To anyone with Barrett's

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Hello,
I just had an EGD yesterday, and the visual findings are suspicious for short segment Barrett's. Won't have pathology report for a week or so to confirm. This surprises me b/c I've only had reflux symptoms for a short time (less thant 1 year). Out of curiosity, those of you w/ Barrett's, how old are you and how long did you have symtoms before diagnosis.
Feeling a bit scared and confused.
Thanks! Dinah
 
Dinah, I was wondering what your Dr. told you on your followup appt. Also what is short term barretts? I have non dysplasia Barretts, is that the same?
 
I haven't had the follow up appt yet, and haven't received the biopsy results. The dr said it appeared to be short segment Barretts, which is when the affected esophageal tissue is less than 3 mm (or cm, I forget) in length. I did a search and it basically means a smaller area of th esophagus was affected.
 
Had a upper GI in Sept and was found to have Barretts. Biopsy was negative. Have never had heartburn.
 
Hi,
I am 58 years old. I have had acid reflux since this July (2009) and on Thursday, I got the pathology report "possible Barrett's" My gastro. says not to worry another EGD will be done in 2 years. I am frantic!
 
From what I read, Barrett's is associated with a higher risk of esophageal cancer, but it is NOT cancer and only a very small minority of cases of Barrett's seem to develop into cancer. If your gastroenterologist (?) says not to worry, why are you frantic? That can't be good for you. There are probably 100,000 factors related to a higher risk for 1,000 types of cancer, and you no doubt have at least several of THOSE. I have several known risk factors for several types of cancer. I try to control what I can control and not worry about the rest. Take the best care of yourself that you can, keep getting monitored according to doctor's instructions, but don't obsess over this. The worrying alone probably raises your cancer risk by a factor of 10.
 
From what I read if you have Barrett's, and it's not cancer, you just have to get screaned every couple of years. That said there are very few symptoms.
 
I am 54. I was diagnosed with non dysplasia Barretts 1 month ago. I only had heartburn for 5 months. My heartburn is now gone. Like you, I am worried about what it could turn into. Most people do not get worse if you make subtle adjustments to your lifestyle.
What is short term barrets. I am only familiar with "non dysplasia, low dysplasia and high dysplasia barretts.
 
I too was a bit frantic 20 years ago when diagnosed. It was quite extended Barrett's and with dysplasia. After a few years LOSEC came on the market and things improved, reversing the dysplasia, and since Nexium 40mg daily at night my reviews have gone out to three years, everything stable, no side effects. A bit of commonsense helps - don't have late night meals, avoid pizza and the like if eating after eight PM. An occasional dose of Gaviscon if I have been indiscreet with food and drink. See if you can get (and keep) the photos from the gastroscopy - over the years mine are looking better and better.
 
I have recently read some interesting info pertaining to Barrett's. Based on autopsy studies (morbid, I know), it's believed that Barrett's esophagus is actually quite common in the population (especially as age advances). Furthermore, it's believed that only a very small minority of Barrett's cases ever advance to esophageal cancer. Most people who have Barrett's likely live their lives out without it doing anything other than just "being there." I found that very interesting.

Do you ever wonder whether all of the knowledge we have is truly good for us? Sometimes I think we know TOO much about our bodies these days - it gives us so much to WORRY about! :dizzy: Maybe ignorance really was bliss in the good ole' days!
 
Hi Misty,
I was just diagnosed with Barrett's on Fri and found your comments comforting. I don't know anyone else with this diagnosis. I took Nexium for 3 months with no relief and am now trying Protonix but have acid reflux all day long. I am using TUMS and gaviscon but still don't feel any relief. I have tried to read what to eat but I find that a lot of the information online is conflicting. I am not sure what I should be eating. How long should a PPI take to start working? I had a bad case of the flu at the end of Feb and was on antibiotics and prednisone and my problems started then. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
 
Donna, not sure why you would have reflux all day - what does your doctor say? I take my Nexium at night, must be 40mg or I get breakthrough reflux. One thing to watch is rebound effect from too much antacid. Instant coffee gives me reflux - it creates extremely high acidity c/f fresh beans. Prednislone is said to be bad, same with many of the nsaiRAB - voltaren, asprin.
You must have had a gastroscopy to get the diagnosis so they would have checked for ulcers etc?
Anything that is bad for stomach ulcers is bad for Barret's so that might be worth some research. But if you are not getting relief find a doctor who is prepared to help you work it out.
 
I was diagnosed with non dysplasia Barretts 6 years ago. I have had reflux my entire life. (I distinctly remeraber it as a preteen. I would eat peppermints like crazy thinking that would help).

At 16 I was diagnosed with a 'peptic ulcer' and started on the newest drug at the time - Tagamet. LOL -that long ago. I've been on every PPI since. I would take them off and on for a long time because I did not understand that I needed to take it all of the time in order for it to work. I would always go back to Tagamet after a meal and Tums and whatever else I could get my hanRAB on.

After my Family doc raised my then PPI to 4 a day, he finally sent me for an endo. I also had a Bravo that determined I had severe acid reflux and Barrett's.

I'm now taking Dexilant daily and Zantac if needed. I have a scope regularly.

My current GI says reflux and Barrett's are not related.
 
Abbydabby,
Thank you for that info. I feel better knowing that. At first I was really freaked out when my Dr. said non dysplasia Barretts. I did internet searches like crazy. I changed my lifestyle quite a bit. I also added digestive enzymes and probiotics to my diet. This makes a huge difference. Also eating lots of apples helps so much with the heartburn.
Anyway, thank you for the info.
 
Are you still having reflux on Dexilant? I am back to taking 40 mg mexium twice a day but I have reflux all the time. I only started this a few day ago so I hope it will start working soon. I am not sleeping well since the reflux wakes me up...previously I didn't have reflux during the night. I feel that I have LPR since I haven't had a problem with reflux until March and have Barrett's. From what I have read it takes Barrett's many years to develop. What does your dr feel is the cause of Barrett's? I always thought it was excessive acid reflux. I have only had a gastroscope done. I am not even sure if the Bravo test is done in Canada. I am trying to get my dr to get a 24 hr proble done. I have never heard of PPI four times a day....I thought twice was a lot. How old were you when you were diagnosed?
 
I have always had the reflux at night. (LPR) I try to eat early and nothing for 4 hours before I go to sleep. It's best to only drink water during that time too. The Dexilant seems to be working.

The doc says I was born with Barrett's. My mother said I was born with reflux. I was early 40's when I was diagnosed with Barrett's - my very first endoscope. That doc insisted I have surgery immediately. I switched doctors.
 
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