Cleared of Barrett's Esophagus! How I Got Here and What's Next.

It has been a while, friends. I apologize for that. But I plan on getting regular updates out to you moving forward. I'll be sharing how I became cleared of Barrett's Esophagus, and how I intend to keep a clean bill of health.

[@juannevindez6969]

My brother died from Barrett’s esophageal cancer. He never knew he had it until it was cancer. Biggest risk factors are White males, smokers, Gerd, overweight, sedentary. My brother checked all those boxes. Well after I started getting regular acid reflex from a hiatal hernia I saw a Gastro doctor and sure enough I have Barrett’s esophagus. Thankfully non dysplasia. Gastro told me to take PPI everyday for life and come back in 3 years to get check. Doesn’t want to burn it out or cut it out. Even though my brother died from it. Going to find a new gastro who will burn it out as I don’t want cancer having watch my brother starve to death.

[@dineshramalingam8670]

1.)Weight loss ( intermittent fasting-skipping dinner) 2.) no alcohol 3.) no fizzy drinks 4.) no smoking 5.) no coffee 6.) no abdominal work out 7.) ppi 8.) tab folic acid 9.) gaviscon syp 10.) no red meat 11.) green veg and fruits 12.) probiotics Will prevent progression, help in regression and may reverse ultra short and short segment barretts with metaplastic changes but regular follow ups with endoscopy..

[@garyuk761]

Coffee and alcohol I was told are ok

[@formulaic78]

​@@garyuk761those are two of the worst things for it: at least in my case where I got it from GERD caused by drinking too much.

[@carolyncumming4277]

I am 74yrs old so no longer eligible for endoscopy to track my BA. So pretty much on the scrap heap on my own. I don't want to take ppis or any medication. At present focusing on whole food diet and supplements such as slippery elm, licorice, aloe vera as well as eliminating foods likely to cause acid reflux. I will appreciate some focused information around your success and what you feel really worked for you.

[@lesleymaclennan7899]

❤❤ hope you are doing well ❤

[@bfoster1950]

I am also 74 with Barretts. I hope that you are doing ok. Take care.

[@filomenaestrada4056]

Thanks so much. What are obvious symptoms. Barrett esophagus. ,.... thks. Excellent. Amy filomena.

[@joshscutnik]

My symptoms weren't usually heart burn. It was chest tightness and difficulty breathing for me, along with heart palpitations.

[@kikojoao5717]

Hi Josh, I recently stumbled across your channel, after being diagnosed with barretts. I too have been told to go on PPI's indefinitely, but find that to be a bit irresponsible information. So am looking for a more natural approach to combating symptoms and am glad i found your channel,Could you please make a video on your diet etc...also I just wanted to ask about your barretts... was it initially non-dysplasia and then progressed to dysplasia during a repeat check up? and is that why you were given RFA? also can the barretts come back even after RFA?

[@joshscutnik]

I can definitely do a full video on my diet/lifestyle. I was originally pre-dysplasia that did progress to dysplasia, which is when we scheduled the RFA surgeries. Barrett's can come back, but I have been able to manage this through diet and lifestyle, and have been cleared for over 2 years at this point without medication.

[@katiehigham1815]

I am 44 just got diagnosed with it. I had an endoscopy two years ago and didn’t have it don’t know if he even did a biopsy. He just said I looked really good. Now I have it and have been eating good, no smoking or drinking for almost 7 yrs. I drink a lot of coffee I just don’t know how I could have gotten this!

[@OliveThePoleFairy]

25 and just diagnosed with a hiatal hernia, Barrett’s esophagus, cystitis in my bladder, and I’m terrified but stories like these make me feel hopeful that I can recover and get better and live a healthy life

[@joshscutnik]

🙏🏼

[@brucesmith2109]

Im glad you're getting better! I was curious about the RFA? From someone that has experience it.. Im going to start this process in the next few weeks? I'm waiting for my consultation with my surgeon. I have 8cm BE, probably 4-5 treatments? I'm guessing this from online research..

[@joshscutnik]

They'll likely biopsy after each one and continue until you're clear. I ended up having 7 procedures over the course of 14 months before I was cleared.

[@lesleymaclennan7899]

🙏🙏

[@tatianebassani8792]

​@@joshscutnik Olá tudo bem? Vc fez a ablação por radiofrequência? Quantas sessões? Seu barret era de que tamanho? Tinha displasia? E agora removeu tudo?

