn and burning nowadays almost all time. I have strictly banned soda for me and caffeine. I’m trying to eat only steamed vegetables without spices. My Dr. isn’t giving me PPI so I just got prilosec for myself till I follow up with her. My Dr said follow up with her and its on March 28 so I will start Prilosec till then.