My Bx showed Barretts Disease.

Hello Jan,

Thank you for your response and welcome. I was just diagnosed with Barrett's so I am on the hunt for fresh recipes and low fat foods. I will have to change my way of eating greatly. I do not eat 3 meals a day, I am a grazer. I do buy reduced fat foods, my DH is real low fat eater. I take many drugs and have to eat each time I take them so I really do not have a good routine for eating right. I have been on reflux med for many years and it has really helped. I went in for an EGD due to a low blood iron and so they ordered the colonoscopy,and EGD to rule out a bleed. No bleed but the Barrett's. Now I will take iron pills and work on the Barrett's. I will have to go in 1 time a year for the EGD. I am so happy to have found you. Thank you again Jan. Have a good day.

Susan

Hello Susan,

I think we get focused on the medication to treat GERD and Barretts but really diet and positioning are just as important. Staying away from foods that trigger symptoms can really help a great deal. I hope others will share their recipes with you.

It may help to have a wedge or pillows to elevate your bed for sleeping but with your back condition, please check with the doctor. 

Since you are on other medications to treat other conditions, be sure to check with your primary care doctor and GI doctor for drug interactions and medications that may worsen the reflux. Antibiotics, pain relievers and many other medications can cause stomach discomfort. If you are restricting your diet, it might make sense to take a multi vitamin or check in with a dietician about balancing nutrients.

Good luck! Jan

Thank you Jan. I do have lifts to raise the head of my bed. I had thoses before my Dx.

I will add the vit to my meds. Thanks again. Susan

Susan, I know you are looking for new recipies and diet ideas. What have you tried so far? Jan

Good morning Jan,

I really haven't tried any new recipes, I am just now learning what foods trigger me. Choc cocoa for sure. I love the no added sugar. I am going to try the soy choc milk to see how I do. We drink 1/2 soy and 1/2 skim milk. I cook with it and when I make soup I use FF 1/2 and !/2. I am staying away from tomato right now also. I eat lots of vegies, squash ,spinach,corn on the cob,less cheese, which I love but I am also trying to lose weight. Water is my demon. I find it very hard to drink just water. Oh well, when I am thursty enough I will drink it more then I do now. I gave up my morning cup of coffee, that realy bothers me.I have been stuck in the 170's and then I hit 160's and over the past week I have hit the 150's. My goal is 145 for now. At 66 I really do not want to be to thin. I have been in the teen and 20's for most of my life, I am 5'6".

So now I am trying to learn how to eat all over again. I will keep you up dated on my food choices. Susan

Hello Susan, Good for you taking control of your diet! I find that a combination of diet and medication really does the best job of controlling reflux.Good job setting goals and making lifestyle changes.

So sorry about the coffee. I know there is a low acid coffee available if you find that you just can't take it!

I find it difficult to drink enough water too. I try to get a goal-finish a water bottle before noon, refill it and finish it before dinner. Your stomach may not want all of that water sloshing around. This can cause backwashing in a moment. Sometimes it is better to eat a meal, wait an hour and then have a drink. Listen to your stomach-it will certainly talk to you and let you know what it needs!

I hope you are able to get some exercise too. Walking or low impact exercise such as water aerobics can make a big difference with digestion and weight loss.

Good luck! Jan

Hi Jan,

I wanted to let you know that I have degenerative bone disease in my tail bone and 3 discs abouve that. It has reached bone on bone over the past few years. I finally agreed to narcotics for the pain 2 years ago along with spinal epidurals done surgicaly.

I am on Morphine 2 times a day, Gabapentin, 2 three times a day, and Oxycodone 3 times a day. It may help you understand what I am going through, it is hard knowing there is nothing that can be done ,ever. I clean house,paint walls in some of the rooms when I am having a good day. I spend a lot of down off my back. I can stand about 20 minutes and sit about the same amount of time.

Up to 6 months ago I went to the pool to walk in the water 3 times a week with friends. It became so painful I was told to stop. I do go up and down stairs all day long, we moved our offices down here. That has strengthend my upper legs.

It is hard to lose weight without real exercise, so you can see why I am happy to lose when I do. Sorry to go on so, it just makes it easier to explain my life as it is now.

Today is a fair day for me, I never say bad, just fair and good.

I will talk to you soon. Thanks again for keeping in touch with  me. Susan