Natural Approaches to Managing Barrett's Esophagus

Watch The Two Reasons for GERD (Acid Reflux) - YouTube

Hi,

I have a question. When do you take the Aloe? before meals, after or in between.

Thank you.

Eva

How much aloe vera should I take for barretts?

I have the exact thing you have and the doc put me on omeprazol... Which I'm not happy about. Do I have to stop the omeprazol first before starting the aloe Vera ? I would appreciate your comments!

I had seen this & I went out to buy the aloe vera juice. But its not working for me - if anything the pains worse.So much so I cant stand it. I literally feel like my esphogas is on fire.

I am suffering from barrett's esophagus for about 6 months now. I'm on Ranitidine 300 before I go to bed and Pantoprazole 40 mg every morning. I am also trying to eat healthier to avoid getting anymore terrible heart burn and pain. About how many cups of Aloe Vera juice should I be taking a day and should I stop the medication I'm taking?

How much should be taken and how often?

Are you using pure aloe or aloe with citric acid in it? Most of them have citric acid and I would think that could aggravate your esophagus more.

How much Aloe Vera juice do you drink a day? Where can you find it?

How much do you take a day and how many times a day?

How do we have to take the aloe Vera juice? Two times a day or three times a day? Before or after meals?

I had worse burning from the Aloe Vera juice, too. I have Barrett's Esophagus so I can't afford to worsen my condition.

Hi I just started taking aloe after being diagnosed with barretts. I am on Protonix but would like to stop. I have been starting with less than 1 oz of aloe and have been just drinking it straight not mixed. I was curious if you get the same benefits if you mix it wit water or other liquid.

The aloe vera juice doesn't work. You have to buy the plant itself and scrape the inside. I mix it with apple juice in a blender. 1 part aloe 3 part apple. It worked at first but it isn't really working anymore. I cannot deter from my very strict diet. Meat: Only Salmon. Most often cooked with veggies either in a pan with olive and coconut oil. Veggies: broccoli, mix greens, okra and mushrooms. I make smoothies. Banana, Strawberries and avocadoes. I add some frozen desserts, non-dairy (coconut and almonds). Of course, you can add a little bit of this or that, but these are your main ingredients. The problem with the frozen desserts is that they contain sugar for the most part. I get away from this and I am in hell. And even this doesn't work. If you want a little something that sticks to your ribs, yellow grits or brown rice.

You have to take pure aloe vera, not the juice. It will work so much better.

Do not take any aloe with citric acid. Find an aloe juice that is pure aloe.

Citric acid is a natural thing that is in almost everything we eat and is needed by every cell in our body.

I was wondering what kind of aloe juice are you taking?

How much and how often please?? Thank you.

Hi All I have just been looking up Barretts Disease, my very good friend has just been diagnosed, I am a Disrtibutor of Aloe Vera Products and, after a particularly difficult few days of not being able to eat much, apart from ice cream, I gave my friend a bottle of Aloe gel, hoping it would help, after a few hours she came to my house (next door) and hugged me she said it had helped her to feel much better and had enabled her to eat some real food. Aloe has amaizing properties. I hope this is helpful.

I have finally learned that to get a rating of the size of Barretts Syndrome, it must be fully controlled with 6-8 weeks of acid pump inhibitors (prilosec otc is one of the few on the market), then a sample taken for the level rating of the condition.

From this intel the use of the laser light to remove the unhealthy tissue is the current "cure". The length of the problem, is not equal to the grade of cancer it is becoming. Hence, I know my length is 4. I am under a physician at Mayo Clinic, and on prilosec x2 per day for 6 weeks to control it enough to determine with a sample that has no irritated tissue in it, how close to cancer I really am.

The warning is that when you go off the acid pump inhibitors , there is a pendulum swing to the production of much more acid than you were producing before it, for a period of time. I will be on the Aloe Vera and Brioschi in the middle of the night for that experience.

I was given the example of using nasal sprays, then experiencing the excess plegm activity when you stop using the spray, until it equalizes back to what has become normal for you.

To avoid the problem again, I decided to go on the Arbonne Essentials and stick to their Detox Spa . It is Vegan Certified and keeps you alkaline. Cancer doesn't enjoy a robust growth in an alkaline condition, and the products resolves a lot of the problems in the stomach by changing your diet. I do have to take the 10,000 orac score vitamins with food, and I find I have fewer Barretts Syndrome problems if I avoid coffee and gluten.

To avoid the Barretts length , I found out too late, that simply using a bed with an elevated top, uses gravity to keep the acid in the stomach better when sleeping. A cheap simple fix was found at Ikea in the bed department.

Hope that helps.

I have found that apple cider vinegar, essiac tea, DGL, cottage cheese/flaxseed, msm, enzyme, ginger and calcium/magnesium/zinc, red rice yeast and boswellia gives me relief and it seem to be improving my condition. Also I gargle with Listerine and CamphoPhenigue. Inflammation is a major problem Most of this I do before bed time. Each one of these have a function.

dgl licorice heals! look it up licorice DGL

I was diagnosed with Barrett's esophagus over the summer, went for an endoscopy after my father died of esophageal cancer, he was diagnosed with acid reflux about 6 months prior. This is the first I've heard of the aloe juice. I do think it's natural I will try it, I do stay away from all tomatoe and citrus as well as ice cream and gave up milk and now drink coconut milk which seems to be a better choice, unfortunately I'm having a tough time finding foods and condiments that I can eat. There are so many things that have vinegar in it like mayo. I'm on ahead you dose of pantoprazole plus sulcralfate 4 xs a day before each meal and at bedtime. Anyone with barrettes should not take it lightly. Get a second opinion and do not eat foods chocolate, caffeine, alcohol. Doctors are not God they are only human. Look what happened to my dad. That being said if anyone has some tasty recipes for those of us with Barrett's esophagus, please post them.

