So sorry you are having problems. You need to see a gastroenterolgist doctor, preferably at a research hospital if you are able. They will be up on the latest treatments to treat persistent heartburn. You need an endoscopy to rule out cancer and to inspect what may be happening inside. Esophageal cancer is on the rise, and it is hitting patients in their thirties and forties. I don't mean to alarm you but you need to act. My husband had chronic heartburn which led to esophageal cancer. You don't want that it is life changing. Good luck.

Oh gosh, now I'm even more nervous! My father passed away from esophageal cancer when he was 50 but doctors always told me it wasn't hereditary. My Gerd has mostly always been controlled as long as I took Prilosec but within the past few years I have a lot of issues off an on!

I'd agree - go see a doctor. They may say there is nothing they can do, or they might prescribe something else or some other treatment. Why continue to perhaps needlessly suffer?

Just got back from the oncologist. The general rule of thumb is to get cancer screening at the age ten years before your parent was diagnosed. He suggested our boys should get tested at thirty since their dad was diagnosed at 51. Although our doctor also said they haven't found a hereditary link, why take a chance? I have seen (perhaps anecdotally) several patients on support group sites whose relatives have also had it. Another thing, a scope for you would be a good baseline to monitor damage over time. Please do not delay! Good luck.

Can I ask how long your husband suffered with GERD and how long he had Barrett's Esophagus? I'm just so nervous over the fact that I've had GERD for 13 years and treated myself with Prilosec and no doctor ever felt I needed to be scoped. My doctor on Friday still said I could wait if I wanted to try a different med first, but I said no I wanted to see a GI doctor. I've read that esophageal cancer and Barrett's Esophagus is much more common in males even with women who have GERD. It still doesn't make me feel any less worried though. I could kick myself for not getting proper treatment years ago. My father was diagnosed at 49 and I just turned 39. My mother insists that he didn't have Barrett's Esophagus. I know he had a scope done also about 3 years prior to finding out he had stage 4 and everything had looked good. This is all very nervewracking! I'm glad that your husband is doing so well!

He had it about six years before it went to cancer. He had bad Gerd for about ten years before the barretts. He also had a scope three years before its turned to cancer. He was scheduled for scopes every three years and that's when they found the cancer. It is more common in males but women can get it too. The incidence of this cancer is on the rise.

I agree. Just get yourself checked and go from there. I hope all is OK.

People are too laid back about heartburn and reflux including doctors. It has to be well managed. It is not normal to have it everyday and that cant be allowed to continue.