dilation

[Guest guest]

Don't be scared to death! Hang in there! Everybody is different in terms of

treatments - what works for one may not work for another. Talk to your doctor

regarding your fears. Good luck and feel better! Warm regards, Elena

[Guest guest]

oddly enough, I'm not afraid at all. I'm just ready to get it over

with. I feel strangely peaceful about it...ready to just be on the

other side of it. These posts have helped a lot. But I also feel like

my doctor expects good results and have faith in him. That certainly

helps. Thanks.

WHat do you do for a living? I'm an artist and a children's art

teacher.

[Guest guest]

Bonjour Pierre,

I had my one and only dilation 2 years ago, and along with the life style

changes I made since, I can manage to live well with this disease. The when,

where, how and what I eat makes a difference. I believe it has to do with

gas produced in the digestive tract and how my body handles it. Exercise

following meals seems essential for me. Otherwise gas related spasms in my

esophagas stop me cold. My plan is to avoid surgery and hospitals in general

as long as possible. So far so good.

pierre.ducroit@... wrote:

> hello to all.

> i would like to ask a question to everybody in here?does ballons

> dilation last for a while if it is so how much time?

> ballon dilation are better for normal acahlsia rather taht vigourous

> achalsia?

> i will thank you for your prompt reply cause i am scared to dead to

> do something to my oesopagus like a ballon dilation and that it would

> not work.

> thank you in advance your friend

> Pierre

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi :

Good luck with your myotomy this Tuesday. I had a myotomy Oct. 31, just

over a month ago. I found this group while I was home recovering. I,

too, felt as though I found a family who really understands. I was

experiencing alot of " heart attack " pain after my myotomy whenever I ate

or drank anything but water. This group was very supportive and offered

great advice. Now, four weeks later, a great deal of that initial

healing pain has passed. Now that I am on the mend, I am almost

" normal. " My advice to you is just take it easy on what you eat and

drink after your surgery until you heal and can tolerate certain foods.

Everyone is so different. Some people can eat anything after their

myotomy, while others still need to be cautious. You will find what is

best for you through trial and error, sorry to say.

You seem to be worried about throwing up after surgery. That would not

be a good thing. Your surgeon does not want you to throw up either, I'm

sure. I had a nasal tube that drained my stomach so I wouldn't throw up.

It was very uncomfortable. I hated it. I think you said you weren't

having a nasal tube. That is good, but peculiar. Why not? Also, the pain

med can make you a little nauseous, but the nurse can add something to

your IV to stop the nausea. A nurse did for me with a doctor's order.

Also, morphine is great for the pain. I had it also for another surgery

I had earlier this year. Think about asking for a morphine pump. It's

really quite groovy (Oops. I'm dating myself.)

Before my surgery my main problems were acid reflux (not heartburn, I'm

talking heart attack pain), difficulty swallowing, and regurgitation,

intentionally induced at night before bedtime so as not to choke in my

sleep. Since the surgery I have not thrown up once or choked, swallowing

has improved about 90% (still some trouble with meats and thick breads),

and acid reflux is getting under control as the healing process

continues - plus 80 mg of Protonix daily. I have not had to take so many

Tums between Protonix doses as I did a few weeks ago. I have also gained

five (unwanted) pounds! Yikes!

Let us know how you are doing when you are home recovering. You might be

ready for shopping this weekend, as your doctor said, but I needed a

good week at home. I was much better by the second week and I did,

indeed, go shopping. Also, if you can get your doctor to approve 3 weeks

off, go for it!

Take care,

Pam

lindwood@... wrote:

>

> oddly enough, I'm not afraid at all. I'm just ready to get it over

> with. I feel strangely peaceful about it...ready to just be on the

> other side of it. These posts have helped a lot. But I also feel

> like

> my doctor expects good results and have faith in him. That certainly

> helps. Thanks.

>

> WHat do you do for a living? I'm an artist and a children's art

> teacher.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Pam. I know I will have a morphine pump, and I will have

antinausea stuff. He said people get sick when they take too much of

the narcotics, but he won't let me get sick. I think there is no nasal

tube, but I'm not POSITIVE. I seem to recall that he does some sort of

check on the patency of the patrial wrap during surgery....fills my

stomach with water and turns me upside down to check for leaks while I'm

still under. It all sounds so bizarre...my surgery will also be done

with me tilted to almost standing position on the table...he said that

way your internal organs drop down with gravity and he likes it that way

because your legs are not bent for two hours in stirrups...less risk of

clots. He said it's a little harder on his back to operate from that

position, but he thinks his patients fare better. Sounds innovative,

but he's head of noninvasive abdominal and chest surgery at Baylor, so

I'm believing he's good. He does 90 percent of the Methodist hospital's

achalasia surgeries. I'll let you know. Sorry you had to go through

all that post op spasm...I have my fingers crossed that I don't have

that, as you have seen in just about every post, but i'm sorta trying to

prepare for it, just in case. He tells me I won't have them. How he

can know is beyond me.

