Got the biopsy results from my Barrett's Oesophagus today doesn't look that promising as it seems it's the step before the big C (Cancer) I have now been diagnosed with Barrett's Oesophagus with focal intestinal metaplasia! 😒😒😒
Rob sorry to hear it's not the result you had hoped for. I am currently waiting for my biopsy results but Chris replied to my original message and found him to be an excellent help. Hopefully he will help you out with this. I'll continue to follow this conversation and see how you progress.
Claire
Intestinal metaplasia is just "ordinary" Barrett's. The risks of it progressing to cancer are very small - about 0.5% per annum.
If the cells are going to mutate it usually takes some time. The normal management is to pt you on the lowest effective dose of the cheapest effective PPI (Proton Pump Inhibitor) usually omeprazole at 20 or 40mg daily dose and have regular endoscopic surveillance. Depending on the length of your Barrett's these could be anything upto 5 years apart.
If mutation is going to occur, the next stages are Low Grade Dysplasia (with an annual progression to cancer risk of 1%) and High Grade Dysplasia (with an annual progression to cancer risk of 6%).
If dysplasia is seen, your Barrett's can be removed with Endoscopic Mucosal Resection and Radio Frequency Ablation to entirely minimise any risks of developing cancer.
Those of us who have been diagnosed with Barrett's are the lucky ones. We know we have it and will get this surveillance to ensure it doesn't become cancerous. It's those who don't know they have it who are unlikely to see their doctor before it's too late.
I'm coughing more than usual (Day - Evening - Night) and bringing up a lot of phelm / mucus - so is this normal?
Thank-you Claire
Quite normal symptoms of extra-oesophageal reflux. See this page: https://sites.google.com/site/downwithacid/home/reflux/reflux-reduction/lpr
Rob is right this is what happened to my husband he has barrets with low grade dysphasia and the specialist said he can have RFA and that he is one off the lucky ones only 10% are diognosed in time the other 90% it is only picked up when they become very ill and its to late to treat he will be having his treatment in the next 2 weeks hope this helps
Hi rob
i would agree with the statements below I have the exact same diagnoses about in 2012 this just normal barretts since no dyplasia was found or graded as high or low I even got a second opinion from another GI dr one year later and received the same results so don't fret to much as a matter of fact I am coming up due for my follow up in Nov
as for phlegm I wake up almost every morning with it and it can persist for hours into the day I was told he will have me do follow ups every 2 years
Just to add, while my link about extra-oesophageal reflux is being moderated, the reflux cough worst symptom after I dealt with the acid with large doses of PPIs. I'd sit up bewteen 2:00am and 4:00am every morning coughing. Every day I'd have 2 or 3 incidents when coughing would cause me to practically pass out.
Eventually I had a fundoplication to reduce the reflux.
(P.S. I have had Barrett's at least 21 years (intestinal metaplasia - non dysplastic 3 cm) unchanged.)
Ok thanks! I'm currently on 4 x esomeprazole 40mg a day
Rob
Likewise, agree with the other comments, this is normal Barretts and can be managed with PPIs, I similarly diagnosed 18 months ago, and set for 2 yearly scopes, next one in December this year. there is some ood dietary advice through the network which will help with your symptons. So dont be despondent.
Rob suggest you get a second opinion despite the high cost. I had two endos with one specialist with both saying Barrets. Had a funny feeling this was dead wrong so I got a different specialist who found no Barrets at all. The only change in my regimin was introducing lots of vegetable juice and 6 DGL a day. I'm sure there is a moral in there somewhere?
So sorry to hear your recent news. It's bound to be a big worry to you, as would be for all of us with Barretts. Just wanted to say thinking of you, stay strong.
I am a member of the Diverticular Disease group on Facebook and a fellow member mentioned a Laproscopic Nissen Fundoplication - it involves wrapping the upper section of the stomach to the Oesophagus to form a collar - this helps tighten your lower oesophageal sphincter to stop acid moving back out of your stomach!
Rex,
Could you say what your regimin is, other than the veggie juice and DGL. Are you taking a PPI? Dietary restrictions? I am also wondering how much time lapsed from your endos with your 1st doc to the last one with the new doc. Is is possible that your Barrett's went away over this period of time?
I was diagnosed with Barrett's last August. Did not take the prescribed PPI, have changed my diet, doing acupuncture and taking a Chinese Herb formula. My next endo is not until 2016 unless I can get a referral for a 2nd one before then. I like your idea of having a 2nd doc do the follow-up.
I had the Nissen fundoplication in 2008. It was the best thing I did. Instantly off all meds. Energy high, eating anything normally and cycling 20 -30 miles a day within a few weeks.
Unfortunately, following a bout of norovirus resulting in 5 hours of intense heaving, it came loose so I had a Collis-Nissen repair last year.