new to this group!

[Guest guest]

Hi Traci!

Welcome, welcome, welcome! Congratulations on having your date already! We

are here to support you and help you through this wild ride. You are in the

hands of two very good surgeons, in fact, the BEST!

I'll be sending you positive thoughts and prayers as you begin this journey.

Hugs and blessings, Ann

[Guest guest]

Hi There:

I am Peggy from Lompoc CA and I am waking up on the West Coast of the US to

welcome

you to this group. I can remember the weeks before my surgery, anxious about

the

outcome but looking forward to being somewhat normal again. I achieved that

reality this

year and it has been terrific -- it is great to have to watch my weight again!

What is your name, where are you located, what kind of procedure are you having

and who

is your doctor?

Read lots of posts, see all the normal people in the photos file and receive the

support we

are all excited to provide to you.

Peggy, who is going to the gym now to burn off fat!

>

> Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found other

> achalasians out there... I don't feel so isolated! It's difficult,

> as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple for

> anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for this

> is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken for

> granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always

> stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia

> started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I was

> about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last

> year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and I

> am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month (september).

> I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it. It

> was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in a

> restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what to

> eat ( " oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and fries " ...so

> what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into

> tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can risk

> eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order something

> and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok, got

> carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food had't

> budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have to

> run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me, little

> bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to all

> you other achalasians out there!

>

[Guest guest]

Hi There:

I am Peggy from Lompoc CA and I am waking up on the West Coast of the US to

welcome

you to this group. I can remember the weeks before my surgery, anxious about

the

outcome but looking forward to being somewhat normal again. I achieved that

reality this

year and it has been terrific -- it is great to have to watch my weight again!

What is your name, where are you located, what kind of procedure are you having

and who

is your doctor?

Read lots of posts, see all the normal people in the photos file and receive the

support we

are all excited to provide to you.

Peggy, who is going to the gym now to burn off fat!

>

> Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found other

> achalasians out there... I don't feel so isolated! It's difficult,

> as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple for

> anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for this

> is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken for

> granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always

> stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia

> started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I was

> about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last

> year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and I

> am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month (september).

> I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it. It

> was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in a

> restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what to

> eat ( " oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and fries " ...so

> what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into

> tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can risk

> eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order something

> and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok, got

> carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food had't

> budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have to

> run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me, little

> bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to all

> you other achalasians out there!

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the message. My name is Kia and I am from London, England. I think it is hellers myotomy I am having, I'm assuming from what I've read! Keyhole, minimally invasive. I can't wait till it's all over. I want to have to watch my weight! people keep commenting that I'm really skinny, if I haven't seen them in a while. I'm glad I'm having the surgery now. I've read of people that have it for 35 years, with constant dilation. And it gets worse, not better! It's great to know you had such a terrific outcome from surgery. You must be so relieved and happy, not to mention, full of energy! I am soon to follow, hopefully...if my surgery goes as well as yours did. I'm optimistic, very much so. It's

being done at st thomas' in London, under the care of some guy called dr botha. Anyway, I will be on this site for a very long time , so I might message you for advice and stufff, if that's ok. where was yours done? may your good eating, and having to go to the gym, continue! take care, kia Peggy Cordero <pegster@...> wrote: Hi There:I am Peggy from Lompoc CA and I am waking up on the West Coast of the US to welcome you to this group. I can remember the weeks before my surgery, anxious about the outcome but looking forward to being somewhat normal again. I achieved that reality this year and it has been terrific -- it is great to have to watch my weight again!What is your name, where are you located, what kind of procedure are you having and who is your doctor? Read lots of posts, see all the normal people in the photos file and receive the support we are all excited to provide to you.Peggy, who is going to the gym now to burn off fat!>> Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found other > achalasians out there... I don't feel so isolated! It's

difficult, > as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple for > anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for this > is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken for > granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always > stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia > started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I was > about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last > year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and I > am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month (september). > I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it. It > was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in a > restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what to > eat ("oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and fries"...so

> what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into > tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can risk > eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order something > and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok, got > carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food had't > budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have to > run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me, little > bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to all > you other achalasians out there!>

All New – Tired of Vi@gr@! come-ons? Let our SpamGuard protect you.

[Guest guest]

Hello there, welcome.

I am from the UK too. I live in London. I'm now 42 but I got first diagnosed when I was 21. I have had the Heller's procedure and I presume this is the procedure you are having. Where are you having it done? Mine was at Chelsea & Westminster.

STEVE

new to this group!

Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found other achalasians out there... I don't feel so isolated! It's difficult, as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple for anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for this is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken for granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I was about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and I am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month (september). I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it. It was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in a restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what to eat

("oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and fries"...so what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can risk eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order something and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok, got carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food had't budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have to run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me, little bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to all you other achalasians out there!

[Guest guest]

Hi Kia, Welcome to the group and we're all glad you have found us.

I'm a 24yr old who was diagnosed when I was 22 yrs old. I'm

recently in the recovery stage of the Heller Myotomy- my surgery was

July 12th. It's really a wonderful surgery. Eating is once again

pleasurable. I also have got the " your too skinny " comments

constantly for the past 2 yrs so I know how you feel. Anyways, I

wish you the best for your surgery! There is some postings under

the " database and files " portion of the website. I suggest looking

those over and past posts as there is a wealth of info. Ask any

questions you need. We all love to help

in Michigan

> >

> > Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found other

> > achalasians out there... I don't feel so isolated! It's

difficult,

> > as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple

for

> > anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for

this

> > is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken

for

> > granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always

> > stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia

> > started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I

was

> > about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last

> > year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and

I

> > am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month

(september).

> > I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it.

It

> > was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in

a

> > restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what

to

> > eat ( " oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and

fries " ...so

> > what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into

> > tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can

risk

> > eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order

something

> > and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok,

got

> > carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food

had't

> > budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have

to

> > run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me,

little

> > bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to

all

> > you other achalasians out there!

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> All New – Tired of Vi@gr@! come-ons? Let our

SpamGuard protect you.

