GERD & Heartburn Support Group

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is defined as chronic symptoms or mucosal damage produced by the abnormal reflux of gastric contents into the esophagus. This is commonly due to transient or permanent changes in the barrier between the esophagus and the stomach. If you are afflicted with GERD or heartburn, join the group and find support.

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Faithfully77 03/21/2011

Can Barrett's Esophagus be cured? I thought it was the third stage of GERD and the worse stage and could only go into remission or the closing up through Omeprazole would be stopped, but that once Barrett's always Barrett's. My mother's throat was stretched in 2009 and then one year later in Sept. 10 with a diagnosis of Barrett's throat. Now in March of 2011, it did not need to be re-stretched upon endoscopy. She recently was told it was cured. She's been taking action through Omeprazole twice daily and DGL licorice before meals etc. to keep it from getting worse, but I never heard of it actually healing - only that it can go into remission. Can someone here help shed light on this confusion?

deleted_user 03/22/2011

I have heard of surgeries to cure Barrett's, where they remove the damaged esophagul tissue and graft on healthy tissue. This is normally only done with younger patients though, since it can be risky for older adults.

I know that PPI's (like Omeprazole) or any treatment that effectively stops the reflux or makes your stomach contents less acidic can allow the esophagus to heal from mild damage.

But I was also under the impression that once you have Barrett's, it stays (though you can prevent it from getting worse). I thought that Barrett's was caused by esophagul cells changing into stomach lining cells to protect themselves from the acid, and once they change they don't change back.... so I am also very curious whether your mother's Barrett's esophagus was cured, or maybe she was mis-diagnosed and didn't actually have Barrett's to start with ... regardless, it's great that she's doing better now!

Faithfully77 03/22/2011

Thank you GeekChick. My understanding was the same as your understanding...that the tissue turned similar to stomach lining cells. I really suppose they meant to say it didn't get worse and it didn't need stretching again. It must not have closed up again. She is doing better after many GI issues. She's still on the mends with the gastritis, but the Barrett's has at least stopped getting worse and her Ulcerative colitis is gone. She still has bloating and all that which comes with that, but we're getting there. No colon re-section due to lots of care on her part the past 7 months through diet and supplements.

Thanks for your post. I am happy for her. She's slowing getting much better.

Have a great day and thanks again! :)

cantcatchabreak 02/05/2019

I was diagnosed with Barrett’s a few years back, I was put on Protonix 40mg every morning and when the 2nd EGD was done ( six months later) I was told we caught it early enough and it was gone.
Once you’ve had it you definetley needs to have an EGD every two to three years, you go from having Barrett’s to a history of Barrett’s.
Hope that helps :)

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