New to this site

[Guest guest]

Dear Michele,

I thought I should answer you since I just had a manometry test today. My tech was some one just off the street that the university trained to do this test. Fortunately, he had done several years of them before today. Firstly, he put me on a liquid diet the day before the test and nothing past midnite the night before. Also, I was instructed to not take the calcium channel blockers 2-5 days before the test. He sprayed a local pain killer in the nostril and told me to swallow the drips going down the throat. Next he took a flexible swab and coated the inside and as far back as it would go with a lubricant. Next he did it again to regrease me. It was not pleasant but it was important for me to be diagnosed. After the test he showed me some results of other A's and compared them with mine. (he probably did this as I was a RN and he had ignored my 12 previous phone calls when I had waited 6 weeks to get an appointment) It was something that I could do again if I was willing to do my very best with a tech doing his very best!!

My results showed a problem with my LES spincter but nothing else of great abnormality.

I do not know if I am just starting with this and it will get worse or whether the problem that I had was induced by an increase of my statin drug Zoclor. My symptoms have been just like the people on the site. So, I still do not know what I have or the outcome.

I am going to continue to focus on my general health and exercise program kind of like "Rocky". Also, I have an appointment in June with the chief of GI department at our local university.

I will always be grateful to all of you for all of your sharing. When I was doing public vomiting I was at a loss as to what this could be and all of you gave me such understanding. No one else in my life had a clue as to what this was like.

All of you with all the uniqueness in each of your contributions are priceless!!

beth martin

[Guest guest]

Dear Sandy,

I am not saying goodbye as I am not so sure that I do not have A. I may just be beginning and because I am a nurse and I stay on top of things. Also, almost everyone in my family has cancer I am especially a nut about getting everything checked out. 6 out of 7 of my father's siblings had different types of cancer and 2 out of 3 sibblings of my mother have cancer. A cousin had hodkins and my sister has colon cancer. I have read A is a precurser to having cancer due to the abuse that the E gets. So, I am feeling MOST Lucky thanks to you wonderful people that I may be just getting this. My LES spincter today was abnormal on the manometry test.

I think it is really something that all of you are constantly trying to improve your support group and reorganizing to make it even better . Again, you are amazing!!!

[Guest guest]

Dear Beth,

Your message sounded like goodbye, surely not. We hate to loose

anyone even those who wander in and get a different diagnosis.

Stay with us.

Amy,where are you, maybe you can meet one of us in person. I've had

the pleasure of speaking to a few of you on the phone and even that

is a release because I hear the little cough and the pauses others

have that I have as I wait for the saliva to pass what must be the

bronchi. Not sure, but seems like we need a clearing breath every

once in a while, and that occasional cough, even while sitting is

there.

Here I am lecturing again... Amy, you mentioned getting what I guess

is the digest in your email. If you like, you can go to the

achalasia website home page, click on edit my membership, on the

right hand side, then click to not get any emails, just come to the

website to read them, or do both. The main idea is you can edit how

you receive our ramblings.

Also on the left hand side is the database with the doctor database

and other databases. Please please add your doctor for other people

who may be even too shy to post. Add your name even if someone else

put that doctor in first.

If anyone knows how, it would be nice if we had a file or database

where we gave our achalasia history with symptoms etc. I'm not sure

how to do it nicely. I've peeked at other online help groups and

there will be a posting from individuals with their history, they

come back and update it when there are changes. Seems like new

members really like to read that stuff and we old timers sometimes

quit posting our symptoms and histories. Anyone know how to do it?

And the map?

Done.

Tania where are you? What are you doing? What is your next

appointment, you need to let us know. LOL.

Sandy in So Cal

> Dear Michele,

> I thought I should answer you since I just had a manometry test

today. My

> tech was some one just off the street that the university trained

to do this

> test. Fortunately, he had done several years of them before today.

Firstly, he

> put me on a liquid diet the day before the test and nothing past

midnite the

> night before. Also, I was instructed to not take the calcium

channel blockers

> 2-5 days before the test. He sprayed a local pain killer in the

nostril and

> told me to swallow the drips going down the throat. Next he took a

flexible

> swab and coated the inside and as far back as it would go with a

lubricant.

> Next he did it again to regrease me. It was not pleasant but it

was important

> for me to be diagnosed. After the test he showed me some results

of other A's

> and compared them with mine. (he probably did this as I was a RN

and he had

> ignored my 12 previous phone calls when I had waited 6 weeks to

get an

> appointment) It was something that I could do again if I was

willing to do my very

> best with a tech doing his very best!!

> My results showed a problem with my LES spincter but nothing else

of great

> abnormality.