>

[Guest guest]

Hello, and welcome to our group. What is your name and where are you from. There is a lot of information on the site here so take your time looking over it. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. We are here to support you. in Georgia Co-founder of www.achalasia.uskielty_kia <kielty_kia@...> wrote: Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found other achalasians out there... I don't feel so isolated! It's

difficult, as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple for anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for this is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken for granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I was about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and I am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month (september). I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it. It was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in a restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what to eat ("oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and fries"...so what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst

into tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can risk eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order something and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok, got carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food had't budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have to run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me, little bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to all you other achalasians out there!<FONT face="comic sans ms" color=#ff0000 size=5> in Georgia </FONT><IMG src=" ">

Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Small Business.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kia,

Welcome to this wonderful group...

Heller's myotomy -lap surgery for my son,Bimal is scheduled on 26th october .

On 25th october ,they willl do a manometry test. Bimal went through 2

dilatations in 1994 and 3rd in last June'06. The last barium test report showed

Sigmoid esophagus and we were advised for this surgery..

This is a fantastic group..we all learn a lot about various issues from each

other.

Ask all questions coming to your thought and you will find all sharing their

experience

And views with you. This certainly helps to take the right decisions..

Mukesh from Mumai-India.

Re: Re: new to this group!

Thank you for the message. My name is Kia and I am from London, England.

I think it is hellers myotomy I am having, I'm assuming from what I've read!

Keyhole, minimally invasive. I can't wait till it's all over. I want to have to

watch my weight! people keep commenting that I'm really skinny, if I haven't

seen them in a while. I'm glad I'm having the surgery now. I've read of people

that have it for 35 years, with constant dilation. And it gets worse, not

better! It's great to know you had such a terrific outcome from surgery. You

must be so relieved and happy, not to mention, full of energy! I am soon to

follow, hopefully...if my surgery goes as well as yours did. I'm optimistic,

very much so. It's being done at st thomas' in London, under the care of some

guy called dr botha. Anyway, I will be on this site for a very long time , so I

might message you for advice and stufff, if that's ok. where was yours done?

may your good eating, and having to go to the gym, continue! take care, kia

Peggy Cordero <pegster@...> wrote: Hi There:

I am Peggy from Lompoc CA and I am waking up on the West Coast of the US to

welcome

you to this group. I can remember the weeks before my surgery, anxious about the

outcome but looking forward to being somewhat normal again. I achieved that

reality this

year and it has been terrific -- it is great to have to watch my weight again!

What is your name, where are you located, what kind of procedure are you having

and who

is your doctor?

Read lots of posts, see all the normal people in the photos file and receive the

support we

are all excited to provide to you.

Peggy, who is going to the gym now to burn off fat!

>

> Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found other

> achalasians out there... I don't feel so isolated! It's difficult,

> as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple for

> anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for this

> is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken for

> granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always

> stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia

> started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I was

> about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last

> year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and I

> am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month (september).

> I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it. It

> was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in a

> restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what to

> eat ( " oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and fries " ...so

> what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into

> tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can risk

> eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order something

> and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok, got

> carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food had't

> budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have to

> run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me, little

> bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to all

> you other achalasians out there!

>

---------------------------------

All New – Tired of Vi@gr@! come-ons? Let our SpamGuard protect you.

[Guest guest]

Hello K

Greetings! That's pretty much how it started with me

too 'cept I got stretched @ 21 and had a Heller in

2002 when I was 42.

Yeah, the wolfing down burgers thing is not usually a

prudent for me. Once in a blue..

For sure though, getting blocked up & the E being too

wiggly to get uncorked really bites! Like you said, the

iquidy diets are sometimes the only option for a spell.

I'm not a big fan of fasting for days.. Perhaps we'll

all write the Clear Liquid Cookbook sneakin' in some

herbs. OK. Lets all post favorite custom clear liquid

recipes.

Reading the posts in the archives of this group ..by

followin' strings and keywords will give you a wealth

of info.

M.

>

> Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found other

> achalasians out there... I don't feel so isolated! It's difficult,

> as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple for

> anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for this

> is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken for

> granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always

> stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia

> started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I was

> about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last

> year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and I

> am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month (september).

> I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it. It

> was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in a

> restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what

to

> eat ( " oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and

fries " ...so

> what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into

> tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can risk

> eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order something

> and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok,

got

> carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food

had't

> budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have to

> run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me,

little

> bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to

all

> you other achalasians out there!

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Kia,

my name is meena and i am from st albans in hertfordshire england.

i suffered for 2 years with achalasia and was only diagnosed in

april of this year.I have just had an open hellers myotomy about 10

days ago this was done at harefield hospital under mr fountain

I am suffering a lot of pain at the moment but at least i can eat

normally.so i am sure you will feel much better after your

surgery.if you are having keyhole the recovery is a lot quicker and

less painful.

goodluck with it and if i can help in anyway with advise please let

me know.

meena

In achalasia , Kia Kielty <kielty_kia@...> wrote:

>

> Thank you for the message. My name is Kia and I am from

London, England. I think it is hellers myotomy I am having, I'm

assuming from what I've read! Keyhole, minimally invasive. I can't

wait till it's all over. I want to have to watch my weight! people

keep commenting that I'm really skinny, if I haven't seen them in a

while. I'm glad I'm having the surgery now. I've read of people that

have it for 35 years, with constant dilation. And it gets worse, not

better! It's great to know you had such a terrific outcome from

surgery. You must be so relieved and happy, not to mention, full of

energy! I am soon to follow, hopefully...if my surgery goes as well

as yours did. I'm optimistic, very much so. It's being done at st

thomas' in London, under the care of some guy called dr botha.

Anyway, I will be on this site for a very long time , so I might

message you for advice and stufff, if that's ok. where was yours

done?

>

> may your good eating, and having to go to the gym, continue!

take care, kia

>

>

>

> Peggy Cordero <pegster@...> wrote: Hi There:

>

> I am Peggy from Lompoc CA and I am waking up on the West Coast of

the US to welcome

> you to this group. I can remember the weeks before my surgery,

anxious about the

> outcome but looking forward to being somewhat normal again. I

achieved that reality this

> year and it has been terrific -- it is great to have to watch my

weight again!

