Full Thread

Morganaspirit (Vancouver, Canada) on 02/22/2014

Hi. After a gastroscopy procedure I was diagnosed with Barret's Esophagitis and a hiatal hernia almost two years ago after suffering for over a year. I was given Dexilant and it worked somewhat well to disguise the symptoms, yet like others here on this forum, I know the harmful effects and it also seemed to be losing effectiveness. At the time the specialist gave me the diagnosis she told me I was per-cancerous esophagus and beginning ulcer.

I have studied holistic health for most of my life and this medicine and its effects have worried me over the last almost two years. I am in a situation now where I cannot afford to buy it any longer either.

My concern is that I don't know what to take to cure the problem because of my symptoms so if anyone here has similar please let me know. People here have great success with ACV and Baking Soda. I did use baking soda before the problem got so intense I had to have the gastroscopy.

By the way at this time two years ago I did a 12 day fast on just organic aloe vera juice from whole foods I was that desperate. After that I decided to have a some organic veggie juice thinking I could now drink it and OMG it didn't last a moment in my system. Definitely it did me no good at all.

I throw up even water, but some foods surprisingly I discovered by accident I can keep down. I.e. pasta with cheese sauce, which I hadn't eaten for thirty years not liking it prior, but it was served for dinner where I was visiting. This blew my mind when I realized I wouldn't be throwing it up. Hard boiled eggs with a bit of butter I can keep down too. Veggies I can't keep down either. The problem I have is that I can't get past a mouthful of ACV without it coming right back up. I also have a greens organic, and a non-GMO, non-dairy, non-Soy protein powder full of good healthy ingredients, which I used to blend with coconut milk, and now I can't drink that either since stopping the PPI. I can only now drink little sips of water otherwise it comes back. Teas all come back after a mouthful. Coffee is out of the question entirely.

There must be a way to cure this and heal it holistically. I refuse to believe I have to live with this Dexilant which I read increases the possibility of stomach cancer if taking it over a long period. I also have osteoporosis before taking Dexilant and it must be even worse now. I feel that I am in very critical condition.

Another thing that happens is that the moment I even go to take my medication for hypothyroid and reach for the glass of water that my upper abdomen immediately swells and hurts and I haven't even had a sip yet. I sleep practically sitting up and now I also have developed this cough that causes me to throw up. I bring up a very clear gel like substance, not a mucous that is thick and then up comes my water or anything I have taken.

I would appreciate hearing back about this. Thanks.

Replied By Timh (Ky, Usa) on 02/23/2014

Morganaspirit: It's obvious that the acid factor of ACV irritates your Esophagus, so do drop that. I had the same problem w/ the thyroid meds. One of the noticeable symptoms of hypothyroid is reduced ability to swallow, which implies that the esophagus is directly effected by insufficient thyroid hormones.

So, the only way to bring about a fix is to treat the esophagus and the thyroid simultaneously. Starting w/ the thyroid, take the magnet on your refrigerator and apply it to your thyroid glands for 10 min 2x day. Switch from levothyroxine to Armor Thyroid meds w/ any luck from your MD. supplement Lugols Iodine (much info here on E.C.). Take 500mg L-Tyrosine 1x day for two weeks and then up to 500mg 2x day. At this point you may need to split the thyroid med in half but you will need thyroid checked for sure. Vit-E is very good for protecting all the glands and thus improving their function. The best form of E is mixed Tocopherols & Tocotrienols. Coconut Oil is also very good for the T.

Now for the esophagus. Burst 5,000 iu Vit-A in mouth and let it slowly drain down the throat or take small spoon of Cod Liver Oil by mouth using the slow method. 15 minutes later suck an Elderberry/Zinc Lozenge. These two should both strengthen and soothe. DGL form of Licorice will also help soothe.

Replied By Jos (Thailand) on 02/22/2014

Hi to Morganaspirit in Vancouver,

Sorry to hear of your gastric problems, have you tried mixing food thickeners to your food and drinks? There is a product called Nestagel which works quite well and helps to keep food down and without irritation, I believe it's mainly used for children and elderly people but maybe worth experimenting with, also try to research other food thickners which maybe of benefit to you as they coat the lining of your osophegus, and help to stop the burning sensation. Weight loss may be a problem for you and when desperate try Bengers food, another "old fashioned" food for invalids and children with hiatal hernia problems. Keeping yourself raised up when sleeping is essential for your oesophageal probs and I really wish you well. I had a young baby with reflux and I learnt about thickening food to keep it down in her stomach, I appreciate you are not an invalid but thought some of these ideas may help you.

