Barretts disease - Digestive Disorders Message Board

Douglas Mack · 01-22-2001, 08:07 AM

A friend of mine has been diagnosed with Barretts, has anyone heard of it? I've discovered that it starts with Reflux and generally gets worse. He has taken Tagamet but it hasn't got any better. I understand it can lead to stomach cancer. My friend is obviously very concerned about this. He has now been prescribed some tablets called PARIET, do you know anything about these? Any help and advice you can give on this subject, I'm sure will be greatly received.
Thanx D

PS Also, do you have any dietry ideas, are there any websites relating dietry needs concerning Barretts?

[This message has been edited by Douglas Mack (edited 01-23-2001).]

Dusty · 01-22-2001, 08:36 PM

Hi
Several years ago I was diagnosed with Barrett's esphogaus. That is were the cells in your esphogaus change. Part of the esphougial lining become the same as your stomach lining. It is your body's way of protecting itself from the constant burning of stomach acid rising up into the esphogaus as is the case with acid reflux disease.
My Barrett's actually receded, which my doctor said is quite rare, so I consder myself lucky. People with Barrett's have a 10% chance of getting esphogial cancer. So it is important to have yearly biopsies done by having an annual egd endoscope performed. Your friend is lucky they discovered it before it changed to something more serious. It was recently reported that drinking green tea helps reduce the chance of esphogial cancer.

Douglas Mack · 01-23-2001, 07:45 AM

Thanx Dusty for your help. I'll pass on the idea of Green Tea, any other dietry tips? Incidentally, we were told that the esophegal damage was irreversible and would only get worse with time. Can it be cured?

melody · 01-23-2001, 08:59 PM

I've got barrett's esophagus also (due to about 18 years of reflux). Dusty gave you a good description of what it is. I had to get endoscopies about every 3 months for a while because the esophagus lining was ulcerated and they couldn't tell for sure whether there were cell changes. I finally have been cleared (that there isn't cancer cells at this point) and I don't go back for 2 years. My understanding is that the best thing to do is to get the reflux under control. I sleep with the head of my bed elevated and take Aciphex and Reglan. Some of the other things I remember them suggesting is: Eat smaller meals. Don't eat after 8:00 p.m. Avoid acidic foods. Avoid alcohol. Do not smoke! Avoid fatty foods. Avoid caffeine. And the list probably goes on.

Generally with reflux, the doctor would have already given your friend these suggestions. If he hasn't, he may want to change docs! It is important to get the reflux under control to limit the additional damage to the esophagus. I have no idea whether it can reverse itself or not.

Good luck to your friend.

MSUGirl · 01-07-2003, 08:53 PM

Hello,
I am not sure if you still watch this site but here some info you may find helpful. This was taken off of mayo clinic website.

Most people with Barrett's esophagus don't develop esophageal cancer. However, the prognosis is poor for those who do. Once diagnosed, the average survival rate is less than 1 year. Of the 12,000 cases diagnosed annually in the United States, close to 10,000 die. Less than 10 percent of people diagnosed with esophageal cancer survive 5 years.