My pathology report came back yesterday saying I have Barrett's Esophagus 😐 Also, had PMR flare about a week ago. Have appointment with gastroenterologist on the 27th of this month. Am curious to know if anyone else has PMR and Barrett's Esophagus.
Appreciate you all, Edward
I had never heard of this condition so I looked it up and feel a bit concerned. I was rushed off to hospital a few months back with an Oesophageal Spasm, very frightening and that area feels significant sometimes. I also get acid reflux which is since taking Pred.
This all seems to fit with Barrett's. It must be a blow to get this diagnosis, perhaps a relief also, that it isn't cancer. If you've been worrying about this it could have precipitated a flare. My guess is that it is not PMR related but possibly Prednisalone related. It is a harsh drug on the digestive system. However, Barrett 's seems to be an over growing of cells and it may just be one of those mysterious things.
Thanks for the heads up I will mention it to my beleaguered GP. I hope your appointment goes well and that the condition can be managed well and easily. Let us know.
Thanks for responding. I didn't know about the Barrett's Esophagus diagnosis when I had the flare, so don't think that was the cause of the flare. Barrett's Esophagus can turn into cancer (dysplasia) if not brought under control. It has four stages.
I have had acid reflux on and off for yrs. However, was doing fine for around 8 yrs before taking prednisone. In essence, I don't think you have to worry about getting Barrett's Esophagus as it normally takes quite a while for it to evolve from GERD to BE.
Thanks again. Will let you know how appointment goes. Edward
Edward, have you had an endoscopy? My husband had reflux for years, because of a hiatus hernia, which led to the Barrats oesophagus. So he then went on Omeprazole daily for the rest of his life. And being sensible with food the reflux was much less. Not always so, drinking with meals out always meant sitting up for a few hours when home!! Then the Gaviscon came into its own!!
However he did not develop cancer cells, thankfully
Best wishes for when you see the consultant.
marigoldb, yes, I did have an endoscopy. I am so glad to hear your husband did not develop cancer cells. I take Omeprazole twice daily and Carafate 4 × daily. Eating smaller meals which seems to be helping.
Thank you so much for your kind and informative post.
Eward
I have a long history of gastritis, stomach ulcers etc., having first been diagnosed with a stomach ulcer at the age of eighteen. Two years ago I had a gastroscopy (camera into the stomach) and I was found to have a hiatus hernia and Barrett's Oesophagus. At first I was rather alarmed at this, but I have since found out that it is fairly common if you have stomach ulcers because it is the action of the stomach acid which causes the cell changes in your oesophagus (gullet.) At the time mine was diagnosed I had been on pred, at doses ranging from 20mg to 12 mg for just over a year.
So, I already had a problem with excess stomach acid, but the pred definitely made it worse. At that time I was on uncoated pred and it was only thanks to the advice on this forum that I discovered there was such a thing as gastro-resistant (enteric coated) pred. I would strongly recommend it to you if you are not already taking it.
Although it is possible for the cell changes to become cancerous it is relatively rare. Depending on your doctor and where you live it seems common to have repeat gastroscopies anywhere from 1 to 3 years apart, although some doctors question how useful that is.
I hope you are reassured when you see your doctor.
Thank you so much for your post as it has made me feel better. Live in the US and enteric prednisone is not available here. Some on forum have told me about blank capsules you can put prednisone pill in that will bypass stomach. Gastroenterologist wants to discuss this with me first. Taking Carafate and Prilosec currently.
Glad you're doing better.
Edward
Prilosec is known as Omeprazole in the UK, so if you see references to that on the forum you will know what it is. Apologies if you already know this, but this drug is a Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) and will work by reducing the amount of acid produced in your stomach. Although it really isn't necessary for a lot of people on pred, some doctors prescribe it as a preventative. For people who already have stomach ulcers (especially where ranitidine/zantac have proved ineffective) Prilosec is very useful. I would go so far as to say it changed my life. When it was a fairly new drug and I was in my forties, I went from spending hours each night having to stay sitting up in bed, because of the acid reflux, to feeling relatively normal. It doesn't suit everyone and it has side-effects of it's own, but it worked for me at the time. My ulcers stopped bleeding and the gastritis was greatly improved. Incidentally, the worsening gastritis was blamed on the antiinflammatories I was prescribed for spondylosis. I now know not to take anything of that kind. As PMRpro says, bisphosphonates are another no-no, if you have to take them, because you have osteoporosis, a yearly infusion is available rather than tablets.
I suppose the whole point of this overlong post is that we all need to learn about what's going on in our bodies and what these powerful drugs are doing to us. At a time when we may be feeling very unwell we have to make sure that the specialist doctors and GPs treat the whole person, who may have multiple health problems with varying needs. In the UK at least pred is the only thing that works for PMR so we have to take it. If you can't get the gastro resistant type, the capsules sound like a good compromise to me. Good luck!
BJ2016, I have been taking Omeprazole (Prolosec) and Carafate. So glad you are doing well and Omeprazole has been such a help to you. Gastroenterologist gave me the capsule kind rather than the OTC I was getting at store.
Thank you so much for your post, Edward
Hi Alwayheadache, you can buy the empty capsule on Amazon for a pretty low price.
Going to but nurse said gastroenterologist wants to talk to me first. Have appointment this month.
Thank you for responding, Edward
I don't think there is a link between PMR/pred and Barrett's - but if you have it it is a direct contraindication for taking any of the oral bisphosphonates.
I don't take any biophosphonates, but so glad you told me this as I was not aware of the contraindication.
Thank you so much for your post. Edward
The Acid Watchers Diet by Jonathon Aviv . on Amazon. Have a friend with PMR and Barrett's esophagus and he swears by it. Changed his life.
Rheum's Report Feedback.
Osteoporosis - treatment or not ??
Progress report from alternative treatment front
Esophagus problems
Highly elevated ESR and CRP but no symptoms of a flare