Replied By Mike62 (Denver) on 02/22/2014

Morganaspirit: I am not sure I can assist you but I can try. I am not sure why but I like to study the food plants, animals, and well people eat. After reading your sad story of so much suffering I am surprised you are alive. The reason I say this is because the cells require proper nourishment. When they don't get enough they eat the tissues. I believe this to be the root cause. I was very sick. The way I got well was to experiment. This is hard for a sick person to do so maybe getting a loved one to assist would be a good idea. Vegetables want to be fertilizer for the seeds so they make some of their nutrients hard to digest to discourage herbivores from eating them. Fruits want to be eaten for herbivores to propagate the seeds. Their nutrients are easily digested. The most easily digestible fruit is banana. Whole Foods has whole trade bananas. These are organically grown but lack the costly certification. They are also the least costly. You can try raw wildflower honey. Avocados are also easy to digest. Because you were able to eat cheese, eggs, and butter, you can try raw vital pastured eggs, raw grass fed hamburger, colostrum, and raw cheese. You can try black chia seeds. They are less costly online. Brown Cow plain yogurt might be beneficial. In my opinion you are going to have to find some raw organic and grass fed whole foods that you can eat so you can recover.

Replied By Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 02/23/2014

Morganspirit, sounds like you have to have well-cooked, easily digestible foods for right now. Look into Traditional Chinese Medicine for your situation.

Replied By Morganaspirit (Vancouver, Canada) on 02/23/2014

Thank you Timh from Ky, and Somewhere, Europe, jos from Thailand, and Mike 62 from Denver. I appreciate all of your input. I do love avocadoes Mike, bananas I am very allergic to unfortunately cause I love them.

Jos, food thickeners sound like a very good idea because they coat the lining of the esophagus. I have never heard of them so will research as soon as I get off this site.

Timh, I do take desiccated thyroid. Learned that one a few years ago! But you are right that the thyroid seems to be mixed up with everything. I never thought of using a magnet on my thyroid but what a great idea. I need a lot of thyroid every day so it would be amazing to split it in half. I will certainly try the Vit-A. Does it taste fishy though? Thinking of Cod liver oil you mentioned. Aside from the esophagus problems I have a very difficult time with smells, especially fishy smell. I can't even walk into a fish store without throwing up. I take coconut oil and use it for cooking. Perhaps that would work as well as Vit-A?

I am going to try these ideas you all gave me today, and Somewhere, Europe you suggested TCM. I went to a naturopath who taught at the TCM college here and he was useless. His big plan was for me buy his protein powder and take that daily as well as pay him $150/hr for his consult. He gave me a sample and it upchucked within five minutes so I am a bit distrustful of TCM if that is the recommendation. I like the ones I got here today and will use them all. Thank you.

Replied By Gtcharlie (Los Angeles, Ca) on 02/23/2014

Hi Morganaspirit,

I want to chip in a few points here that is away from the main drag; not with the intention to negate what others say, but to add a different approach that is more in line with the Eastern philosophy.

1. Avoid all cold drinks or foods, including raw foods taken cold, even water from the refrigerator! Because you don't want to excite your stomach needlessly. And you don't want to lower your body's core temperature suddenly either. So, please stick to foods/drinks that are a bit above lukewarm, but way lower than to burn your mouth.

2. Use ginger as often as you can, but not as much as you can. Large amount of ginger can upset your stomach, in moderation, it can curb regurgitation effectively. Ginger can also warm your stomach up which will reduce the excessive stomach acid. GERD can be from insufficient stomach acid in some cases especially with the elderlies. But judging from what you say about the ACV, it is not your case.

The best way is to take a ginger tea with honey daily - thinly cut fresh ginger 15-20 slices with skin on, add in 8 oz of water and bring it to boil. Remove from the stove and stir in one t-spoon honey. Press the ginger slices a bit while mixing the honey in with the spoon. Save half of this concoction in a thermal for later use. Sip this tea slowly as hot as you can take. Inhale the steam through your nostrils while waiting for the tea to cool down a bit. By doing so, you can warm up your upper chest. Reheat the rest from the thermal a few hours later to finish it. Less in amount and more in frequency is the key to avoid burdening your stomach. If you can take in the whole 8 oz once, then brew a second cup later.

