Intestinal Metaplasia: What do you do to lower the risk of cancer?

Posted by evapa @evapa, Apr 22, 2021

Has anyone been diagnosed with intestinal metaplasia? What does your doctor recommend? I was just diagnosed and am very anxious about it because of the risk of cancer. Would like to hear your experience with it. Thank you.

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

Profile picture for evapa @evapa

Annie, thank you for sharing. I am seeing a gastroenterologist in late May who specializes in this. Will report back if with anything new I learn from him.

Jump to this post

Who are you seeing and how did you find a dr that specializes in IM?

REPLY
Profile picture for evanssandy34 @evanssandy34

I agree, long term use of PPI's have damaged my liver and are only meant to be use short term, not daily. Have you doctor check for low acid. It has the same symptoms as to much acid. Thank you to my sister and mom, I found out that I have low acid and the PPI's were just making things worse. Good luck!

Jump to this post

How did you find out you had low acid and not high acid?

REPLY
Profile picture for evapa @evapa

Annie, thank you for sharing. I am seeing a gastroenterologist in late May who specializes in this. Will report back if with anything new I learn from him.

Jump to this post

What is the name of the GI physician who specialized in IM and where is the physician located? Thank you.

REPLY
Profile picture for callycamp @callycamp

A year ago I was diagnosed with Intestinal Metaplasia. I had Barrett's Esophagus but was told there was no evidence of it now. I have been on PPI's for about 8 years or so. I have silent GERD--that is no longer silent! I have an endoscopy on May 26, 2022. Does anyone have advice for me regarding asking about my digestive health and my intestinal metaplasia. OH, need to add that one week ago I had emergency surgery for gall bladder removal (Choleocystectomy). . Surgeon said if I waited one more day, my condition would have been life-threatening. Yikes! Thank you Lord for wise doctors.

Jump to this post

Welcome, @callycamp. You'll notice that I moved your post to this existing discussion:
- Intestinal Metaplasia: What do you do to lower the risk of cancer? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/intestinal-metaplasia/

Click the link to read from the beginning of the discussion to see the helpful tips posted by fellow members @riflemanz64 @evapa @annie2 @cdmazal @gastrogirl @laurarod @jillannw

What lifestyle changes are you considering?

REPLY
Profile picture for callycamp @callycamp

A year ago I was diagnosed with Intestinal Metaplasia. I had Barrett's Esophagus but was told there was no evidence of it now. I have been on PPI's for about 8 years or so. I have silent GERD--that is no longer silent! I have an endoscopy on May 26, 2022. Does anyone have advice for me regarding asking about my digestive health and my intestinal metaplasia. OH, need to add that one week ago I had emergency surgery for gall bladder removal (Choleocystectomy). . Surgeon said if I waited one more day, my condition would have been life-threatening. Yikes! Thank you Lord for wise doctors.

Jump to this post

Go on a low acid diet if your not already on one. No soda, booze, only drink water, almond milk, green tea, low acid coffee like Healthwise. Don't eat 3 hrs before bed. I live on chicken breast. No fried fatty foods. No vinegar products or tomato or Citrus. No Mexican or Italian. I also have Barrett's that wasn't on my last scope so I'm like you are. I take 40mg pantaprazole 1/2 hr before supper. I hope Barrett's stays gone! I like the book from Amazon The acid watcher diet. Good luck!

REPLY

A year ago I was diagnosed with Intestinal Metaplasia. I had Barrett's Esophagus but was told there was no evidence of it now. I have been on PPI's for about 8 years or so. I have silent GERD--that is no longer silent! I have an endoscopy on May 26, 2022. Does anyone have advice for me regarding asking about my digestive health and my intestinal metaplasia. OH, need to add that one week ago I had emergency surgery for gall bladder removal (Choleocystectomy). . Surgeon said if I waited one more day, my condition would have been life-threatening. Yikes! Thank you Lord for wise doctors.

REPLY
Profile picture for laurarod @laurarod

Last November I went for an endoscopy and colonoscopy - Family history of stomach cancer and I have several issues, including IBS mixed. The results showed that I have intestinal metasplasia; the doctor recommended to get checked in 3 years. Not sure what to think about it. I have to go every 6 months to get my esophagus stretched, as it closes and it is difficult to swallow. Is this ...all of it, normal like to wait 3 years to get checked?

Jump to this post

I was diagnosed as well. GAstro wasn’t worried but I am.

REPLY
Profile picture for laurarod @laurarod

Last November I went for an endoscopy and colonoscopy - Family history of stomach cancer and I have several issues, including IBS mixed. The results showed that I have intestinal metasplasia; the doctor recommended to get checked in 3 years. Not sure what to think about it. I have to go every 6 months to get my esophagus stretched, as it closes and it is difficult to swallow. Is this ...all of it, normal like to wait 3 years to get checked?

Jump to this post

Make sure they test you for H Pylori. Eat a low acid diet. Are you taking a PPI?

REPLY

Last November I went for an endoscopy and colonoscopy - Family history of stomach cancer and I have several issues, including IBS mixed. The results showed that I have intestinal metasplasia; the doctor recommended to get checked in 3 years. Not sure what to think about it. I have to go every 6 months to get my esophagus stretched, as it closes and it is difficult to swallow. Is this ...all of it, normal like to wait 3 years to get checked?

REPLY
Profile picture for evanssandy34 @evanssandy34

WOW! There is no other medical or life style that would have caused a fatty liver. I have a new MD and after reviewing my case, including alcohol and other med's, told me that long term us of PPI's can cause a fatty liver. I also told a family member that works in pharmacy and they said yes, it can and they are only meant for short term. Just ask your pharmacists about what the side effects of long term use are. I did do a google search on the matter and it doesn't say much about liver damage but it did mention a side effect of osteoporosis. I was a little shocked by that one. You are to young to have osteoporosis, with out any other medical problems. I'm 48 and I can't imagen having that too. There is a facebook page called nissen fundoplication take down and another that is called nissen fundoplication. You may look there for some much needed support and answers to other question that you may have. You are not alone! Good Luck and God Bless.

Jump to this post

Thank you!

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.