>

> What is your name, where are you located, what kind of procedure

are you having and who

> is your doctor?

>

> Read lots of posts, see all the normal people in the photos file

and receive the support we

> are all excited to provide to you.

>

> Peggy, who is going to the gym now to burn off fat!

>

>

> >

> > Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found other

> > achalasians out there... I don't feel so isolated! It's

difficult,

> > as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple

for

> > anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for

this

> > is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken

for

> > granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always

> > stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia

> > started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I

was

> > about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last

> > year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and

I

> > am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month

(september).

> > I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it.

It

> > was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in

a

> > restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what

to

> > eat ( " oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and

fries " ...so

> > what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into

> > tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can

risk

> > eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order

something

> > and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok,

got

> > carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food

had't

> > budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have

to

> > run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me,

little

> > bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to

all

> > you other achalasians out there!

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

> All New – Tired of Vi@gr@! come-ons? Let our

SpamGuard protect you.

>

[Guest guest]

Hello All, Have any of you experienced weight gain post surgery? My 13 yr old daughter lost 50 lbs from A. She was overweight to begin with, but she's really thin now. Her surgery was 11 wks ago tomorrow and has not gained anything back. Her Dr stated it's all in what she eats, but I'm not so sure. Patty in FL <mandyw1011@...> wrote: Hi Kia, Welcome to the group and we're all glad you have found us. I'm a 24yr old who was diagnosed when I

was 22 yrs old. I'm recently in the recovery stage of the Heller Myotomy- my surgery was July 12th. It's really a wonderful surgery. Eating is once again pleasurable. I also have got the "your too skinny" comments constantly for the past 2 yrs so I know how you feel. Anyways, I wish you the best for your surgery! There is some postings under the "database and files" portion of the website. I suggest looking those over and past posts as there is a wealth of info. Ask any questions you need. We all love to help in Michigan> >> > Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found other > > achalasians out there... I don't feel so

isolated! It's difficult, > > as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple for > > anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for this > > is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken for > > granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always > > stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia > > started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I was > > about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last > > year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and I > > am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month (september). > > I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it. It > > was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in a > > restaurant. As we looked at our

menus everyone was deciding what to > > eat ("oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and fries"...so > > what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into > > tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can risk > > eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order something > > and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok, got > > carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food had't > > budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have to > > run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me, little > > bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to all > > you other achalasians out there!> >> > > > > > > ---------------------------------> All

New – Tired of Vi@gr@! come-ons? Let our SpamGuard protect you.> __________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Kia,

I am also now being treated at St ' Hospital. If it is of any help to you St have one of the only dedicated oesophageal units in the country and is one of the most experienced centres in oesophageal disorders. For example, it has the most up to date manometry systems in Europe (I believe some USA hospitals also have the same system). It serves a catchment area of millions for oesophageal disease therefore it gets the referral numbers it needs in order to be a centre of excellence.

I hope this helps.

STEVE

Re: Re: new to this group!

Thank you for the message. My name is Kia and I am from London, England. I think it is hellers myotomy I am having, I'm assuming from what I've read! Keyhole, minimally invasive. I can't wait till it's all over. I want to have to watch my weight! people keep commenting that I'm really skinny, if I haven't seen them in a while. I'm glad I'm having the surgery now. I've read of people that have it for 35 years, with constant dilation. And it gets worse, not better! It's great to know you had such a terrific outcome from surgery. You must be so relieved and happy, not to mention, full of energy! I am soon to follow, hopefully... if my surgery goes as well as yours did. I'm optimistic, very much so. It's being done at st thomas' in London, under the care of some guy called dr botha. Anyway, I will be on this site for a very long time , so I might message you for advice and stufff, if that's ok. where was yours done?

may your good eating, and having to go to the gym, continue! take care, kia

Peggy Cordero <pegsterwest (DOT) net> wrote:

Hi There:I am Peggy from Lompoc CA and I am waking up on the West Coast of the US to welcome you to this group. I can remember the weeks before my surgery, anxious about the outcome but looking forward to being somewhat normal again. I achieved that reality this year and it has been terrific -- it is great to have to watch my weight again!What is your name, where are you located, what kind of procedure are you having and who is your doctor? Read lots of posts, see all the normal people in the photos file and receive the support we are all excited to provide to you.Peggy, who is going to the gym now to burn off fat!>> Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found other > achalasians out there... I don't feel so

isolated! It's difficult, > as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple for > anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for this > is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken for > granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always > stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia > started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I was > about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last > year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and I > am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month (september). > I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it. It > was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in a > restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what to > eat ("oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese

and fries"...so > what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into > tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can risk > eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order something > and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok, got > carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food had't > budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have to > run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me, little > bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to all > you other achalasians out there!>

All New Tired of Vi@gr@! come-ons? Let our SpamGuard protect you.

[Guest guest]

Meena, I am glad you have had your surgery and are doing better. The pain should go away soon. If it does not go back and bug your surgeon. ...was in Suffolk now in Georgiameenabrady <meenabrady@...> wrote: Hi Kia,my name is meena and i am from st albans in hertfordshire england.i suffered for 2 years with achalasia and was only diagnosed in april of this year.I have just had an open hellers myotomy about 10 days ago this was done at

harefield hospital under mr fountainI am suffering a lot of pain at the moment but at least i can eat normally.so i am sure you will feel much better after your surgery.if you are having keyhole the recovery is a lot quicker and less painful.goodluck with it and if i can help in anyway with advise please let me know.meenaIn achalasia , Kia Kielty <kielty_kia@...> wrote:>> Thank you for the message. My name is Kia and I am from London, England. I think it is hellers myotomy I am having, I'm assuming from what I've read! Keyhole, minimally invasive. I can't wait till it's all over. I want to have to watch my weight! people keep commenting that I'm really skinny, if I haven't seen them in a while. I'm glad I'm having the surgery now. I've read of people that have it for 35 years, with constant dilation. And it gets worse,

