1. < Digestive Health

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.

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Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jun 4, 2022
In reply to @kellbell8 "Hi everybody. I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia (slider) about 10 years ago and have..." + (show)
@kellbell8

Hi everybody. I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia (slider) about 10 years ago and have been on PPIs since then. I had another endoscopy 5 years ago with no additional findings except the still existing sliding hiatal hernia. I just had my 5 year routine endoscopy and have now been diagnosed with mild, inactive, chronic gastritis with intestinal metaplasia. My doctor just sent me a "tick the box" style letter in the mail to let me know.........no follow up call, no nothing. It did indicate that he wants me to repeat the endoscopy in a year. I plan on calling his office Monday morning so that I can sit down with him and ask the many questions I have, as well as a plan going forward to properly manage this. I'm scared to death!! Can anyone provide any insight or support? Thanks so much in advance.

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Welcome @kellbell8. Fellow member @evapa was in your exact situation about a year ago. I moved your post to this discussion that she started:
- Intestinal Metaplasia: What do you do to lower the risk of cancer? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/intestinal-metaplasia/

I did this so you can connect with Eva, @riflemanz64 @gastrogirl @jenatsky @laurarod @jillannw @callycamp @r400914 @sue225 and others sharing helpful information.

Kellbell, I can imagine you're concerned. Are you starting a list of questions you'd like to ask your doctor when you call on Monday?

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2 replies
kellbell8 | @kellbell8 | Jun 4, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome @kellbell8. Fellow member @evapa was in your exact situation about a year ago. I moved..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Welcome @kellbell8. Fellow member @evapa was in your exact situation about a year ago. I moved your post to this discussion that she started:
- Intestinal Metaplasia: What do you do to lower the risk of cancer? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/intestinal-metaplasia/

I did this so you can connect with Eva, @riflemanz64 @gastrogirl @jenatsky @laurarod @jillannw @callycamp @r400914 @sue225 and others sharing helpful information.

Kellbell, I can imagine you're concerned. Are you starting a list of questions you'd like to ask your doctor when you call on Monday?

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Yes I have a long list of questions for my doctor. I'll be calling Monday to make an in-person appointment with him. Thanks so much for the connections and moving me to the discussion. I really appreciate it.

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kellbell8 | @kellbell8 | Jun 4, 2022
In reply to @riflemanz64 "I've had 3 EGD's in the past 3yrs. I just switched to a new GI Dr...." + (show)
@riflemanz64

I've had 3 EGD's in the past 3yrs. I just switched to a new GI Dr. I hope I don't need one for a few years. One other thing is go easy on salt intake. Table salt is very corrosive and no good for you. If you have gerd buy the book The acid watcher diet from amazon. A lot of great info on this disease. Cut out processed meats and foods. I only use 3 tablespoons of coffee for my bunn drip coffee maker 10 cup pot. You don't need much.

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Thank you! I'm ordering that book today.

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kellbell8 | @kellbell8 | Jun 4, 2022
In reply to @colleenyoung "Welcome @kellbell8. Fellow member @evapa was in your exact situation about a year ago. I moved..." + (show)
@colleenyoung

Welcome @kellbell8. Fellow member @evapa was in your exact situation about a year ago. I moved your post to this discussion that she started:
- Intestinal Metaplasia: What do you do to lower the risk of cancer? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/intestinal-metaplasia/

I did this so you can connect with Eva, @riflemanz64 @gastrogirl @jenatsky @laurarod @jillannw @callycamp @r400914 @sue225 and others sharing helpful information.

Kellbell, I can imagine you're concerned. Are you starting a list of questions you'd like to ask your doctor when you call on Monday?

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Thank you! Yes I have a very long list of questions.

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kellbell8 | @kellbell8 | Jun 4, 2022
In reply to @sue225 "Some info which may be helpful to others with metaplasia. Acid suppression drugs should NOT be..." + (show)
@sue225

Some info which may be helpful to others with metaplasia. Acid suppression drugs should NOT be taken. Report from my gastroenterologist says that" diminished acid increases serum gastrin which then propagates metaplasia changes." So, sticking to liquid antacid.

