Just diagnosed

[konyw1]

:mad: I am sorry, but I am really upset. The only way I find out about things I already know are happening in my body, is to persist, to call, to visit different Doctors, to bother, otherwise, the answer has been, you are o.k.
Then, why do you give me Nexium? Why do I take other medicines? I want answers. I have suffered with my stomach, since I was a young girl. I now have received these news, and after reading, and informing myself, I am not a happy camper. Anyway, I find that this site, it's a friendly one. I hope to hear from some of you, who are living with this issue. Did you change your diet right away? Did you smoke? What do you think are the most valuable changes we have to make? I live a very stressful life, and it has been for the past 20 years. I do not know how to sit and be quiet. I used to practice medatation, I don't anymore. Please help me go on, I am frustrated. thanks a lot

[missJ]

What are your symptoms? Typically, basic lifestyle changes include raising the head of your bed 6inches (buy a wedge pillow or put bricks under your bed), stay away from fried and fatty foods, caffeine, chocolate, mints and alcohol. Do not wear clothing tightly around the waist and take a ppi. I hope this helps.

[TomCarv]

Dear Konyw,

WELCOME to the Boards!!! Sorry that You had to Join Us Though!!!

All the Things that MissJ said are True, and I will add if You Smoke, QUIT!!!

Alcohol, Mint, Caffein, and SMOKING can All Cause the Lower Esophageal Sphincter (LES) to Relax at the WRONG Time and Allow the Stomach Contents (Including that NASTY Acid) to come Up!!!

That is what Damages the Espohagus and Throat / Vocal Chords!!!

The Esophageal Tissue Tries to Adjust to the Acid Coming Up and Changes its Cells (Barrett's)!!! So the MORE that You can do away with, the Better off You will be!!!

Most GIs want to Keep Track o Any Changes in the Esophagus at least Yearly, Some More Often I have mine Checked Every Year, I was getting Bi-Yearly Checkups before my Fundo, but Since I Stopped the Majority of the Acid from coming Up, the GI Decided that Yearly was adequate!!! ;)

Post Often and Keep Us Posted!!!

{{{{Hugs}}}} and Prayers,

Tom

[konyw1]

:) I just logged in, been busy all weekend, which is great. My grandson, for whom I have custody of, will be 11 years old, and I am planning the gratest party. i stopped smoking. Not one, since friday. The food, I am still new at this, and know, fried, which are my favorite, are my worse enemy, but will and keep trying. I am just afraid of the conequences, of this Barrets disease.
Is it possible to live long, without problems, if we take care of ourselves, and what if I don't? can anyone help? thanks again, konyw

[supriya]

dear konyw
good for you for quitting smoking!!!
i was just diagnosed on friday and am awaiting three biopsy results. very scary. i was diagnosed with mixed connective tissue disease when i was 19 and i am almost 36. i have been aware of my risk for barrett's for years still there is no way to be ready for it. i have a higher risk of esophageal cancer developing than most because of the mctd. i have been surfing for hours and there seems to many treatments for barrett's and gerd. explore all your options carefully and get second and third opinions. some major cities have special surgery centers if it comes to that. early detection of the cancer seems to be the best thing, so keep getting scoped!

on to more posative thoughts
to paraphrase jimmy buffet "treat your body like a temple and not a tent!" eat organic, low fat, low or no meat and dairy products and get into yoga! i am a yoga instructor now and it has been the only thing that keeps me going. you are what you think, so don't dwell on the crappy stuff. have a good cry every now and then , but then do some yoga or go to beach, smell the roses, literally. simple pleasures will ease your spirit. enjoy every moment with family. and keep faith - whatever yours may be

namaste (which means "the light in me sees the light in you")
supriya

[konyw1]

:p I am so happy to read your message. It is difficult to accept any more diagnosis,this is not the only one. I have other issues, but this is not the place. it seems to me, my parents and uncles, cousins, aunts, have left me their legacy. All the cancer they suffered with, I seemt to have inherated. it is depressing, I do try. But, it is not a happy time for me. I do believe in being what we eat. I am slim, and never been bigger. I do not eat a lot of fat, I thought I was taking care of myself, I guess I am not. I want to start meditating, eating better, and getting more opinions. I am going to another doctor today, let's see what he says. I am mad at the world. I never felt this way, when I had my brain tumor. I was just ready to have my surgery, not knowing I would wake up, no problem. I said good-bye to all in my family, and went off 'to dreamland". Now, it is much more upseting, since I did not think I would have to deal with anymore cancer. Is it cancer, without being diagnosed as such? thanks for your kind words, hope you are doing well. konyw