Barrett's Esophagus

[Billy Caddell]

I have had stomach/digestive problems sine 1956. About two years ago it was diagnosed as Barrett's Esophagus. I have been going to a local gastroenterologist in my rural area of Texas. The last three times the endoscopic biopsies were "inconclusive" according to the gastroenterologist.
I have altered my diet trying to eliminate "problem" foods. However, sometimes everything I consume bothers me. I used a wedge to sleep on for about two years until I started having leg and hip problems. Several months ago I purchased an electric adjustable bed, which has helped in reducing the reflux. However, I still have erratic pain and reflux problems. I am currently on 20mg Prilosec twice a day and still I have some reflux problem.
I understand the nature, treatment and complications related to my condition. My wife and I are very concerned.
I am asking for the name of a HIGHLY qualified gastroenterologist in the Dallas, Texas area. I have little confidence in the treatment or concern by my current doctor. I live about 1 1/2 hours out of Dallas but am more than willing to travel to find the right doctor.
Bill Caddell, ***@****

[ram]

I JUST WANTED TO KNOW IF ANYBODY IS TAKING PROTONIX. I GUESS IT IS A NEW DRUG FOR ACID REFLUX. THANKS

[Kevn]

A number of the people responding to this list talk about chest pain as a consequence of Gerd and/or Barret's esophagus. I have had acid reflux problems for 1 year. Asthma like symptoms have emerged. These are controlled with albuterol. But the pain symptoms are not. It is painful to talk. Most pain is experienced on the right side of my chest. ....It is felt like more of a dull ache. Sometimes the ache is felt beneath my bottom right right... Sometimes the pain is felt as a tightness in my right backbone. ... Are these symptoms typical of GERD / Barret's esophagus?

[PAUL CAREW. QUEENSLAND. AUSTRALIA.21/6/0]

Following high dose melphalan chemotherapy and subsequent bone marrow transplant during the past four weeks, I have had endoscopy 20/6/00 which diagnosed barretts oesophagus which I was informed by my gastro.specialist is a complication of having had 2 serious haemoraghes  in the gastro intestinal tract following transplant. The reason for the transplant is I have primary amyloidosis in the kidneys and heart,sarcoidosis of the lungs and nephrotic syndrome{complication of amyloidosis]My specialist has told me that there is no cure for my amyloidosis but maybe after all this treatment the amyloid will stop growing.Needless to say I needed to have barretts Like I need the other diseases.Besides all the other drugs that I take because of the transplant I now also take Losec 20mg twice daily and have had the biopsied piece retrieved from the endoscopy and should have the results in the next week. I hope it is good news and that I only need regular endoscopies.

I'll let you know what happens and hope we all find something positive to look forward to.

Kind Regards Paul aged 48

[[email protected]]

to anybody outthere.  I want to have an endoscopy to rule out baretts.  The only thing is i have alot of trouble with anesthetics.  especially sedation.  Has anybody outthere had the procedure done Other than being put to sleep?  I hesitate to go that route because I have tacycardia and mitral valve.  The thought of being put out because of the bad experiences makes me not want to do it.  Please e-mail me   Diana

[[email protected]]

to anybody outthere.  I want to have an endoscopy to rule out baretts.  The only thing is i have alot of trouble with anesthetics.  especially sedation.  Has anybody outthere had the procedure done Other than being put to sleep?  I hesitate to go that route because I have tacycardia and mitral valve.  The thought of being put out because of the bad experiences makes me not want to do it.  Please e-mail me   Diana

[Dawn C.]

I have had the hiatal hernia repair and stil have problems with vomiting even though I am on prilosec 20mg twice a day.  I had the hiatal hernia repair in 1994 and was also diagonesed before that in 1988 at 24 years old with Barrett's.  I have had a couple of scares with dysplasia and also with atypical cells.  So therefore; I have to have biopsies with an EGD every 6 months to a year.  They have to take 21 biopsies each time since my section is pretty long.

My grandfather and an Uncle died from esophagus cancer so I am really upset.  I guess that is why they keep me under survellance  more frequently.  No one else in the family has this disease so far.  The doctor at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio told me that usually men get this more than women.  But I had a twin which was a boy but he died at 3-4 months inside the womb.  I was wondering if I could have inherited some of the male characteristics.

I have to go back again for another EGD July 18th, that is also my anniversary of my marriage, I hope that will bring me good luck since I have been married now for 14 years.  I don't no if I could handle any bad news right now because of the kidney problems I have.  I have lost 20-25% of my kidney function.  So with my other health problems I am very frightened.

If anyone else has the same problem please contact me and I will check this sight weekly.  I would like to hear from someone so I know I am not the only one with this problem.