Barrett symptoms and conditions

I have been on Lithium Carbonate (1800 mg/day) for over 4 years. Lived with diarrhea, acne, tremors, etc. throughout, but otherwise loved the drug. After filling toilet with blood several times last week, I went into the hospital. Colonoscopy & endoscoopy revealed severe diverticulosis and severe Barrett's esophagus, respectively. All involved are shaking their heads, as these tests were relatively normal 3 years ago. I suspect Lithium.

There seems to be similar increases in nausea and dosage size of Diovan. Dosage has gone in two years from 40 to 80 and now 160. I am pursuing the idea that the nausea is caused by gastroparesis, which is slow emptying of the stomach, and there is some indication on websites that Diovan can indeed cause gastroparesis. I am now backing off the Diovan dosage slowly, by chopping pills and taking the 80 pill plus about 20 or 30's worth 12 hours later. As the pill is coated a bit, I wonder at what rate the exposed, chopped pill piece dispenses itself.
I had an endoscopy a few days ago and it was mostly negative, no cancer, no esophageal damage, no Barrett's, a little redness in the stomach lining which the surgeon is testing for H. pylori.
I have lost about 14 lbs due to being careful with all the nausea, and it is time to work outside on my vegetable crops, so I hope to get the BP down the right way and get rid of most or all of the Diovan.
The nausea happens about 12 hours after eating.
Anybody else having nausea?

I had all the problems that you people describe and I have been off the medication for 3 months and I still have a little light headiness. I found out that after eating a meal take a little kosher pickle and you will find your acid reflux not bothering you at all. You can try a teas. of Raw Organic Apple Cidar Vinegar after every meal. I take 1/4 teas. and have no problems. I can eat anything and as much as I want with no reflux. I have Barrett's Asophegus and I'm 79 yrs old. If this works for you I would not tell your doctor because he will just laugh at you but it works and it is worth a try to get off of that medication. According to FDA omeprazole is poison and a little every day will give you death.

Has anyone on Lisinopril experienced upper GI problems such as Achalasia, trouble eating, reflux, or getting food 'stuck' in the esophagus?
My wife has lost 50 lbs in a year due to inability to eat from what was initially diagnosed as Achalasia (rare disease that affects the operation of the muscles in the esophagus and/or lower esophageal sphincter at the top of the stomach). However, Botox injections in the LES provided little relief which is not typical for Achalasia patients. She tests negative for Barrett's Syndrome and any form of Connective Tissue Disease (or arthritis).
My MD recently put me on Lisinopril (another horror story); while I was researching the drug, I noticed that it could cause muscle weakness. My wife backtracked the date that she was put on Lisinopril and it coincided with the onset of her GI problems. While monitoring her BP several times a day, she has cut back to 1/2 dose and has shown a marked improvement in the last 10 days. (It is too early to say with certainty that Lisinopril is causing the GI problems.)
Has anyone experienced similar problems?

I had take all but two of the of the first day's 4 mg pills when my heart began racing and my blood pressure shot up. I have cardiac arrythmia problems. Also, I had a couple of instances of GERD. This is rare for me now, since I take prilosec everyday to avoid irritating my esopagus. I have Barrett's esphagus.

Methlpred was prescribed following an MRI that showed moderate to severe cervical spinal stenosis. I wish I could coniue it, because it did help. Please reply ASAP.

Fred Robinson

361 991 4600

April 24, 2004