[Guest guest]

Dear : Don't worry too much about the nasal tube. I was willing to put

off the surgery because I dreaded the NOSE TUBE and I confided about it to my

OB/GYN during one visit and he chuckled and said when he was in med school he

and his buddies would practice sticking the nose tube on each other before

they had to do it as a test and he said it was a breeze. So when it came

down to it, the image of him as a nerdy med student and his buddies sticking

the tube up their noses made ME chuckle so I was relaxed and it wasn't so

bad, in fact kinda interesting. I'm so grateful I live in a country where I

can find good medical care that saved my life. Hang in there! Good luck!

Warmest regards, Elena

[Guest guest]

Hi Pierre,

Well, it's hard to say. I guess it all depends on the severity of your

situation. I've had three of them. The first actually worked for 2 days and

the second and third didn't do anything, so I chose the Myotomy. But at the

same time, I've heard success stories of them lasting for months, so I think

it's worth a shot if you indeed have Achalasia.

-

>>> pierre.ducroit@... 12/02/01 11:04AM >>>

hello to all.

i would like to ask a question to everybody in here?does ballons

dilation last for a while if it is so how much time?

ballon dilation are better for normal acahlsia rather taht vigourous

achalsia?

i will thank you for your prompt reply cause i am scared to dead to

do something to my oesopagus like a ballon dilation and that it would

not work.

thank you in advance your friend

Pierre

[Guest guest]

Pierre, I had a balloon dilation done a year ago and it helped me

tremendously. My swallowing problems are slowly starting to get worse

again, but are still MUCH better than they were before the procedure. The

only result of the dilation I didn't like was that I started having acid

reflux -- so now I take medication for that and can't lie down after eating.

If you are able to look back through older postings, many people write in

about their experiences with dilations, so you might want to try to read

through some of those. Also, there is a web site called pubmed:

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

where you can research articles about achalasia and balloon dilations. Some

articles will tell you about researched rate of effectiveness after 1, 2 and

3 dilations.

Good luck,

>From: " Davies " <daviespa@...>

>Reply-achalasia

><achalasia >

>Subject: Re: dilation

>Date: Mon, 03 Dec 2001 09:09:40 -0800

>

>Hi Pierre,

>Well, it's hard to say. I guess it all depends on the severity of your

>situation. I've had three of them. The first actually worked for 2 days

>and the second and third didn't do anything, so I chose the Myotomy. But

>at the same time, I've heard success stories of them lasting for months, so

>I think it's worth a shot if you indeed have Achalasia.

>

>-

>

>

> >>> pierre.ducroit@... 12/02/01 11:04AM >>>

>hello to all.

>i would like to ask a question to everybody in here?does ballons

>dilation last for a while if it is so how much time?

>ballon dilation are better for normal acahlsia rather taht vigourous

>achalsia?

>i will thank you for your prompt reply cause i am scared to dead to

>do something to my oesopagus like a ballon dilation and that it would

>not work.

>thank you in advance your friend

>Pierre

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

If the nasal tube is anything like the manometry test tube I can't

imagine how people could stand it! I was gagging constantly and felt

so awful for a few hours afterward.

But I did work in a nursing home and we had a few residents on NG

tubes and they were fine - didn't seem to bother them. Perhaps that

tube is smaller? Now that I'm thinking of it, I recall that tube

being very small in diameter. I think the manometry tube was bigger.

Speaking of tubes, did you have to have a catheter?

> Dear : Don't worry too much about the nasal tube. I was

willing to put

> off the surgery because I dreaded the NOSE TUBE and I confided

about it to my

> OB/GYN during one visit and he chuckled and said when he was in med

school he

> and his buddies would practice sticking the nose tube on each other

before

> they had to do it as a test and he said it was a breeze. So when

it came

> down to it, the image of him as a nerdy med student and his buddies

sticking

> the tube up their noses made ME chuckle so I was relaxed and it

wasn't so

> bad, in fact kinda interesting. I'm so grateful I live in a country

where I

> can find good medical care that saved my life. Hang in there! Good

luck!

