Barrett's & Hital Hernia

[James5011]

About 10 years ago I was diagnosed with a hiatal hernia.  I used to have some rare occurrences of heartburn, but recently it started becoming more serious, so I have been taking Zantac 75, usually twice a day but occasionally I need to take more.  I started noticing that if I did not take the Zantac, I would have some severe symptoms, even though I have cut back on coffee and spicy foods, etc.  These sysmptoms include pain radiating from the chest to the back and fever.  When I realized this was getting more serious, I went to see a doctor, who referred me to a gastroentologist.  

Yesterday, after having fasted for over twelve hours, he did a gascoscopy on me.  As I was waiting in the waiting room, I was experiencing these symptoms again and felt quite ill.  They took at least 4 biopsies.  At the end of it, he told me I had Barrett's Espophagus.  He said "It didn't look too bad."  I am booked for an appointment with him in about two weeks.  He also took me off Zantac and put me on Pariet (rabeprazole).  I am a 55 year old male.  I am just wondering what I can expect to happen going forward.

[Charry]

please help me doc..i have been experiencing upper left abdominal pain that radiates to my chest and my back.i first experienced this when i was 5 months pregnant. i was rush to the ER.from then it occurred almost every week.it was very painful but i thought it was only due to my pregnancy.after giving birth im still experiencing the same pain so i was advised by my OB to undergo upper abdomen ultrasound.my pancreas and liver was ok but they found two stones in my gallbladder.they suggest urgent surgery.my gallbladder was removed.but after my operation, im still experiencing the same pain.i underwent endoscopy.findings was, severe hiatal hernia, diffuse erosive gastritis, duodenitis-diffuse, esophagitis LA grade A and H pylori possitive. they gave me a lot of medicine for a month.those were Nexium, motillium,clariget, Antibiotics and mucosta.but to no avail.until now im stil experiencing the same pain. my doctor said i will have nexium for three months.

i am really confuse doc..please help me..

[Ratnakar Kini]

Hi,
Hiatal hernia is a risk factor for GERD.
Uncontrolled GERD over a period of years can cause Barrett's esophagus.
It is confirmed with biopsy and the presence of abnormal cells are looked for in the biopsy specimen. Based on the presence of abnormal cells and the severity, followup endoscopy is planned.
Barrett's esophagus is premalignant. Hence a regular followup is very important.