diagnosed with barretts

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2007
diagnosed with barretts
12
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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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-04-2005
Sun, 07-08-2007 - 12:10pm

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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!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2007
Wed, 07-25-2007 - 9:19am
Hi petiebird, I was also diagnosed with barretts. Last summer, I had a routine egd and colonoscopy done and they said I had barretts. I have had acid refux for probably 15 years and taken prescribed meds for it. I didn't get heartburn so much as the acid coming up. It has been a year now, and had to have a bone density test done, because of my age for one, and I have degenerative arthritis real bad, and it showed that I have borderline osteoperosis, they call it osteopenia. They want to put me on a med to strengthen my bones, but since I still have trouble swallowing, they want to do another egd first. So I am scheduled to have it on Aug. 8th. I have so much trouble with meat and bread, they don't want to go down. My son did a lot of research on barretts, and only 10% turns into cancer. It is treatable. He put me on 40 mg. of prilosec, but lately I get heartburn, and also the acid coming up. But I am a diabetic, and take byetta shots. If I overeat, the food comes up. But I am careful about what I eat, and know the times that I did overeat, and it isn't the same as when the acid comes up.
Hope to talk to you more, and you get more answers about what we have
good luck,
honeybear2007
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2007
Wed, 07-25-2007 - 9:28am
Hi Sue, I was diagnosed with Barretts 3 years ago not long after I moved to Spain from England, I was absolutley devastated and I hadn't even heard of Barretts. When I did some research on the internet I convinced myself it was a life sentance but further reading and support from other sufferers has taught me to change my life style and eating habits. 3 years down the line I only take medication at intervals when I feel really bad and am feeling very optomistic about my chances. I have re-scopes every 12 months and although I have tumours in my stomach and irritable bowl syndrome the Barretts has only progressed a small way up my esophagus. I still experience severe heartburn occasionally and have bouts of really bad sickness, but on the whole life is good and the worse thing you can do is worry, Have regular scopes and change your diet, read and read everything you can find on Barretts. Information will be your greatest tool. Good luck and keep strong, love Arorah from spain
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2007
Wed, 07-25-2007 - 10:47am
I FEEL FOR YOU I JUST HAD THIS NEWS A MONTH AGO,I WAS SUFFERING FROM GERD (ACID BACKING UP TO THE ASAPHEGUS) I DIDN'T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO IT WHEN THE DR TOLD ME AND GAVE ME MEDICATION FOR IT BUT I DIDN'T TAKE IT BECAUSE I DIDN'T FEEL ANYTHING EXCEPT SOME BURNING ONCE IN A WHILE.WELL BARRETTS IS WHEN THE ACID BACK UP TO YOUR ASAPHEGUS AND DAMAGE THE LINING , THE LINING OF YOUR ASAPHEGUS TURN INTO A DIFFERENT COLOR FROM THE ACID (HOW MANY CM IS THE AFFECTED AREA ?)MINE IS 17 CM , I AM TAKING PREVACID. BE VERY CAREFULL YOU SHOULD CUT CAFFEIN,NO SODA, NO ALCOHOL
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
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2007
Wed, 07-25-2007 - 2:20pm

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

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2007
Wed, 07-25-2007 - 2:43pm

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

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2007
Wed, 07-25-2007 - 9:59pm

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!

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2007
Thu, 07-26-2007 - 10:11pm
Please be aware that nexium takes calcium out of body,if you take nexium dotors say you should take a calcium supplement also.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2007
Fri, 07-27-2007 - 5:50am
Hi,
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
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2007
Fri, 07-27-2007 - 6:55am
Hi,
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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