> Warmest regards, Elena

[Guest guest]

I feel so sorry for those technicians who give you the manometry...I

threw up all over mine....albeit water, I got her good!

[Guest guest]

,

Although scary, you'll be fine. I know its not been an easy time for you so try and relax as much as you can prior to the procedure.

Give me a ring if you want to chat either over the weekend or next week before/after it {Or both!}

Chris

Plymouth UK

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for the response.

I decided to have the balloon dilation before considering the

surgery. I am looking for some type of relief, so I am anxious yet

excited at the same time.

May I ask how old you are, and how long you have had achalasia?

Are you symptom free now?

> Hey kiddo,

> The balloon D works differently with each idividual.

> I had better luck with the Botox injections myself.

> I tried every option first.

> I know it is not easy,but

> Don't rush into surgery, unless you are sure...............

> ....Try not to panic.... ok

> One day at a time seems to be the general attitude here.

> Your choices are what counts right now.

> Take it easy.

> Second opinions are really good....(bon)

> good luck mon amee

> nfd44

[Guest guest]

>

> Hello All.....

>

> Is there anybody out there who can tell me what to expect concerning

> dilation? I have the procedure scheduled for April 5th, and I would

> love to hear from someone about the healing time, and pain factor.

> Thanks so much

[Guest guest]

> .When I had my dilation, the doctor used a hard rubber tube of

differant sizes. .I was under a light sedation and did not feel any

pain durning are after the delation.The delation never seemed to work

for very long for me.--Good luck--Nell

> Hello All.....

>

> Is there anybody out there who can tell me what to expect concerning

> dilation? I have the procedure scheduled for April 5th, and I would

> love to hear from someone about the healing time, and pain factor.

> Thanks so much

[Guest guest]

DIlations are very easy.. It should be an out patient thing and you should have no real restrictions after it has been done.

in Suffolk

[Guest guest]

Dilation's are not to bad I am 27 and have had at least 20 of them

that is both before and after doing the heller myotomy. they put you

under light sedation a mix of versed phentnyl and a third drug can't

remember the name I think it's phenagren not sure though the

procedure takes no more then 20 minutes normally then they just wait

for you to come out of it good luck to you I normally get about if

I'm lucky 1 month's worth of relief before my symptoms come back we

are all different so we all take different good luck to you and

don't be scared to ask about anything here I have noticed everyone

is open and honest I am still new to the group but so grateful to

have found it. Tamara from Utah- In

achalasia , " corriellyn " <corriellyn@y...> wrote:

>

> Thank you so much for the response.

>

> I decided to have the balloon dilation before considering the

> surgery. I am looking for some type of relief, so I am anxious

yet

> excited at the same time.

>

> May I ask how old you are, and how long you have had achalasia?

>

> Are you symptom free now?

>

>

>

>

> > Hey kiddo,

> > The balloon D works differently with each idividual.

> > I had better luck with the Botox injections myself.

> > I tried every option first.

> > I know it is not easy,but

> > Don't rush into surgery, unless you are sure...............

> > ....Try not to panic.... ok

> > One day at a time seems to be the general attitude here.

> > Your choices are what counts right now.

> > Take it easy.

> > Second opinions are really good....(bon)

> > good luck mon amee

> > nfd44

[Guest guest]

I am sorry you have had to have so much done to your body. That must be horrible. I wonder if there is something homeopathic that can help.

Thanks again for the explanationTamara <tmrwasden@...> wrote:

Dilation's are not to bad I am 27 and have had at least 20 of them that is both before and after doing the heller myotomy. they put you under light sedation a mix of versed phentnyl and a third drug can't remember the name I think it's phenagren not sure though the procedure takes no more then 20 minutes normally then they just wait for you to come out of it good luck to you I normally get about if I'm lucky 1 month's worth of relief before my symptoms come back we are all different so we all take different good luck to you and don't be scared to ask about anything here I have noticed everyone is open and honest I am still new to the group but so grateful to have found it. Tamara from Utah- In achalasia , "corriellyn" <corriellyn@y...> wrote:> > Thank you so much for the response.> > I

decided to have the balloon dilation before considering the > surgery. I am looking for some type of relief, so I am anxious yet > excited at the same time.> > May I ask how old you are, and how long you have had achalasia?> > Are you symptom free now?> > > > > > Hey kiddo, > > The balloon D works differently with each idividual.> > I had better luck with the Botox injections myself.> > I tried every option first.> > I know it is not easy,but> > Don't rush into surgery, unless you are sure...............> > ....Try not to panic.... ok> > One day at a time seems to be the general attitude here.> > Your choices are what counts right now.> > Take it easy.> > Second opinions are really

good....(bon)> > good luck mon amee> > nfd44__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Corriellyn,

There are basically two kinds of dilatation. The one kind is done with a

stiff rubber 'bouge' and they insert bigger and bigger sizes in after the

other - the aim is to stretch the muscle of the sphincter (LES)(valve). This

type is not always very successful for long.

