barrett's esophagus
"I have had GERD and Barrett's esophagus for many years and have been taking 20mg of omeprazole every day in the morning since the drug was approved by the FDA (early 1990's?). It has changed my life by eliminating the constant pain of severe heartburn with little to no side effects (I guess I'm lucky in that respect). My ENT doc says I will need to be on this drug for the rest of my life to ward off the potential of the Barrett's turning into esophageal cancer. Not to mention the comfort I am getting and the food choices I can make that no longer bother me and trigger heartburn."