Deborah

[Guest guest]

I sympathise with you Deborah,

I too have had these embarrasing moments at too many public places. I

had tried so hard for A to not change our lives too much, but these

are unavoidable and you are not alone there.

Now I have had the myotomy, none of this happens. It is heaven.

>

>

> Oh, I knew I liked , English accent or no, because he likes

ice cream. YES! Ice cream works wonders for MY morale!

>

> And as Sandy in So. Cal. knows, I also love pastries and chocolate

cupcakes loaded with fudge frosting. Yum!

>

> What flavors of ice cream do you prefer, of Suffolk?

>

>

>

> And so, ice cream aside, I've been up and down again, as promised

by many Fellow Achalasians. I went out for dinner with my son,

, last night, and as we left the restaurant, there it was

again, that lovely need to regurge. It seems that last gulp of water

wanted to come right up and so it did, and so I forced it down

again. Charming, no?!

>

> I had too much for dinner (small piece of steak which I did not

finish, small piece of lobster tail, which I did not finish, most of

a baked potato, yes, I should have known better....)and I do believe

it was the potato that really filled up the old indominable E and

caused that gulp of H2O to fulminate and broth up, yea, verily, yea !

>

>

>

> Well, hoping lots of you can eat, swallow and be satisfied by your

own dinners,

>

>

>

> Deborah, at the beach

>

[Guest guest]

I would get surgery as soon as possible. It is so much better just being able to eat with your family and not have to run to the bathroom. I stopped eating out too until my surgery and now I can sit and enjoy a nice meal out. You feel less stressed and more relaxed cause you do not have to worry if you need to run to the sink or bathroom every bite. I would get surgery as soon as possible.

in Suffolk

[Guest guest]

Hi Deborah Sorry to hear you think you might have the flu. I was ill just after getting home following surgery, and thought something was related to the procedure. When I called the surgeon's office they said it was flu. Debbi posted that it was related to a virus that had closed a school here so they could decontaminate. From my perspective, it was just miserable. Hope you feel better very soon. It sounds like you really enjoyed your sister and her husband coming to help you. With their help and your new puppies, you must be on the fast track to recovery. Keep us posted. Jo Deborah Lattimore <deborah_Lattimore@...> wrote: Hola, from the Beach, Those

guys have been out there again, filming something as per usual. I drove my car up the hill here, went to the Pharmacy with my sister, who has now left town for her home again, and then back home and it was pretty fatiguing but not too much. But today? And I did barely a thing this weekend, I am suffering from chest pains, spasms, breathing pain and heavier fatigue. At first I thought it might be related to the VAT post-op and that I'd over done something or other, but I am beginning to think I've got the 24 hour flu. Don't ask me how I think that, but, irk, and blurp, I do. Chicken soup, soda, water, sleeping too much, and waiting it out, oh, how jolly....If those guys at the beach are filming "ER" or some other doctor show, I might even slob my way down there in my bathrobe and see if I can get paid for just being

myself. After all, it's California, ain't it?! Have soup, will shuffle, Deborah, at the beach

Brings words and photos together (easily) with PhotoMail - it's free and works with .

[Guest guest]

I am so glad you have your new ish Terriers, and would love to

see a picture. You sound like you are walking on air! Is it all due

to your new friends? I imagine part of it is due to the change

brought on by the surgery. You said you had some sticking. About 9

days after surgery when I couldn't swallow water, I reacted with

disbelief, then was reminded by the group that the surgery was not a

cure, and did not make a difference in the ability to swallow. It is

a tough lesson that we all have to learn. Keep walking that beach

and chasing your new additions to your household!

Jo

>

> Dear Quincia,

>

> I really felt it when you said you had a piece of

chicken at the bottom

> of your LES. Eek! I am guessing, after reading your post, that

I have

> experienced something quite like that, pre-VAT myotomy. I was

incapable

> of getting anything down, and water came right back up via my

nostrils.

> Very attractive. Must add that image to a new book on unusual

fountains.

> But after a few hours, I got some water down. But you! Oh!

