Barrets Esophagus

[kyrea]

I had a Endoscope done about 2 weeks ago and the nurse called me and said the Biopsy came back that the cells are consistant with Barrets esophagus.  I asked if i had it and she said all the Dr wrote was Consistant with Barrets Esophagus so i dont know if it is borderline Barrets or i have Barrets and i dont go see the Doctor until Feb. The nurse did say there was not sign of Precanserous cells or anything.  Can someone please explain what he might mean by consistant with Barrets Esophagus.  Thank You!

[kyrea]

Ok...thank you so much for the advice. I actually feel alot better about it. After reading your responses.   Thanks again  

[Flycaster305]

There are degrees of BE, and also, it doesn't mean you have cancer if you have BE, it just means you have cells that aren't completely normal.  As the chances for people who have a BE diagnosis to develop active cancer is so low.
I had to have surgery because my valves that keep acid out of the esophagus were destroyed when I had a bowel obstruction because of frankly a violent vomiting response; that allowed acid an open route to the esophagus.  You probably will be asked to make dietary changes and take some medications.  Sometimes people with emotional issues who purposely purge are affected.  That said, even with a positive diagnosis, you probably can keep in in check with dietary and medication changes.

I'd relax and simply follow some simple directions that are posted on this board, raise the head of your bed about six inches, if possible, try and follow a lower acid/fat diet and see what the doctor has to say in February.    

[kyrea]

Thank you for the response....i appreciate it.  The thing that makes me nervous is the nurse could not tell me if for sure it was Barret's she just said the Dr said the cells are consistent with Barret's....do you think that mean's for sure i have it or it is turning into that?  I rather not have surgery if i dont have too.  I am 30 years old so it seem a little young to have barrets.

[Flycaster305]

I'm sure you are very concerned, hopefully I can ease your anxiety a bit.  I'm not a health professional but a Barrett's Esophagus (BE) patient as well.  Basically, the cells in your lower Esophagus are different than the cells in the upper intestine.  However, when the lower esophagus is exposed to excess acid, the cell structure can change to mimic the cells in the upper intestine.  When this occurs, a diagnosis of BE is made.
The scope and length of the cell changes determines the degree of BE.  

The good news is that less than 2% of BE cells ever become cancerous. I was put on a drug regimen of a Proton Pump Inhibitor which I was told to take exactly as prescribed, and other tests were ordered, which led to a diagnosis of defective valves in the lower and upper esophagus and needed surgery.  I suspect you will be asked to have some additional tests to determine why your cells are altered or in the process of altering.

Keep in mind, BE is simply a warning, NOT a cancer diagnosis.  You have given yourself a gift by being tested and this condition was discovered obviously before it led to worse problems, or you would have learned what they are.  From my experience, I strongly urge you to follow your doctor's suggestions completely, have the tests, if ordered, and follow the drugs exactly as prescribed, as he/she has seen the damage and will know what you need.  Do keep us informed.