I was just recently diagnosed with BE. My father died at 63 with esophageal cancer, and I was just recent diagnosed with BE and a hiatal hernia. I've been on meds for years, now none seem to work well.

I've suffered with Barretts for 15 or so years now - I'm 62. I've been on PPI's (Omeprazole 20mg) constantly and recently, to my horror, read that they are possibly connected with an increased incidence of dementia (+44%! ) in patients who have been taking it for a long time - they class 2 years as a long time! Last Friday (13th Jan 2017) I took my last Omeprazole and since then I have been taking Aloe Vera Gel twice a day which some friends distribute in the UK. I've also been taking Raw unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar 50-50 with water or neat - if you knock it back quickly and pretend it's scotch! I'm now on day 4 of this holistic approach and am delighted not to be financing 'Big Pharma' any more - saving our NHS! Sleeping is great now and I can do without an extra pillow(s) to prop me up at an angle...

My thinking is a lot clearer as a result and I hope that my body can recover after that 15 year chemical onslaught! Who knows what effects the PPI's have on other areas of physical function...

You really must try this and I'm sure the drug companies are not going to be happy!

Question: How do you use the three? Do you mix them all together as one beverage? Or do you use them separately at different times?

Hi there, I was wondering if I could just get some more information of your experiences and what you have used to help keep the issue at bay. I have not been diagnosed with LPR reflux because I can't afford to and I would like to talk about remedies that have helped you. Thank you

Hi Jim, not to be nosy, but how are you doing? Please update us. Good day, Paul.

Did aloe Vera, honey and tea helped? What's your endoscopy revealed? Hope you are healthier.

Morganaspirit: It's obvious that the acid factor of ACV irritates your Esophagus, so do drop that. I had the same problem w/ the thyroid meds. One of the noticeable symptoms of hypothyroid is reduced ability to swallow, which implies that the esophagus is directly effected by insufficient thyroid hormones.

So, the only way to bring about a fix is to treat the esophagus and the thyroid simultaneously. Starting w/ the thyroid, take the magnet on your refrigerator and apply it to your thyroid glands for 10 min 2x day. Switch from levothyroxine to Armor Thyroid meds w/ any luck from your MD. supplement Lugols Iodine (much info here on E.C.). Take 500mg L-Tyrosine 1x day for two weeks and then up to 500mg 2x day. At this point you may need to split the thyroid med in half but you will need thyroid checked for sure. Vit-E is very good for protecting all the glands and thus improving their function. The best form of E is mixed Tocopherols & Tocotrienols. Coconut Oil is also very good for the T.

Now for the esophagus. Burst 5,000 iu Vit-A in mouth and let it slowly drain down the throat or take small spoon of Cod Liver Oil by mouth using the slow method. 15 minutes later suck an Elderberry/Zinc Lozenge. These two should both strengthen and soothe. DGL form of Licorice will also help soothe.

Hi to Morganaspirit in Vancouver,

Sorry to hear of your gastric problems, have you tried mixing food thickeners to your food and drinks? There is a product called Nestagel which works quite well and helps to keep food down and without irritation, I believe it's mainly used for children and elderly people but maybe worth experimenting with, also try to research other food thickners which maybe of benefit to you as they coat the lining of your osophegus, and help to stop the burning sensation. Weight loss may be a problem for you and when desperate try Bengers food, another "old fashioned" food for invalids and children with hiatal hernia problems. Keeping yourself raised up when sleeping is essential for your oesophageal probs and I really wish you well. I had a young baby with reflux and I learnt about thickening food to keep it down in her stomach, I appreciate you are not an invalid but thought some of these ideas may help you.

Morganaspirit: I am not sure I can assist you but I can try. I am not sure why but I like to study the food plants, animals, and well people eat. After reading your sad story of so much suffering I am surprised you are alive. The reason I say this is because the cells require proper nourishment. When they don't get enough they eat the tissues. I believe this to be the root cause. I was very sick. The way I got well was to experiment. This is hard for a sick person to do so maybe getting a loved one to assist would be a good idea. Vegetables want to be fertilizer for the seeds so they make some of their nutrients hard to digest to discourage herbivores from eating them. Fruits want to be eaten for herbivores to propagate the seeds. Their nutrients are easily digested. The most easily digestible fruit is banana. Whole Foods has whole trade bananas. These are organically grown but lack the costly certification. They are also the least costly. You can try raw wildflower honey. Avocados are also easy to digest. Because you were able to eat cheese, eggs, and butter, you can try raw vital pastured eggs, raw grass fed hamburger, colostrum, and raw cheese. You can try black chia seeds. They are less costly online. Brown Cow plain yogurt might be beneficial. In my opinion you are going to have to find some raw organic and grass fed whole foods that you can eat so you can recover.

Morganspirit, sounds like you have to have well-cooked, easily digestible foods for right now. Look into Traditional Chinese Medicine for your situation.