You just

> had it to the max. I send sympathies and hopes that your

progress with

> this lovely Achalasia goes well and that your health improves,

whichever

> road you chose in terms of treatment.

>

> Dear ,

>

> Congratulations on getting yourself back! Wish

I'd lost another

> 9 lbs.! I guess I've got to give up ice cream now. Phooey!

> I, too, have had the lightheadedness and stomach

aches and

> the side pain, where these guys went in (I had a VAT myotomy on

the

> 25th of January, Cedars-Sinai, Bev. Hills) and I am still

coughing at

> night. What's that all about, I wonder?

> I see my surgeon today, Dr. Fuller, and

I'm going to be

> very interested to hear about where I am with this thingie

called Achalasia.

> I actually had some sticking in my throat last night and I have

small waves

> of nausea during the day, enough of them to wonder why.

> Can you sneeze? I couldn't get enough air in my

lungs to sneeze.

> In fact, my chest would just " stop " at a certain point and the

sneezing-need

> would vanish. I just couldn't do it. In the last few days,

however, I can now

> sneeze and cough without very much pain or lung aches. Good!

How about

> you?

> Hope you (and I ) feel better and better and

better. I am self-

> employed and need to get back to making income. But my fatigue

factor

> has been a real impediment. I think I'll allow myself to do

some errands

> this weekend, stroll as much as I want to, push the walking a

bit more,

> keep those Tri-Flow balls in the air and write a work plan so

that on Monday

> next I can get back up to where I used to be and then some.

>

> And Dear Everyone Out There,

>

> Hope you are all doing well. Jo, Sandy, Sandi,

Maggie, Ann,

> (I want to meet with the Philharmonic to see as if I can

conduct Mahler's

> 10th and perhaps add on Adam's 'The Chairman Dances',

simply because

> I love it so much), , , , everyone! sorry, but

sometimes I just

> can't seem to get all the names. I guess I need to write up a

list. AND SO I

> SHALL!!!

>

> The Best of Swallows to you all! Deborah, at the

beach, now with TWO

> BABY SCOTTISH TERRIERS to keep me company! Oh, but they are

beautiful!

> And MAN-OH-MAN !!!, do they ever keep me hopping! But, THAT'S

GOOD!!!

>

[Guest guest]

Deborah, I truly understand. My fatigue seemed to last forever. I am

getting much better now, but still get tired when I am on the go all

day long. In my case I think I can improve my situation with regular

exercise, so am shopping for a treadmill or gazelle (machine, not

animal). My stomach is finally doing better, I think the stomach

reacts to food because it isn't used to feeling it. I think I was

often in pain just from the weight of the food, and I know others

have posted that they could feel sensations of hot or cold reaching

the stomach post op. I know you are anxious to get back to work, but

you need to give yourself time. We are here to listen, suggest, and

share.

Jo

>

> Hello, Fellow Achalasians,

>

> I've been going through sweats and fatigue something

fierce for several days now. Had my VAT on the 25th of Jan. and I

know I'm getting better. But I realize I just can't go to my gym and

work out. I'm utterly exhausted. I seem to go up and then back

down. I have energy for several hours and then I'm just flat out

for hours. Does

> this sound normal for 3 weeks post-op?

> Also, my stomach is not happy. I am having stomach

pain frequently. I feel very hungry, so I eat a little something

(this morning I had a small amount of cottage cheese and applesauce)

and with the last bite, I felt cramping and pain in my stomach.

Dinner tonight was just the same. Eat a small amount, then stomach

pain, I mean = it hurts, all over, and then I just don't feel like

eating any more. And I am

> having nausea, too. And sometimes whatever it is that I either

drank or ate seems to slide back up my throat.

> Dr. Fuller said that I'd start feeling more energized

and just better in general in anywhere from 5 to 6 weeks post-op.

So far I have cancelled two out-of-town events

> because I can't be certain I'd have the physical energy to get

through them. I've got

> a week-long event coming up in March and I can't miss it. I've

also got another

> out-of-town job coming up about a week after that. So I've

decided to return to

> drinking Ensure so that I can stand taking in anything in the

mornings.