Always add some fresh ginger in your cooking. Ginger candy is a good choice for snacking.

If you like cinnamon, you can use it to replace ginger at times or supplementing the ginger tea with it. But be sure to buy the cinnamon from Indonesia or Srilanka since it is for medicinal purpose. You will find them at Amazon.

3. Take liquid foods for easy digestion; thick soap like beef and barley is a good choice. Avoid foods that cause bloating and gas. Chew slowly and longer when eating solid foods to let the saliva to breakdown carbohydrates. Proper nutrition plays a big part in one's health!

4. Rub your stomach often: use both hands to rub your stomach (right under the sternum) with a little pressure. Move in a circular motion and reverse the direction alternatively. Give it a few pumps if you can in between. Do it before meals and relax your stomach muscle by practicing deep breathing at times. You need to strengthen your diaphram.

If these help and when situation is stabilized, you can start making fresh potato juice in the morning and drink it with an empty stomach - at least half an hour prior to breakfast. Add an apple if you like. But be sure to leave both the potato and apple out of the refrigerator to prevent taking in cold liquid in the morning!

Potato juicing is good to curb cancer cells, and for any ulcer too! A very popular remedy in Asia popularized by a welknown Japanese monk.

All the best to you!

Replied By Timh (Ky, Usa) on 02/24/2014

Morganaspirit: Yes, the Cod Liver Oil or Vit-A smells like fish, so you will need to fallow it directly w/ Elder/Zinc Lozenge. The Iodine/L-Tyrosine will likely be necessary in improving your T hormone status for the short-term until you do the Magnet, Vit-A, and Zinc begin protecting and healing the Thyroid. All this has worked for me as my last test showed normal without having previously taken levothyroxine for many weeks.

Do report your results for others.

Replied By Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 02/24/2014

Hello Morganaspirit,

Really, my heart goes out to you...you have suffered so much.

I love what the EC writers have posted and have two observations:

First, to add to the previous suggestions on what you might be able to eat, have you tried papaya? The raw fruit, not the capsules but the fruit itself?

Papaya is an amazing fruit packed with enzymatic power... soothing to the lining of irritated throat and stomach...it is wonderfully anti nausea. What ever is causing the problem, you certainly are deficient in enzymes and a good starting point is papaya. Start with the real fruit as I said and after eliminating the tiny black seeds (a good source of anti parasites) just take a tiny bit on spoon and eat. If no negative reaction, try a quarter teaspoon and so forth until you can eat a quarter cup at a time. If you can tolerate that much, the Papaya will start its wonder working impact on your system.

Second, I'd love to more find out the CAUSE of what you are experiencing. I understand the Barretts Syndrome diagnosis, but I mean before that. Here is my point; We are dealing with (largely) what you can eat now. That is vital because clearly there is a sense of urgency here...and that is why I threw in my suggestion of papaya. But all these suggestions, by and large, speak to the symptoms and do not address the cause.

I guessed one possible cause as an enzyme deficiency issue but that might more fit the symptom category.

Would you please give us some more information on the history of what led to this problem. I'm always wondering at causation and try to get to the bottom line cause for the symptoms. Often I find an infection that preceded symptoms, for instance.

So...could you give a brief history... like this; when did you first begin experiencing difficulties...from youth? From birth? Do you suspect genetic? As I said, I've often found a viral/ fungal ... pathogenic trigger, and hence "basis" for the symptoms.

Here's a typical story line...maybe it fits and maybe not: Victim X suffers from nausea for past five years. X first experienced illness four months after visiting Caribbean islands. Doctors cannot find cause. Possible answer; Parasites.

Or: Victim Y suffers from endocrine system issues with manifold symptoms. Six months prior to symptoms, suffered from severe case of strep. Possible cause; virus.

So, anything you can tell us as to cause...more of the history can help with underlying cause solution.