[@Daniel-wg4xr]

Hi Josh,I am Daniel from Northeast India.I have been diagnosed with barrets on January this year.My doctor gave me a medication for 3months and request me to do an endoscopy after 6months incase if there is cancer.Sometimes I used to experience a discomfort in my throat,I dont know what causes it(maybe because of diet).I'm a heavy tea drinker before the diagnosis so I would like to know a healthy replacement to drink if you can share one and if you can share me your diet too,I would be thankful

[@Janetgreen64]

I have Barretts Oesophagus. I was told 3 years ago and was under the impression it was a minor concern after receiving little to no information about it by my health professionals. The main focus of discussions centred around if I should or should not have an operation for a large hiatal hernia. It was decided it was best for no operation because of the odds of failure and that was that. The consultant said I would just need screening for the Barretts every 2 years by means of an upper endoscopy alas well over 3 years later that hasn’t happened. I am now suffering low ferritin levels leaving me with anaemia so I have been fast tracked for an endoscopy on Tuesday because my doctor suspects cancer. The thing is because I was made to feel the Barrett’s was insignificant and after a huge breakup 18 month ago where I lost my home and everything as well as having a near death driving experience (not my fault) I hit the bottle. If I had known the dangers of alcohol with Barretts I would have stopped all alcohol on day one. So now I am fearful I might have accidentally triggered a nasty reaction. I guess I should not have been as relaxed about the Barretts as my consultants have been. I should have researched it myself in more depth. I know that now. This is why channels like yours are important. You reinforce and add to the information which is sadly lacking from the health professionals. We need to take control ourselves. Fingers crossed I get a good result from my endoscopy on Tuesday otherwise the prognosis is very bleak. 😢

[@joshscutnik]

Janet I am so sorry to hear that and I'm praying for you. I sincerely hope it is nothing more than a flare up of symptoms, and you are able to get on a path to healing with some better clarity moving forward. 🙏🏼💙

[@yasminkausar5186]

Hi Janet, unfortunately the health system is really broken, after years of telling doctors about my acid reflux, digestive issues, pains in my chest and dealing with the symptoms myself, it's got to a point where I've had very bad inflammation in my stomach where it felt like I had a brick lengthways going down from my solar plexus to about an inch below my naval...Being a carer to severely unwell elderly aswell as my Autistic son going through some tough health issues didn't give me much or energy to chase up the doctors again by the time I did I worked on the inflammation and reduced it down considerably...Doctors sent me for an ultrasound but it was all clear, they put me on PPI because I was still suffered from severe abdominal pain, becoming extremely bloated just having a couple of sips of water took 2 hours to go down...I started intermittent fasting hoping this will help ...Had my Endescopy over a week ago, awaiting the results...Though not awaiting any treatment as the protocol is to "Watch n wait", unless it's gone past the Barrett's Oesophagus state... Please don't feel deflated, there is still time to calm the storm n give your body the nutrients it needs to start healing...If you are able to please start fasting, this will give your body the time n space to work on itself...When we are NOT constantly eating n digesting our body can start to repair itself...Remove heavy n dense foods and replace them with light n simple, live foods. This step is the biggest step you can take to start on the recovery process... Wishing you n all those suffering a very warm good luck ... Don't give up!

[@Janetgreen64]

@@joshscutnik thank you.

[@Janetgreen64]

@@yasminkausar5186 Thank you that is really helpful advice. I think the fasting is a good way to enable healing as you have stated. Thankfully the biopsies taken from my endoscopy were fine and the Barrett’s has remained at a reasonable level. I still have anemia and no reasons why but I suspect its part and parcel of having a large hernia and the complications that go with that. I hope your results are good. I wish you well it cannot be easy being a carer whilst dealing with your own problems. Stay strong lovely lady ❤️ x

[@yasminkausar5186]

@@Janetgreen64 My mum, aunt n sister all suffer from Aneamia. Both my mum n aunty either have blood or Iron transfusions or both every few months and suffer endlessly until their bloods drop enough for the doctors to intervene...No reason has been found for the Aneamia not even genetic...My mum is also 'MGUS simmering' meaning she is borderline Myeloma, my father passed away with lung Cancer, last November...I have Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis also...My sisters (3), all have various ailments and debilitating conditions...My 22 year old son has Autism/ ADHD, diagnosed with FND (Functional Neurological Disorder, 3 years ago n is now looking at another diagnosis 'Pots Syndrome '...These challenges have taught me one thing Janet that the most precious thing in the world is YOUR health and YOUR well-being for without that nothing else has meaning...Once you hit rock bottom the journey back can be a killer, it takes every ounce of your inner and outer strength to change habits, change mindset, believe you deserve better and dig deep n find the faith that NONE of this is an accident there is a reason behind everything that happens to us...Nothing is wasted NOT even the bad moments everything leads to a beautiful journey teaching you about YOURSELF and connecting you to a higher power...The human body is extremely resilient and the human mind is very powerful if we can steer our minds in the right direction...💕

[@Vince-H]

How were you approved for ablative eradication techniques? I was diagnosed at 23 and i'm attempting to find a physician who will take me seriously. Traditional frontline therapy with a PPI indefinitely is nothing something I am willing to partake in for a variety of reasons. I believe advanced monitoring techniques and endoscopy eradication techniques if/when the time comes for someone of my ages and otherwise great health. I am not a physician, and I am not pretending to be one. I am however a critical thinker who can understand scientific literature and I wish physicians would be willing to think more holistically.