> I really hope this stomach pain and nausea fades away

quickly. And the crummy fatigue, too. I would love to return to

French foil fencing and spend more time

> at my gym, too. It would be so lovely if this could be my new

beginning, new health, more good work to get done, and MAYBE EVEN A

DOGGONE LOVE LIFE!

> Not that I've got anything against having an evening with Ralphe

Fiennes, via DVD, but, HEY! How about a man in 3-D! (no other

remarks necessary here, time being....)

>

> Up with Swallowing! Deborah, at the

beach

>

[Guest guest]

-Thanks for your thought Deb,

I am having less chest pains this week but am pretty tired and weary.

Can't seem to get rid of that. I know I am doing too much but am trying

to change things so I can rest more. It's not easy with my husband

away. Once I have been at work all I want to do is go to bed. It is not

an option though when you have kids. I am lucky they both help out a

lot. Tamara has been going and doing the groceries shopping for me too.

It's great when they get their license. I love it.

I had all my blood tests come back. All was clear.

Regards

-- In achalasia , Deborah Lattimore

<deborah_Lattimore@...> wrote:

>

> Dear ,

>

> I am hoping that you are feeling better and better, eh?

This Achalasian journey

> can be up, down, tricky, tiring, amazing, sometimes even funny, but

it's different,

> all right. Hope you are coming along very well.

>

> Dear ,

>

> How are you? You've had quite a time! Hope you are

feeling a lot better

> by now, too.

> all best, Deborah

>

[Guest guest]

While you are out and about, you might think about trying Vinnie's

suggestion of a supplimental powder to mix in yogurt or some other

food/drink. I want to try it because I could really use the energy,

and you said that is an issue for you as well. Also, don't forget

your laptop. I am so glad the hotels have wireless connections. I

stayed plugged in to the group while I was away for my business

meeting. I know you will miss your puppies. I have to get dressed

because I don't think jammies qualify as proper working attire when

you have to go to the office.

Jo

>

> Hi, Jo,

>

> Thanks for your post. Right now I find myself in

pretty good shape. I was

> very concerned about my energy levels because I need to get out

there and make

> an income. When I first tried to schedule my surgery, I was

looking at some dates and book-related trips and I was scared I'd

have my VAT and then would not be

> able to work, I'd lose money, I'd lose my home and my

underpants, I'd have to buy

> a used metal detector and a used pair of Bermuda shorts and move

to the sand,

> looking for re-saleable Rolex's (if I was lucky) and old Timex's

(if I was unlucky).

> But I only had to cancel three or four things and I think my

name has not been

> sullied with those folks because I couldn't make it out there.

> I am travel ling next week and my son, Nick, will

move into my home and

> take care of the two Scot pups. They are so funny and so cute.

I wish I could

> stuff them into my luggage and just fly away with them but,

alas, I can't. I won't

> be leaving California for several months...or, rather, month, if

my trip to Florida

> comes through, and I think it will. I'll be in PA, too, for

just a little bit. I hope I can

> get back to my hotel every night early enough to recuperate for

the next go-

> round. My work schedule usually involves at least three or four

lectures and

> some meeting and greeting, a good lunch here and there, and some

in-between

> travel. It's a good job and I know I'm lucky to have it. But

sometimes I do think

> about King, writing and hiding, and it looks very tasty

to me. Of course,

> he had that incredibly horrible accident a few years ago and he

came out of it

> all with a brilliant recovery, both physical and mental. Still,

sometimes I

> think writing an hiding looks good.

> But, I need to see and meet people and GET OUT

THERE.

>

> When I was at Cedars, I was wishing I were just in

a hotel, with several friends all in their own rooms and that we

could meet in a small and cozy

> coffee spot, discuss our " recoops " and go back to bed until we

felt a lot

> better. I think Norman Cousins had it right when he went to a

motel and

> watched T.V. after he'd been diagnosed with a terminal

condition. After

> several days/weeks of 'I Love Lucy', he was completely better.

Odd, isn't it?

