Barretts oesophagus

[gillsky8]

😟

I am very very worried. !!

Acid reflux for over 5 years, and finally seen by Gastro consultant who referred for Gastroscopy

Diagnosed with hiatus hernia just recently, mother had Barretts and my brother died from osophageal cancer., he was in the RAF and had sarcoidosis which they seemed to belief was a factor

Report from recent endoscopy appeared to be all good, however there was a "possible" Barretts Tongue seen and so biopsy has been taken to rule Barretts out.

All blood tests and tumour markers came back as normal, but I cannot help but worry about if it is Barretts and whether again it could be cancer.

Although the report said at the end Evidence of cancer - none

The diagnosis on the paperwork said Hiatus Hernia and Mild Gastritis, so trying to think positive, it's hard though.

If it is Barretts oesophagus , i am terrified it could become esophageal cancer.

Just the waiting game now, my mind is all over the place. !!!

[Smithyrat159]

Difficulty, I know, but try to stay positive. There are no markers of cancer so that's brilliant and if you are at the beginning of Barrett's esophagus it should mean that you will be invited to review it every two years to monitor the situation. Make sure this happens. Other than that Barrett's itself is not a death sentence by any means. You will know what causes your acid reflux to flare up so try to avoid that, you will be on medication so stick with it. Then so all the things you can , raise bedhead, bend from the knees not from the waist etc etc (lots of good tips out there) and carry on living your life. Good luck

[Deeedals]

just make sure they review you annually initially, decreasing over the years with each negative result.

Once you’re in the system they should be keeping an eye on you . Good health and stay positive ❤️

[kewl1]

Please try not to worry too much. This runs in my family. My mom died in 1993, not from the Barreets itself but from an "experimental" operation to remove the esophagus when she didn't even have cancer. The doctor said it could turn into cancer. This was in the US and in later years I thought we should have spoken to a lawyer but it was too late. So there are 6 siblings 5 of which have relux. I have been on Opmeprezole for at least 25 years. For me, it is an absolute miracle drug. I never get any heartburn at all no matter what spicey foods I may eat I am now taking 20mg in the morning and another 20 at night. I could get away with just 1 of these every two days which I did for some time after hearing apparently false information about it being harmful. I have just in recent years begun having an Endoscopy every 3 years. Try not to worry too much. This runs in my family. My mom died in 1993, not from the Barreets itself but from an "experimental" operation to remove the esophagus when she didn't even have cancer. The doctor said it could turn into cancer. This was in the US and in later years I thought we should have spoken to a lawyer but it was too late. So there are 6 siblings 5 of which have relux. I have been on Opmeprezole for at least 25 years. For me, it is an absolute miracle drug. I never get any heartburn at all no matter what spicey foods I may eat I am now taking 20mg in the morning and another 20 at night. I could get away with just 1 of these every two day which I did for some time after hearing false information about it being harmful. I have just in recent years begun having an Endoscopy every 3 years. I am told that I have a bit of Barettes at the bottom and that it is nothing to worry about. So please relax as yours does not sound like a big deal. I know that anything that can be related to the "C" word is extremely scary. I had 3C colon cancer but am fine now after 6.5 years but I know how scary cancer can be

Good luck

[gillsky8 in reply to kewl1]

Thank you that is reassuring. I guess until I know if it is Barrett’s I will still worry but even so the chances are I may have actually had it without realising. The hernia is very newly diagnosed but again it could have existed for a while without me knowing it was there. I am trying to think positive. All blood tests etc have been perfectly normal. I agree with you re esomeprazole. I have been taking it for about 3 years and try to keep to a minimum dosage . Once 20mg am and pm seems to work. Tbh I don’t have much acid awareness at nighttime although I think I am more conscious of it since diagnosis of hernia.

[kewl1 in reply to gillsky8]

I didn't mention, I also have a hiatus hernia and so did my mother and both grandmothers. Although we were all told we had them, I don't recall anyone having any real issues. I totally forgot that I have one. My brother-in-law also does.