Barrett's at 30

Hi Phillip

In answer to your question about whether the doctor should have taken a biopsy I would say yes he should have if he thought he saw Barretts.  I am scoped every 2 years and they always take more than one biopsy.  They should take biopsies all along the lengths of your 2 segments as they will want to know whether you have dysplasia with your barretts or not.  This is nothing to worry over as the likelihood of your Barretts progressing to cancer is highly unlikely - you should be asked back every couple of years where they will keep an eye on everything.  We have the Halo scheme here in the UK where the Barretts is lasered away altogether but they only do that over here when it or if it ever  gets to a certain stage.  You will need to keep the acid under good control if you can though through PPI's or a combination of PPI's and other drugs.  

You may be able to find out more info as to why they did not take a biopsy when you go back and have the biopsy done.  Ask to have an appt with a consultant so that you can have a good chat and for him to put your mind at rest.

Good luck and let us know how you get on - just ask away if you have any further questions and we will help all we can

Dear Philip

I can only talk from my own experience but I had an endoscopy about a year ago and the nurse who was doing it took several biosps in the oesophagus and also in the stomach and was told I had a hiatus hernia and several polyps in my stomach so I had quite a lot of biospys. Perhaps the person may have thought you were becoming distressed as you had opted for no sedation. I also chose that option but needed to use gas and air for a couple of minutes. It is not a pleasant experience and I am sorry that you will have to go back to your doctor. Don't know if this helps but I hope you are ok the next time

Jeanette

 Philip I would have to say the information given to by Barnie is spot on .  I too have Barrett's Eshopgus  and have had it for many years now  I to return back to the gastroenterologist every two years for monitoring at which time they take biopsies to determine the amount of dysplasia if any is noted to the point to where you did not have any biopsies taken I have heard that many people while having a Indo scope done can be under distress  let's use the example of Joan Rivers she was having a regular Indo scope done and the doctor decided to take  A biopsy although she had not given permission and look at her results so perhaps your doctor did not wish to do a biopsy because he has no prior permission  this is just some thoughts but perhaps it was better to wait for a later time to do the biopsies rather than have a bad result take care 

Thanks to all for your input on this. It is appreciated . 

I'm due to speak to a consultant about this when they are free to call me (I rang the hospital and left a message with his secretary). I also rang to speak to a nurse in the hope of some reassurance, but she just reiterated what Barrett's is and couldn't tell me anything apart from that the doctor who did the endoscopy should have discussed my results with me (he didn't). 

I just want to know the stage it's at - it's annoying that I can't even begin to find out what stage it's at - I'm really hoping I don't have to be re-referred by my GP. 

Thanks again for your comments . 

Well, I have had to be re-referred - saw my GP on Tuesday. I have to go to the hospital for a discussion with a surgeon about my options. It's not being treated as urgent (I have 2 tongues of 1cm Barrett's - I don't know if this has anything to do with it). I have a feeling they will just ask me to come back in five years (as per my notes from the endoscopy) and have the procedure again - I've told my GP that I don't care how unpleasant it is, I need a biopsy to know how bad it is/isn't. I think he thinks I'm over-thinking it but I've read some terrifying stories on forums where it's progressed quickly and been missed due to complacency!

Time will tell, I guess .