Hi Daisy71

I was diagnosed with Barretts in December and was terrified! (Particularly as my Dad died of oesophageal cancer though much older than me.) It came as a huge shock as I'm only 31 and very healthy otherwise. 

It does take time to sink in but 6 months on and reached a good level of acceptance. I have been lucky in that my biopsies came back as showing no progression towards cancer (no dysplasia), though I need to have a repeat endoscopy later this year just in case. Depending on what your biopsies show and other risk factors, you may be offered further endoscopies every 1-5 years.

Frustratingly there seems to be no clear answer around what % of people with Barretts eventually get oesophageal cancer, partly because they don't know how many people actually have Barrett's (it's often undiagnosed), but the literature never states more than 5% (lifetime risk). Weirdly it helped me to think 'statistically I have more chance of getting breast cancer but I don't worry about that everyday!'

Barrett's itself doesn't cause symptoms and there seems to be no evidence that avoiding trigger foods reduces your risk of cancer - it's all for symptom control (my consultant confirmed this). Also everyone is different. You only need to avoid the foods that trigger you. I seem to be fine with caffeine and chocolate, but (sadly!) can't handle alcohol - I can't get through a single G&T without that stuck burb feeling you describe and a sore throat. You may also find stress triggers symptoms, and I think I feel better after light exercise. There is also the big question of whether to go on PPIs - one to talk through with your doctors.

There is a lot of useful info here about acid reflux and Barrett's including a summary of academic research findings - sites.google.com/.../home

Hope all this helps and that you feel a bit better about it all soon. You do get over the shock eventually :) 

Aha!
there you are , found you(:

I swear I am NOT a pervo/stalker (:

just missing you off Rayb's board. That's the only place I am posting now

WOW- Daisy, what a bizarre turn of events. I am really wondering what on earth is going on, so many 'unhappy' oesophagus's.  My mate at work has Barrats and is now scoped every year, with a huge dose of omeprazole. Every day. Been that way for about8 years.

Good thing is that you will now be monitored and checked frequently, so anything starts getting any ideas Bang- the cell has gone ! But I am quite shocked at your turn.

How is the old man- still painting fences?
Any hows , glad I've found you and you are still active.

keeping the faith

Hilts

Hi.  Really sorry to hear about what you are going through.  How long had you been having symptoms before your diagnosis ?