Barretts Oesophagus treatment other then PPI's ??

[TrishG67]

Hi I was diagnosed with GERD & Barretts last summer and have now tried Omeperazole & Esomperazole on a few occasions. However, both these tablets seem to exasperate my situation causing further pain, a burning sensation and inflammation. I felt like my whole intestines where about to burst out my tummy. So I have had to stop taking PPI's. Unfortunately with Covid my April hospital clinic appointment with the Gastro is somewhere in the backlog queue. The pain in my upper torso, back and sides is horrendous and I have constant discomfort and pain which prevent me from sleeping. Just wandered if anybody had any alternative medication or supplements which have proved successful in treating either of these conditions? I am really worried as I keep getting told by GP with Barretts being pre cancerous that I must take PPI's , yet they just don't seem to agree with me. Really desperate for some relief. Any help appreciated.

[Yellow-sun]

Hi trish,I can't take ppi's either because of the side effects it gives me and made my reflux worse too,I'm on a h2 blocker called cimetidine it works differently to a ppi,I don't get the stomach pain or reflux with it,hope this helps and you get relief soon

[TrishG67 in reply to Yellow-sun]

Thanks so much for the reply and the info, I am desparate now this consumes my life daily feeling do poorly off work now too. I did ask gastro about these as somebody else had mentioned them, he told me they aren't available anymore.! Maybe my GP could let me trial them? I take thyroid medication too & I lost almost 3 stone in weight end of last year then read PPIs interfere with thyroid meds! They make me so Ill in so many ways & like you I still had the GERD. 🤞🙏I could maybe try these

[Yellow-sun in reply to TrishG67]

I was on ranitidine but they don't do that one no more and was changed onto the cimetidine,docters need to realise not everyone gets on with ppi's I'm so thankful I have cimetidine on prescription,my pharmacist said they can only get the 400mg tablets so I'm on them,fingers crossed you can too

[Cornwallgirl]

Hi sounds like you're going through hell there. Those pills don't agree with me either. I don't have Barrets, just GERD, all I do is take Gaviscon after each meal and before bed. That's helped me, along with dietary changes. Good luck x

[gurgleguts]

I had mixed results with omeprazole but found esomeprazole better for some reason although my gp said they’re basically the same. The latter is more expensive I think which is why they tend to go with omeprazole. I’ve read a lot of things about them being bad long term so maybe it’s a blessing in disguise for you. It’s a long shot but try silicol gel. It’s a fairly neutral product and can be bought over the counter. My gp checked it out and said it can’t do any harm and won’t interact with anything. Some people find it works wonders. Might be worth a shot and it’s won’t cost you a fortune to find out. Best of luck.

[Carlettejaque]

Hi, yes, I can't take PPI's either. They cause "writhe on the bathroom floor" type of pain. They also caused me to lose my sense of taste. A wonderful, pain free alternative was Zantac. However, due to a contaminamy in them they were withdrawn last year along with the generic Ranitidine. My hoard of both has just run out and I am trying to cope without.a good natural indigestion remedy is ginger. Try ginger biscuits. Or even dry toast. Take a biscuit or slice of toast to bed in case you need it in the night. If that doesn't work try Rennies. I can't take Gaviscon or any fizzy remedies. Good luck.

[Glossyrossy]

Hi Trish, I can relate to your problems very well. Out of the blue, two months ago I developed a swollen oesophagus with real bad pain, globus and spasms. this came after what we thought was a stomach infection. I initially went on Nexium (Omeprazole) 20 mg. It obviously was not enough. The Dr upped it to 40 mg. I had that for one month. It was improving matters, but then had a bout of food poisoning and went back to zero. I have had horrendous pains through my back, sides and behind the sturnum. Doc said go back on 40mg. I nevertheless want to come off the med and have dropped to 20mg again. I have done everything I should...avoided certain foods, do not eat after 7pm, lifted the bed 6", and take something after meals. Now what I take after meals is called "Gastrisoothe" I get it on Amazon. It is very soothing and has Aloe Vera in it. Things are slowly improving. I have been in such pain, it has affected the quality of my life. I must say that I am bad at taking painkillers and often should have taken them when in pain. The other night I eventually took one tab of Co-codamol 30mg and had a wonderful nights sleep. It seems to be all about managing it.