Replied By Morganaspirit (Vancouver, Canada) on 02/23/2014

Thank you GT Charlie. I discovered this thing about not having cold water this week and on the weekend when it finally hit me that my overnight lukewarm water had not bothered me at all to drink it. Usually I have it ice cold from the frig and so you are right on there. I will slice up my ginger and try that again. I use to make fresh ginger tea. I used to also keep fresh slices in my water jug to sip on as well and I see it is time to do this again. Cinammon too I love so will make sure it comes from Indonesia or Sri Lanka. Thanks so much for your input.

Unfortunately I used the PPI Dexilant to get through the past two years and it is only when I realized it was also not working as well, that is when I knew I had to tackle this problem now. My problem is that I work 12 hr days and alot of that time is sitting at my desk and that is a problem too with that pressure. I spose I can heat up the ginger tea in the microwave at work although I hate to use it. Thanks again.

Replied By Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 02/24/2014

Hee, hee, Morganspirit, I learn the Chinese stuff that I want, off the Internet and from books. I take the info that seems right to me and experiment with that. Why pay? Having said that, I did go to a practitioner to get the Chinese "diagnosis name" of my condition (according to them. I always take it all with a grain or two of Celtic Salt :)).

Replied By Morgana (Vancouver, Canada) on 02/24/2014

Timh from Ky, I cannot tolerate even the smell of fish oil. I would be heaving before getting the capsule close to my throat but I was thinking that perhaps coconut oil might be a good substitute. Thanks. By the way I have a very sensitive stomach. Even happening upon a dead fly makes me vomit.

To Dave:

Dave thanks for your reply. I do love papaya, but so many fruits made me throw up in the past three and half years that I gave up on them. I will try your suggestion with just a tiny amount at a time. I do know it has powerful enzymes and if it stays down, it would be wonderful to eat it as much as I can keep down.

As to the beginning of this problem, acid reflux began about five years ago at age 59, but it wasn't until the end of 2010 that it began to be uncomfortable.Up to the acid reflux beginning the only time I had stomach problems was my horrid reaction to smelly things or revolting looking things and then anything I had in my gut came up. I was one of those women during pregnancy who vomited the whole nine months.

Actually interesting you bring up possible parasites as a source cause I used to wonder about that. The day it began I had bought myself a frozen lasagne to have for a quick meal after work. I had just begun my present job the month before, twelve hour days and was too exhausted to stand at the counter and cook after a long day beginning at 4am.

This is the first time in my life I bought one of those dinners, since my preference is more holistic and fresh food, but I did and that night I did have a violent reaction like a stomach flu which continued for several days and then I caught a bad cold which turned into a bad chest infection. The chest infections have been recurring over the years since childhood when hay fever first hit. It always changed to chest infections which lasted for weeks and weeks and that could be asthma I found out recently.

Since I never got stomach flu's ever, it has only now occurred to me that it might not have been the lasagne at all and that it could have been a bad flu beginning with stomach and turning into the chest infection.

Back to the problem. I was coughing very much, pulling tummy muscles when the problem began late 2010, and this continued for weeks. After that finally ended the real problem began in my stomach and upper abdomen. Those weeks of horrid gut wrenching coughing must have caused the hiatal hernia. It just got worse and worse and my doctor sent me on the rounds to have ultrasounds on every organ and nothing showed up and finally after a year of this and being in exactly the state where I am now, I insisted on seeing a gastroenterologist and then had that diagnosis after a gastroscopy and biopsy, and told I had to take Dexilant for life.

It was such a relief to have a solution that I happily took those pills and then when I found out just how dire it is to the system it began to make me very uneasy and to want to find another way. I really didn't think there was another way until finding this forum...so then I have hope.

Another thing that happens when I have anything at all, even lukewarm water my tummy area around my belly button as a centre swells and hurts immediately and as I said it can begin before I even have the liquid or food.

I remembered giving my dog Slippery Elm when he had digestive issues and am thinking that perhaps that might be a good thing to drink prior to eating anything or drinking anything even water. Funny how I never thought of that before.

By the way, my job hours are very stressful for me and I have been doing it almost four years and that may have alot to do with it too. Next year I will be 65 and can retire so maybe that will make a difference if I can get through this without it all turning to esophageal cancer.

Thanks for your input and for any further suggestions.

Replied By Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 02/24/2014

Hello again Morgana (spirit) from Canada,

So excited to get your follow up post!

The "history" of your disease ... and yours is indeed a disease is now much better understood by your last post.

