Community Chat

[cody2]

I noticed on another thread that you were diagnosed with Barretts (sp?). Can you share with me what treatments you were prescribed? I am just curious. If you don't care to, I understand. TIA.

[hckynut]

On 8/29/2014 cody said:

I noticed on another thread that you were diagnosed with Barretts (sp?). Can you share with me what treatments you were prescribed? I am just curious. If you don't care to, I understand. TIA.

Hi cody,

The treatment for me was/is basically taking Nexium-40mg twice a day. My gastro doctor also suggested not to eat late at night and certain foods to be careful eating. I think the suggestions about food had more to do with the diagnosis of GERD than of the Barrett's Esophagus. I would never had known I had any of the 4 things which were diagnosed in that 1st Endoscopy, since I had nary a symptom of anything being wrong.

As I mentioned in the other thread, the reason I had the Endo was because my brother-in-law had been diagnose with Esophageal Cancer a few months prior to having my Endoscopy. At that period of time I was not even aware of an Endoscopy procedure or anything about them. Fortunately I decided to have this done or more bad serious conditions would be added to my already way too long list.

Part of the treatments were having an Endoscopy every 3 months for the first year/having one every 6 months for 2 years and now having one annually. After some of the first Endo's done after being diagnosed, the Barrett's had progress a little bit, but was not enough to really concern my doctor. Originally he prescribed the Nexium 40mg only once per day. After the first post diagnosed Endoscopy is when he decided I should take this Nexium twice a day.

From that point on the Barrett's has stayed pretty much the same. After one of them he even told me it could barely be detected. Since that time it has changed but he still feels as though I am not in any real danger. If you have any other questions concerning the Barrett's diagnosis or any of the other health issues I have experienced don't hesitate to ask. No talking(typing)would be a foreign thing to me. =^..^=

Anything to do with any of my health problems I am more than happy to share with others. I've found that many other than the member asking the question has been helped by me talking about them on the Health and Fitness Forum. I know many get tired of see the word "I" in my replies, but if their is a way to describe what I've experienced without using that word, I don't have a clue what that might be.

Seems like the post I wrote to you in one of the other threads either got removed, or I just can't find it. Anyways, I wanted to thank you for asking about my wife's new foster Boxer whose name is Dixie. She has already had to applications put in to the Rescue Organization for a getting a permanent home. That process at times can take a week or much longer depending on the availability of the ones that put in the application. Much of this time is setting up a time for a home visit so the Rescue can make sure of the home and environment of the applicant.

Thank you again for asking about Dixie, that was very nice of you.

[cody2]

Thanks for your reply John. I have some concerns about Barretts myself. I have had severe Gerd for years and some difficulty swallowing. I take 40 Nexium at night and 150 Ranitidine in the morning as needed.

When I had my colonoscopy last year I asked the doctor if I needed another endoscopy because of the symptoms. She said you either have it or you don't and since it hadn't shown up in my last endoscopy (several years ago) she didn't think I needed it. So I was just curious how yours was being treated. Sorry if this is TMI for anyone else reading.

I am tickled pink that it appears Dixie will be easy to place. A few months ago I had gone to a foster parent to look at a little dog that I was really interested in. I took our present dog to the meeting to see how they might get along. The dog was adorable but a bit aggressive with our Molly. I really wanted to try to make this work and I figured I could. We had a nice long interview and then I went home. I thought about it for 24 hours and weighed all of the positives and negatives. It broke my heart to have to admit that it just wasn't going to work. Among other things the little dog had severe separation anxiety. The foster said she had a terrible time containing the dog in the yard and house. I finally had to call and admit that we would not be a good match. The foster said that I was her first choice of those that she had interviewed and she was SO appreciative that I had given it so much thought and declined the adoption. We decided that our quiet little life with Molly was all of the dog we needed for now. I so admire folks that open their homes and lives to foster pets.

[hckynut]

On 8/29/2014 cody said:

Thanks for your reply John. I have some concerns about Barretts myself. I have had severe Gerd for years and some difficulty swallowing. I take 40 Nexium at night and 150 Ranitidine in the morning as needed.

When I had my colonoscopy last year I asked the doctor if I needed another endoscopy because of the symptoms. She said you either have it or you don't and since it hadn't shown up in my last endoscopy (several years ago) she didn't think I needed it. So I was just curious how yours was being treated. Sorry if this is TMI for anyone else reading.

I am tickled pink that it appears Dixie will be easy to place. A few months ago I had gone to a foster parent to look at a little dog that I was really interested in. I took our present dog to the meeting to see how they might get along. The dog was adorable but a bit aggressive with our Molly. I really wanted to try to make this work and I figured I could. We had a nice long interview and then I went home. I thought about it for 24 hours and weighed all of the positives and negatives. It broke my heart to have to admit that it just wasn't going to work. Among other things the little dog had severe separation anxiety. The foster said she had a terrible time containing the dog in the yard and house. I finally had to call and admit that we would not be a good match. The foster said that I was her first choice of those that she had interviewed and she was SO appreciative that I had given it so much thought and declined the adoption. We decided that our quiet little life with Molly was all of the dog we needed for now. I so admire folks that open their homes and lives to foster pets.

Hi cody,

I did experience some difficulty swallowing at times so before each Endoscopy, I ask the doctor to see if he can dilate my Esophagus, as that seems to help my swallowing.

[NC Bandwagon]

@John, I hope this question doesn't seem intrusive, but does an Endoscopy hurt?

[hckynut]

On 8/31/2014 NC Bandwagon said:

@John, I hope this question doesn't seem intrusive, but does an Endoscopy hurt?

NC Bandwagon,

Not the least bit intrusive. Glad you asked as maybe others may wonder the same thing. The procedure itself most don't even remember having it done. I have had times where my throat was a bit sore for a couple days after and Endoscopy. Since I have diagnosed Barrett's Esophagus it may be that they have to do a more with the scope than is done with strictly a diagnostic Endoscopy. It also may be because I have had so many of them done in a short period of time.

I can honestly tell you it does not hurt in the least.