> I'd have chosen the Marx brothers.

>

> I hope all of you are feeling better and better.

This doggone disease

> just comes and stays, doesn't it? Lately I've discovered that I

can't reach down

> to pick up something on the floor if I've just eaten or had

coffee....it just comes

> right back up my throat and into the back of my mouth. Stuff

comes back up

> if I squeeze in my stomach for any reason (getting on those old

slacks, for

> example!) right after I've had coffee or soda, too.

>

> And about spasms: soda or popsicles help me a

lot. And lately,

> I've had only two very small spasms. So, it's good.

>

> best wishes to all of you, Deborah, in

a tin can at the beach

>

[Guest guest]

-Hi Deborah,

Wow, all those problems we had before myotomy. Lets hope you are

getting it for the only reason that you have broncitis. I have not

seen these symptoms since surgery, so I am sorry I have no ideas. Are

you getting antibiotics?

Sorry you a doing bad, hope it improves real soon.

-- In achalasia , Deborah Lattimore

<deborah_Lattimore@...> wrote:

>

> Hello, and I hope everyone is doing very well,

>

> Alas, I am regurgitating a bit now and then. It's a bit

troublesome when I need

> to keep it together, when I'm giving talks in public. ugh. But

it's the nighttime

> coughing that is getting worse. Last night was pretty bad: I've

been having a lot

> of saliva pooling up in my mouth at night and I am aspirating a

bit of it...last night

> I nearly inhaled all of it and I woke up, coughed it all out and

managed to go back

> to sleep just fine, thank you. But I now have bronchitis, have

had it heavy artillery

> for two weeks and the coughing is nasty.

> Any suggestions? I had my VAT January 25.

Swallowing is much,

> much better. Once in a while, it still just comes back up,

usually liquids.

>

> thanks, Deborah

>

[Guest guest]

--I am sorry Deborah I do think you need to get back to the doctor

staight away. Don't let it get any worse. It sounds like you are

fighting a nasty infection.

- In achalasia , Deborah Lattimore

<deborah_Lattimore@...> wrote:

>

> Hi,

>

> I started having this bronchial condition about five weeks

> post op. I just assumed it was a cold that went into

> my lungs. I've had pneumonia six times in the past

> and I'm really not interested in going there again so I

> called my M.D. twice, but she never returned my

> call. She's usually not easy to get anyway. But now

> I am wondering as if it might be better if I tried getting

> in touch with my surgeon's office because those guys

> usually respond. I think I will.

> I had a low-grade fever that went to about 102F, and

> the lung congestion actually scared me a bit. As for

> now, two weeks later, I still feel clammy, have the

> sweats and am coughing a lot, deep nasty.

> I'll try my doc's again.

> I remember, Liz, when you mentioned your aspiration

> pneumonia. I'm glad you sound as if you are over the

> worst of this.

> Thanks, you guys. Deborah

>

> achalasia wrote:

> There are 19 messages in this issue.

>

> Topics in this digest:

>

> 1. Re: acid reflux

> From: " Fitzgerald "

> 2. Cindi

> From: " Ann "

>

> 3. Re: Re: Alternate treatments

> From: Margaret

> 4. Re: acid reflux

> From: " berndarr "

> 5. After surgery - relapse

> From: " brhyer2pafc "

>

> 6. Re: After surgery - relapse

> From: muellmeris@...

> 7. Re: Alternate treatments

> From: " qqqqqq_94118 "

> 8. just checking in

> From: Deborah Lattimore

> 9. Re: just checking in

> From: " lizzie2542 "

> 10. OT - Easter customs

> From: " sue_woollett "

> 11. Re: OT - Easter customs

> From: muellmeris@...

> 12. Re: just checking in

> From: " Peggy Cordero "

>

> 13. Re: OT - Easter customs

> From: " Peggy Cordero "

>

> 14. Re: OT - Easter customs

> From: muellmeris@...