You gave a great lay out of the key events and here's what I think given the evidence concerning the issue of causation and what is underlying the symptoms.

As you said, the day it all started (building on some reflux already present but not the main issue)... was the uncooked lasagna. I gather it was either under cooked or just let get to room temp from frozen condition. Couldn't tell which, but got for sure that it was not cooked.

Whatever... the problem was in the Lasagna. What was in it? Do you recall? And I doubt if you'd remember but do you recall if it was an imported variety. THAT would really give us a good slap on the huntin' dog's back if we knew it was a Mediterranean import. (Lots of Montezuma's revenge...yes, the Mediterranean... not just Mexico.) Amoeba, e coli, etc etc. are possible. Look up Amoebic dysentery on Wikipedia. The one of some interest is the "trophozoite" which is an amoeba that is non cyst forming. That amoeba produces symptoms without hurting liver. You need the BEST parasitologist to exclude the possibility that you do NOT have such infection.

Montezuma's revenge can be either viral or bacterial.

And let's just talk "mundane" infections caused by a good ol' American virus, fungus or bacteria.

You got the infection .... whatever it is from the lasagna. "The day it started..." that was the uncooked lasagna day.

What to do? Well, if me, I've already said I'd get a parasitologist to eliminate the possibility of parasites... and next...if not parasites, go to the old standbys to kill infections....Colloidal Silver (I now do a little dance at the mention of CS ... no doubt the Cherokee blood that runs through me).

I'd take a lot...I would be drinking at least six teaspoons of CS daily on empty stomach (which is what you usually have). I wrote a little article that the EC staff was nice enough to post under "Colloidal Silver" ...the Remedies section. I think mine's the second one.

So my contention is that CS will kill the underlying infection, if the experts say the problem is not a parasite. There are "natural" parasite killers covered in Earth Clinic, but after reading the autobiography "MD" which is about a parasitologist, I think I'd first get a determination of whether the cause just might be parasitic.

But do look at the Wiki article on Amoebic dysentery I mentioned and see if the symptoms discussed with the two types of amoeba relate to your problem. If not.... turn to virus killers....eg.....CS.

Replied By Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 02/24/2014

Hello Morgana,

A paragraph I failed to put into the long post just below this one....yes a bad infection as you mentioned from childhood could be the cause... Still....either would indicate an infection as the cause. And that's what we're looking for ... the cause.

Replied By Morgana (Vancouver, Bc) on 02/24/2014

hi Dave,

The thing is I had a frozen lasagna probably McCains or something like that and of course I heated it in the oven for the requisite time.

Good idea on CS. Have some in my fridge. Thanks for your input. Morgana

Replied By Morgana (Vancouver, Bc) on 02/25/2014

An update. Just wanted to tell you who contributed to my question that I am able to hold down avocado and papaya, so today for work I made myself a little salad with those, but I also added raw zucchini which I knew would be okay and I use the spiralizer to make it look like spaghetti. I also added raw apple and voila I have kept it all down and no heartburn.

It is a beginning and beats having to survive on fettucine, which is not something I like but when it was the only thing to stay down for a meal, what the heck.

Morgana

Replied By Mmsg (Somewhere, Europe) on 02/26/2014

Morgana, thanks for coming back to report. We're delighted at the good news, it's a very good start!

Replied By Ed (Ct.) on 02/27/2014

Many things can bring on a hiatal hernia...most common is while sitting- bending at the waist, as if to tie shoes. This will force the stomach into the diaphram. When the irritation begins things to avoid, temporally, (for 7 to 10 days) would be tomato sauce, spicy foods, COFFEE, too much ruffage as raw veggies, rice, and alcohol.

What to eat would be stewed veggies, pasta-no tomato sauce. Cream sauce and the like is OK. Mainly soft foods. They do not have to be bland just not spicy. This will also cut down on acid reflux. And indigestion.

If this becomes chronic, a visit to a chiropractor that practices kenisiology Is in order. I do not know if ACV helps with this as I have not had to try it as yet.