> I do not know if I am just starting with this and it will get worse

or

> whether the problem that I had was induced by an increase of my

statin drug

> Zoclor. My symptoms have been just like the people on the site. So,

I still do not

> know what I have or the outcome.

> I am going to continue to focus on my general health and exercise

program

> kind of like " Rocky " . Also, I have an appointment in June with the

chief of GI

> department at our local university.

> I will always be grateful to all of you for all of your sharing.

When I was

> doing public vomiting I was at a loss as to what this could be and

all of you

> gave me such understanding. No one else in my life had a clue as to

what this

> was like.

> All of you with all the uniqueness in each of your contributions

are

> priceless!!

> beth martin

[Guest guest]

:

I am awaiting treatment and I am taking a calcium channel blocker called

diltiazem (Cardizem) -- I am taking 90 mg twice per day with pretty good

symptom relief, backed off to 45 mg in AM and 90 in PM during non-stressful

periods, 90 mg three times per day when most stressful, with MD approval.

The more I can keep the dosage low and still eat I do, and then as you, use

more medication within the allowable dose for stressful times or special

occasions. Titrating down needs to be slow, or symptoms rebound. Not

perfect, but at least LES opens under significant water encouragement. I am

buying time til insurance troubles are worked through.

Hope this information is helpful to those who haven't tried some medication

support,

Peggy

> >

[Guest guest]

From: Joan Pearse

achalasia

Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 8:22 PM

Subject: Re: Re: New to this site

Hi Beth,

Sorry I missed your original post but welcome from another nurse !

If it eases your mind - the incidence of cancer following Achalasia is very low.

Welcome and do stay and give us the benefit of your experience as you progress toward definitive diagnosis.

Joan

Johannesburg

South Africa

Re: Re: New to this site

Dear Sandy,

I am not saying goodbye as I am not so sure that I do not have A. I may just be beginning and because I am a nurse and I stay on top of things. Also, almost everyone in my family has cancer I am especially a nut about getting everything checked out. 6 out of 7 of my father's siblings had different types of cancer and 2 out of 3 sibblings of my mother have cancer. A cousin had hodkins and my sister has colon cancer. I have read A is a precurser to having cancer due to the abuse that the E gets. So, I am feeling MOST Lucky thanks to you wonderful people that I may be just getting this. My LES spincter today was abnormal on the manometry test.

I think it is really something that all of you are constantly trying to improve your support group and reorganizing to make it even better . Again, you are amazing!!!

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your reply Beth, I tried the manometry a year ago and I

couldn't handle the sensation of that tube going into my nose even

though I was 'numbed and greased'. I had to have them stop. It took

me 6 months to finally go back to the doctor. I didn't go back until

I was so thin, dehydrated, and malnourished that I could barely do

anything. Things are better now with the Procardia (which I am

taking less of to those of you who expressed concern) I have great

anxiety for this manometry though. I am going to do my best and use

all the tips and remember all the encouragement and support so that I

can get this important test done. It is scheduled for March 11th and

they plan on giving me a mild sedative like Zanex or something. I

will definitely let everyone know how I do.

Thanks!

> Dear Michele,

> I thought I should answer you since I just had a manometry test

today. My

> tech was some one just off the street that the university trained

to do this

> test. Fortunately, he had done several years of them before today.

Firstly, he

> put me on a liquid diet the day before the test and nothing past

midnite the

> night before. Also, I was instructed to not take the calcium

channel blockers

> 2-5 days before the test. He sprayed a local pain killer in the

nostril and

> told me to swallow the drips going down the throat. Next he took a

flexible

> swab and coated the inside and as far back as it would go with a

lubricant.

> Next he did it again to regrease me. It was not pleasant but it

was important

> for me to be diagnosed. After the test he showed me some results

of other A's

> and compared them with mine. (he probably did this as I was a RN

and he had

> ignored my 12 previous phone calls when I had waited 6 weeks to

get an

> appointment) It was something that I could do again if I was

willing to do my very

> best with a tech doing his very best!!

> My results showed a problem with my LES spincter but nothing else

of great

> abnormality.

> I do not know if I am just starting with this and it will get worse

or

> whether the problem that I had was induced by an increase of my

statin drug

> Zoclor. My symptoms have been just like the people on the site. So,

I still do not

> know what I have or the outcome.

> I am going to continue to focus on my general health and exercise

program

> kind of like " Rocky " . Also, I have an appointment in June with the

chief of GI

> department at our local university.

> I will always be grateful to all of you for all of your sharing.

When I was

> doing public vomiting I was at a loss as to what this could be and

all of you

> gave me such understanding. No one else in my life had a clue as to

what this

> was like.

> All of you with all the uniqueness in each of your contributions

are

> priceless!!

