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A natural way of dealing with Barretts esophagus?

Posted , 65 users are following.

malcolm47
malcolm47

Hello all,quite recently I realised that my treatment for Barretts did not appear to be working very well I am taking 40mg Lansoprazole twice per day for the usual symptoms,reflux,distension,discomfort in throat etc.

I was diagnosed last June with Barretts,hiatus hernia and reflux after undergoing an endoscopy and despite taking the above medication still suffered the symptoms from time to time usually if I ate too much or ate the wrong things,for example tomatoes,cucumber,chocolate,spicy meals and so on.

Last week those symptoms returned with a vengeance and would not go away,so after scouring the Internet I decided to try a mixture of Diglycerinated liquorice,slippery elm,and a digestive enzyme bought from a local health shop and hey presto it seems to be working and for three days I have stopped taking Lansoprazole completely.

I hope that this new course continues to work as I am not sure about the long-term effects of taking PPI's it seems to be open to debate as to their efficacy over a long period of time.

Anyway for now I feel human again and will continue with my current treatment of 2-3 DGL capsules,a steeped brew twice per day of slippery elm powder(mix with milk and hot water) and one Digestive enzyme capsule at tea time.

However if necessary I may still take the odd Lansoprazole if this new method fails to continue to do its job.

By the way I am 63,male and currently awaiting a second knee replacement,medically retired in June last year from Royal Mail due to knee injury incurred on duty,I believe as a result of this inactivity (I have not worked since last June) this illness i.e Barretts et al appeared,the worry and inability to walk properly for 15 months has caused it to surface.

I would be interested to know if anyone else has had a similar experience and whether or not anyone is using natural remedies for treating this horrible affliction which according to one nurse in Orthopaedics when I had my preop for knee replacement 'is nothing much' I quipped back that try telling me that at two in the morning when I'm still awake feeling like I've eaten a five course meal and cannot get comfortable in bed,anyway food for thought,I will be glad to hear of anyone else's experiences on the subject of Barretts and on alternative treatment.

Regards Malcolm

5 likes, 118 replies

118 Replies

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  • joan93496
    joan93496 malcolm47

    Posted

    I lost many pounds because i could not eat and had terrible pain.  I went to cleveland clinic and had endoscopy and motility test.  I have nutcracker esophagus and I thought I would never be able to eat normal again.  I have been drinking cocozia coconut water first thing in the morning and one in the evening.  I can't believe how good I feel.  I am eating normal no pain.  I thank God.  I hope this helps you.  Joni

     

    • rex_44766
      rex_44766 joan93496

      Posted

      Coconut water would have to be one of the best drinks going regardless of what your problems are. Fantastic for replaceing electrolytes etc. and best of all it is not fattening at all.
    • lesley15439
      lesley15439 rex_44766

      Posted

      I'm so very glad that someone else has discovered the wonderful properties of coconut water. I have been drinking this when acid is bad for some time now and it's as you rightly say fantastic!  I Can actually feel it's calming results immediatel. I've also been using it on my morning porridge as well. Highly recommend it for anyone with Barretts. 
    • Barnie
      Barnie lesley15439

      Posted

      Hi Lesley

      Very interested in trying this being a Barrett's sufferer .  Can you please tell me what make and name of the coconut water you use and is it pleasant to take?  PM me with the info if you like as I am not sure whether we are allowed to mention product names here.  Many thanks indeed

    • lesley15439
      lesley15439 Barnie

      Posted

      Hi Barnie, I don't think it is ok to name brands of stuff and you know I don't think it matters what make brand you buy, so long as it is pure coconut water.  Ive tried two or three brands and in my opinion they are all as good as eachother. They are in all good supermarket stores and health shops. It is very pleasant to taste.  More to the point for me it works! 
    • Barnie
      Barnie lesley15439

      Posted

      Thanks Leslie - is it concentrated i.e. you have to add water ?  how big a glass do you have each time and does it have a long fridge life?
  • glynis28541
    glynis28541 malcolm47

    Posted

    Hi Malcolm

    I am a fifty eight year old female who was born with congenital lymph oedema of the legs which is huge swelling of the limbs, recently also had a knee replacement to right leg, left knee needs doing due to arthritis but so much else going on. I was also diagnosed with Barretts three years ago after an endoscopy apparently 13 cams, put on omeprozole 20mg to be taken twice a day, then recently had an oesophageal manometry and repeat endoscopy which shows 23 cams so clearly not working. I have had a persistent cough for four years which is apparently not caused by the reflex. I have pretty much changed everything I eat and drink going alkaline, wheat free, dairy free, fat free, sugar free ( yes quite severe) it would all be worth it to feel better but still feel really awful all of the time. I take medication for fibromyalgia, depression and Barretts, feel like a walking chemist but still feel awful every day. I would be very interested in hearing more about the natural remedies you have mentioned as well as any other tips out there from everyone.

  • BrianRE
    BrianRE malcolm47

    Posted

    Interesting experiences, I have had to ask my Doctor to come off omeprazole as I have been suffering dizziness and disturbed sleep. He has suggested Pantoprazole as it is less harsh. My Barratts is not as long as some on here it is roughly 3.5cm.

    ​Even though I have been taking the omeprazole for a few months now, it hasn't helped my indigestion, burping.

    I have cut out all spicy and fatty food (I had very little in the past anyway) and I don't drink alcohol. I also have caffeine free tea. I did hope that the burping / constant indigestion etc would cease but it hasn't. I will try the coconut water that quite a few sufferers have suggested on this site. I love porridge and have this most days but wondered if this was contributing toi my problems although I have been eating it for years. Mind you I have had the burning etc for years too.

    I thought porridge was good for you. I like coke and had the diet caffiene free coke but have knocked this out. It seems it is all trial and error.

    ​Hearing the experiences of others is a real help.

    • lesley15439
      lesley15439 BrianRE

      Posted

      Hi there, just wanted to say that I have porridge every day but with coconut milk, not cows milk. I am only speaking of my own experience and it works for me. I'm no longer on any medication for my Barretts as they do not work for me! We all have to find out what works for us as individuals. Good luck. 
    • BrianRE
      BrianRE lesley15439

      Posted

      Thank you Lesley, I will try that. I have changed my medication and that does seem to have helped. 
    • lesley15439
      lesley15439 BrianRE

      Posted

      Hi Brian, so pleased that change of meds seems to be working for you. I think that trial and error is only way at least for me to deal with the Barrett's. I know that some foods, especially dairy tend to make the acid worse. So I try to avoid it, apart from in a cup of tea. Also surveillance on a fairly regular basis has to be undertaken to check if condition has worsened. Good luck with managing your Barrett's.
  • shellj
    shellj malcolm47

    Posted

    Hi......Do you know whether it is sake to take slippery elm and lansoprazole. I am required to reduce my lansoprazole to 15mg twice daily and wondered if a slippery elm capsule midday would be useful but do not want to cause problems with the combination. I take the lansoprazole night and morning....
  • dix08091
    dix08091 malcolm47

    Posted

    Would nexum work better for you than Lansoprazole?

    I'm not sure but once you have barretts, natural will not be of much use.

  • mardica1972
    mardica1972 malcolm47

    Posted

    Quick question. The 3 dgl that you take a day is the licorice right? is it a pill? Thank you
  • mardica1972
    mardica1972 malcolm47

    Posted

    Can you tell me how much of the slippery elm powder you use? Thanks
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