barrett's esophagus and schatzki's ringing

I was diagnosed with barrett's esophagus and schatzki's ringing 15 years ago .  Every couple of years I have my throat dilated and biopsied.  I have been on every new gerd drug ever prescribed because I started as a trial study.  My narrowing in the esophagus gets so small that even a florascope will not go down.  Usually the doctor will dilate first and then my throat looks like swiss cheese.  I am a 41 year old female and I am so tired and anxious of having my throat dilated yearly.  Also, insurance company will not pay for some of the procedure nor the nexium.  Help?

[Ratnakar Kini, MD]

Hi CJ26,
Since you undergo regular dilatation, I presume that you have developed stricture of the esophagus. Nexium will not reverse the stricture.
I would like to know the endoscopy report to see how long the stricture is.
Dilatation, stenting and surgery are the options for strictures. To increase the interval between two successive dilations, steroid injection at the stricture site may be tried after dilatation.
Topical Mitomycin can also been tried .
Discuss with your gastro regarding these options.
================================================================
The information provided is for patients’ education only and is not a medical advice. Always consult your personal physician for complete evaluation of your health problem.

- Ratnakar Kini M.D.