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wow! I'll have to ask my doctor about that. I've been on PPIs for years and am wondering what kind of roll they've played with my Metaplasia. I also have chronic gastritis and without PPIs I don't know how that would fare. If feels like a "darned if you do, darned if you don't" situation.

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2 replies
sue225 | @sue225 | Jun 4, 2022
In reply to @kellbell8 "wow! I'll have to ask my doctor about that. I've been on PPIs for years and..." + (show)
@kellbell8

wow! I'll have to ask my doctor about that. I've been on PPIs for years and am wondering what kind of roll they've played with my Metaplasia. I also have chronic gastritis and without PPIs I don't know how that would fare. If feels like a "darned if you do, darned if you don't" situation.

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I also have chronic gastritis for years. Originally way back in 1997-99 I did take pantoloc but developed allergic reaction: horrible itching/rash. Then the same thing happened with h2 blockers. Anyway all these years I have struggled on with Gaviscon and liquid antacids. My family doc did not seem to know about this negative effect re acid supressing drugs and metaplasia.
There is something called sulcraflate which coats the lining of the stomach which the gastroenterologist also mentioned in his report. However, I suffer from horrid constipation and this is a major side effect of sulcraflate.
Basically I have a g.i. tract that I wouldnt wish on my worst enemy (well on second thought;)...
On a positive note it is so easy to stay slim!

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riflemanz64 | @riflemanz64 | Jun 4, 2022

I sure wish Drs. we’re all on the same page, one says this and another says this. My pharmacist said ppi’s are safe and only a small number of people get serious side effects. So who do I believe?

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r400914 | @r400914 | Jun 4, 2022
In reply to @kellbell8 "wow! I'll have to ask my doctor about that. I've been on PPIs for years and..." + (show)
@kellbell8

wow! I'll have to ask my doctor about that. I've been on PPIs for years and am wondering what kind of roll they've played with my Metaplasia. I also have chronic gastritis and without PPIs I don't know how that would fare. If feels like a "darned if you do, darned if you don't" situation.

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Thank you Sue, I need to asked my doctor as well. He just told me I need to be on PPI for life.

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yaffa | @yaffa | Jul 3, 2022

I was also just diagnosed with IM in my esophagus and stomach. My doctor called me and caught me off guard and now have a load of questions so will request a follow-up. Thank you all for the great advice and suggestions. Are there food, drinks, etc. that you know of that you should look towards for healing properties? I have had reflux for so long and thought I was good at avoiding all the trigger foods and yet I still got this diagnosis. I feel like I am going to have a small variety of foods to eat! I don't smoke or drink very often either. I read about ginger tea and lots of veggies, and whole grains. Do you avoid dairy as well? I also have a hiatal hernia and was on protonic for years but she just switched me to a time-released PPI and my reflux has been somewhat better.

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2 replies
kellbell8 | @kellbell8 | Jul 4, 2022
In reply to @yaffa "I was also just diagnosed with IM in my esophagus and stomach. My doctor called me..." + (show)
@yaffa

I was also just diagnosed with IM in my esophagus and stomach. My doctor called me and caught me off guard and now have a load of questions so will request a follow-up. Thank you all for the great advice and suggestions. Are there food, drinks, etc. that you know of that you should look towards for healing properties? I have had reflux for so long and thought I was good at avoiding all the trigger foods and yet I still got this diagnosis. I feel like I am going to have a small variety of foods to eat! I don't smoke or drink very often either. I read about ginger tea and lots of veggies, and whole grains. Do you avoid dairy as well? I also have a hiatal hernia and was on protonic for years but she just switched me to a time-released PPI and my reflux has been somewhat better.

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Order the book "The Acid Watchers Diet". Lots of great information and recipes there. He speaks a lot on how to heal the esophagus. I've noticed a huge difference in my symptoms with the right diet and I don't feel deprived. I've also lost 10lbs which has helped with my hernia a lot.

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