Thank you Timh from Ky, and Somewhere, Europe, jos from Thailand, and Mike 62 from Denver. I appreciate all of your input. I do love avocadoes Mike, bananas I am very allergic to unfortunately cause I love them.

Jos, food thickeners sound like a very good idea because they coat the lining of the esophagus. I have never heard of them so will research as soon as I get off this site.

Timh, I do take desiccated thyroid. Learned that one a few years ago! But you are right that the thyroid seems to be mixed up with everything. I never thought of using a magnet on my thyroid but what a great idea. I need a lot of thyroid every day so it would be amazing to split it in half. I will certainly try the Vit-A. Does it taste fishy though? Thinking of Cod liver oil you mentioned. Aside from the esophagus problems I have a very difficult time with smells, especially fishy smell. I can't even walk into a fish store without throwing up. I take coconut oil and use it for cooking. Perhaps that would work as well as Vit-A?

I am going to try these ideas you all gave me today, and Somewhere, Europe you suggested TCM. I went to a naturopath who taught at the TCM college here and he was useless. His big plan was for me buy his protein powder and take that daily as well as pay him $150/hr for his consult. He gave me a sample and it upchucked within five minutes so I am a bit distrustful of TCM if that is the recommendation. I like the ones I got here today and will use them all. Thank you.

Hi Morganaspirit,

I want to chip in a few points here that is away from the main drag; not with the intention to negate what others say, but to add a different approach that is more in line with the Eastern philosophy.

1. Avoid all cold drinks or foods, including raw foods taken cold, even water from the refrigerator! Because you don't want to excite your stomach needlessly. And you don't want to lower your body's core temperature suddenly either. So, please stick to foods/drinks that are a bit above lukewarm, but way lower than to burn your mouth.

2. Use ginger as often as you can, but not as much as you can. Large amount of ginger can upset your stomach, in moderation, it can curb regurgitation effectively. Ginger can also warm your stomach up which will reduce the excessive stomach acid. GERD can be from insufficient stomach acid in some cases especially with the elderlies. But judging from what you say about the ACV, it is not your case.

The best way is to take a ginger tea with honey daily - thinly cut fresh ginger 15-20 slices with skin on, add in 8 oz of water and bring it to boil. Remove from the stove and stir in one t-spoon honey. Press the ginger slices a bit while mixing the honey in with the spoon. Save half of this concoction in a thermal for later use. Sip this tea slowly as hot as you can take. Inhale the steam through your nostrils while waiting for the tea to cool down a bit. By doing so, you can warm up your upper chest. Reheat the rest from the thermal a few hours later to finish it. Less in amount and more in frequency is the key to avoid burdening your stomach. If you can take in the whole 8 oz once, then brew a second cup later.

Always add some fresh ginger in your cooking. Ginger candy is a good choice for snacking.

If you like cinnamon, you can use it to replace ginger at times or supplementing the ginger tea with it. But be sure to buy the cinnamon from Indonesia or Srilanka since it is for medicinal purpose. You will find them at Amazon.

3. Take liquid foods for easy digestion; thick soap like beef and barley is a good choice. Avoid foods that cause bloating and gas. Chew slowly and longer when eating solid foods to let the saliva to breakdown carbohydrates. Proper nutrition plays a big part in one's health!

4. Rub your stomach often: use both hands to rub your stomach (right under the sternum) with a little pressure. Move in a circular motion and reverse the direction alternatively. Give it a few pumps if you can in between. Do it before meals and relax your stomach muscle by practicing deep breathing at times. You need to strengthen your diaphram.

If these help and when situation is stabilized, you can start making fresh potato juice in the morning and drink it with an empty stomach - at least half an hour prior to breakfast. Add an apple if you like. But be sure to leave both the potato and apple out of the refrigerator to prevent taking in cold liquid in the morning!

Potato juicing is good to curb cancer cells, and for any ulcer too! A very popular remedy in Asia popularized by a welknown Japanese monk.

All the best to you!

Morganaspirit: Yes, the Cod Liver Oil or Vit-A smells like fish, so you will need to fallow it directly w/ Elder/Zinc Lozenge. The Iodine/L-Tyrosine will likely be necessary in improving your T hormone status for the short-term until you do the Magnet, Vit-A, and Zinc begin protecting and healing the Thyroid. All this has worked for me as my last test showed normal without having previously taken levothyroxine for many weeks.

Do report your results for others.

Hello Morganaspirit,

Really, my heart goes out to you...you have suffered so much.

I love what the EC writers have posted and have two observations:

First, to add to the previous suggestions on what you might be able to eat, have you tried papaya? The raw fruit, not the capsules but the fruit itself?

Papaya is an amazing fruit packed with enzymatic power... soothing to the lining of irritated throat and stomach...it is wonderfully anti nausea. What ever is causing the problem, you certainly are deficient in enzymes and a good starting point is papaya. Start with the real fruit as I said and after eliminating the tiny black seeds (a good source of anti parasites) just take a tiny bit on spoon and eat. If no negative reaction, try a quarter teaspoon and so forth until you can eat a quarter cup at a time. If you can tolerate that much, the Papaya will start its wonder working impact on your system.

Second, I'd love to more find out the CAUSE of what you are experiencing. I understand the Barretts Syndrome diagnosis, but I mean before that. Here is my point; We are dealing with (largely) what you can eat now. That is vital because clearly there is a sense of urgency here...and that is why I threw in my suggestion of papaya. But all these suggestions, by and large, speak to the symptoms and do not address the cause.