Replied By Geza (Los Angeles, Ca) on 09/16/2014

Morgana, I had a very similar history and the same course of esophagal problems without the nausea. the same pains and series of events you describe but you have had them longer. for me its just a year. I am 61 yrs old. it all started with a weird flu I picked up from someone up north-- I live in Los angeles. one of my friends caught the same flu and she said her friends got it too. nothing would make it go away for any of us. and I developed asthma/bronchitis for months. was on many rounds of prednisone and antibiotics. went to the hospital twice and coughing up so much liquid. in retrospect I think that the endless coughing from asthma coupled with the antibiotics and inhalers weakened my stomach.

I take synthroid too for many years. everything about the thyroid makes sense but what is HELPING HEAL ME is: licorice extract and probiotics. I am also taking vitamins and adrenal supplements. I just read a study on orange peel to reduce acid reflux in place of PPI's and just started that. I am using raditinine recently but it makes me psychotic I get anxiety and almost hallucinate. I chopped it down to 1/3 tablet taken at 6 pm and that seemed to stop the reflux anyway at night and believe me it was getting bad I have burned my tongue several times and had it back up into my windpipe. I had an attack 4 days ago and got all the pains you describe the thing that helped the most was the licorice root extract but I am convinced I need to keep powering probiotics so I take a capsule after every meal. I am feeling noticeable better after only a few days of hell after the big attack

Replied By Timh (KY) on 09/18/2014

Geza: Be careful w/ the Licorice as it raises blood pressure. Check local health food store for herbal throat lozenge which would contain Licorice as well as Slippery Elm among others.

There must be a connection because every time my thyroid goes out so does my esophagus. This happens to me on a regular basis and my remedy is Zinc/Vit-C Lozenge usually only once.

Replied By Glenn (Pontiac, Michigan ) on 12/01/2020
Licorice won't raise your blood pressure if you use Deglycyrrhizinated Licorice (DGL).

Glycyrrhizin is the substance in Licorice that causes blood pressure issues. Is it removed in DGL form. NOTE: However, using licorice as antiviral you will need regular licorice with glycyrrhizin, as it is the substance in licorice that acts as an antiviral (use caution when using regular licorice as it can increase BP)!!!

Replied By Debbie (Huron, Ohio) on 01/22/2015

I have Barett's. Will lemon and olive oil for liver cleansing bother the Barett's?

Replied By Timh (KY) on 01/23/2015

D: Too much Lemon juice could irritate the esophagus temporarily, but if it's gallstones causing the heartburn/esophagus problem, you must go ahead for a cure and proly feel immediate relief after the cleanse.

I recommend the forceful method of cleanse as to apply pressure directly over gallbladder minutes fallowing drinking your duo, and then lying on your left side in horizontal position so the gall can properly drain.

Replied By Nancy (Matthews, Nc) on 03/07/2015

Look into using essential oils. I too have Barrett esophagus as well as H.Pylori in my stomach. Just found this out. Go to essential oils on the internet. Oils have even helped my puppy dogs with issues. They help me with a lot of issues I have. I use them on my husband who has Parkinsons disease as well as arthritis.

Replied By Bacuna (Wa) on 04/17/2015

I've been searching the internet to understand my recent (today) diagnosis: H.Pylori, Hiatal Hernia (small) and Barrett's Esophagus (no cancer indicated). I do need to call the doctor back with my questions.

I went to the doctor because of bad heartburn and mostly my chest hurting up the middle. I wasn't sure if I had arthritis in my breast plate area or what?. One doctor says it is related to my upper back and neck injury - the vertebrae's pulling on the ribs that affect the front. But in the years with this condition I've never had the front hurt so much. A year went by and the pain/soreness got worse and I developed terrible heart burn last October/November. It wasn't daily but frequent. In January I decided to see another doctor who sent me to an orthopedic guy and a GI doctor. The orthopedic said it probably was arthritis. But the GI did an endoscopy with biopsy and came up with the above mentioned diagnosis.

I was looking at book on conditions of the stomach at the GI office and based on the symptoms and pictures I thought I would have IBS :) (silly me)

Would the pain in my chest be from the esophagus condition?

Reading all the comments, I see anything about pain in the middle of the chest.

Can anyone comment on this if the chest pain related to the esophagus condition?

Replied By Rob (Uk) on 04/20/2015

Hi Wa, yes it is? This is how I was diagnosed with BE (barretts) The pain in the morning when awake in centre of breast bone. Sometimes lasted about 15 minutes or sometimes 3/4 hours. My GP knew it was reflux and arranged a camera. The extra PPI's didn't help me. I'm just working diet now.