[@joshscutnik]

It's probably about finding a practitioner who offers it. My GI actually referred me out to a doctor who specialized in that procedure.

[@darrendensman2919]

Im a 32 yr old male went in for gut inflammation issues and found out by chance i have barretts. Basically all i was told was just to get another check every 3 yrs. Wasnt made to be a big deal. What should i do or who do i talk to

[@joshscutnik]

Monitoring is a good start! Keep diet and lifestyle in check so it doesn’t progress. They typically intervene when dysplasia is present. Yours may be a small segment that hasn’t progressed to this point. Focus on controlling what you can control!

[@cindygaudet1390]

I would be very interested in what you are eating when say healthy whole foods. Because I was told no this that and practically everything. I have been a worrier forever,and my daughter and family having problems on a move and oh man I worry. Did you take ppi’s and h2 inhibitors? Also did you follow any meditation you tube or just did your own.

[@joshscutnik]

I was on PPI's for about 4 years. They didn't help me much, and I felt my health getting worse when I was on them. So my personal decision was to transition to entirely focusing on diet and lifestyle. This is been how I have managed for the past 6 years. I started meditating with the Calm app and the Waking Up app, before transitioning to doing it unguided.

[@cindygaudet1390]

@@joshscutnik thank you so much for replying. I am having such a hard time eating what I feel is healthy as everything healthy it seems is a no don’t eat that. Prior I ate more veggies and all the berries and now told too acidic. I never smoked, drank alcohol or coffee or very limited soda or fizzy drinks, yes to chocolate and I realized early on it bothers me. Very hard to feel like I am doing the right thing by eliminating so many foods. I am starting to realize when my reflux (all from larynx up) is affected by worry, easier than by foods. Dr has me on 2 ppis and now added zantac. 24 yrs ago I had gerd and he put me on ppis for 2 yrs all symptoms went away. Occasionally a bit of stomach discomfort but nothing much. This all started 3 yrs ago with very sore throat not covid related. Now barretts, and if I didn’t have Barretts I would probably stiil say no to ppis. I am at a loss.

[@joshscutnik]

I completely understand, and I'm sorry you're going through this. The best advice I can give is to listen to your body. I would not cut out any fruits or veggies that aren't aggravating your symptoms. They do too much good to nix them altogether. Fiber fuels our personal superheroes (gut microbiota), and if you're limiting quantity and diversity, you're cutting out a major healer. Take notes on which foods you do and don't tolerate (and those may change over time), and follow that as a guide.@@cindygaudet1390

[@cindygaudet1390]

@@joshscutnik thanks for the reassurance. I have been for almost 3 yrs however, I did stop 1 of 2 ppis and still taking the zantac and the day long sore throat has gone back to just when I wake up.

[@jessiejames545]

Are you still on PPI’s Josh? And what nutrition/diet did you follow to heal your Barrett’s? 😊

[@joshscutnik]

I have not been on PPI's for a while. I was on and off for the first 3-4 years, and have been completely off for the last 6 years. I'm not on a specific diet, I just minimize the highly processed foods, and focus the vast majority of my diet on nutrient-dense, whole foods. And loads of fiber.. 40-50g daily to support gut health

[@jessiejames545]

Ok Thanks so much 😊 Would love you to do a focused video on your diet etc if you have time one day! 🙏

[@joshscutnik]

@@jessiejames545 Absolutely!

[@jigsawpulse1139]

@@joshscutnikdid you taper off?

[@tatianebassani8792]

​@@joshscutnik vc está curado?

[@ajothomasjose5851]

Does your baretts completely cured ?

[@joshscutnik]

I am currently cleared of Barrett's! No trace of it at the moment.

[@ajothomasjose5851]

Ah that’s really great to hear . I am just 27 recently diagnosed with gerd but now i dont have baretts but i am really afraid of getting it . U really inspired me alot . Great work

[@joshscutnik]

@@ajothomasjose5851 You're getting ahead of it early! Take control of your habits and daily lifestyle now and you'll be on your journey to healing in no time!

[@tatianebassani8792]

​@@joshscutnik Olá, qual foi o tratamento que vc fez para erradicar o Barret? Qual o tamanho do seu Barret?