I guessed one possible cause as an enzyme deficiency issue but that might more fit the symptom category.

Would you please give us some more information on the history of what led to this problem. I'm always wondering at causation and try to get to the bottom line cause for the symptoms. Often I find an infection that preceded symptoms, for instance.

So...could you give a brief history... like this; when did you first begin experiencing difficulties...from youth? From birth? Do you suspect genetic? As I said, I've often found a viral/ fungal ... pathogenic trigger, and hence "basis" for the symptoms.

Here's a typical story line...maybe it fits and maybe not: Victim X suffers from nausea for past five years. X first experienced illness four months after visiting Caribbean islands. Doctors cannot find cause. Possible answer; Parasites.

Or: Victim Y suffers from endocrine system issues with manifold symptoms. Six months prior to symptoms, suffered from severe case of strep. Possible cause; virus.

So, anything you can tell us as to cause...more of the history can help with underlying cause solution.

Thank you GT Charlie. I discovered this thing about not having cold water this week and on the weekend when it finally hit me that my overnight lukewarm water had not bothered me at all to drink it. Usually I have it ice cold from the frig and so you are right on there. I will slice up my ginger and try that again. I use to make fresh ginger tea. I used to also keep fresh slices in my water jug to sip on as well and I see it is time to do this again. Cinammon too I love so will make sure it comes from Indonesia or Sri Lanka. Thanks so much for your input.

Unfortunately I used the PPI Dexilant to get through the past two years and it is only when I realized it was also not working as well, that is when I knew I had to tackle this problem now. My problem is that I work 12 hr days and alot of that time is sitting at my desk and that is a problem too with that pressure. I spose I can heat up the ginger tea in the microwave at work although I hate to use it. Thanks again.

Hee, hee, Morganspirit, I learn the Chinese stuff that I want, off the Internet and from books. I take the info that seems right to me and experiment with that. Why pay? Having said that, I did go to a practitioner to get the Chinese "diagnosis name" of my condition (according to them. I always take it all with a grain or two of Celtic Salt :)).

Timh from Ky, I cannot tolerate even the smell of fish oil. I would be heaving before getting the capsule close to my throat but I was thinking that perhaps coconut oil might be a good substitute. Thanks. By the way I have a very sensitive stomach. Even happening upon a dead fly makes me vomit.

To Dave:

Dave thanks for your reply. I do love papaya, but so many fruits made me throw up in the past three and half years that I gave up on them. I will try your suggestion with just a tiny amount at a time. I do know it has powerful enzymes and if it stays down, it would be wonderful to eat it as much as I can keep down.

As to the beginning of this problem, acid reflux began about five years ago at age 59, but it wasn't until the end of 2010 that it began to be uncomfortable.Up to the acid reflux beginning the only time I had stomach problems was my horrid reaction to smelly things or revolting looking things and then anything I had in my gut came up. I was one of those women during pregnancy who vomited the whole nine months.

Actually interesting you bring up possible parasites as a source cause I used to wonder about that. The day it began I had bought myself a frozen lasagne to have for a quick meal after work. I had just begun my present job the month before, twelve hour days and was too exhausted to stand at the counter and cook after a long day beginning at 4am.

This is the first time in my life I bought one of those dinners, since my preference is more holistic and fresh food, but I did and that night I did have a violent reaction like a stomach flu which continued for several days and then I caught a bad cold which turned into a bad chest infection. The chest infections have been recurring over the years since childhood when hay fever first hit. It always changed to chest infections which lasted for weeks and weeks and that could be asthma I found out recently.

Since I never got stomach flu's ever, it has only now occurred to me that it might not have been the lasagne at all and that it could have been a bad flu beginning with stomach and turning into the chest infection.

Back to the problem. I was coughing very much, pulling tummy muscles when the problem began late 2010, and this continued for weeks. After that finally ended the real problem began in my stomach and upper abdomen. Those weeks of horrid gut wrenching coughing must have caused the hiatal hernia. It just got worse and worse and my doctor sent me on the rounds to have ultrasounds on every organ and nothing showed up and finally after a year of this and being in exactly the state where I am now, I insisted on seeing a gastroenterologist and then had that diagnosis after a gastroscopy and biopsy, and told I had to take Dexilant for life.

It was such a relief to have a solution that I happily took those pills and then when I found out just how dire it is to the system it began to make me very uneasy and to want to find another way. I really didn't think there was another way until finding this forum...so then I have hope.

Another thing that happens when I have anything at all, even lukewarm water my tummy area around my belly button as a centre swells and hurts immediately and as I said it can begin before I even have the liquid or food.

I remembered giving my dog Slippery Elm when he had digestive issues and am thinking that perhaps that might be a good thing to drink prior to eating anything or drinking anything even water. Funny how I never thought of that before.

By the way, my job hours are very stressful for me and I have been doing it almost four years and that may have alot to do with it too. Next year I will be 65 and can retire so maybe that will make a difference if I can get through this without it all turning to esophageal cancer.

Thanks for your input and for any further suggestions.

Hello again Morgana (spirit) from Canada,

So excited to get your follow up post!

The "history" of your disease ... and yours is indeed a disease is now much better understood by your last post.

You gave a great lay out of the key events and here's what I think given the evidence concerning the issue of causation and what is underlying the symptoms.

