Let’s see. Chronic heart burn disease about 5 years. After that Barrets’ esophagus (how many years?) and cancer 2-3 years. Does it mean that people that have GERD can live about 10-12 years with that. Please let me I am wrong.

Some people have it all their life with little damage. Some people didn't even know they had GERD til they found out they had esophagal cancer. Like me, I was misdiagnosed with asthma in 92, it wasn't til Sept 2003 that I had esophagitis, and in sept 2004 it was mild barrett's esophagus. Barrett's seldom turns to cancer so the Drs say, it is just a risk factor for it, but it does happen. Up to last August I could count on my both hands the times I had heartburn, like maybe twice a year since 92 anyway, so I didn't think anything of it. my asthma symptoms were acid reflux when I took my pulmonary test in Jan. I have had every known drug so far none of them have tamed the flame like I would like, tho it has got rid of the asthma like symptoms, scared to have another endoscopy because the burn still goes and has been since August, makes me wonder what the barretts looks like now, it was mild in sept. Prilosec has worked the best, at least it is a small irritation instead of the torch as before. As for life expectancy, who knows, if you are predisposed for this kind of cancer it's more risky but it is a rare cancer. My mother has had barretts for 30yrs and she is still going and still dealing with the burn. Mine started with a gastritis attack that turned to heartburn and it just never went away this time. It really sucks and these last 7 months it has really taken the joy out eating, crappy way to turn your eating habits around tho.

I just can say I’m sorry Nancy for your disease. I’m always sad, when imagine how much problems people have with their health. But it is our cruel reality. Sometime I’m not sure have our nativity been god’s present or punishment.
I’m 32 years old and have diagnosed GERD last year. I’ m taking Prevacid 30mg daily and I was thinking my GERD is under control. But now, GERD remained me that it is still here. I got symptoms again, even I used Prevacid. Now it’s make me depression and I start calculate how long my life is going to be.:confused:

Thank you for your answer.

Yes, if treated well it can be controlled. But there are some people who never achieve good control. I've seen the dietician, been on four PPIs, Zantac, Carafate, Reglan, Compazine, and Promethazine, and I can't get under control. I was diagnosed when I was 16, so I really hope I'm not going to be dead by 36, but it is something I have given though to. I don't have Barrets yet, but I have torn a hole in my esophogus and have asthma.

We can live a long time even with the abuse in our bodies. I have had GERD my whole life, but luckily no baretts yet.

My father had a hole in his esophagus because he drank battery acid as a toddler and other problems from that- he drank it back in the fourties. He just had to be carefull to chew things like meat really well otherwise they would sometimes get stuck in his throat.

From every thing I have read over the years as long as you take control of what you have, and take propar med's for your gerd you can live a long life.

I've actually only had one endscopy, and that was the one that showed the hole. It was a very small one. They knew to look for it because my stool tested positive for blood. After going on high doses of PPIs, they were able to determine that the tear healed, because there was no longer any blood in my stool.

I have been monitored frequently. I have had two Ph probes this year, and both showed a lot of reflux, both on meds. I have talked at great length with my doctor abouut a fundo, but he doesn't think I'm a good candidate. He said he's never had a patient not back on meds after a year, and that the surgery can take a long time to recover from. I'm still thinking about it though. I am actually due for another endoscope.

Ive been on meds for gerd since my early 20s ,im now 48 alive and still kicking.In all that time i only had one minor episode of stomach irritation.Take care.

Thank you suzyshop! We needed to hear some positive feedback ... that this is a disease that one needs to manage but that life does continue!

GERD is most often not a life limiting disease. Approximately 23 million Americans have GERD. The chances of Barret's is pretty small and even then less then 10 percent with Barrets will develop esophageal cancer. An estimated 13,000 people in the US are diagnosed with EC each year, so it is pretty rare. You can control this disease with the proper meds and lifestyle alterations. I would recommend regular endoscopys to monitor GERD. I have had GERD for a few years myself and I plan to be around for alot longer! ;)

I was on 'zoton' for many years, had hiatus hernia and Barretts.
The medication stopped working and I had fundoplication surgery in April.
Unfortunately, the burning is back despite a barium swallow not showing any reflux.
Can Barretts exist without reflux?

I have gerd now going on 28 yrs and it looks like i will have it for the rest of my life.Take care.

I have gerd now going on 28 yrs and it looks like i will have it for the rest of my life.Take care.


Suze,
What are your major symptoms w/Gerd and what have you been taking that really works for you? Have you ever taken Sulcrafate if so, did it help?

Anyone -
Does GERD affect appetite?
E

My major symptom was a pain under the right breastbone,and a terrible burning pain when i ate something and burped.The acid would come up my throat and burn the heck out of it.Right now im taking prevacid,for the first 20yrs i took prescription zantac 3x a day.Now i just take 1 prevacid and im good to go.So far prevacid has worked the best for me.No ive never taken sulcrafate.Some ppl that take meds still have to watch what they eat.I guess im one of the lucky ones,i can still eat anything as long as i dont forget to take that pill.Take care.

To All Here......you Can Live Forever With Gerd As Long As It Is Controlled......

I'm No Expert, But I Know There Is A Medically Proven Link Between The Mind And The Gut (stomach, Bowels, Etc.).....the More Stress....the More Worry.....the More Problems.

We All Need To Learn How To Relax! Life Is Too Short At Best.....

NancyH,
You said your Mom has had Barretts for over 30 yrs, what does she take for it ?

Unfortunately my Mom passed away this year but not from Barretts. She had the shingles, which tunred into pneumonia and also congestive heart failure. Her Dr said she didn't have asthma like she has been told for the last 20yrs, it was the acid reflux that left scars in her lungs. She was taking Nexium, even tho it didn't take it all away it did help. Mine is much better, now that I am finding my triggers and doing little things like drinking chamomile tea every night and it works better than any pill in that is settles my tummy as well. Only hope the tea doesn't do what the pills do and stop working after awhile. This is a more distressing health condition than my arthritis and neuropathy as far as I'm concerned. At least with other hurting conditions you can eat a comfort food and make yourself think you feel better, with GERD eat something comforting and 9 times out of 10 it is a trigger food!!

Nancy,
I'm sorry to hear about your Mother. I hope you get to feeling better. I've thought about trying Nexium as well. I have also heard that basically all the PPI"S are about the same. Yes, your right, comfort foods, are usually trigger foods. This is a crappy illness to have, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I've been a little down about it, since my doc told me I had the Barretts, but have also heard people live yrs with it, and it doesn't turn into cancer very often. I will try the chamomile tea, as ppi's give me addl problems and seem to make my symptoms worse at times.

most people never get to the cancer stage,they just live with gerd to a ripe old age,dont worry the chances are you will live a long life even if it is with gerd.