[mikefromleeds]

Barretts and Hernia - I take lansoprazole 30mg 4 x per day as well as cimitidine 400mg 4 times per day - I feel sick litle a blockage all the time - no one can help - its horible - 2 year endoscopy due soon - need answers as I can not go on like this

[thisisit]

I'm sorry to hear of your troubles with Barretts esophagus and hernia. I am guessing you suffer from GERD. There is no cure for GERD, only treatment.

I believe the meds you are taking is Prevacid and Tagamet. I'm not sure I understand your statement "i feel sick litle a blockage all the time", what do you mean by that? Do you feel the medications are giving you side effects?

If you are lucky you will be told that your Barrett's esophagus is healed at your next endoscopy. However, the problem that lead up to Barrett's is non-curable (GERD) and the doctors say this needs lifetime treatment.

It is very important to keep GERD under control because it can lead to cancer, with Barrett's being a precursor. You can make changes to your diet to help lessen the effects of GERD, though most doctors will tell you this is not possible.

I am sorry, I suffer the same and have no really good answer for you. I found that eating a diet low in fat, high in fresh fruits and vegetables helps. Currently I am trying to manage without medications, due to side effects.

I wish you all the best. There are a few surgical procedures, you can discuss your options with your doctor at your next endoscopy appointment.

[mikefromleeds]

Thanks

The sick feeling only happened about 2 months ago and I have been taking the vast amount of med for 2 years nearly. Maybe its an ulcer ?

[thisisit]

It's possible... I got an ulcer while I was taking my meds. Faithfully, every day, twice a day. Good luck!

[mikefromleeds]

I was given an ant acid - it sems to have helped a little - As long as the meds for barretts GERD is the correct one - and safe to take long term I'm ok- On my 1st Endosopy I was told Lanzoprazole is not something to take long term - my concern is the high dose I'm taking 30mg 4 x per day

[thisisit]

It is a high dose, and I have concerns about the long term use also. The side effects got too bad for me, and I had to make a quality of life choice. Most of what I've read about the anti-secretory drugs like you and I are prescribed have not been proven safe for long term use. I often wonder if the doctors are prescribing drugs they would not be willing to take themselves, or if they developed GERD and Barrett's esophagus if they would look harder for a better/safer alternative?

I've stopped my meds. I don't recommend you doing the same without a doctor's supervision. I'm trying now to get an appointment with the GI doctor to see about my options. All the otc antacids say the same, DO NOT USE THE MAXIMUM DOSAGE FOR LONGER THAN 2 WEEKS.

So... like I said, good luck to both of us :)