As you said, the day it all started (building on some reflux already present but not the main issue)... was the uncooked lasagna. I gather it was either under cooked or just let get to room temp from frozen condition. Couldn't tell which, but got for sure that it was not cooked.

Whatever... the problem was in the Lasagna. What was in it? Do you recall? And I doubt if you'd remember but do you recall if it was an imported variety. THAT would really give us a good slap on the huntin' dog's back if we knew it was a Mediterranean import. (Lots of Montezuma's revenge...yes, the Mediterranean... not just Mexico.) Amoeba, e coli, etc etc. are possible. Look up Amoebic dysentery on Wikipedia. The one of some interest is the "trophozoite" which is an amoeba that is non cyst forming. That amoeba produces symptoms without hurting liver. You need the BEST parasitologist to exclude the possibility that you do NOT have such infection.

Montezuma's revenge can be either viral or bacterial.

And let's just talk "mundane" infections caused by a good ol' American virus, fungus or bacteria.

You got the infection .... whatever it is from the lasagna. "The day it started..." that was the uncooked lasagna day.

What to do? Well, if me, I've already said I'd get a parasitologist to eliminate the possibility of parasites... and next...if not parasites, go to the old standbys to kill infections....Colloidal Silver (I now do a little dance at the mention of CS ... no doubt the Cherokee blood that runs through me).

I'd take a lot...I would be drinking at least six teaspoons of CS daily on empty stomach (which is what you usually have). I wrote a little article that the EC staff was nice enough to post under "Colloidal Silver" ...the Remedies section. I think mine's the second one.

So my contention is that CS will kill the underlying infection, if the experts say the problem is not a parasite. There are "natural" parasite killers covered in Earth Clinic, but after reading the autobiography "MD" which is about a parasitologist, I think I'd first get a determination of whether the cause just might be parasitic.

But do look at the Wiki article on Amoebic dysentery I mentioned and see if the symptoms discussed with the two types of amoeba relate to your problem. If not.... turn to virus killers....eg.....CS.

Hello Morgana,

A paragraph I failed to put into the long post just below this one....yes a bad infection as you mentioned from childhood could be the cause... Still....either would indicate an infection as the cause. And that's what we're looking for ... the cause.

hi Dave,

The thing is I had a frozen lasagna probably McCains or something like that and of course I heated it in the oven for the requisite time.

Good idea on CS. Have some in my fridge. Thanks for your input. Morgana

An update. Just wanted to tell you who contributed to my question that I am able to hold down avocado and papaya, so today for work I made myself a little salad with those, but I also added raw zucchini which I knew would be okay and I use the spiralizer to make it look like spaghetti. I also added raw apple and voila I have kept it all down and no heartburn.

It is a beginning and beats having to survive on fettucine, which is not something I like but when it was the only thing to stay down for a meal, what the heck.

Morgana

Morgana, thanks for coming back to report. We're delighted at the good news, it's a very good start!

Many things can bring on a hiatal hernia...most common is while sitting- bending at the waist, as if to tie shoes. This will force the stomach into the diaphram. When the irritation begins things to avoid, temporally, (for 7 to 10 days) would be tomato sauce, spicy foods, COFFEE, too much ruffage as raw veggies, rice, and alcohol.

What to eat would be stewed veggies, pasta-no tomato sauce. Cream sauce and the like is OK. Mainly soft foods. They do not have to be bland just not spicy. This will also cut down on acid reflux. And indigestion.

If this becomes chronic, a visit to a chiropractor that practices kenisiology Is in order. I do not know if ACV helps with this as I have not had to try it as yet.

Morgana, I had a very similar history and the same course of esophagal problems without the nausea. the same pains and series of events you describe but you have had them longer. for me its just a year. I am 61 yrs old. it all started with a weird flu I picked up from someone up north-- I live in Los angeles. one of my friends caught the same flu and she said her friends got it too. nothing would make it go away for any of us. and I developed asthma/bronchitis for months. was on many rounds of prednisone and antibiotics. went to the hospital twice and coughing up so much liquid. in retrospect I think that the endless coughing from asthma coupled with the antibiotics and inhalers weakened my stomach.

I take synthroid too for many years. everything about the thyroid makes sense but what is HELPING HEAL ME is: licorice extract and probiotics. I am also taking vitamins and adrenal supplements. I just read a study on orange peel to reduce acid reflux in place of PPI's and just started that. I am using raditinine recently but it makes me psychotic I get anxiety and almost hallucinate. I chopped it down to 1/3 tablet taken at 6 pm and that seemed to stop the reflux anyway at night and believe me it was getting bad I have burned my tongue several times and had it back up into my windpipe. I had an attack 4 days ago and got all the pains you describe the thing that helped the most was the licorice root extract but I am convinced I need to keep powering probiotics so I take a capsule after every meal. I am feeling noticeable better after only a few days of hell after the big attack

Geza: Be careful w/ the Licorice as it raises blood pressure. Check local health food store for herbal throat lozenge which would contain Licorice as well as Slippery Elm among others.

There must be a connection because every time my thyroid goes out so does my esophagus. This happens to me on a regular basis and my remedy is Zinc/Vit-C Lozenge usually only once.

I have Barett's. Will lemon and olive oil for liver cleansing bother the Barett's?

