Comment from: Anne P, 65-74 Female (Patient)Published: October 21
I was diagnosed with Barrett's with high grade dysplasia in '05 and had immediate surgery with a partial Gastro-Esophagectomy. I had six inches of my esophagus removed. Post-op recovery was extremely difficult. I am an RN so felt I knew somewhat what to expect. I lost 40 lbs (I have regained 10) and eating is still problematic, to say the least. I must sleep practically upright. I eat small meals frequently and generally stick to fairly low fat, minimal alcohol diet. I take Prevacid 30 mg in morning and Zantac 150 mg at bedtime. I only hope the surgery was absolutely necessary and that all will be OK for the future.
Comment from: judgerms, 45-54 Male (Patient)Published: October 20
I have severe GERD that was first diagnosed in October 2008. I underwent twice daily treatment with Nexium and had a follow up scope in February 2009. I was diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus. My doctor recommends the ablation therapy. My reflux is pretty much under control. I still take Nexium once a day (I have lost more than 100 pounds, quit drinking alcohol, try not to eat late at night, etc). I am concerned that this article seems to recommend that the ablation only be performed by a study group. I have the procedure scheduled in December.
Comment from: croakrz1@aol.com, 55-64 Male (Patient)Published: October 07
I just yesterday had my second in 5 yrs. - endoscopy and colonoscopy. I was diagnosed with hiatus hernia and z-line or barrets. I'm 58. Although I've lived in agony for over 9 yrs., most of the doctors I've seen were concerned, honest and helpful. From what I've been reading on this site, I read repeatedly about, mostly insurers and some doctors, dropping the ball or the paitent. I thought I had it bad with no insurance at all, and going to a clinic run by the University of Florida. Thank God for them.
Comment from: 45-54 Female (Patient)Published: July 01
I was diagnosed as having Barrett's esophagus earlier this year. I still get heartburn, acid reflux and pain in my right side just under my ribs. I have also had a couple of episodes of sickness and feeling very drained and tired. I am now thinking of making another appointment to get things checked out again.
Comment from: Nordy, 45-54 MalePublished: July 01
I was diagnosed with “Barrett's syndrome” more than five years ago. The doctor that had examined me was going to set me up for surgery. They had to postpone it until I came off the blood thinners I was on from the blood clots I had. (That's another story.) I had continued to take my prescription for my Barrett's esophagus for the five years until after I had a gone through my second ACL knee replacement. I had been taking ibuprofen (800 mg) every day for the pain and swelling. Once I had my knee fixed, I stopped taking them.
It's been almost two years since my knee surgery, and I have not had any problems with my Barrett's esophagus. I can eat anything now. Funny thing is, I must have seen six doctors, and not one of them said anything to me about the ibuprofen I had been taking.
Comment from: dawna79, 25-34 Female (Patient)Published: March 25
In May of 2007, I was diagnosed with GERD and Barrett's Esophagus, which I never knew I had. I was 27. It felt as if I was catching the flu and then was sick. I couldn't eat or drink, not even water or crackers. Then I got very weak over night and couldn't walk from one room to the other. I started vomiting blood and running to the bathroom with diarrhea with blood in it. When we went to the hospital, they told me I had lost so much that if I waited any longer, it would have killed me. I had a blood transfusion. They told me afterward that I had Barrett's. They put me on Nexium.
Comment from: Barrybarb, 65-74 Female (Patient)Published: March 06
I was diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus 10 years ago and have been taking PPIs since. I recently was found to have polyps, probably related to taking the PPIS. My doctor put me on Carafate, and I stopped the PPIs. My heart burn is back so I, without consultation, went back to taking PPIs. I think I would rather deal with benign polyps.
Patient Discussions are not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified health provider because of something you have read on MedicineNet. The opinions expressed in the comments section are of the author and the author alone. MedicineNet does not endorse any specific product, service or treatment.
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Suggested Reading on Barrett's Esophagus by Our Doctors
Most sore throats are caused by viruses or mechanical causes (such as mouth breathing) and can be treated successfully at home. However, a person should be seen by a health care professional if they have a sore throat that has a rapid onset, and is associated with a fever or tenderness of the front of the neck; a sore throat that causes the person to have difficulty swallowing (not just pain swallowing) or breathing; or if a sore throat lasts for more than a week.
GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) is a condition in which the acidified liquid
contents of the stomach backs up into the esophagus. The symptoms of uncomplicated GERD are heartburn,
regurgitation, and nausea. Effective treatment is available for most patients with GERD.
Bronchitis is a disease of the respiratory system in which the bronchial passages become inflamed. There are two types of bronchitis, acute and chronic. Symptoms of acute bronchitis include frequent cough with mucus, lack of energy, wheezing, and possible fever. Treatment may require medication such as bronchial inhalers and predinsone. Supportive treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms with fever reducers, cough suppressants, and rest. Treatment may be more aggressive in patients with pre-existing conditions such as empyema, COPD, or cigarette smoking.
A hiatal hernia is an anatomical abnormality in which part of the stomach protrudes through the diaphragm and up into the chest. Causes of hiatal hernia are a larger than normal esophageal hiatus. There are two types of hiatal hernias, sliding, or para-esophageal. When symptoms of hiatal hernia appear, they are similar to GERD symptoms. Hiatal hernia treatment is generally surgery.
