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Barrett and reflux update

Posted , 4 users are following.

shellj
shellj

i wrote recently to say I had been diagnosed with barretts and also had an ulcer on the area of barretts so I upped my medication to 30mg twice a day and after 6 weeks I was re checked and the ulcer appeared to have calmed down. I do have a hiatus hernia and was actually shown the  I 

Iof barretts and told I would  have the endoscope every 3 years if I wished ( definitely!!) to watch for changes if any. After the second endoscopy the results went as follows ....."biopsies show mild chronic inflammation in keeping with barretts but not specific of barretts and no evidence that we should be keeping an eye on this....if in 3 years time the is still no evidence of changes and no changes to the segments of barretts we ( I.e the hospital) probably do not need to monitor any longer. "....Surely it is important now this condition is found, to keep an eye not wait till ( and I know this is rare) something more major to develop.what does anyone think? 

1 like, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Barretts
    Barretts shellj

    Posted

    There has been much discussion about the benefit of regular surveillance scoping. Whilst patients like the reassurance of regular scopes, some gastroenterologists think we're scoping too much and claiming it may not reduce cancer risk.

    I don't know what medication you are on but judging from the doses it's lansoprazole? If the ulceration has gone, you may be able to go back to 30mg maintenance. Risk of progression is very small and PPIs probably have a chemo-protective effect.

    I've attached a copy of the treatment (surveillance) map for Barrett's Oesophagus as revised by BSG in 2013. It may also be found on the Barrett's Wessex website (linked to in the right pane or found at www BarrettsWessex org uk) under the Treatment / guidelines tab and drop-down.

    If you have short segment non-dysplastic Barret's surveillance intervals of 3 - 5 years are recommended if intestinal metaplasia but if cardial metaplasia, "consider discharging".

    • shellj
      shellj Barretts

      Posted

      Thank you once again for your response..have visited the site and find it very helpful and the treatment map also. It is nice to know that there are folk out there who explain things and I am aware that to know what you have is much better than getting a possible nasty surprise down the line if your symptoms are invisible. .. Yes it is lanzoprazole and I was thinking about maintaining the the dose for a while longer as 30mg over the last two years seems not to have prevented enough acid returning and the development of my barretts. An endoscopy 2 years ago was clear of barretts unless it was there and they didn't see it. Will ask about side effects about 60mg daily. Thank you
  • shellj
    shellj

    Posted

    What does anyone think about taking 30mg lanzoprazole twice a day. My doctor wants me to reduce to 30mg again but that was my dose for the last 2 years during which I developed barretts and an ulcer. The doctor is worried about the side effects of the 60mg dose. I have an appointment with consultant on 30 January to discuss but not sure what to ask.. And not sure what a risk 60mg is to me. Have been on high dose for 3 months (to help relieve the oesophageal ulcer)
    • Roberta1111
      Roberta1111 shellj

      Posted

      Hi Iam going to have an endoscopy for chronic nausea that's gone and now chronic cough on Tuesday. I do take Lansoprazole when needed it use to take 30 mg every day fora year. Do you know if chronic cough and nausea are signs of Barretts did you have them. Little nervous of what they will find?

      Let me know your symptomssmile

      R

  • Barretts
    Barretts shellj

    Posted

    Another option you may wish to consider would be 30mg lansoprazole in the morning and 150mg ranitidine in the evening.
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