D: Too much Lemon juice could irritate the esophagus temporarily, but if it's gallstones causing the heartburn/esophagus problem, you must go ahead for a cure and proly feel immediate relief after the cleanse.

I recommend the forceful method of cleanse as to apply pressure directly over gallbladder minutes fallowing drinking your duo, and then lying on your left side in horizontal position so the gall can properly drain.

Look into using essential oils. I too have Barrett esophagus as well as H.Pylori in my stomach. Just found this out. Go to essential oils on the internet. Oils have even helped my puppy dogs with issues. They help me with a lot of issues I have. I use them on my husband who has Parkinsons disease as well as arthritis.

I've been searching the internet to understand my recent (today) diagnosis: H.Pylori, Hiatal Hernia (small) and Barrett's Esophagus (no cancer indicated). I do need to call the doctor back with my questions.

I went to the doctor because of bad heartburn and mostly my chest hurting up the middle. I wasn't sure if I had arthritis in my breast plate area or what?. One doctor says it is related to my upper back and neck injury - the vertebrae's pulling on the ribs that affect the front. But in the years with this condition I've never had the front hurt so much. A year went by and the pain/soreness got worse and I developed terrible heart burn last October/November. It wasn't daily but frequent. In January I decided to see another doctor who sent me to an orthopedic guy and a GI doctor. The orthopedic said it probably was arthritis. But the GI did an endoscopy with biopsy and came up with the above mentioned diagnosis.

I was looking at book on conditions of the stomach at the GI office and based on the symptoms and pictures I thought I would have IBS :) (silly me)

Would the pain in my chest be from the esophagus condition?

Reading all the comments, I see anything about pain in the middle of the chest.

Can anyone comment on this if the chest pain related to the esophagus condition?

Hi Wa, yes it is? This is how I was diagnosed with BE (barretts) The pain in the morning when awake in centre of breast bone. Sometimes lasted about 15 minutes or sometimes 3/4 hours. My GP knew it was reflux and arranged a camera. The extra PPI's didn't help me. I'm just working diet now.

Thanks Rob. I had the pain in my chest for a year before I went to a GI doctor. My holistic doctor steered me wrong. She said it was related to my upper back problems and stress. My chest pain will last throughout the day on/off. I called my GI doctor and requested a follow up to discuss my condition - I guess doctors don't do that anymore.

My daughter sells essential oils and says she will be sending some oils with instructions on how to use them.

I've read that this condition can be reversed. Is that possible? I will try the suggestions noted in this discussion. Does stress play a big roll in this?

I have Gerd, & acid reflux. I went to see a holistic nutritionist so I don't have to guess anymore. My practitioner uses muscle testing to see which food based products are beneficial to my system. This way I don't have to waste all kinds of money and time on things that I have no business trying to put into my body, just to find out that it made me ill, or didn't do anything at all. You can look up holistic nutritionists on line and ask if they do muscle testing. That is the ONLY way to see if a product is right for you. Remember everybody's BODY is different!

I have been taking ACV for a couple of months and it has not helped my acid reflux, though it has helped with hot flashes. I suspect I have esophagitis, so I am now trying L- glutamine powder, and a spoonful of himalayan pink salt solution( in water). If you haven't tried these, I recommend them.

Try a couple tbsp of honey, fresh squeezed lemon, cup hot water with tbsp ACV. It's like drinking hot lemonade. If you can't drink it in one sitting, sip it throughout the day.

If you stopped the PPI cold turkey then you will be in distressed because your body is addicted to it. You have to wean yourself off of it and then go on the lesser medication and wean yourself off that. I watched this on a video. Then start the apple cider vinegar. Also Camomile tea helps strengthen The sphincter muscle that is allowing the acid to go back into the stomach. Use warm water with the apple cider vinegar and a bit of honey with a dash of ceyenne pepper. Also stop gluten and dairy.

It seems that long term use of PPIs can hinder the absorption of Vitamin B12....calcium, magnesium and potassium. I've taken Prilosec or Protonics for 30 years....and yes I have Barrett's. Your stomach needs a certain amount of acid to break down proteins like meat, chicken, fish and eggs. If you don't have the acid you will become deficient in those vitamins and begin to feel very old and ill all the time. The docs thought I had MS but after 3 MRIs, and a bunch of labs....."increase your proteins, increase your Vitamin b12 and we'll do calcium IVs once a year." What's with that? I wanted to go off PPI but with Barrett's, they didn't want to chance it. But here is a little advice for the guy that can't keep food down. See if you have a Schotzies Ring in your esophagus. Not sure of the spelling. It's a constricting muscle that makes food come back up....or doesn't allow food to go down. Good news. IT IS CUREABLE. All they have to do is stretch it out, and eating is a pleasure once again. You will still have Barrett's, but mealtime and sleep, become a breeze once again. Good luck.

I have a hard time getting ACV down, adding honey helps.

The acid from my Barrets has burned my vocal cords and brings on asthma. I recently found out that it sometimes gets in my bronchial tubes and I end up with bronchitis. The worst fear that I have is that it can get into your lung and damage them. Causing Pulmonary Fibrosis, my brother died from it 3 weeks ago. He was not being treated for Acid reflux and had a hiatus hernia for years. By the time they got around to what was going on, he was beyond help. They have me on Nexium twice a day, which ruin your kidneys. I have been on acid reflux meds for 15 years and I am getting worse, not better. I really want to try a more holistic approach. I understand that gut health is one of the first thing to take care of.