not better! It's great to know you had such a terrific outcome from surgery. You must be so relieved and happy, not to mention, full of energy! I am soon to follow, hopefully...if my surgery goes as well as yours did. I'm optimistic, very much so. It's being done at st thomas' in London, under the care of some guy called dr botha. Anyway, I will be on this site for a very long time , so I might message you for advice and stufff, if that's ok. where was yours done?> > may your good eating, and having to go to the gym, continue! take care, kia> > > > Peggy Cordero <pegster@...> wrote: Hi There:> > I am Peggy from Lompoc CA and I am waking up on the West Coast of the US to welcome > you to this group. I can remember the weeks before my surgery, anxious about the > outcome but looking forward to being somewhat normal again. I achieved that

reality this > year and it has been terrific -- it is great to have to watch my weight again!> > What is your name, where are you located, what kind of procedure are you having and who > is your doctor? > > Read lots of posts, see all the normal people in the photos file and receive the support we > are all excited to provide to you.> > Peggy, who is going to the gym now to burn off fat!> > > >> > Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found other > > achalasians out there... I don't feel so isolated! It's difficult, > > as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple for > > anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for this > > is that being

able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken for > > granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always > > stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia > > started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I was > > about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last > > year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and I > > am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month (september). > > I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it. It > > was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in a > > restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what to > > eat ("oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and fries"...so > > what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into > > tears. My

friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can risk > > eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order something > > and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok, got > > carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food had't > > budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have to > > run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me, little > > bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to all > > you other achalasians out there!> >> > > > > > > ---------------------------------> All New – Tired of Vi@gr@! come-ons? Let our SpamGuard protect you.><FONT face="comic sans ms" color=#ff0000 size=5> in Georgia </FONT><IMG src=" ">

Talk is cheap. Use Messenger to make PC-to-Phone calls. Great rates starting at 1¢/min.

[Guest guest]

Hello Steve, thank you for the message. That is a great help to know about st thomas'! thank you for that. It has eased my nerves a little. I have been going there for 6 years for other medical reasons, and It's the only hospital I actually feel comfortable in. I've always had nice and understanding doctors there. I met my surgeon...Dr Botha, I think he is s.african.He seems nice. Who are you being treated by? he said to me that he treated a 17 year old girl with achalasia. she'd had it since the age of 10..lost loads of weight. She came back after surgery and had put on loads of weight...she said she got carried away with the eating! so that was nice to hear! what sort of surgery have you had/having? let me know how you're getting on. Oh, to be able to eat normally again! take care for now, KiaSteve Lennox <lennoxsteve@...> wrote: Kia, I am also now being treated at St ' Hospital. If it is of any help to you St have one of the only dedicated oesophageal units in the country and is one of the most experienced centres in oesophageal disorders. For example, it has the most up to date

manometry systems in Europe (I believe some USA hospitals also have the same system). It serves a catchment area of millions for oesophageal disease therefore it gets the referral numbers it needs in order to be a centre of excellence. I hope this helps. STEVE Re: Re: new to this

group! Thank you for the message. My name is Kia and I am from London, England. I think it is hellers myotomy I am having, I'm assuming from what I've read! Keyhole, minimally invasive. I can't wait till it's all over. I want to have to watch my weight! people keep commenting that I'm really skinny, if I haven't seen them in a while. I'm glad I'm having the surgery now. I've read of people that have it for 35 years, with constant dilation. And it gets worse, not better! It's great to know you had such a terrific outcome from surgery. You must be so relieved and happy, not to mention, full of energy! I am soon to follow, hopefully... if my surgery goes as well as yours did. I'm optimistic, very much so. It's being done at st thomas' in London,

under the care of some guy called dr botha. Anyway, I will be on this site for a very long time , so I might message you for advice and stufff, if that's ok. where was yours done? may your good eating, and having to go to the gym, continue! take care, kia Peggy Cordero <pegsterwest (DOT) net> wrote: Hi There:I am Peggy from Lompoc CA and I am waking up on the West Coast of the US to welcome you to this group. I can remember the weeks before my surgery, anxious about the outcome but looking forward to being somewhat normal again. I achieved that reality this year and it has been terrific -- it is great to have to watch my weight again!What is your name, where are

you located, what kind of procedure are you having and who is your doctor? Read lots of posts, see all the normal people in the photos file and receive the support we are all excited to provide to you.Peggy, who is going to the gym now to burn off fat!>> Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found other > achalasians out there... I don't feel so isolated! It's difficult, > as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple for > anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for this > is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken for > granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always > stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia >

started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I was > about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last > year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and I > am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month (september). > I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it. It > was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in a > restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what to > eat ("oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and fries"...so > what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into > tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can risk > eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order something > and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok, got > carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food had't >

budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have to > run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me, little > bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to all > you other achalasians out there!> All New Tired of Vi@gr@! come-ons? Let our SpamGuard protect you.

The all-new goes wherever you go - free your email address from your Internet provider.

[Guest guest]

Kia,

I think Mr Botha works with Mr Mason and Mr Atkinson. They are the three Upper GI Surgeons at St '. I am under Mr Mason. Between the three of them they do a lot of oesophageal surgery. I found an article recently where they described 70 patients with achalasia who had dilatations at St '...so there are at least 70 of us! I am now being reviewed for different surgery as My Heller's was done 13 years ago and it's not looking quite so good at the moment. But I do feel that I am in good hands.

STEVE

Re: Re: new to this group!

