Is there a difference between Barrett’s tongue and barretts oesophagus ?

[gillsky8]

I have been trying to research this since my endoscopy showed “possible Barrett’s tongue”

Biopsy has been taken to rule this out which I hope is a positive sign , but does anyone have experience of this term?

I understand that it is associated with hiatal hernia although my reflux issues aren’t too bad and controlled with esomeprazole twice daily atm .

all blood tests and tumour markers perfectly normal

[hunsdon]

hi gillsky8 interesting message you put up regarding Barrett’s tongue of which I have never heard of !! Like you I take esomeprazole two a day which helps but not a cure but I also use now and again a neck collar which seems to help rather than your chin slowly moving into the neck before the dreaded acid reflux appears and the body starts to pulsate and the niggly cough starts !! I have also had a hiatal hernia repair which has made the high stomach a bit more comfortable, my operation was 11 years ago life changing but well worth it , look after yourself take care . Tina x

[gillsky8 in reply to hunsdon]

thank you yes that is how it was described and I understand it now to be areas /patches will look red and tongue like in appearance. What is your dose of esomeprazole please, mine is 20mg x 2 I find it a bit of a problem knowing when it is best to take it somedays it seems better in one morning dose. However by the end of the afternoon before main meal I am often tempted whether to take another or it I should have split the 40mg am and pm. I have also tried on some recommendations Gaviscon Advance, trouble is next day I have the "runs" excuse the term so it doesnt suit me too well. I am also wondering if a hernia repair might be the answer to get me away from all this PPI and antacids However when I had the barium swallow and the hernia was found they said it was too small to require surgery. I just want to be sure that I can manage if the diagnosis is Barretts to keep this at bay and not be continuously worrying that the worse could happen.

[hunsdon in reply to gillsky8]

Hi gillsky8 I take 1 in the morning before any breakfast and another 1 early evening, (2 x 20 mg) but just at bedtime I do take 1 now and again of chewable gaviscon which helps with the acid reflux which as we all know is horrendous, i try not to eat late !! Don’t lay over on to the left side, I think we all try assorts of things , I don’t have diarrhoea as much now but I am a where it can happen at time !! I think most of these problems are controlled to a point but no cure as the stomach is now up high and other mechanisms are missing !! Hope the spelling is ok take care, Tina x

[gillsky8 in reply to hunsdon]

Yes i think i might try the chewable rather than the liquid and see if that is any better. also i might try just to stick with 1 20mg. Es am and then save the other for later. I really get tired of all the trial and error. I just want to take the dose needed and get on with my life however I am fast coming to the conclusion that this is total trial and error and not a quick fix. I am hoping that post results etc. I can get a better idea of the medication needed from the GI specialist.

good to speak to you and thanks for your quick reply, take care and will keep in touch.

Gill x

[hunsdon in reply to gillsky8]

Hi I had a medical review the other day and one of the things that came up is the concern over esomeprazole so I am now considering now and again to miss out on the morning dosage !! I agree regarding trial and error and little and often is another something we have to think about , ha ha 😝 Tina x

[gillsky8 in reply to hunsdon]

Sorry I forgot to ask if you are diagnosed with Barretts ? Yes I have heard esomeprazole is a concern long term. The only thing I worry about is if I'm not taking it is the likelihood of damage to the oesophagus much more likely x

[hunsdon in reply to gillsky8]

Hi gill I had my oesophagus remove after a cancerous tumour 10 years ago so I take esomeprazole because of the acid reflux it seems that I make a lot of acid and with the stomach up higher I try to be a bit careful sometimes well as much as I can if you get my drift , Tina x

[Smithyrat159]

As I understand it, Barrett's tongue is just the way of describing what the damaged area of the oesophagus looks like; so redder areas which look like tongues as the acid burns the oesophagus. Whereas Barrett's oesophagus is the actual term for the condition itself. I think that's right anyway. Fingers crossed your results are good.

[gillsky8 in reply to Smithyrat159]

Thank you that does make sense, the endoscopy report said "possible Barretts tongue" and that generally the gastritis in the area was mild, so hopefully it is just a little bit redder than the other areas rather than acid burn. I have to wait of course for the biopsy result.