I have it too. I have been taking ACV with Baking Soda for about a year. Just had another biopsy - Dr. Said all is well. I will take it the rest of my life to prevent this from spreading.

Diagnosed with Barrett's years ago & I never had heartburn. I have been on Prilosec for years. I want a natural treatment as I know it is not good to continue on Prilosec every day. How much ACV diluted in water is recommended?

I've been on prevail for at least 20yrs. Had kidney infection once. Want to know how much apple cider vinegar and soda do you take and would you recommend it. I have had barrettes esophagus under control all these years. But found small cyst in stomach, it was ok.

How much water, Apple Cider Vinegar and baking soda do you take daily?

I have been recently diagnosed with Barret's disease of Esophagus and I want to cure it with natural methods. just read about someone having Apple cider vinegar with baking soda and it is working for them. Could you please suggest how much and in what frequency we have to take the combination?

If you use apple cider vinegar, be sure to use the kind with the "mother" in it - the cloudy stuff that drifts to the bottom. If I have a symptom I find it works - and I add a tsp. of honey. Also, use a good digestive enzyme with first bite of food and a probiotic each day. Don't eat fatty foods and avoid wheat and dairy. Get adequate sleep and exercise a bit. These measures can be difficult but it's absolutely worth it. I don't have to take the worthless and dangerous meds and haven't had heartburn for months. (My doc says it's okay unless my bi-annual scope tests shows further damage -- which they haven't. )

Hi guys, been reading all problems of acid reflux and its damage to the esophagus plus stomach problems. In my case, I was diagnosed with chrons with highly agitated esophagus. I was prescribed meds which did not work. After 1 year of constant problems and hospitalization I decided to change my diet and started taking anti inflammatory liquids and vitamins. In my case I found probiotics early a.m. plus aloe vera was the best route. After 6 years, I have not any serious problems. I hope this helps someone.

Dear Rebecca: Just take ACV 1 tablespoon plus 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda. There is a difference between treating oneself and just making changes in eating certain dietary supplements.

Often most diseases are simply an issue that the body is due to pathogens, vitamin and mineral imbalances, or pH imbalances. I make sure whenever I get sick from an unknown causes, I must correct all the imbalances.

Mineral imbalances can be corrected by just taking 1/4 teaspoon of dead sea salts or any good sea sea salt to on liter of water as a normal drinking water. Sea salt is unusual in that it has trace minerals that is not found in our food. So this is why they are so important. Maybe drinking more of this (as they done a century ago) can help with a great many conditions.

Sometimes buffer is the issue. Then take ACV but with sufficient buffers. Often for adult dosages ACV 1 tablespoon plus 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda to 1/2 glass of warm water, taken twice a day, one in the morning and once in evening on empty stomach should help correc the buffer imbalances.

Pathogens are the cause of lowered immunity and as a result, taking licorice extract, glycine, selenium, garlic, zinc acetate (50 mg/day), magnesium chloride, 250 mg/day and some good electrolyte salts packs they sell in drugs store (sometimes called hydration salts)will correct the potassium and sodium imbalances.

The most important nutritional imbalances I have found associated with GERDS or Barrett's Symptoms is an imbalances or deficiency in vitamin B complex. So taking vitamin B complex, where B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B8 at 100 mg. each, except for B12 at 100 mcg, for example taken 3 times a day is often seem quite helpful. All these are just an attempt to correct nutritional imbalances. Additional Bs can be taken from Brewer's Yeast (B13) and royal jelly (high in B5).

Barrett's Symptoms seem to be more in line with supplement more on selenium, zinc, garlic, magnesium, B5, B8, and silicon (from oatmeals) then most GERDS and have more to do with the rebuilding of cellular structure, electrolytic correction then most GERDS. The other issue is the importance of vitamin C, especially sodium ascorbate, about 250 mg./day. Most simple reflux are usually best handled just taking any kind of buffer solution where you take twice a day. Such as 1/4 teaspoon of citric acid plus 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water once in morning and evening. It will correct most pH imbalances needed.

If parasites is the cause of the Barrett's symptom, then a simple 10 drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide with only 1/8 teaspoon of borax to 1/2 glass of water sipping slowly over about 30 minutes. If relief is not obtained within an hour or so, then parasites (or nanoparasites) is not the issue.

If you are doing the right thing, it won't take weeks, or months, or years to get to notice improvement. It takes only hours. SO just keep an eye to the ball and see what is making it worse, but especially what is making you better. The list that I prepared is where you should start as being a good candidates to get improved health, by dietary supplements of course, not a treatment of medical conditions. Correcting imbalances of course might make you feel better, but I have seen people get cured so often that sometimes imbalance may be at issue here. As an example, of someone being cured of acid reflux, I have to look no further than my own mother, who was cured after 3 days of my own intensive research to cure her. It was serious since she COULD NOT SWALLOW ANY FOOD FOR THREE STRAIGHT DAYS.

Even water she could not drink. By a stroke of luck, I have bought frozen royal jelly before, and being very rich in Vitamin B5, I gave her 1 teaspoon and within minutes I noticed an improvement. She was permanently cured from that one teaspoon and the acid reflux never came back. It was triggered when she ate sea food, so pathogen were the issue but somehow the B5 rich frozen royal jelly did the trick. My home might have B5, but at 100 mg. it was hardly enough.