Thank you for the message. My name is Kia and I am from London, England. I think it is hellers myotomy I am having, I'm assuming from what I've read! Keyhole, minimally invasive. I can't wait till it's all over. I want to have to watch my weight! people keep commenting that I'm really skinny, if I haven't seen them in a while. I'm glad I'm having the surgery now. I've read of people that have it for 35 years, with constant dilation. And it gets worse, not better! It's great to know you had such a terrific outcome from surgery. You must be so relieved and happy, not to mention, full of energy! I am soon to follow, hopefully... if my surgery goes as well as yours did. I'm optimistic, very much so. It's being done at st thomas' in London, under the care of some guy called dr botha. Anyway, I will be on this site for a very long time , so I might message you for advice and stufff, if that's ok. where was yours done?

may your good eating, and having to go to the gym, continue! take care, kia

Peggy Cordero <pegsterwest (DOT) net> wrote:

Hi There:I am Peggy from Lompoc CA and I am waking up on the West Coast of the US to welcome you to this group. I can remember the weeks before my surgery, anxious about the outcome but looking forward to being somewhat normal again. I achieved that reality this year and it has been terrific -- it is great to have to watch my weight again!What is your name, where are you located, what kind of procedure are you having and who is your doctor? Read lots of posts, see all the normal people in the photos file and receive the support we are all excited to provide to you.Peggy, who is going to the gym now to burn off fat!>> Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found other > achalasians out there... I don't feel so

isolated! It's difficult, > as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple for > anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for this > is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken for > granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always > stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia > started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I was > about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last > year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and I > am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month (september). > I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it. It > was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in a > restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what to > eat ("oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese

and fries"...so > what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into > tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can risk > eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order something > and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok, got > carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food had't > budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have to > run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me, little > bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to all > you other achalasians out there!>

All New Tired of Vi@gr@! come-ons? Let our SpamGuard protect you.

The all-new goes wherever you go - free your email address from your Internet provider.

[Guest guest]

I have always been a very optimistic person, but I have truly

suffered for 2 years now and every dilation I have had never seems to

work. I just had a dilation done on July 27th with the largest

balloon available and it did not help, only for a week. I have

avoided going back to the specialist, but my parents are urging me to

go.

After the last dilation, the nurse talked to my parents & I. She

told them their daughter(ME) was under the impression this would go

away, but that it is a chronic condition.

Seems, my optimism has turned into a pretty miserable state. I am

tired of spitting up and vomiting everything I eat. I broke up with

my boyfriend, who put up with this stuff, but now, to meet someone

new, with this condition, it is just downright embarassing!

I want a normal life again, where eating out with friends & family

was a pleasure instead of now, where I run to the bathroom all the

time to spit up or vomit.

I tried some holistic methods but they didn't have anything in the

books for achalasia, so I tried things for other tummy problems.

They have not helped.

I think I need the more aggressive surgery and just support from

people who understand.

> Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found

other

> achalasians out there... I don't feel so isolated! It's difficult,

> as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple for

> anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for this

> is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken for

> granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always

> stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia

> started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I was

> about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last

> year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and I

> am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month (september).

> I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it. It

> was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in a

> restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what to

> eat ( " oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and

fries " ...so

> what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into

> tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can risk

> eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order something

> and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok, got

> carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food had't

> budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have to

> run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me, little

> bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to all

> you other achalasians out there!

>

>

>

>

>

>

> <FONT face= " comic sans ms " color=#ff0000 size=5> in Georgia

</FONT><IMG

src= " http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/04.gif " >

>

> ---------------------------------

> Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help.

Small Business.

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Idolwild- first the basics - please introduce yourself; what's

your name, age, where are you from?

It sounds very much like you need surgery. For many of us, dilations

are temporary at best. I was having them every year or 2 before my

surgery - almost 18 years ago.

Let us know where you are and maybe we can recommend a good surgeon

for you. If the surgery is done well, you can go many years eating

well and being 'mostly' back to normal. The nurse was correct, A is a

chronic disease and will never go away. But you learn to manage it

and go on with life.

As far as meeting someone - it can be awkward in the beginning but -

a situation like this, it sometimes is a blessing because it weeds

out the good people from the others. If you find someone you care

about and who really cares about you - it won't matter that you have

A.

Keep reading and ask any questions you may have. Between all of the

members here, we have untold thousands of years of combined

experience.

Happy Swallowing!

- in Va.

>

> I have always been a very optimistic person, but I have truly

> suffered for 2 years now and every dilation I have had never seems

to

> work. I just had a dilation done on July 27th with the largest

> balloon available and it did not help, only for a week. I have

> avoided going back to the specialist, but my parents are urging me

to

> go.

> After the last dilation, the nurse talked to my parents & I. She

> told them their daughter(ME) was under the impression this would go

> away, but that it is a chronic condition.

> Seems, my optimism has turned into a pretty miserable state. I am

> tired of spitting up and vomiting everything I eat. I broke up

with

> my boyfriend, who put up with this stuff, but now, to meet someone

> new, with this condition, it is just downright embarassing!

> I want a normal life again, where eating out with friends & family

> was a pleasure instead of now, where I run to the bathroom all the

> time to spit up or vomit.

> I tried some holistic methods but they didn't have anything in the

> books for achalasia, so I tried things for other tummy problems.

> They have not helped.

> I think I need the more aggressive surgery and just support from

> people who understand.

[Guest guest]

Hey Idol

Where are you from? Maybe we can help you locate a surgeon

or a better GI doc!! Yes it can be a chronic disorder. But it can

be controlled with good medical care. Please keep posting and you will get the

support you need right now.

C Warren

Co-Founder

www.achalasia.us

From:

achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of idolwild2002

Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 2:25 AM

achalasia

Subject: Re: new to this group!

I have always been a very optimistic person,

but I have truly

suffered for 2 years now and every dilation I have had never seems to

work. I just had a dilation done on July 27th with the largest

balloon available and it did not help, only for a week. I have

avoided going back to the specialist, but my parents are urging me to

go.

After the last dilation, the nurse talked to my parents & I. She

told them their daughter(ME) was under the impression this would go

away, but that it is a chronic condition.

Seems, my optimism has turned into a pretty miserable state. I am

tired of spitting up and vomiting everything I eat. I broke up with

my boyfriend, who put up with this stuff, but now, to meet someone

new, with this condition, it is just downright embarassing!

I want a normal life again, where eating out with friends & family

was a pleasure instead of now, where I run to the bathroom all the

time to spit up or vomit.

I tried some holistic methods but they didn't have anything in the

books for achalasia, so I tried things for other tummy problems.

They have not helped.

I think I need the more aggressive surgery and just support from

people who understand.

> Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found

other

> achalasians out there... I don't feel so isolated! It's difficult,

> as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple for

> anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for this

> is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken for

> granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always

> stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia

> started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I was

> about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last

> year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and I

> am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month (september).