Replied By Bacuna (Wa) on 04/23/2015

Thanks Rob. I had the pain in my chest for a year before I went to a GI doctor. My holistic doctor steered me wrong. She said it was related to my upper back problems and stress. My chest pain will last throughout the day on/off. I called my GI doctor and requested a follow up to discuss my condition - I guess doctors don't do that anymore.

My daughter sells essential oils and says she will be sending some oils with instructions on how to use them.

I've read that this condition can be reversed. Is that possible? I will try the suggestions noted in this discussion. Does stress play a big roll in this?

Replied By Stacie G (Tampa, Fl) on 04/12/2016
Hi Bacuna,

I was wondering what oils your daughter sent you and how they worked for you? I have a client that has just been diagnosed with Barrett's and would like to recommend oils for her. I also sell and use the oils, but have not had a case of Barrett's to recommend for yet. Thanks in advance.

Replied By Geri (Massachusetts) on 11/07/2015

I have Gerd, & acid reflux. I went to see a holistic nutritionist so I don't have to guess anymore. My practitioner uses muscle testing to see which food based products are beneficial to my system. This way I don't have to waste all kinds of money and time on things that I have no business trying to put into my body, just to find out that it made me ill, or didn't do anything at all. You can look up holistic nutritionists on line and ask if they do muscle testing. That is the ONLY way to see if a product is right for you. Remember everybody's BODY is different!

Replied By Dee (Benicia, Ca) on 01/06/2016

I have been taking ACV for a couple of months and it has not helped my acid reflux, though it has helped with hot flashes. I suspect I have esophagitis, so I am now trying L- glutamine powder, and a spoonful of himalayan pink salt solution( in water). If you haven't tried these, I recommend them.

Replied By Diane (Wichita Falls, Tx) on 01/23/2017

Try a couple tbsp of honey, fresh squeezed lemon, cup hot water with tbsp ACV. It's like drinking hot lemonade. If you can't drink it in one sitting, sip it throughout the day.

Replied By Catherine (Spokane, Wa) on 02/21/2017

If you stopped the PPI cold turkey then you will be in distressed because your body is addicted to it. You have to wean yourself off of it and then go on the lesser medication and wean yourself off that. I watched this on a video. Then start the apple cider vinegar. Also Camomile tea helps strengthen The sphincter muscle that is allowing the acid to go back into the stomach. Use warm water with the apple cider vinegar and a bit of honey with a dash of ceyenne pepper. Also stop gluten and dairy.

Replied By Rose (Missoula, Montana) on 11/04/2017

It seems that long term use of PPIs can hinder the absorption of Vitamin B12....calcium, magnesium and potassium. I've taken Prilosec or Protonics for 30 years....and yes I have Barrett's. Your stomach needs a certain amount of acid to break down proteins like meat, chicken, fish and eggs. If you don't have the acid you will become deficient in those vitamins and begin to feel very old and ill all the time. The docs thought I had MS but after 3 MRIs, and a bunch of labs....."increase your proteins, increase your Vitamin b12 and we'll do calcium IVs once a year." What's with that? I wanted to go off PPI but with Barrett's, they didn't want to chance it. But here is a little advice for the guy that can't keep food down. See if you have a Schotzies Ring in your esophagus. Not sure of the spelling. It's a constricting muscle that makes food come back up....or doesn't allow food to go down. Good news. IT IS CUREABLE. All they have to do is stretch it out, and eating is a pleasure once again. You will still have Barrett's, but mealtime and sleep, become a breeze once again. Good luck.

Replied By Sharalen (Oroville, Ca) on 03/03/2018

I have a hard time getting ACV down, adding honey helps.

The acid from my Barrets has burned my vocal cords and brings on asthma. I recently found out that it sometimes gets in my bronchial tubes and I end up with bronchitis. The worst fear that I have is that it can get into your lung and damage them. Causing Pulmonary Fibrosis, my brother died from it 3 weeks ago. He was not being treated for Acid reflux and had a hiatus hernia for years. By the time they got around to what was going on, he was beyond help. They have me on Nexium twice a day, which ruin your kidneys. I have been on acid reflux meds for 15 years and I am getting worse, not better. I really want to try a more holistic approach. I understand that gut health is one of the first thing to take care of.

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