I also have a friend who had acid reflux, but it was bought about from a medicine allergy. Again, back to the old drawing board, and she was cured within 30 minutes after taking magnesium chloride. For her condition it was a magnesium deficiency triggered by a drug allergy. Sometimes drug allergy will often trigger across the board vitamin B deficiency. This is why brewer's yeast is used, it also have B13, but you can't find that in drug stores! Neither will you get B17, which is found in apricot seeds. So changing your diets is not even treatment, it is changing your habits to get a broad spectrum of nutrition to achieve a balance, holistically anyway. I have another friend of mind, also from acid reflux and she lives in Cholburi, Thailand. I told her about sea salt, sodium thiosulfate (6-12 drops in one glass of water), and some fulvic acid. It was gone in one day. And to think, she spent years finding the cure! I guess she was looking at the wrong place. For her condition it was a simple mineral imbalance.

I can list all the acid reflux I have seen, but whatever the name, you may call it, it is either pathogens, mineral imbalances, vitamins, electrolytes, or the pH. Should correcting imbalances don't work then you should consider what "conventional medicine" calls treatment

I've had great results from the B Vitiams. My GERD and heartburn have been bad for a year and half. Tried all the drugs; Nexum and such. They only managed to suppress my Hiatel Hernia. Since Ive been doping ive on B Vitees I hardly ever get heartburn and dont need to use Nexum.

I have been diagnosed with barrett esphophgus now and have hernia, 2 ulcers. I've read all these things cause I know nothing about it. Thank u all! Also I originally went to doc. Because I have this horrible burn spot under my rib...lower. no gerd signs etc. I was wondering if anyone has had a lower burn spot like this with no gerd symptoms. Thanks again!

Rebecca, how are you doing today? I was diagnosed with acid reflux, but upon further research know I have the one called "silent reflux". I also have huge tonsils and think this is only exacerbating the problem. Today I started a very strict diet and hope that brings me relief.

I was wondering if you had had your second scope yet and if so, what were the results. I also have B.E. and have medication for life. My daughter is into homeopathy and wants me off the med. I would love to follow what you took. Am anxious to hear your results.

Thank you, Cindy

Hi Steve, Yes plse would love to hear the outcome. I was diagnosed with Barrets 2 yrs ago but because I never had symptoms and did not take any medication at all. 1 month ago started having bad smelly throat taste etc., got worried and just had a scope last monday. Those tests showed normal but waiting for biopsy results - 2weeks. I have been given meds but they make me really ill. Today I decided not to take any more and will just keep taking my cider vinegar/honey mix drink every day. My next scope appt. is in 2 years time. Scared this drink may not be enough to keep cells changing.

cheers sandy

Everything I have read about barretts esopagus says to stay away from citrus but you suggest lemon and vinegar. It seems it would be rough on the throat. Can you elaborate on this? Thanks so much. I want to try some of the natural remedies but I want to be sure on this.

Thanks for your website!

Years ago, I saw a post on how to cure Baretts esophagus using lemon and vinegar. Does anyone know what was said?

I know your post is 10 years old but it has helped me with my esophagus issue and I am grateful.

If the arthritis is still an issue and you haven't found relief, I want you to try Black Seed Cumin Oil. It is a strong natural anti-inflammatory which can be applied topically in the area of the arthritis. It has worked for me on my knees and lower back and of course my hands get a health supply when I apply it elsewhere. The only side effect that I have had is a slight rash for a few hours after application to the lower back.

There are many other claims for Black Seed Cumin Oil which can be taken internally or applied externally. There is a lot to read about it on the web. Do so and you may find improvement in your general health by using it.

Regarding Joy's post from 2006, can someone tell me how they think the 3 oz of coconut oil was taken? Did she mix the 3 tablespoons of coconut oil in a drink or his food, or did he just take 3 tablespoons straight? Also, what time of day or night was this regimen given.

Thank You, Eric

Eric, I think it doesn't matter HOW you take it. BUT I think it DOES matter how much. I would start with 1/2 TEAspoon a day, and then increase each week little by little, monitoring closely how it affects you.

Hi, your message gives me a bit hope as I've also got Barretts. Just want to know, was it 1 tablespoon 3 times a day and how did he take it on a spoon? in a tea? Etc thanks waiting for your reply.

Hi Joy, I just came across your message and it gives me some encouragement that Barrett's can be reversed. I've been diagnosed recently and I'm following a diet with coconut oil. Can you tell me specifically what helped your husband get rid of Barrett's other than 3 tbsps of virgin coconut oil a day? Also, did the doctor confirm no Barrett's after an endoscopy and biopsy? Thanks.

I was just diagnosed with Baretts. Fearful. What is Dgl?

Who helped you? I have Barrett's too and live in Okc. Seems like everyone wants to medicate instead of find the root of the problem! I am in my 30's and do not want to take meds for the rest of my life!

Our stories sound familiar. I was diagnosed with Barrettes first and a couple years later the celiac. It has now been several years later and I still struggle with both. I have now been practising, the best I can, a plant based diet and I make an alkaline water that I drink daily. I have heard about eating the coconut oil However, the apple cider vinegar, ginger root tea etc made my Barrettes worse. I also make Kombucha and I had felt it was really helping until my symptoms started back up again. So I appreciate all the feedback regarding these illnesses. I am going to try the coconut oil next.

How much quantity of ACV have to take at each time and how many times a day ..?? Cheers, Promil