I am a 50 year old male in good health. I had a Lapro Nissen Fundoplication performed 10 years ago after diagnosis of Barretts. I have gained about 10 lbs since the operation. I have an endoscope with biopsy performed every two years; nothing has turned ominous.
The operation was VERY satisfactory, and totally relieved all GERD symptoms. To this day I am still symptom free, unless I do something stupid like scuba diving after I eat or have pizza late at night. These "reminders" occur no more than once a year; as it seems that's how long my memory lasts...
The problem I have is that in applying for medical insurance my Gastroenterologist forwarded my medical records to the insurance company. In those records (that I finally got a copy of from the insurance company) he states that I am on, and SHOULD HAVE BEEN on PPI's (Ie, Prilosec, etc) EVERY DAY, for an indefinite duration. I left the states shortly after the operation, so I only see the Gastro Guy for my Endoscopes every two years. He has never mentioned this to me during the last 4 visits in 8 years.
Is this normal? The Nissen Fundoplication solved all my symptoms. I do not have ANY acid reflux problems (except brought about by my own occassional stupidity). Why would I be taking PPI's without experiencing any symptoms? I barely missed being a Thalidomide baby, (Mom was offerred the drug, but refused, preferring to "tough it out"), so I have a pre-disposition to not taking ANY drug unless it is absolutely necessary. Everything I have read indicates that the PPI's will never "heal" Barretts, just relieve GERD symptoms. So with no symptoms, why take the da*n drug?
While not a fanatic, I am watchful of the acid levels I ingest. For example, I limit myself to one 8 oz cup of coffee each day (half water, half coffee) and then add non-fat milk as a creamer; this gets the ph to 6.2, which is not too far off from water (7.0). And I NEVER drink Gatorade (ph of 3!) or Coke (ph of 3.5). It's amazing the things you can learn by buying a ph meter...