> I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it. It

> was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in a

> restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what to

> eat ( " oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and

fries " ...so

> what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into

> tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can risk

> eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order something

> and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok, got

> carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food had't

> budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have to

> run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me, little

> bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to all

> you other achalasians out there!

>

>

>

>

>

>

> <FONT face= " comic sans ms " color=#ff0000 size=5> in

Georgia

</FONT><IMG

src= " http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/04.gif " >

>

> ---------------------------------

> Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help.

Small Business.

>

[Guest guest]

Hello..

We all can understand your situation ..

As almost everyone here has passed through such stage..but,after you get the

appropriate surgery done, you will be " almost " normal...don't panic..just find

the right surgeon who can do your surgery perfectly ..there are so many people

here to guide you..if the dilatations don't work,

Go for the surgery through a RIGHT - very well experienced Doctor.

Mukesh

Re: new to this group!

I have always been a very optimistic person, but I have truly

suffered for 2 years now and every dilation I have had never seems to

work. I just had a dilation done on July 27th with the largest

balloon available and it did not help, only for a week. I have

avoided going back to the specialist, but my parents are urging me to

go.

After the last dilation, the nurse talked to my parents & I. She

told them their daughter(ME) was under the impression this would go

away, but that it is a chronic condition.

Seems, my optimism has turned into a pretty miserable state. I am

tired of spitting up and vomiting everything I eat. I broke up with

my boyfriend, who put up with this stuff, but now, to meet someone

new, with this condition, it is just downright embarassing!

I want a normal life again, where eating out with friends & family

was a pleasure instead of now, where I run to the bathroom all the

time to spit up or vomit.

I tried some holistic methods but they didn't have anything in the

books for achalasia, so I tried things for other tummy problems.

They have not helped.

I think I need the more aggressive surgery and just support from

people who understand.

> Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found

other

> achalasians out there... I don't feel so isolated! It's difficult,

> as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple for

> anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for this

> is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken for

> granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always

> stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia

> started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I was

> about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last

> year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and I

> am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month (september).

> I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it. It

> was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in a

> restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what to

> eat ( " oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and

fries " ...so

> what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into

> tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can risk

> eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order something

> and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok, got

> carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food had't

> budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have to

> run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me, little

> bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to all

> you other achalasians out there!

>

>

>

>

>

>

> <FONT face= " comic sans ms " color=#ff0000 size=5> in Georgia

</FONT><IMG

src= " http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/04.gif " >

>

> ---------------------------------

> Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help.

Small Business.

>

[Guest guest]

-- In achalasia , " idolwild2002 " <idolwild2002@...>

wrote:

>Hi, I just read your post (idolwild) whats ur name, where are you

located? I'm really sorry to hear that nothing works. have you

had/considered surgery. I'm having keyhole hellers myotomy in

3weeks. I am scared. I know it never goes away, but surgery makes

the person able to eat normally again. hopefully forever! I hope.

frfom what I have heard, people have good outcomes. I have good days

where food passes a little more easy, but the only thing I can eat

out in public is soup. It sucks when your friends are all like " hey,

lets go eat out " . and you hate it because you used to enjoy it, now

you can't. I always have to sit near the loo. I nearly threw up soup

in a restaurant, and I ran to the toilet but there were loads of

girls in there. luckily I managed to hold the sooup down. As for the

boyfriend thing, I've been with mine for 3 months and its going

well. I was really embarrassed to tell him at first, but i did, and

he understands that we are not going to eat out, and he is amazingly

supportive, just like all my friends are. one of my friends will

run to the loo with me because she knows I'm going to throw up. it

really sucks to not be abble to do something that is so natural for

us to do. are you able to eat anything, at all? I can manage on

soup. i can manage a bit more on good days. I just want to be able

to eat burgers again. let me know how you get on, take care, kia,

london

> I have always been a very optimistic person, but I have truly

> suffered for 2 years now and every dilation I have had never seems

to

> work. I just had a dilation done on July 27th with the largest

> balloon available and it did not help, only for a week. I have

> avoided going back to the specialist, but my parents are urging me

to

> go.

> After the last dilation, the nurse talked to my parents & I. She

> told them their daughter(ME) was under the impression this would

go

> away, but that it is a chronic condition.

> Seems, my optimism has turned into a pretty miserable state. I am

> tired of spitting up and vomiting everything I eat. I broke up

with

> my boyfriend, who put up with this stuff, but now, to meet someone

> new, with this condition, it is just downright embarassing!

> I want a normal life again, where eating out with friends & family

> was a pleasure instead of now, where I run to the bathroom all the

> time to spit up or vomit.

> I tried some holistic methods but they didn't have anything in the

> books for achalasia, so I tried things for other tummy problems.

> They have not helped.

> I think I need the more aggressive surgery and just support from

> people who understand.

>

> > Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have

found

> other

> > achalasians out there... I don't feel so isolated! It's

difficult,

> > as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple

for

> > anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for

this

> > is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken

for

> > granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always

> > stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia

> > started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I

was

> > about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last

> > year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and

I

> > am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month

(september).

> > I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it.

It

> > was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in

a

> > restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what

to

> > eat ( " oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and

> fries " ...so

> > what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into

> > tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can

risk

> > eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order

something

> > and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok,

got

> > carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food

had't

> > budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have

to

> > run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me,

little

> > bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to

all

> > you other achalasians out there!

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > <FONT face= " comic sans ms " color=#ff0000 size=5> in

Georgia

> </FONT><IMG

> src= " http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/04.gif " >

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help.

