Barrett's

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 7:58 pm

I was going through the reports from my GI, which I went to get from Kaiser and shared with Tex who explained some things I didn't (or couldn't because I was in so much fear) understand.

I found this:
"3/2/2010 EGD today showed ? Barrett's from 35--37; s/p bx. No eso Candida. S/p lap fundoplication but 'wrap' Is loose, not tight. "

Hello? So it was suspected 2 years ago but not diagnosed? No biopsy I assume. Now I am very symptomatic and he won't test and diagnose?

I wrote him a note. We'll see what he answers. He doesn't, I go to the Kaiser people and make a stink.

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:38 pm

Update.
The stinky note helped. He finally answered with more than me being a hypersensitive hypochondriac.

Biopsies for Barrett's Have been done on two occasions And do not show Barrett's

This is the biopsy of the esophagus from 2/1/11
. ESOPHAGUS, BIOPSY, MID:
- BENIGN SQUAMOUS MUCOSA WITH AREAS OF MILD CHRONIC INFLAMMATION.
- A SPECIAL STAIN FOR FUNGAL ELEMENTS IS ORDERED WITH RESULTS TO BE
REPORTED IN AN ADDENDUM REPORT.

This is the report from 3/5/10

C. ESOPHAGUS, BIOPSY, AT 37-39 CM:
- CARDIAC AND OXYNTOCARDIAC TYPE MUCOSA WITH CHRONIC INFLAMMATION.
- NO SQUAMOUS MUCOSA PRESENT.
- NO INTESTINAL METAPLASIA (BARRETT' S ESOPHAGUS), DYSPLASIA, OR MALIGNANCY IS
IDENTIFIED

The tryptase Was 18.9 with 15.8 being normal No results found for any visits on 02/22/12. Is not A significant elevation but should be repeated in 2-3 weeks.

Now, I am not sure whether to accept this as an answer for the present time, since eating is so painful. Can Barrett's develop over the last year (during which the pain started) or is this the result of stopping the PPIs?
Should I push for additional tests? Accept this as gospel?

And for the tryptase. I have had a lot of horrible phlegm, especially at night. It forced me to take an antihistamine. Not before the blood test, but it did help.
Any ideas?

desertrat · Post by **desertrat** » Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:58 pm

Lesley, good for you and your stinky note!! You go girl! It shows that the squeaky wheel gets the grease, doesn't it? Always, always push for additional tests! Don't ever accept anything as gospel, unless you get at least 2-3 confirmations. After all, this is your health, your body! The phlegm can bad. Do you have more than one pillow propped under you at night? Have you figured out why your phlegm is worse at night? Are you outside in the afternoon/late evening? Are your windows open at night? A lot of pesticide/weed spraying is done late in the day, now with weed season being in full bloom around the south and western areas of the US.

Mandy

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:34 am

Thanks Mandy! I have been pushing him. I finally got him to answer me in an acceptable fashion.

The phlegm is always bad around this time of year. I often wake myself up dreaming that I am drowning. I wake up half strangled. I don't want to take anti histamines because I have to do a repeat blood test.

But Tex, didn't you say that the tryptase is NOT the mast cell issue? It still needs something else?

I have to reply to him. Tomorrow is another day.

Post by **tex** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:45 am

Lesley wrote:But Tex, didn't you say that the tryptase is NOT the mast cell issue? It still needs something else?

Well, the actual role of the enzyme known as tryptase, is not understood. It's not known to be an inflammation modulator - no one knows what it does. But we do know that it's released, along with histamine and other chemicals, from mast cells, when they're activated, so tryptase is used as an indirect way to measure histamine release. IOW, if your tryptase level is up, then it means that your mast cells have probably released histamine, also.

Tex

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 3:13 pm

And is that level enough to indicate mast cell involvement?

Post by **tex** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:08 pm

Good question. Obviously that's above normal, but I have no idea what a typical test result might be for someone who is having a severe reaction. Maybe Mary Beth or Julie might know.

Tex

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Thu Feb 23, 2012 8:16 pm

I am having a pretty severe reaction right now. I cannot wait until I get those results and can start to really heal!

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 3:35 pm

Lesley,
I'm obviously not a doctor or anything but a lay person who has had Barretts. I do believe you could have developed Barrett's within a year. Barrett's is not cancer but a pre-cancerous condition. You already know that, I'm sure, but with the onset of your pain, etc. within the last year - I just can't believe they won't do another endo to be sure.

Love, Shirley

Lesley · Post by **Lesley** » Fri Feb 24, 2012 4:22 pm

I emailed him back. That was one of the questions I asked.

Are you clear of Barrett's? Does it heal? How?

xoxoxo
Lesley

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Sat Feb 25, 2012 10:06 am

Leslie, the last endo I had done which was sometime last year the letter I got from the Dr. said that there is evidence of short term Barrett's, which indicates it has healed (I think). However, I know that with prolonged exposure to stomach acid it will return. Also the second endo I had in florida indicated the Barrett's was "better".

Am I clear? I don't really consider that I am because I am at risk of it returning without taking precautions. That's my present take on the situation. Perhaps Tex could shed some light if he has time. (I do want the book done too - haha)

Love and Good Luck,

Shirley