[Baenav]

I didn’t get on with Omeperazole either, was put on Ranitidine (150 mg twice a day). They were brilliant. Due to the cancer scare associated with this drug, I was moved onto Cimetidine, and take 400mg twice a day. It works to extent and for me, certainly better that Omeperazole. I have been told that Ranitidine and Cimetidine have different Strengths; there is an estimate that the same quantity of Ranititine is 7 or 8 times more ‘powerful’ than Cimetitine. They also might be better for certain conditions, but be aware, Ranitidine is not currently available - Cimetidine seems to be the current standard. The only other H2 - receptor drug that I know of is Famotidine, but my doctor can’t seem to get it for me. Famotidine is more powerful than Ranitidine! Hope this helps you.

[Yellow-sun in reply to Baenav]

Hi baenav I was on ranitidine aswell and worked for me where I can't take a ppi,I've been put on cimetidine only 400mg at night and finding it's not enough so I'm going to ask my dr if I can take it twice a day,my pharmacy can't get famotidine aswell

[TrishG67]

Thanks everyone for the replies I definitely need to push for a trial of these H2 meds. I have never been offered these. I do worry about the acid constantly burning away causing further damage to the osophagus. Just wish there was some sort of treatment to fix this rather than constant trials on different medications. 🙏🤞

[vickilynne]

Hi Trish, I bought a book off Amazon called The Acid Watchers Diet by Dr Jonathan Aviv. He’s an American Gastroenterologist. It’s an excellent easy to read book that can turn things around with diet. He talks at length about Barrett’s Oesophagus, silent reflux and the cancer connection. I glossed over those bits as I didn’t want to scare myself! The wording is American and the diet is aimed at meat eaters but you can easily adapt it to the U.K. and vegetarian diet. I also always used Ranitidine but it’s been withdrawn due to long-term use /stomach cancer relationship! Diet is the way to go. It’s not easy as you may find that you need to drop things that you love but it’s so worth it!

[bmrj]

Maybe Sucralfate or Carafate. It’s a med that protects the lining.

[TrishG67]

Thanks so much everybody for all the replies. I have a gastro telephone appointment arranged for 29th July. Going to ask for a SIBO test and discuss some other medication options as mentioned above. I have registered to listen to Amy Myers webinar on SIBO later today. Thanks XcalaX for this link. Really struggling at the minute in constant pain and discomfort which increases after food eaten or BM. I am currently trying paleo diet on advice of Nutritional therapist, still losing more weight though as not getting enough calories. Doubt I am absorbing nutrients properly either. It is coming up to 2 years now of these bowel/stomach problems which is consuming my daily life. Been off work for over 2 months already. I have spent thousands on private tests, supplements, sessions,and tried almost every elimination does going. I know I have to keep going but I do wander if I will ever be pain free again.

[TrishG67]

Not really no. I done a food intolerance test in December & it came back I as intolerant to almost everything! Done a 6 week strict eliminiation diet but not 1 bit of difference . I have since been gluten free due to.hashimotos thyroid as I have really high antibodies. Cut out almost all dairy other than kefir drink & yoghurt . Stopped them now since last week.Following dietary advice I have cut out alcohol and caffeine too. I am up the wall with it making separate meals to family members, can't enjoy family meals out or celebratory take away.s etc. I would be happy to make the changes if I could begin to see a glimmer of progress. So really unsure on any true specific foods causing the problems as I have never had any relief.

[TrishG67]

Hi not sure of company it was through a private Dr. Cost me £350 plus follow up appt. In with that was some homoepathic tablets. I booked it through local private hospital as wasnt available on NHS. Too many foods to list but main ones with high intolerance were milk, eggs both yolk and white, barley, corn, yeast, peas, nuts, rice, potatoes, wheat, durum wheat, wheat bran, beans, gliding, plum, celery, oats, oranges, cranberry. So meats and vegs were mainly ok.

[TrishG67]

No not that I am aware of, although I am like a pin cushion for blood tests. How would I do this via GP or have to arrange privately? Many thanks for your Iinterest & support 👍