Barrett's Syndrome : I was wondering if... - British Heart Fou...

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Barrett's Syndrome

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star
11 Replies

I was wondering if anybody had developed this syndrome after taking heart drugs (particularly Aspirin, Clopidogrel and similar) and/or painkillers like Naproxen? Also were you taking a PPI like Omeprazole or Lansoprazole at the same time?

P.S. Predictive text suggested the Capri Grill for Clopidogrel! :)

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MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJH
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11 Replies
marigoldb profile image
marigoldb

my husband had Barrett’s osoephagus, diagnosed post op following surgery to his ankle. A big operation, triple arthrodesis, he came back from theatre and vomited blood, and a fair amount. Back to theatre for an endoscopy, and it was discovered. It is a pre cancerous condition.

He always suffered from indigestion, evening before in hospital, he swigged his Gaviscon, morning of op couldn’t take his omeprosole, and rest is history.

Anyway he got better, and lived with the condition, taking medication, and being reasonably careful with food, well up to a point!

Later on he was a heartie, had open heart surgery for new aortic valve, and in 2019 I had the same surgeon doing my op!,

It’s coming up to the 9th anniversary this Friday 7th since he died, nothing to do with above . We had almost 55 years together, he was a northerner, with a great sense of humour, and love of life and his family. Gosh how I miss him still. His name is Bob.

Sorry to have gone on a bit long, best wishes to you all, treasure every day!

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star in reply to marigoldb

Thank you for replying and sorry to hear of your loss......

pasigal profile image
pasigal

I would not be surprised to learn that I have this (or GERD). I've never really gone back to "normal" digestion since starting on aspirin 2 years ago. I've had several fibroscopies and a colonoscopy and they found only mild irritation of the esophagus. But I think there's more to it than that. It's kind of frustrating, to be honest, as in the absence of detectable anomalies my gastro doc has been somewhat dismissive. I went to another one (thus angering the first) and he suggested i increase the dose of lanzoprazole. We shall see...

in reply to pasigal

Barrett's is usually caused by long term washing of the oesophagus walls by highly acidic stomach contents, the usual cause being a weak sphincter at the inlet to the stomach. You will know if you have reflux disease if you suffer from regular indigestion pains possibly with reflux into your throat and mouth. In Barrett's the cells change from normal to something other than normal, and the presence of Barrett's cells is usually detected during an endoscopy. If nothing is done and reflux continues there is a danger that this will further develop into oesophageal cancer. However by life style changes and medication like PPIs to reduce the effect of back washing stomach contents, further damage can be restricted and the Barrett's cells will hopefully stabilise. In your case, in addition to the PPI you have been prescribed, if you believe you have reflux disease you need to adopt lifestyle changes such as avoiding large meals and finding out which foods cause you problems, if you have not already done so. For example I avoid all citrus and green peppers. Coffee and onions are other foods to be avoided although I am OK with them. Search online for trigger foods. But if you have a bad relapse caused by something you need to go back to bland foods to allow your oesophagus to settle down again. A week or more may be needed. I also suggest you change to coated aspirin as I have done if you have not already done so.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star in reply to

Thank you for your detailed reply. I now think I had a combination of acidity and bad upper back pain caused by sleeping on an awkward position!...

in reply to MichaelJH

If you have a weak valve at the inlet to the stomach you should avoid lying on your right side whilst sleeping, since gravity will play its part in allowing the stomach contents to back flow into the oesophagus, as the inlet to the stomach from the oesophagus is also on your right side. Try lying on your left side or, as some do, with your upper body propped up. And if you ensure you eat your last meal at least three hours before going to bed it also allows the stomach contents to partly empty which will also help.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star in reply to pasigal

I am on Lansoprazole as I was on Omeprazole which apparently interferes with the action of Clopidogrel....

Schora1 profile image
Schora1

Hi Michael, yes I developed Barrett’s oesophagus after prolonged prescribed pain medication for chronic recurrent pericarditis. Initially I had a 1000mg of aspirin 3 times daily before being moved into naproxen. Only 6mths previously I’d had a clear gastroscope. I also have liver and kidney issues too.

Twitchen profile image
Twitchen

I have been taking Omeprazole for many years and it is the only thing that has really helped with acid reflux. I try to keep it to a maximum of 3 per week, which works quite well for me. Good luck.

nellie237 profile image
nellie237

Oooh, the Capri Grill sounds much tastier than Clopidigrel.

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star in reply to nellie237

Used to live near a small nightclub called the Capri......

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