Chronic cough is a cough that does not go away and is generally a symptom of another disorder such as asthma, allergic rhinitis, sinus infection, cigarette smoking, GERD, postnasal drip, bronchitis, pneumonia, medications, and less frequently tumors or other lung disease. Treatment of chronic cough is dependant upon the cause.
Esophageal cancer is a disease in which malignant cells form in the esophagus. Risk factors of cancer of the esophagus include smoking, heavy alcohol use, Barrett's esophagus, being male and being over age 60. Severe weight loss, vomiting, hoarseness, coughing up blood, painful swallowing, and pain in the throat or back are symptoms. Treatment depends upon the size, location and staging of the cancer and the health of the patient.
Stool color is generally brown. When stool color changes, often, an individual becomes concerned. The presence of the bilirubin in bile is generally responsible for stool color. Bilirubin concentration can vary bile color from light yellow to almost black in color. Changes in bilirubin can cause stool to turn green, gray, or clay-like in color. Intestinal bleeding may turn stool black, tarry, red, maroon, or smelly stool. Medication and food may also affect stool color.
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a bacterium that causes chronic inflammation (gastritis) of the inner lining of the stomach in humans. This bacteria also is the most common cause of ulcers worldwide.
Eosinophilic esophagitis is an inflammation of the esophagus. Eosinophilic esophagitis has many causes including acid reflux, heartburn, viruses, medications that become stuck in the esophagus, allergy, asthma, hay fever, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Eosinophilic esophagitis symptoms include difficulty swallowing food, abdominal pain, chest pain, and heartburn.
Dysphagia or difficulty in swallowing, swallowing problems. Dysphagia is due to problems in nerve or muscle control. It is common, for example, after a stroke. Dysphagia compromises nutrition and hydration and may lead to aspiration pneumonia and dehydration.
Esophagitis is caused by an infection or irritation of the esophagus. Infections that cause esophagitis include candida yeast infection of the esophagus as well as herpes.
Gastritis is an inflammation of the stomach lining. Causes of gastritis include drinking too much alcohol, medications such as NSAIDs, ibuprofen, aspirin, H. pylori infection, severe infections, burns, anemia, and autoimmune disorders. Gastritis is diagnosed with endoscopy, blood tests, or stool tests. Treatment depends upon the cause of gastritis.
Smoking is an addiction. More than 430,000 deaths occur each year in the U.S. from smoking related illnesses. Secondhand smoke or "passive smoke" also harm family members, coworkers, and others around smokers. There are a number of techniques available to assist people who want to quit smoking.
Hoarseness (abnormal deep, harsh, raspy voice) is caused by a variety of conditions in which the larynx (voice box and vocal chords) are irritated or injured. Examples of causes of hoarseness include: laryngitis, straining the vocal cords by yelling or screaming, infections, GERD, allergies, and more. Treatment of hoarseness depends on the cause.
Schatzki (Schatzki's) ring, is a narrow ring of tissue located just above the junction of the esophagus and stomach. The cause of Schatzki ring is not clearly known, however, some doctors believe they are caused by long term acid reflux. The symptoms of a Schatzki ring is primarily poorly chewed food that stays in chunks becoming stuck in the esophagus. Diagnosis of Schatzki's ring is barium x-ray or endoscopy. Treatment is generally a procedure to stretch or fracture the rings.
Though it's difficult to say why some people develop cancer while others don't, research shows that certain risk factors increase a person's odds of developing cancer. These risk factors include growing older, family history of cancer, diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and exposure to sunlight, ionizing radiation, certain chemicals, and some viruses and bacteria.
Heartburn is a burning sensation experienced from acid reflux (GERD). Symptoms of heartburn include chest pain, burning in the throat, difficulty swallowing, the feeling of food sticking in the throat, and a burning feeling in the chest. Causes of heartburn include dietary habits, lifestyle habits, and medical causes. Treatments for heartburn include lifestyle changes, OTC medication, prescription medication, and surgery.
Acid backing up into the larynx (voice box), it causes reflux laryngitis. Irritation of the lining of the esophagus, larynx, and throat can lead to esophagitis, sinusitis, strictures, hoarseness, throat clearing, swallowing problems, asthma, chronic cough, and more. Typical symptoms of reflux laryngitis include heartburn, hoarseness, or a sensation of a foreign body in the throat. Reflux laryngitis can be treated with OTC medication, prescription medication, and lifestyle changes.
Disease prevention in men includes routine screening tests that are part of basic prevention medicine. Take an active role in your own health care and discuss screening tests with your doctor early in life. Age of screening and timing of screening depends upon the condition being assessed.
If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.
Digestion RSS
Healthy Living Tips
This site complies with the
I was diagnosed with Barrett's with high grade dysplasia in '05 and had immediate surgery with a partial Gastro-Esophagectomy. I had six inches of my esophagus removed. Post-op recovery was extremely difficult. I am an RN so felt I knew somewhat what to expect. I lost 40 lbs (I have regained 10) and eating is still problematic, to say the least. I must sleep practically upright. I eat small meals frequently and generally stick to fairly low fat, minimal alcohol diet. I take Prevacid 30 mg in morning and Zantac 150 mg at bedtime. I only hope the surgery was absolutely necessary and that all will be OK for the future.
Related Reading: sleep