diagnosed with barretts
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diagnosed with barretts
| Sun, 07-08-2007 - 9:52am |
I recently had an egd done because of pain in upper back with swallowing. I was shocked to find out I have barretts esophagus. The dr. put me on aciphex and told me to come back for a follow up egd in a yr. I can't even recall ever having heartburn! Being a worrier I only thought the worst and immediatly started doing research. Anyone else familiar with this disease? thanks for any input.
Sue

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Glad you found us Sue! A new Dx is always upsetting and even more so when we don't have classic symptoms. I prefer to accept that having a health issue found before I have ALL the classic symptoms is probably in my favor, since treatment options may be better.
Here is some information about Barretts Syndrome and also feel free to scroll through past messages because this subject has been brought up recently.
http://digestive.health.ivillage.com/gerduppergi/barrettsesophagus.cfm
We look forward to getting to know you and of course feel free to post anytime!
CL of

<Hope to talk to you more, and you get more answers about what we have
good luck,
honeybear2007
NO CHOCOLATE, NO SPICE ,NO TOMATO SAUCE, NO MINT.TO GET MORE INFO GO TO WWWBARRETTSINFO.COM I DON'T WANT TO SCARE YOU BUT THIS COULD TURN INTO CANCER IF YOU ARE NOT VERY CAREFULL.GOOD LUCK AND KEEP INTOUCH .
DEDEWHO
I really never or rarely never get heartburn; however, about five years ago I was diagnosed with inflamation of the esophagus, not quit barret's. They put me on patronix twice a day; however, I only take it once a day. I am a now and then smoker, never smoked until about ten years ago. I am 60 and do like two to three glasses of white wine in the evening. I am sure I should probably not do either. the last test I had showed that the inflamation had declined and I need to go again. I also was diagnosed with fatty liver and I take Milk Thisle to help with that. Basically, I think my digestive system could be improved (i.e. give up drinking completly and no smoking). Stopping smoking for me is easy; however, i would miss my drinks in the evening.
hope this is of some help!!
kgboston
Thank you for all of your replies, they mean a lot. I am currently looking for a new GI doc because the one I have is very blase' about this condition. I have also found out there is a procedure called Barrx that could help, but it is new. Is anyone doing the regimen of folic acid,PPI, and carafate? That is supposed to aleviate some of the irritation in the esophagus. I geuss you can tell I am sort of obsessed. Thanks again for all of your input.
Sue
Sorry about your diagnosis! Are you seeing a Gastroenterologist? I was being treated with Aciphex for reflux for almost two years by my family doctor but finally had to see a Gastro for relief of recurrent heartburn symptoms. She told me that Aciphex offered little protection or healing for the esophagus and then switched me to a new drug called ZEGERID. Unfortunately, because of its sodium content, I had to stop taking it. It was elevating my blood pressure. I was sorry to give it up though because it helped tremendously.
She then put me on Nexium. It helps despite mild lower abdominal cramping. But it is much better than Aciphex. I also tried Protonix but it made me crave food and gave me hiccups, so I couldn't take it.
I would ask a specialist about the Aciphex. I never got true relief from it and my Doc said it was too mild of a medication to do any good. She said it wasn't even as strong as over the counter Prilosec! Good luck!
I don't take nexium. I take prilosec 40 mg. I am having another edg done next week to find out where the barretts is before they put me on a pill for my bones.
Linda
prilosec is the same thing as nexium,prilosec turns into nexium once in the body,they both inhibit the way the body absorbs calcium,I saw research that verifies this condition from medical studies,my doc confirmed it.goood luck.
brian
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