Radiofrequency Ablation, Barrett's Esophagus & Insurance

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beachcomber3

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I meant to write I have had 4 dilations....

I happy your wife is doing well. Please tell me more.
 
I learned shortly after undergoing the procedure that it is considered experimental...even though approved in 2004 by the FDA. Had I known what I know now I seriously doubt I would have had it done.
 
Are you still there? I'd like to discuss some of the more serious aspects that can/may result due to Radiofrequency Ablation of Barrett's Esophagus.
 
I had my procedure done at Uni. of Calif. at Irvine, by Dr. Kenneth Chang, he is one of the inventors of the RFA instrument used for ablation of Barrett's. He burned me twice in a single endoscopic procedure. He also burned the valve. All of the information I was given prior to the procedure stated (as did Dr. Chang) that they simply go in and "zap" the cells and most people return to work the next day. I have since found that isn't so. I ended up not being able to eat or drink even water. I spent 2 days plus another 5 days in the hospital. No one every told me a stricture would form a few weeks following the procedure. It did, and I have suffered greatly. I've since found that the formation of a stricture following RFA is quite common, serious, and can be deadly. Furthermore, I've since learned that with RFA there is a good chance of the Barrett's cells becoming irabedded in the deeper esophageal tissue making it difficult to later find and treat.

As for insurance: my insurance paid all by a $50 co-pay. Which insurance company is denying payment?
 
My wife had Radiofrequency Ablation to treat her Barrett's Esophagus. She is 39 years old and her father died of esophogeal cancer in his 40's. That is one reason why the doctors chose to go with this treatment because of family history.

Now the insurance company told us that they consider this treatment "experimental" and would not pay for it. So we ended up paying out of pocket. They gave us a big sheet of paper describing why etc.

Has anyone out there had similar problem with the insurance company?

She is doing fine and will be re-examined in a couple of weeks. Taking 2X dose of Aciphex as prescribed aslo.
 
The Mayo Clinic in AZ has a GI section that specializes in RFA. I would suggest to anyone considering such treatment for Barrett's they go there. I though UC Irvine was the best...I think otherwise now.

Incidentally, RFA for Barrett's Esophagus leaves 2nd and 3rd degree burns. The pictures are pretty horrible.

This message board stuff is new to me. I'm not sure how to post messages or read replies...sort of sturabling along.
 
She went to Sarasota Memorial Hospital. I think she had more than you. Doc mentioned that he had to do 2 burns to get the whole length. She will be going back for follow up next week. The Doc did mention at 1st op that he will go for another look and "clean up" any spots that remain.

Which insurance did you have ?
 
My wife has had no issues at all except a few days after she had suffered some pain and nausea but that has been pretty much it. She can eat and drink with no problems. The physician that performed the RF is well known and often referred to patients here in Florida to go to. My wife feels terrible for you. Thanks for your info on the insurance. Our carrier still considers RF experimental and will not cover it. Best of luck to you!
 
Hello. I have also had Radiofrequency Ablation for Barrett's Esophagus. Did a stricture form in your wife's esophagus as a result of RFA?




E=paradiddle;3717909]My wife had Radiofrequency Ablation to treat her Barrett's Esophagus. She is 39 years old and her father died of esophogeal cancer in his 40's. That is one reason why the doctors chose to go with this treatment because of family history.

Now the insurance company told us that they consider this treatment "experimental" and would not pay for it. So we ended up paying out of pocket. They gave us a big sheet of paper describing why etc.

Has anyone out there had similar problem ?

She is doing fine and will be re-examined in a couple of weeks. Taking 2X dose of Aciphex as prescribed aslo.[/QUOTE]
 
Our doc did not do RF so we were referred to another that did. Our doc was extremely concerned with what he saw and the family history and thought we needed to get ahead of this rather than do a wait and see.

Hope you have success in your treatments.
 
[/QUOTE]
Hello. I hope your wife is recovering well from her Radiofrequency Ablation for Barrett's. How is she doing? Is she still taking PPI's? Did an esophageal strcture ever form?
 
I also had RFA for Barrett's. Did a stricture form in your wife's esophagus? Is her ability to eat hampered?
 
Are you still having problems with your insurance not wanting to pay for RF Ablation?
 
No Stricture - she is fine. At first after operation, eating was a problem but not now.

Did your insurance pay for the whole operation ?
 
We appealed with Aetna but no good. Aetna states that they consider RF ablation "experimental". They will only pay for 3 different invasive procedures or less invasive Photodynamic Therapy.

My wife is 39 and her father died of esophogeal cancer in his 40's and we appealed based on extreme circumstance and decision of doctor to get in front of her Barrett's. To me Photodynamic and RF Ablation seem to be the same effectiveness.

She does not have stricture but is going back for a possible 2nd procedure next week. This is followup endoscopy and they may need to do more work while they are down there.
 
I underwent RFA last March for a very small (less than 1 cm) spot of Barrett's and have suffered from a stricture since. I have to have 4 dilations (strecting open of the stricture by Indoscopy) and facing a 5th time later this month. As for insurance: My insurance paid all by a very small co-pay. Where did your wife go for the procedure?
 
I cannot impress upon you enough to be very careful not to push your luck. While RF Ablation can be a good thing in some instances, it can also bury Barrett's cells deep within tissue making it very difficult if not impossible to see later on. RF can also cause a horrible stricture as well as damage to the lower esophageal sphincter valve.

Your doctor may be very good, but mine was/is considered to be one of the world's best when it come to RF Ablation for Barrett's. Nevertheless, he burned me too deeply, beyond the lining into the esophageal muscle tissue causing a horrible stricture, permanent scaring of my esophagus and to my lower esophageal sphincter (which weakened this valve). In my case it was not abnormal acid reflux that caused the very small spot of Barrett's, but rather Aleve taken for many years to relieve knee and lower back pain. Prior to my RF treatment I never had abnormal acid reflux, never experienced heartburn -- didn't even know what it felt like . After having RF Ablation I now know well what acid reflux and heartburn feels like. With RF, all I can say is please use caution.

There's now a very promising treatment for Barrett's waiting for approval. It does not involve burning, chemicals, or cutting. It's called "banding". Here's the link: http://www.meRABcape.com/viewarticle/562444_print

Had I known in how dangerous RF Ablation is I would not have had it. It's completely ruined my life - quite possibly shortened it. From what I've been told I'm not the only person suffering from results of RF of Barrett's. You may wish to read this about ablation: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118960302/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0

As for Photodynamic treatment: Do not do it. All the data shows great chance of stricture and other extremely dangerous problems. The patient cannot be exposed to sunlight for a month or more. The "chemicals" used go into other parts of the body, not just the Barrett's cells. It can cause damage to the eyes, even blindness.

Good luck, and please keep in touch.
Ali
 
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