> Small Business.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I am located in Costa Mesa California. Right now, I have an HMO, I asked my primary doctor if I could get a 2nd opinion, but he said he feels the specialist is treating this condition accurately. So, I guess I could call my helath insurance provider directly? I am just so confused right now. Thank you for your response. Warren <juliecwarren@...> wrote: Hey Idol Where are you from? Maybe we can help you locate a surgeon or a better GI doc!! Yes it can be a chronic disorder. But it can be controlled with good medical care. Please keep posting and you will get the support you need right now. C Warren Co-Founder www.achalasia.us From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of idolwild2002Sent: Wednesday, September 06, 2006 2:25 AMachalasia Subject: Re: new to this group! I have always been a very optimistic person, but I have truly suffered for 2 years now and every dilation I have had never seems to work. I just had a dilation done on July 27th with the largest balloon available and it did not help, only for a week. I have avoided going back to the specialist, but my parents are urging me to go.After the last dilation, the nurse talked to my parents & I. She told them their daughter(ME) was under the impression this would go away, but that it is a chronic

condition.Seems, my optimism has turned into a pretty miserable state. I am tired of spitting up and vomiting everything I eat. I broke up with my boyfriend, who put up with this stuff, but now, to meet someone new, with this condition, it is just downright embarassing!I want a normal life again, where eating out with friends & family was a pleasure instead of now, where I run to the bathroom all the time to spit up or vomit.I tried some holistic methods but they didn't have anything in the books for achalasia, so I tried things for other tummy problems. They have not helped.I think I need the more aggressive surgery and just support from people who understand.> Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found other > achalasians out there... I don't feel so isolated! It's difficult, > as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple for > anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for this > is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken for > granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always > stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia > started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I was

> about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last > year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and I > am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month (september). > I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it. It > was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in a > restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what to > eat ("oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and fries"...so > what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into > tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can risk > eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order something > and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok, got > carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food had't > budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have

to > run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me, little > bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to all > you other achalasians out there!> > > > > > > <FONT face="comic sans ms" color=#ff0000 size=5> in Georgia </FONT><IMG src=" ">> > ---------------------------------> Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. Small Business.>

[Guest guest]

Hi , If it isn't obvious, I am a die hard Idol fan! I started having these problems after my gallbladder was take out a couple years ago. My sister swears the guy who took out my gallbladder nicked something, I have been having these problems since. the first dilation was pretty serious as my lower esophagus completely colsed up, I was in the hospital a week, they dilated me and injected me with botox. The last 2 dilations have been pretty close together and no relief. I am le and 38 years old, from Costa Mesa California. :)michelle <michelle.mcnair@...> wrote: Hey Idolwild- first the basics - please introduce yourself; what's your name, age, where are you from?It sounds very much like you need surgery. For many of us, dilations are temporary at best. I was having them every year or 2 before my surgery - almost 18 years ago.Let us know where you are and maybe we can recommend a good surgeon for you. If the surgery is done well, you can go many years eating well and being 'mostly' back to normal. The nurse was correct, A is a chronic disease and will never go away. But you learn to manage it and go on with life.As far as meeting someone - it can be awkward in the beginning but - a situation like this, it sometimes is a blessing because it weeds out the good people from the others. If you find someone

you care about and who really cares about you - it won't matter that you have A.Keep reading and ask any questions you may have. Between all of the members here, we have untold thousands of years of combined experience.Happy Swallowing!- in Va.>> I have always been a very optimistic person, but I have truly > suffered for 2 years now and every dilation I have had never seems to > work. I just had a dilation done on July 27th with the largest > balloon available and it did not help, only for a week. I have > avoided going back to the specialist, but my parents are urging me to > go.> After the last dilation, the nurse talked to my parents & I. She > told them their daughter(ME) was under the impression this

would go > away, but that it is a chronic condition.> Seems, my optimism has turned into a pretty miserable state. I am > tired of spitting up and vomiting everything I eat. I broke up with > my boyfriend, who put up with this stuff, but now, to meet someone > new, with this condition, it is just downright embarassing!> I want a normal life again, where eating out with friends & family > was a pleasure instead of now, where I run to the bathroom all the > time to spit up or vomit.> I tried some holistic methods but they didn't have anything in the > books for achalasia, so I tried things for other tummy problems. > They have not helped.> I think I need the more aggressive surgery and just support from > people who understand.

[Guest guest]

I had a boyfriend for the last 2 years who put up with the side effects of this, but we are not together anymore. My name is le and my specialist said he wanted to try the strongest balloon dilation first, he said, sometimes people are worse after the major surgery, but while reading here, it seems to work out for a lot of people.kielty_kia <kielty_kia@...> wrote: -- In achalasia , "idolwild2002"

<idolwild2002@...> wrote:>Hi, I just read your post (idolwild) whats ur name, where are you located? I'm really sorry to hear that nothing works. have you had/considered surgery. I'm having keyhole hellers myotomy in 3weeks. I am scared. I know it never goes away, but surgery makes the person able to eat normally again. hopefully forever! I hope. frfom what I have heard, people have good outcomes. I have good days where food passes a little more easy, but the only thing I can eat out in public is soup. It sucks when your friends are all like "hey, lets go eat out". and you hate it because you used to enjoy it, now you can't. I always have to sit near the loo. I nearly threw up soup in a restaurant, and I ran to the toilet but there were loads of girls in there. luckily I managed to hold the sooup down. As for the boyfriend thing, I've been with mine for 3 months and its going well. I was really

embarrassed to tell him at first, but i did, and he understands that we are not going to eat out, and he is amazingly supportive, just like all my friends are. one of my friends will run to the loo with me because she knows I'm going to throw up. it really sucks to not be abble to do something that is so natural for us to do. are you able to eat anything, at all? I can manage on soup. i can manage a bit more on good days. I just want to be able to eat burgers again. let me know how you get on, take care, kia, london> I have always been a very optimistic person, but I have truly > suffered for 2 years now and every dilation I have had never seems to > work. I just had a dilation done on July 27th with the largest > balloon available and it did not help, only for a week. I have > avoided going back to the specialist, but my parents are urging me to > go.> After the last dilation, the

nurse talked to my parents & I. She > told them their daughter(ME) was under the impression this would go > away, but that it is a chronic condition.> Seems, my optimism has turned into a pretty miserable state. I am > tired of spitting up and vomiting everything I eat. I broke up with > my boyfriend, who put up with this stuff, but now, to meet someone > new, with this condition, it is just downright embarassing!> I want a normal life again, where eating out with friends & family > was a pleasure instead of now, where I run to the bathroom all the > time to spit up or vomit.> I tried some holistic methods but they didn't have anything in the > books for achalasia, so I tried things for other tummy problems. > They have not helped.> I think I need the more aggressive surgery and just support from > people who understand.> > > Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found > other > > achalasians out there... I don't feel so isolated! It's difficult, > > as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple for > > anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for this > > is that being able to eat is a simple human

thing and is taken for > > granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always > > stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia > > started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I was > > about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last > > year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and I > > am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month (september). > > I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it. It > > was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in a > > restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what to > > eat ("oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and > fries"...so > > what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into > > tears. My friend had to take me

outside. The only thing I can risk > > eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order something > > and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok, got > > carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food had't > > budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have to > > run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me, little > > bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to all > > you other achalasians out there!> > > > > > > > > > > > > > <FONT face="comic sans ms" color=#ff0000 size=5> in Georgia > </FONT><IMG > src=" ">> >

