I am not a doctor, but I am a GERD sufferer and have been to a GI (so please take everything I write with that grain of salt!). Barrett’s Esophagus is abnormal looking cells caused by damage from repeated acid reflux into the esophagus. The doctor diagnoses it after performing an endoscopy. Since Barrett’s Esophagus is tied to a greater change of getting cancer of the esophagus (Heaven forbid), while the treatment plan might be no different than treatment for GERD, the GI will likely want to have more frequent endoscopies performed, perhaps once a year. Treatment is preventing heartburn.
I was told by my GI that it is safe to take prilosec (omeprazole) or previcid (lansoprazole) daily on a continual basis (it’s certainly safer than repeated heartburn and its associated damage!). One primary reason the OTC versions have a 14 day limit is to get people who have frequent, repeated heartburn in to see their doctor.
It’s also a good idea to make lifestyle changes that help prevent heartburn… avoiding lots of spicy or greasy/fatty foods, coffee/chocolate in high quantities, not lying down right after eating, elevating yourself, etc.
Hatzlacha!