Barrett’s esophagus-friendly diet

Yes, I also have Barrett's for over 20 years. Taken Nexium daily. My only symptom was chest pain. Heart and lungs ruled out. On Endoscopy Barrett's was seen. No issues since but followup with Endoscopy every 5 years.

I agree that everyone is different and we have to find out what works for our own body. What works for one person may not work for someone else. We have to get help from our doctors to find what works for us. I have tried peppermint but it makes things worse for me.

@ricksmith
Good … Bad … everything seems to have a bit of each. Sorting out what is best for you is very difficult. What works for one may not work or work as well for another. I try to figure out what works best for me.

One of the spasm places of my esophagus is just above my stomach … closes the lower sphincter. That means food will just stack in my esophagus. I never know when it will happen. When I can feel this is happening I use the peppermint and it relaxes the sphincter. I also do massaging and walking. Yes, opening the sphincter can cause acid to come up if it stays open too long. I know of no way to get it to close … just happens as the spasms do. I am on Pepcid Complete along with a PPI that I take twice a day. I feel some days the PPI does nothing. I take the peppermint (as little as I can) in hopes of quelling chest pain and getting my food into my stomach .. and my liquids headed to where they will hydrate me.

Since everyone is different … and responds differently to treatment … it makes it difficult for the doctors and patients. The patient has to take note of their symptoms … be able to convey the information to the doctors in a manner they might “get”. It really is a lot of hard work of communicating to figure out your best treatments.

Oh .. yes, I have read John Hopkins site and many others. I have read many studies and papers too … mind boggling mixture of information.

I decided to experiment with peppermint. The peppermint pinwheel. Bad thing about them is you are sucking on them which means it is like sucking on a straw and you are swallowing air which isn't a good. My mom had been given some soft stick peppermint for Christmas a couple of years back and I shared one with her breaking off a very small piece for me. I let it melt in my mouth. That worked very well. I have not looked for them the past month … maybe they are back again. I will have to check. The Altoids work okay, but the flavor is stronger than I like, They are small and will go under the tongue, but if I am not mindful I will chew them.

ZeeGee

You might want to consider the information from John Hopkins. They say to avoid peppermint.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/barretts-esophagus-treatment
Apparently, some things that give temporary relief like peppermint cause acid levels to be increased. Pepcid complete has an H2 blocker with antacid. It may be better to use. You can ask your doctor about it to see if it is okay for you to take it.

That’s for your comments I did hear from a few people about peppermint I will try it. Thanks again. Be safe

@frankieprov1960

Chest pain is one of the lesser mentioned or rare symptoms of Barrett's. I have Barrett's, but I also have esophageal spasms and achalasia. Peppermint lozenges are suppose to help with the chest pains. I did the swirl candy for awhile and they did help .. but I also had a very high dental bill. I am using Altoids right now and they seem to work okay. The Mayo says to hold the lozenges under the tongue. Altoids and the peppermint candies are all I can find locally. Some say peppermint extract works by dropping a few drops under the tongue. I have not tried it.

ZeeGee

Yes, I have chest pains. I'm taking Pantoprazole prescribed by my doctor.
it helps me a lot. Pepcid complete may also help and is OTC.

Thanks for your reply, yes I too have spasms but I will try the candy. Very much appreciate you sending me your experience.

@frankieprov1960 I just saw your post about your having chest pain that is not a heart attack. I, also, went to the ER, but no heart attack. Then i was sent to a cardiologist who said that i was having esophageal spasms. They DO feel like heart attacks. The doctor advised me to keep the round red and white (like at Christmas time) mints handy and to suck on it and it would ease the spasm. It worked! I still have them occasionally.

Esophageal spasms - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/esophageal-spasms/symptoms-causes/syc-20372250

I’m not a doctor, but if all the tests have ruled out a problem, sucking on a mint shouldn’t hurt.. if it works, be sure to let your doctor know. Will you also let me know?

As I read about all that have issues with Barrett’s , I don’t see any one that have issue with chest pain with Barrett’s . I have not have acid reflux just pain that feels like I’m having a heart attack, I’ve been in and out of hospital and I have been diagnosed with Barrett’s nothing to do with my heart. Does anyone else have this issue, please let me know. Thanks