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Gastroenterology (Expert Forum)
Intestional Metaplasia
This forum is for questions regarding Gastroenterology issues such as Acid Reflux (GERD), Barretts Esophagus, Colitis, Colon/Bowel Disorders, Crohn's Disease, Diverticulitis/Diverticulosis, Digestive Disorders, IBS, Stomach Pain.
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I was going to say the same thing, but didn't want to worry you and you still shouldn't because the biopsy would have showed if it were something else. However, I did a search on google.com and I would question it if I were you, BUT don't start thinking. Just call your internist tomorrow and ask him. I don't think I like your GI :( Have you thought about seeing someone at a university hospital, like the cheif of gastro?
No need to push the panic button,it is not a cancer, but it is something that will have to be monitored and watched. This is something you should sit down and discuss with your doctor.
Re: intestinal metaplasia (Barrett's esophagus)
From:
Date: 03 Jun 2000
Time: 14:50:44
Remote Name: 131.230.224.29
Comments
Intestinal metaplasia of esophagus occurs as a result of long standing reflux disease. This is called Barret's esophagus. It is a premalignant condition, with potential to go to cancer. Surveillance endoscopy every 6 months to 2 years is recommended based on clinical situation.
When I asked what this term meant, the nurse said it was tissue growing in an attempt for the stomach to heal itself.
I am going to call today for a more in-depth explanation. You know, I'm glad I asked for her to read the report because she said initially that it was chronic gastritis and didn't add the other part.
The only issue I have is my gastro guy is one of the best in the area - he has no bedside manner but he is rated high. I can't imagine him overlooking or not making a point that I'm back for follow-up and tests. This seems strange to me but I will let you know what they say.
And, note to DeadManWalking - can you find another board to post on, I find you quite disturbing. You seem very unhappy.
that sounds like a good plan. metaplasia just means changes in the tissue which aren't normal for that type of tissue. but changes aren't always problematic. let us know what the doc says? take care
ps. know what you mean, good doc and good beside manner seems to be mutually exclusive sometimes ;)
I just got off the phone with the doctor's office and I'll try to summarize. The first question she asked was "have you been on line". She believes that people need to be informed but she'll get call after call from patients who read things on line and think their dying!!!"
She said I do not have an eroded esophagus nor do I even have an inflamation in my esophagus or any tissue overgrowth where there is errosion - I don't have that much damage. I have gastritis, an inflammation in the stomach lining. What I have is tissue growing in an attempt to heal. The body constantly wants to be balanced and will do whatever it can to heal.
The term Intestinal Metaplasia when the esophagus is eroded is a precondition to Barretts. In my case, it's tissue healing.
She suggested I come in to talk to the doctor so I have an app't on 9-12. Of course I wanted to be armed and informed and will take all the information I found in the links you sent.
Could there be more than one definition to Intestionaal Metaplasia? And, I think I'll get a second opinion anyway - correct? OH, one more think. She asked if I knew what H-pylori is - I told her my understanding. She asked about what my thoughts were on curing it - I told her my understanding that if left uncured, it can become a pre-cancerous condition. She said a new study just showed up this week that curing h-pylori has been found to cause gastric cancer. Makes you wonder!
Also, she said there was errosion? I STILL think you need to see your results for yourself. I was told that it was gastritis as well, UNTIL I went to the hospital and got the results myself. They read, chronic minimal gastritis and chronic minimal esophagitis, as well as duodenitis. NONE of which the doctor told me. None! Now this was last year by my old GI who was worthless, so until I have another endoscopy, I don't know. Please try to get a second opinion. It's the best thing you could do for yourself. I have something I'd like to send to you regarding a response sent to me from a doctor about IM. If you can, it's ***@**** Feel better and don't worry ;-)
But get that second opinion, EVEN if it means traveling outside your area. Sometimes one has to drive far in order to get the best doctor. Think about it.
-Jenn
In my normal mind, I can't believe any doctor would brush something aside as nothing if the condition in any way could be precanceous. All I had to do was show my concern today and whether or not the nurse thought I was nuts, suggested I come in and speak to him about it. So, I'll go armed with information, get a copy of my reports and then I'll get a second opinion.
This doctor is on staff at two major hospitals and other doctors give him high marks in his field. That's why I can't believe he would brush something off that could even remotely become a problem.
And, the h-pylori, I can't be too specific cause we just touched on it - she said studies sent to their office this week - where these studies came from I didn't ask but if it's newsworthy, it will become public I'm sure.
Thanks for all your support.
btw, I hope whatever symptoms prompted the EGD are improving
take care
Keep us posted on how you are doing.
Best of Luck and Health :)
However, there are several reports of increased reflux diseases
in patients after the H pylori treatment. Therefore, many
researchers are beginning to think that H pylori treatment
increase chance for esophugas cancer. I am currently suffering
nasty side effects of antibiotic treatment for h pylori.
my physician at Stanford Medical center inform me that
medica data at his clinic seems to show more acid reflux problems
after the antibiotic treatment. For this reason, he does not
treat H plylori unless you have ulcer.
How are you feeling these days? Do you feel as though you are improving? How about the gastritis. Have you had or are you planning to have another endoscopy to check to see if the gastritis is healing or what it's doing? I hope you are improving, really. It's been a long time for you. I'm sure your GI doctor is very good, considering he's at stanford.
-Jenn