> 15. Re: Alternate treatments

> From: " Peggy Cordero "

>

> 16. Re: Alternate treatments

> From: " qqqqqq_94118 "

> 17. Re: acid reflux

> From: " qqqqqq_94118 "

> 18. Re: OT - Easter customs

> From: " toomuchclutter "

> 19. Re: just checking in

> From: holt-smith@...

>

>

>

______________________________________________________________________

__

>

______________________________________________________________________

__

>

> Message: 1

> Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2006 10:05:43 -0600

> From: " Fitzgerald "

> Subject: Re: acid reflux

>

> Do you sleep on raised or wedge pillow if not you might look into

it. I use

> a wedge pillow that raises my upper body about 14 " , I use a regular

pillow

> on top of the wedgy.

> Ed

>

>

> > hello all!

> >

> > i'm new to this group. i've been up for about 5 hours with mind

> > numbing and painful acid reflux. i had a myotomy over two years

ago

> > and it's helped tremendously with my swallowing. the only draw

back is

> > the acid reflux associated with the procedure. does anyone else

out

> > there have this problem? i'm on a daily dose of nexium 40mg and

i've

> > tried taking pepto and maylox to help take the edge off the acid

reflux

> > pain with no success. the only thing that helps is throwing up but

> > that's a bit difficult when your esophogus doesn't work. this

happens

> > about once or twice a month and it's very painful and exhausting,

as it

> > usually comes on at midnight and won't stop till after 4 or 5 am.

any

> > suggestions or home remedies would help. i try and eat dinner

early

> > and stay away from spicey and high fat. i hope someone out there

can

> > help.

> >

> > thanks,

> > bern in el paso, texas

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Deborah

Since my surgery in 2002 I’ve

had two dilations. Prior to each I had problems with bread and

meat. After this last stretch I periodically have problems still. Sometimes

it bothers me and sometimes it doesn’t! As you say “I can

manage”. I know where your coming from. I’m trying to

stay away from the doc as long as possible! I only have one stretch left

then on to other options as my doc says. So I’m trying to make it

last as long as I can.

C Warren

Co-Founder

www.achalasia.us

From: achalasia

[mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of mike in WI

Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 8:52 AM

achalasia

Subject: Deborah

I think a little regression post-op is somewhat

normal. It is my understanding that a dilatation seems to work better

after surgery - I suppose because the muscle has already been

compromised.

" However, I have noticed

that if I eat small amounts, eat slowly, forget

about bread, meat, and a few

other things (as in my days pre-op),

I can manage "

I know about the small amounts and the eating slowly, but

since the dilatation, I've been able to eat most anything. Hamburgers

(bread and meat!) are a staple! Perhaps all you require at this point is

a little stretching. I was worried about the procedure before having it

done, but like some others here have stated, it's really 'a piece of

cake'. Best of luck to you!

mike in WI

Want to be your own boss? Learn how on

Small Business.

[Guest guest]

Dear Lovely English Ann, Did you say the word "porker"? I LOVE PORK. And now that I've pretty much given up on beef, jeezeFaDammnitt, (love beef, love beef, roast beef, prime rib mostly rare, filets, yum), PORK has become my MEAT of choice. For one thing, it's got its own grease mechanism. I cook it in a pan with herbs and salt and pepper, cover it over with a lid, let the buggar simmer, and then gobble it up. For another thing, pork the way I buy it is in thinnish slices and the flavor, oh, my !, the Flavor is mighty strong. Love it. And to help it go down, a lovely serving of applesauce. double-yum. And yes, I've been having a bad time with this jazz lately. But I

think I am finding my own rhythm. (I suspect we all have to do that.) So, mine includes: keeping myself as stress-free as poss. (don't let the world news get me, literally, into a foam; there's a lot going on in our world and most of it either makes me very angry, while feeling impotent about it=great combination, ain't it?, or it