For successful dilatation for achalasia they have to do a balloon dilatation

and aim to tear the muscle of the LES so that it will not contract again.

They use different size balloons. The balloon is positioned inside of the

LES and then inflated till they feel the muscle give. (Someone has a nice

picture of this - I forgot to save it)

They give you a sedative through an intravenous line- called conscious

sedation - where you are asleep and don't remember anything but you can

co-operate with instructions. You should no drive a car afterwards so

arrange for someone to fetch you. Usually you don't feel anything

afterwards, but sometimes you may feel a bit of an ache. You should be able

to eat soft stuff immediately and then go onto other things.

There is a small chance that they might perforate the oesophagus in which

case you will be kept in hospital till that is fixed. Some doctors insist on

a barium x-ray afterwards to make sure there is no perforation.

They recommend that one should not have more than two or at the most three

of these type of dilatations because the chances of perforation rises with

each dilatation

Dilatation also makes myotomy more difficult because of scar tissue that

forms at the tear.

Please don't hesitate to ask questions if you don't understand anything.

Joan

Dilation

>

>

> Hello All.....

>

> Is there anybody out there who can tell me what to expect concerning

> dilation? I have the procedure scheduled for April 5th, and I would

> love to hear from someone about the healing time, and pain factor.

> Thanks so much

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you Joan.

I am having the balloon type. I was just unsure as to why the

doctor told me to pack a bag just in case I stay the night in the

hospital. He was saying it can be quite painful, or bleed. Have

you had this procedure? Did it work? For how long?

Thanks again for everything

-- In achalasia , " Joan Pearse " <jpearse@p...> wrote:

> Hi Corriellyn,

> There are basically two kinds of dilatation. The one kind is done

with a

> stiff rubber 'bouge' and they insert bigger and bigger sizes in

after the

> other - the aim is to stretch the muscle of the sphincter (LES)

(valve). This

> type is not always very successful for long.

> For successful dilatation for achalasia they have to do a balloon

dilatation

> and aim to tear the muscle of the LES so that it will not contract

again.

> They use different size balloons. The balloon is positioned inside

of the

> LES and then inflated till they feel the muscle give. (Someone has

a nice

> picture of this - I forgot to save it)

> They give you a sedative through an intravenous line- called

conscious

> sedation - where you are asleep and don't remember anything but

you can

> co-operate with instructions. You should no drive a car afterwards

so

> arrange for someone to fetch you. Usually you don't feel anything

> afterwards, but sometimes you may feel a bit of an ache. You

should be able

> to eat soft stuff immediately and then go onto other things.

> There is a small chance that they might perforate the oesophagus

in which

> case you will be kept in hospital till that is fixed. Some doctors

insist on

> a barium x-ray afterwards to make sure there is no perforation.

> They recommend that one should not have more than two or at the

most three

> of these type of dilatations because the chances of perforation

rises with

> each dilatation

> Dilatation also makes myotomy more difficult because of scar

tissue that

> forms at the tear.

> Please don't hesitate to ask questions if you don't understand

anything.

> Joan

> Dilation

>

>

> >

> >

> > Hello All.....

> >

> > Is there anybody out there who can tell me what to expect

concerning

> > dilation? I have the procedure scheduled for April 5th, and I

would

> > love to hear from someone about the healing time, and pain

factor.

> > Thanks so much

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Corri,

I have had the procedure with about 80% improvement. It lasted for 6 months

and then slowly deteriorated. I am still not as bad as I was before - that

is about 18 months now.

Joan

Dilation

>>

>>

>> >

>> >

>> > Hello All.....

>> >

>> > Is there anybody out there who can tell me what to expect

> concerning

>> > dilation? I have the procedure scheduled for April 5th, and I

> would

>> > love to hear from someone about the healing time, and pain

> factor.

>> > Thanks so much

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

>> >

[Guest guest]

Thank you Joan.

> >> Hi Corriellyn,

> >> There are basically two kinds of dilatation. The one kind is

done

> > with a

> >> stiff rubber 'bouge' and they insert bigger and bigger sizes in

> > after the

> >> other - the aim is to stretch the muscle of the sphincter (LES)

> > (valve). This

> >> type is not always very successful for long.

