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Barrett’s esophagus

Posted by jvanstratten @jvanstratten, Mar 22, 2018

Looking for info and help with Barret’s esophagus. I can’t figure out just how serious this is. I have read way too much online! I don’t really know how strict my diet really has to be. It is really stressful-. Does anyone here have it? And exactly how serious is it?

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jmedj55 | @jmedj55 | Aug 9 12:06pm
In reply to @geoff123 "Hi from Tasmania, I’m on Esomeprazole (ppi) at 60mg daily after having an esophagectomy for cancer..." + (show)
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Hi from Tasmania, I’m on Esomeprazole (ppi) at 60mg daily after having an esophagectomy for cancer of the esophagus, where it joins the stomach. My understanding is that chronic esophageal exposure to stomach acid ( reflux / GERD) may lead to precancerous esophageal cell changes (Barrett’s Esophagus) which then puts you at a higher risk of esophageal cancer. While long term use of ppi’s is not ideal, it is preferable to ongoing reflux. I’m trying to find out if the reported problems with long term ppi use are from the drug itself or from nutrient absorption issues due to reduced gastric acidity. My GP says we need to monitor magnesium and vitamin B12 levels but not to get too concerned otherwise. I don’t seem to have any noticeable side effects from this high dose at this stage. When you have an esophagectomy, the lower esophageal sphincter is removed - that normally acts as a barrier to contain stomach acid. Many, probably most esophagectomy patients are on long term ppi’s at high doses.

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I am hoping you have the best outcome possible, I also have severe esophagus inflammation with dialysis and it has been stressful adapting

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jmedj55 | @jmedj55 | Aug 9 12:07pm
In reply to @rsedlock1958 "Barrett’s is serious as it is precancerous. The seriousness depends upon whether dysplasia is present, and..." + (show)
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Barrett’s is serious as it is precancerous. The seriousness depends upon whether dysplasia is present, and whether it is high or low dysplasia. I just went through 15 months of endoscopies with ablation, at three month intervals. I was on 40 mgs of omeprazole, twice a day. After my last endoscopy, everything looks good. I have graduated to six-month surveillance, and my omeprazole has dropped to once a day.

Ask your doctor about dysplasia and segment length. Barrett’s is serious as it is considered precancerous. Do not ignore it.

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I’m due for my 3 month recheck as well and it worries me. Shall see. You haven’t had any issues with the Prilosec ?

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jmedj55 | @jmedj55 | Aug 9 12:08pm

I have this as well . Esophagus swelling and have to be rechecked soon with EGD , taking Prilosec . It’s stressful I feel

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jmedj55 | @jmedj55 | Aug 9 12:10pm
In reply to @rsedlock1958 "Barrett’s is serious as it is precancerous. The seriousness depends upon whether dysplasia is present, and..." + (show)
Profile picture for rsedlock1958 @rsedlock1958

Barrett’s is serious as it is precancerous. The seriousness depends upon whether dysplasia is present, and whether it is high or low dysplasia. I just went through 15 months of endoscopies with ablation, at three month intervals. I was on 40 mgs of omeprazole, twice a day. After my last endoscopy, everything looks good. I have graduated to six-month surveillance, and my omeprazole has dropped to once a day.

Ask your doctor about dysplasia and segment length. Barrett’s is serious as it is considered precancerous. Do not ignore it.

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Yes I am having recheck soon as well , it’s a bit scary

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sylvermoon8 | @sylvermoon8 | Aug 9 4:04pm
In reply to @penny42 "Barretts was found about 8 years ago. Endoscopies every 2-3 years. Do not like taking Nexium..." + (show)
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Barretts was found about 8 years ago. Endoscopies every 2-3 years. Do not like taking Nexium because worried about my bones and nutrition.

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Do you know how you got it? My gastro is not solving my reflux and I wake up with a sore throat. I wonder if that’s how you got this?

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rsedlock1958 | @rsedlock1958 | Aug 10 9:24am
In reply to @jmedj55 "Yes I am having recheck soon as well , it’s a bit scary" + (show)
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Yes I am having recheck soon as well , it’s a bit scary

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It is scary, but with continued surveillance and treatments as necessary, Barrett’s can be controlled and the long-term threat mitigated. Hang in there and stay positive.

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rsedlock1958 | @rsedlock1958 | Aug 10 9:37am
In reply to @jmedj55 "I’m due for my 3 month recheck as well and it worries me. Shall see. You..." + (show)
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I’m due for my 3 month recheck as well and it worries me. Shall see. You haven’t had any issues with the Prilosec ?

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I have not had any issues with Prilosec. My first 3 month check was much easier than my initial ablation. What helped me was that my care team was aggressively treating this and we were going to get it under control.

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jmedj55 | @jmedj55 | Aug 10 11:23am
In reply to @rsedlock1958 "I have not had any issues with Prilosec. My first 3 month check was much easier..." + (show)
Profile picture for rsedlock1958 @rsedlock1958

I have not had any issues with Prilosec. My first 3 month check was much easier than my initial ablation. What helped me was that my care team was aggressively treating this and we were going to get it under control.

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That’s good to know . Did you have esophagus inflammation as I have ? Also, how long have you been on the Prilosec?

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jmedj55 | @jmedj55 | Aug 10 11:27am

Apparently Barrett’s can be discovered after taking the poi medicine during recheck with maybe 15% chance overall

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rsedlock1958 | @rsedlock1958 | Aug 10 12:04pm
In reply to @jmedj55 "That’s good to know . Did you have esophagus inflammation as I have ? Also, how..." + (show)
Profile picture for jmedj55 @jmedj55

That’s good to know . Did you have esophagus inflammation as I have ? Also, how long have you been on the Prilosec?

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After all of the Barrett’s was removed, my endoscopy showed an irregular z-line. They did a biopsy, and it was negative for myoplasia and dysplasia. They said it was just inflammation.

I have been on Prilosec for about a year and a half.

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