just depresses me and I find myself tense all over) meditation, I'm getting better and better at it all the time learning how to eat, when to eat and what to eat; for example, warm oatmeal in the a.m. (fiber, soft, tastey with brown sugar on it, and in a week or so, I fully intend to go to the local Brit. shop and pick up some clotted cream for it ! Hurrah!) sodas, coffee, tea, sodas, more sodas, some water, sparkling water is the best soft vegetables (spinach souffle anyone?), carrot sticks in small quantities, salads in small quantities, cooked- down yellow squash with heaps of butter (yum!) soft fruits we've already mentioned the pork chops..... and soft, sauteed fish, ground up turkey, eggs, cooked beans, lentils, some paneer and creamy spinach--which, by the way, reminds me: there seems to be a very good connec- tion between curry and cutting back on those almyloid placques that cause Alzheimer's...so, UP WITH CURRY! AND ICE CREAM, mit schlagg! Oh, I really do love food. And now? For a walk with my ish terrier pups, and Lizzie, while the weather is

warm, balmy, salty sea air and a cuppa jo right before we go! happy cheer! (is there any other kind, she asked herself?!) Deborah

[Guest guest]

Anita:

Did you have GERD prior to your surgery? I don't have it and don't want it after surgery - guess it's a chance I have to take.

Thanks. Tammy

Deborah

I also have Barrett's Esophagus and Gerd. I go once a year for an endoscopy with Dr. Richter to make sure it's not getting worse.Anita from Pa.

Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? Check out

new cars at Autos.

[Guest guest]

I'm glad you asked the questions as I am new here too adn am just a little overwhelmed yet. I don't even know for sure what questions I need to ask. So, Thank you for asking...the answers will be helpful for me too.

Diane (MI)...For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart. Matt 12:34

**SPAM** New, hello and a few questions please?

Hi, I have been reading some of the posts for a little while now and find them very very helpful. Steph, you are so generous with your time and trouble. Thank you.I'm still trying to understand all of this as I am now 99.9% certain my health problems are hypothyroid and probably hypoadrenal. I am 57 and have had severe stress most of my life. I am finally in a place in life with low stress so am able to realise just how much stress I was under and thought was just how life was! I have nearly all the symptoms/signs of swelling, undue weight gain, muscle pains, poor physical stamina, exhaustion, depression and more recently feeling the cold terribly. This is not my natural self and I'm shocked how far I have gone downhill (out of ignorance). People, including my GP, have said I should diet and take exercise. My diet has been pretty good (my family are all slender on exactly the same foods of often less quantity) and movement has been agony. A well-known Ayurvedic physician told me years ago that my thyroid and kidneys were low in energy and that was before these symptoms took hold! I have started with Lugol's 6 drops 2x daily plus a wealth of plant-based supplements (siberian ginseng, chlorella, spirulina, brazil nuts for selenium and magnesium, etc) and adapted my eating as per suggestions here. Next step will be to get a water distiller. I have switched to celtic sea salt, but not done the salt water solution. Should I be doing this and is it 1/2 tsp in 1/2 pint warm water followed by more clear water?After just 10 days the difference has been remarkable. My energy is showing glimmerings of return. I feel like an old junk car that someone has finally managed to get the engine to turn over. It is spluttering and stalling, but at least it IS running for a bit. This alone makes me want to cry with joy. The muscle pains are greatly r educed. However, I am doing this very much 'in the dark' as it were. I am in the UK and do not know whether I have access to some of the diagnostic tests that you talk about on here or doctors who work in this way. I will not go to my National Health GP over this as he will not accept any of this information and he will insist I do all the 'let's try this drug for symptomatic relief' conveyor belt first and I just do not want to go that route. It is also difficult to go to private doctors as that would require a referral from my GP. Does anyone know how or where I might get the necessary blood tests or find an iodine-aware doctor in the UK? Also, I noticed that Lugol's does not always seem to be Lugol's. Some says it is for laboratory use only. Do you think that is just a legal wording or is it unsuitable for oral use? This is the information on it: One litre of solution contains Iodine 10g Potassium iodide 20g. Is that of use? The Lugol's I'm using is 5% Iodine and 7% Potassium iodide, but I see that others run at 2% Iodine. Sorry for all the questions in one go. I have been trying to understand this all enough to know what questions I have! I really believe this information may be a profound life changing event. Thank you again.Deborah, Oxfordshire, UK