Barrett Esophagus Support Group

next egd next month. any words of encouragement

Just know that you are never alone in this. I will be praying for you. Whatever the egd shows, you're still a step ahead of the game, as you at least know what is going on in your esophagus. There are countless undiagnosed people out there who have no idea they have a problem and you at least can go into this fully informed. Check out your options ahead of time, make a list of questions you have for your doctor and go into this fully informed. Good luck, and you're in my prayers. Hugs, Muriel

markd:

You say your last EGD showed "mild dysplasia." Did your pathology report actually say "mild dysplasia" or did it say LGD (low-grade dysplasia)? I am not a medical doctor, but if my EGD showed "mild dysplasia," I would want to obtain a 2nd opinion.

Good luck to you in April.

Ralph

Im sorry to hear that. My erosion was graded, but I didnt know the BE will be too if I ever end up with dysplasia. They did catch it in early stage so that is good if it is in grades. I will be praying for you as well. I think they should take action ASAP to stop the dysplasia from growing any further. Best wishes and God's Blessings

Patty

P.S. There is a forum here called 'Post op and Pathology reports if you would like to share your concerns, we may be able to help and give you support you need. God Bless

Post edited by: patty777, at: 03/17/2009 18:14

Yes the pathology report did say mild dysplasia. The doc was very surprised because he almost didn't take a biopsy because the barretts looked so much better. He said one spot looked different and he took 2 biopsies. He plans to take many next month. If it confirms dysplasia, it's off to the Cleveland Clinic. I have taken prevacid for about 5 years and still get reflux. They have me on 30mg twice a day. It might be time for a second opinion.

markd:

I haven't seen a pathology report where the phrase "mild dysplasia" was used but I guess it is used occasionally. Mild dysplasia means low-grade dysplasia (LGD) and severe dysplasia means high-grade dysplasia (HGD). In any case, I believe a 2nd opinion is a good idea. It appears the best place to get a 2nd opinion is at Johns Hopkins. Here is a link to the 2nd opinion information at JH:

http://pathology2.jhu.edu/beweb/faculty_path.cfm

I obtained a 2nd opinion from JH last Fall and the cost was $225.00. My insurance covered the entire cost.

All the best,

Ralph

HI Mark,

I would highly recommend that if your second opinion shows mild dysplasia that you get ablation procedure done as soon as possible.

Even the docs opposed to ablation generally when there is just metaplasia, such as my doctor, are in favor of ablation with dysplasia. YOu are in my prayers as well. THere are other forums where ablation is discussed in depth such as "Just diagnosed with Barretts, no dysplasia...we went on for over twenty pages in that forum and Ralph("Iching") offered a wealth of information there.

Arthur