> > ---------------------------------> > Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. > Small Business.> >>

[Guest guest]

Dear le,

I'm in Long Beach and had my surgery at Cedars in Beverly Hills. Peggy, in Lompoc fought with her HMO until she gave up and was able to switch to a PPO anyway. She also had surgery at Cedars.

She may email you with more hints about how to work around an HMO...California seems to have more HMO issues than other states, as not many others here complain about their HMO's it seems.

You absolutely need a second opinion. Unless your specialist is REALLY an achalasia specialist you are in need of more opinions. Honestly, there are so many HMO's here there SHOULD be a real achalasia specialist with Kaiser or some other HMO, but I haven't heard of any.

Call the surgeons directly, you are very popular and desired by doctors. They will call you back and talk to you almost immediately.

I've heard of a few people seeing other doctors but haven't heard of anyone having surgery yet, with anyone other than Dr. Fuller @ Cedars for achalasia in Southern California...310 652 0530. He is a surgeon though, if you are in the beginning process and want to discuss the pros and cons of surgery call Dr. Ippoliti. http://www.csmc.edu/5865.html

This is the esophageal center website. Dr. Conklin is also highly recommended.

If you only have one chance at a 2nd opinion I'd go there. There are a few names that have popped up at USC and UCLA, but I don't know anyone who has had surgery there yet with the newer doctors. Both places had well-known surgeons, one retired and one moved, so I THINK they are likely less experienced surgeons there now, but I haven't met them.

Z saw a surgeon at UCLA she really likes, but is getting her 2nd opinion from Dr. Fuller. I think she also has some restrictions on where she can go, she might be able to help you get a 2nd.

Peggy was pretty far down the line w/ getting a 2nd from her HMO, but it took a lot of letters and phone calls. The surgeons' or gi's office staff will help you with the right wording and what needs to be said.

Call me if you would like to talk 562 494 6760. I had surgery in 2003 and can eat and drink everything. With pancakes I need to follow with water. I think I've recovered better than many though.

The most important thing to realize is that you should do all you can to prevent your esophagus from stretching. The less stretched your esophagus is, it seems like the more likely you are to get long term results from surgery. Dr. Fuller doesn't think I will ever need more work.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi

Also check out the above website. It has summaries of almost every medical article written in years. Be careful of conclusions that are even 5 years old when comparing methods. For instance Botox was hoped and expected to be very helpful. Turned out it isn't. There are excellent older articles about achalasia there also.

Sandy in So Cal..... School Started Today!!!!!!! Oh Happy Day.

> > Hi, I just wanted to say how relieved I am to have found > other > > achalasians out there... I don't feel so isolated! It's difficult, > > as you all know, to have a rare condition as it is impossiple for > > anyone to understand what we go through. The reason being for this > > is that being able to eat is a simple human thing and is taken for > > granted, by those who can eat perfectly well. I know I always > > stuffed my face without a second thought, before my achalasia > > started. The difficulty in swallowing, for me, started when I was > > about 17. My food got more frequently stuck as time got on. Last > > year was when the regurgitating of food started. I'm 21 now, and I > > am due to have an operation on the 26th of this month (september). > > I'm scared as hell but I know I will be so much happier for it. It > > was my best friend's birthday the other day, and we were all in a > > restaurant. As we looked at our menus everyone was deciding what to > > eat ("oooh, double quarter pounder with extra cheese and > fries"...so > > what I would love to eat, but physically can't!)and I burst into > > tears. My friend had to take me outside. The only thing I can risk > > eating in public is soup. My friend said she would order something > > and I could eat off her plate. I did that, seemed to manage ok, got > > carried away (I had been on a soup diet for 3 days, some food had't > > budged from my oesophugus, and I felt really weak). I did have to > > run off once to be sick, but I got most of the food down me, little > > bites...and mashed potato, with LOTS OF COCA COLA! Good luck to all > > you other achalasians out there!> > > > > > > > > > > > > > <FONT face="comic sans ms" color=#ff0000 size=5> in Georgia > </FONT><IMG > src=" ">> > > > ---------------------------------> > Get your own web address for just $1.99/1st yr. We'll help. > Small Business.> >>

[Guest guest]

le Beech wrote:

> I have an HMO, I asked my primary doctor if I could get a 2nd opinion,

> but he said he feels the specialist is treating this condition accurately.

I agree with Sandy that not all specialists are specialists with

achalasia. Also, some specialists do dilatations and not myotomies,

while some do myotomies and not dilatations, and some do both. If you

are being treated by a doctor that only does one he may be reluctant to

suggest you need the other. On the other hand, if you get an opinion

from a doctor that does one he is likely to believe his way is best. The

good news here is that if you go to someone who has treated many

patients with achalasia, and is truly an expert with it, you are likely

to get good results either way. However, if you go to someone who is

suppose to be an expert but has not treated many patients for achalasia

you are not nearly as likely to get as good of results. There are

articles written by doctors telling about the lessons they learned in

the first fifty patients they treated and how the outcomes were better

in the next fifty. You don't want to be in the first fifty. Most doctors

will never see one patient with achalasia. Some " specialist " don't even

recognize it when they see it.

I don't think it is right to be denied a second opinion. Certainly not

concerning achalasia. If your insurance is through an employer check and

see if that employer has a benefits department/person and contact them.

notan