Over the last few years I have gained from peoples advice and tried to give advice where I can on this site but I have never actually posted my story. I am hoping it may influence people with symptoms to get checked. My story began about 30 years ago when after going to my doctor with heartburn ( which I had suffered from for years) I was sent for an endoscopy and diagnosed with Barrett’s. They told me it meant I had pre-cancerous cells in my oesophagus but they rarely turn cancerous. Even so, when a doctor mentions cancer it is alarming. I had to have an endoscopy every 3 years to keep a check on it and as time went on I worried about it less. I just got used to going and hearing everything was fine. Why wouldn’t it be ? Then 8 years ago I had a letter from the hospital with an endoscopy appointment after 2 years. Slightly alarmed I phoned them and asked why I need one 12 months early, was there a problem? No they said it’s just a computer error, I can either keep the appointment or move it on to 3 years as usual. So I thought I might as well keep this appointment. That was some lucky computer error. I was called back in and told they had found a cancerous tumour and it was aggressive. I was 54 at the time and thought that’s it for me. Luckily they had caught it early and I went straight to an oesophagectomy with no need for chemo. If you suffer heartburn, get checked and if you are diagnosed with Barrett’s make sure they keep on top of it. I am 62 now and even though I won’t pretend it was easy in the early days life is good now and I still sometimes wonder if I would be here but for computers occasionally messing up.
Best Wishes, James.
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Thanks for telling us your story and I'm so glad there was a good end to it.. I and many others on this forum take Omaprazole and others for acid reflux. I have been trying to reduce the dose im taking but am very aware that acid can cause further damage to the lungs. It is vital to be proactive where our bodies are concerned and to be as k nowledgeable as we can. I'm sure your story and advice will help others on here. Cheers.
Your story is so similar to mine it could be the same! I was in my 20's with reflux, had a fundoflication, monitored yearly as was in forces, then after leaving dropped to every 2 yrs, again had a 'good result' to then be called back a month later by a 'computer glitch' which showed cancer a month after being told it was ok. Oesopagectomy inside a month and still here 12 years on. Computer glitch or maybe a sign that some times those reading the results make mistakes but as most are checked twice mistakes are regularly spotted?
Thanks for sharing James - I was 48 when diagnosed out the blue - 5yrs on from oesophagectomy and as you quite rightly say - early days not easy - I’m finally managing side effects and very much enjoying life - all the very best
Thanks for sharing your story and it’s great it ended well. I was just wondering if you were taking PPIs during the period and at what dose. And also did you have a large piece of Barrett’s? It is just a little worrying that many people with Barrett’s could unknowingly be having changes in their esophagus in between scopes. We are always being told changes happen very slowly.
Hi adela1, I had years of suffering heartburn and tried to combat it by throwing Rennies down like there was no tomorrow. I just thought that’s how I am and didn’t know anything could be done about it. Eventually I went to the doctor but by then the damage to my oesophagus was already done. That’s when I was put on PPIs. I think it was 20mg once a day back then. Now I am on 30mg but I take 15 in the morning and 15 at night and it works for me. It wasn’t a large area of damage but my surgeon ( a brilliant man ) decided to take the lower half of my oesophagus and the top half of my stomach to make sure he got it all. Best Wishes, James.
Well done James for going early and getting through the other side. I was on omeprazole for years for gastris.I had a problem with gall bladder which needed removing. 6 months after thought I had problems from the op had endoscopy which revealed I had stage 1 cancer. Had Oesphagectomy nearly 5 years ago. We are the lucky ones.
Hi kiddyWe are the lucky ones, I had heartburn for 20yrs plus, by the time I went docs and had an endoscopy I had Barrett's, 4 yrs later cancer, full oesphageectomy, 7 yrs on, gotton used to side effects, apart from dumping still, but have to remind myself how lucky I am, my original apt was cancelled, second attempt surgeon had gone on holiday and they forgot to tell me, third time lucky, they said had I gone either of the 2 times before it would have been missed, then a year would have gone by and it might have been too late!
thanks for sharing your story, will be great motivation for others to come and talk and seek help where needed.
In regards to the frequency, i doubt its any glitch. the frequency of monitoring would become shortened after entering later phase of life say for an example 50 mark.
Appreciate your sharing James. It is so true that some are lucky (like my husband) that they get the diagnosis at the onset.
It is invaluable advice for people to seek medical attention if they are suffering reflux for several months (don’t wait for years or till you have difficulty swallowing).
Many aren’t aware that they Barrett’s Oesophagus which should be monitored regularly by a Gastroenterologist.
My husband’s barretts was 16cm long and only found out after a barium swallow test and endoscopy which diagnosed he had a tumour in the barretts.
People please do not ignore your refluxes, go get checked.
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