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Barrett's Discussion thread

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 2/26/2014 2:02 PM (GMT -5)
This is a companion for the Barrett's research thread. Hopefully we can keep the other thread to research links, and post our discussion here related to Barrett's.
Posted 2/26/2014 2:12 PM (GMT -5)
I'm posting this quote from RefluxMD.com for discussion purposes:
These (PPI medications) only stop or reduce the symptoms of reflux disease. They reduce the pH level of the stomach contents, thus stopping or reducing the pain of heartburn. Unfortunately, reflux disease continues, and it may progress. In fact, research has found that people taking daily PPI medication are 61% more likely to have Barrett’s esophagus, a precancerous condition that could lead to esophageal cancer.

Of interest to me is the statement that reflux disease continues in spite of PPI use. Other sources state or imply that PPI's stop the progression.
Posted 2/26/2014 2:19 PM (GMT -5)
There is a 70 percent decrease in EC for Barrett's patients who take ppi's. That's why those of us with Barrett's continue to take the ppi. Even with the halo, I take my ppi.
As time goes on, we may find that those who dare to not take a ppi, continue to live quality lives. But, until we put in the years of data by studying ourselves we just don't know anything but, there is a70 percent reduction in EC by taking ppi's.
If you see data showing people on ppi's have EC it is probably due to the fact that they let it go for too long a period and simply caught it too late and the damage was done. Get checked!!! I now look at Barrett's as something that saved my life. Somehow I am one of the lucky ones because I found out before it became low grade or high grade dysplagia . Or EC. Now, I have changed my diet. I don't think I could have done this without being scared out of my mind. Somehow I was saved by getting the endoscopy and finding Barrett's . It's been a trying time but after two years I am finally getting used to my eating lifestyle and finding a bunch of tiny things that when combined help me be symptom free........for the most part.

Post Edited (Teacherman) : 2/26/2014 3:13:35 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 2/27/2014 11:41 AM (GMT -5)
I've been on just Zantac for 6 months now and will have a repeat scope at the end of this year - I don't cope well with scopes but am keen to see what a year on Zantac has done for my Barretts, if anything. Mine is very small, so if nothing has changed I'll be happy to carry on with Zantac indefinitely. If anything I feel better on Zantac and have a lot less symptoms than on Lansoprazole (go figure).

Sunbeam, I still find the quote misleading. Saying people on a PPI are more likely to have Barretts is just the same as saying people with reflux are more likely to have Barretts. No one has taken a group of symptom free people and given them a PPI and then shown they got Barretts. So the reflux and the Barretts go hand in hand rather than the ppi and the Barretts (it's easy to misread the quote). As you say, drugs don't stop the reflux, they just take the acid out of it!

MMM
Posted 2/27/2014 6:34 PM (GMT -5)
MMM, your comment makes sense. I just can't really figure out why a group of I think respected MDs participate in a site with such misleading information. I suppose it all comes down to $$$$.

The author of the Fast Tract diet has tried to connect with gastroenterologists. One of them outright told him, "If I told my patients about an effective diet, I would have no more patients". So it continues to seem to me that many members of the medical community support themselves better than they support their patients (us).
Posted 2/28/2014 2:10 PM (GMT -5)
Hi Sunbeam,

There's always the worry with PPIs that they keep some people symptom free whilst keeping the pharmaceutical companies rich. I'm sure more issues will come up with long term side effects in the future too - though if they'd ever made me truly symptom free I'd have happily buried my head in the sand!

Any diet that helps, even if just to reduce drug dosage, is very worth it, so keep spreading the word!

MMM
Posted 3/2/2014 10:03 AM (GMT -5)
Him mmm, what was our doc take when you told him or her that you didn't wnt to take ppi's and wanted Zantac?
Is it common in his practice or are you a lone wolf? I've thought about it but continue with a once a day ppi. I do get or did get stomach issues with ppi's but found some good products that have eliminated all upper stomach bloating/gas/heartburn. So for now, I am symptom free. But, still I am curious how others do it and if their docs are on board with you or not. I too have small length Barrett's but burned it off with the halo. So my doc sys I m am Barrett's free. Maybe just a good diet will work? But too scared to get off the pps or Zantac due to all the data showing a 70 percent reduction in EC with acid reducers.
Posted 3/2/2014 10:04 AM (GMT -5)
I meant to write. "Your docs take" not our doc....
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