Barretts Esophagus in your 30s

Hi

I am 33 and have had Barretts for the past 3 years, i also have a large Hiatus Hernia.

I have an endoscopy every 2 years to keep an eye on things. My father died a few years ago of esophagaeal cancer, so there is some family history in this area.

My consultant has me on losec and motilium, which i have to take half an hour before food so it stops any acid forming. Im on 40mg twice daily of losec and take Ranitidine before bed.

I have also changed my diet, tried to give up coffee and alcohol and have started to drink lots of carrot juice to alkalize my acid body.

Hope this helps. Its good to find someone else young with his problem to talk to.

hi kjm

thanks for replying, now i know im not the only one. i discovered that no-one in my family has barrets im the only one up till now that has it. I dont drink tea or coffee or anything that contains caffiene and chocolate is off the menu as well, as for alcohol drinking in moderation shouldnt affect you but try and stay clear of dry white wine! that will cause acid reflux and this includes champagne, i did once and once was enough, i was in agony for 12 hours with acid reflux.

Hi I am 45 and just been diagnosed with 10 cm of barretts - as it is a new diagnosis I am very worried about it - does it become easier to live with or is it a constant worry - has anyone heard of the Halo 360 treatment

jackie

Hi Jackie in answer to your first question, if you watch what you eat and drink (knowing what gives you reflux helps greatly) avoid everything that gives you reflux, you should be able to lead a normal life the medication you were given should keep it stable. In answer to yor second question i havent heard of this treatment is it experimental?

I noticed most people are on medication for acid reflus - yet my specialist hasn't given me or prescribed anything for it. I am not on any medication - is this normal or are most people taking something. The halo treatment is new and in the experimental stage but looking good.

jackie

Hi Jackie acid reflux can cause barrets that's how mine started. have you asked your doctor why you arent on medication?

I was diagnosed at two years ago at 23 which is probably even rarer! It was kind of found by accident - I had a gastroscopy instead of a colonoscopy presumably due to some miss-communicaion by hospital staff. Anyway, I was told they found a small section of Barretts and was put on medication.

I always knew my Barretts was small, but I had another gastroscopy recently and was actually given a print out of the results. It turns out my Barretts is a \"1cm non-circumfrential micro-segment\". And I also have a 3cm hiatus hernia. The sheet also had a picture of the segment affected by these.

I've had 3 scopes so far. Wasn't due to have on this year untill I was admitted to hospital with anaemia, so they checked to see if my Barretts had caused this, which it hadn't. So I'm getting a colonoscopy after-all!