> >> For successful dilatation for achalasia they have to do a

balloon

> > dilatation

> >> and aim to tear the muscle of the LES so that it will not

contract

> > again.

> >> They use different size balloons. The balloon is positioned

inside

> > of the

> >> LES and then inflated till they feel the muscle give. (Someone

has

> > a nice

> >> picture of this - I forgot to save it)

> >> They give you a sedative through an intravenous line- called

> > conscious

> >> sedation - where you are asleep and don't remember anything but

> > you can

> >> co-operate with instructions. You should no drive a car

afterwards

> > so

> >> arrange for someone to fetch you. Usually you don't feel

anything

> >> afterwards, but sometimes you may feel a bit of an ache. You

> > should be able

> >> to eat soft stuff immediately and then go onto other things.

> >> There is a small chance that they might perforate the oesophagus

> > in which

> >> case you will be kept in hospital till that is fixed. Some

doctors

> > insist on

> >> a barium x-ray afterwards to make sure there is no perforation.

> >> They recommend that one should not have more than two or at the

> > most three

> >> of these type of dilatations because the chances of perforation

> > rises with

> >> each dilatation

> >> Dilatation also makes myotomy more difficult because of scar

> > tissue that

> >> forms at the tear.

> >> Please don't hesitate to ask questions if you don't understand

> > anything.

> >> Joan

> >> Dilation

> >>

> >>

> >> >

> >> >

> >> > Hello All.....

> >> >

> >> > Is there anybody out there who can tell me what to expect

> > concerning

> >> > dilation? I have the procedure scheduled for April 5th, and I

> > would

> >> > love to hear from someone about the healing time, and pain

> > factor.

> >> > Thanks so much

> >> >

> >> >

> >> >

> >> >

> >> >

> >> >

> >> >

> >> >

[Guest guest]

Carri insist that you be given enough medication for you to be 'asleep' and

no feel pain. You should not need to feel anything while they are doing it.

If they won't then go somewhere else. It will only bleed if there is a

perforation, but the torn muscle can be bruised and that will ache for a

bit.

Hugs.

Joan

Dilation

>> >>

>> >>

>> >> >

>> >> >

>> >> > Hello All.....

>> >> >

>> >> > Is there anybody out there who can tell me what to expect

>> > concerning

>> >> > dilation? I have the procedure scheduled for April 5th, and I

>> > would

>> >> > love to hear from someone about the healing time, and pain

>> > factor.

>> >> > Thanks so much

>> >> >

>> >> >

>> >> >

>> >> >

>> >> >

>> >> >

>> >> >

>> >> >

[Guest guest]

Thanks for this information.......so I should freak out when I see blood tomorrow :-(

Dilation>> >>>> >>>> >> >>> >> >>> >> > Hello All.....>> >> >>> >> > Is there anybody out there who can tell me what to expect>> > concerning>> >> > dilation? I have the procedure scheduled for April 5th, and I>> > would>> >> > love to hear from someone about the healing time, and pain>> > factor.>> >> > Thanks so much>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >

[Guest guest]

Thank you Biancka!-- b i a n c k a -- <biancka@...> wrote:

Thanks for this information.......so I should freak out when I see blood tomorrow :-(

Dilation>> >>>> >>>> >> >>> >> >>> >> > Hello All.....>> >> >>> >> > Is there anybody out there who can tell me what to expect>>

> concerning>> >> > dilation? I have the procedure scheduled for April 5th, and I>> > would>> >> > love to hear from someone about the healing time, and pain>> > factor.>> >> > Thanks so much>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >>> >> >

[Guest guest]

Hi Tamara

I am having my dilation tomorrow. I think I am expecting some kind of miracle

cure for my symptoms, but unfortunately I know it is not.

What type of medication do they prescribe to you for the spasms?

Have you any other treatment since 95?

Thanks so much,'

Corri

Tamara <tmrwasden@...> wrote:

Hello everyone, I go in for a dilation yet again soon and was wondering

when they dilate you do they dilate the sphincter muscle right not

sure I just want to make sure. Also I wanted to add about about the

chest pains I get them alot they are no fun I had my myotomy in 95 I

am better then before that but not 100% I don't think any of us will

ever be 100% the chest pains range from mild to I'm going to die if

this pain doesn't stop but what can we do? for me water doesn't help

nor does bread each of us is different I just have to ride them out

mostly when they get really bad I take a pain pill it doesn't stop the

spasms but it shuts off the nerves so I can't fill them good luck to

all. Tamara in Utah

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