> beth martin

[Guest guest]

Thanks for replying - I was wondering if I was the only person on

meds to relax the LES. I never thought anything like that would

work. Otherwise I would have insisted on it a lot sooner so I didn't

have to go to the hospital to get hydrated or starve to what looked

like on my skinny body...death! Now I feel a lot stronger and can

drink as much water as I want when I used to not be able to even get

that down. I wish good things to all who look into the medication.

> > >

[Guest guest]

From: Joan Pearse

achalasia

Sent: Friday, March 04, 2005 7:04 PM

Subject: Re: Fw: Re: New to this site

Hi ,

It is amazing how many of us are nurses! I started a list some time ago and lost it but by then there were about 8 ! Occupational Hazard??? I am also sort of retired, but my colleagues find things for me to do for them on the computer which keeps me alive.

Joan

Re: Re: New to this site

Hi Beth,

Sorry I missed your original post but welcome from another nurse !

If it eases your mind - the incidence of cancer following Achalasia is very low.

Welcome and do stay and give us the benefit of your experience as you progress toward definitive diagnosis.

Joan

Johannesburg

South Africa

----- Original Message -----

From: vembeth@...

To visit your group on the web, go to:achalasia/

[Guest guest]

Peggy wrote:

:

I am awaiting treatment and I am taking a calcium channel blocker called diltiazem (Cardizem) -- I am taking 90 mg twice per day with pretty good symptom relief, backed off to 45 mg in AM and 90 in PM during non-stressful periods, 90 mg three times per day when most stressful, with MD approval.

I take Diltiazem ER 240mg once a day for BP

and it seems to help the LES. I told my PCP that and he said he was

doubtful but was open to the possibility. When I told my GI I thought

it was helping he said it was likely that it was. Doctors, they can

drive you crazy. For me it doesn't stop the LES from from misbehaving

but it takes the edge off the problem and makes it easier to deal with.

I have to really be careless now to end up needing to spit things out.

notan

[Guest guest]

vembeth wrote:

....I have read A is a precurser to having cancer due to the abuse that

the E gets...

It was widely reported that if you had

achalasia that you were at greater risk for esophageal cancer (arpx. 5%

depending on which study you looked at). You can still find that claim

on a lot of articles. There is evidence that this is not the case, or

that the risk is much lower than thought. It seems that many of those

that were diagnosed with achalasia and then later were found to have

esophegal cancer probably had the cancer first. The cancer caused

secondary achalasia, but the cancer was missed and the patient was

thought to have primary achalasia. It is now reported that if you

adjust the studies to look for cancer that develops to far after being

dainosed with achalasia for it to be the cause of the achalasia then

the risk seems to be about the same as for those without achalasia.

So, if you have had achalasia for more than a year of two you probably

have little to worry about, unless you have some other risk factor for

it, like having swallowed lye many years before.

notan

[Guest guest]

Thank you so very much for giving me new insite to this. You are remarkable in your abilities. I enjoy reading everything you write!!

Beth

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome I've had achalasia for over 20 years. When I was diagnosed they prime treatment was dilatation. Now it seems that the myotomy with the fundoplication is the prefered treatment. I am waiting for my first surgery. they are doing a partial fundoplication with my surgery. They are many members her who could give you more details re: surgery, recovery etc. Hope you find this site helpful. from Canadaclayoub <christine.l.ayoub@...> wrote: Hi, I'm new to this site. I usually participate on the GERD site, but was recently told, after manometry was done, that I may have achalasia. I have to redo the test and then do impedance, but I thought I'd learn more about achalasia and the treatment options. I am being evaluated for a fundoplication and was told by my surgeon that if I have achalasia, she would perform a myotomy along with fundoplication. Anyway, I've been doing some reading and this forum seems really supportive.

Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debatein the Answers Food Drink Q&A.

[Guest guest]

,

Thanks for your reply! You've been dealing with this for a long

time so you probably know everything there is to know about

achalasia. My biggest stress, right now, is just getting a proper

diagnosis. It's taking more time than I'd like and I hate having to

wait or repeat tests.

The myotomy and fundoplication seem like the way to go these days.

When is your surgery?

Chritine

>

> Hi and welcome

>

> I've had achalasia for over 20 years. When I was diagnosed they

prime treatment was dilatation. Now it seems that the myotomy with

the fundoplication is the prefered treatment. I am waiting for my

first surgery. they are doing a partial fundoplication with my

surgery.

>

> They are many members her who could give you more details re:

surgery, recovery etc.

>

> Hope you find this site helpful.

>

> from Canada

>

[Guest guest]

Hi there, They haven't given me a date. I'm waiting for a phone call. Say they will call me 7 days in advance. Could be up to 3 mnths, but soon I hope. I can't take not knowing. Yeah, took them a while to figure it out for me too. I was large to beging with so when I lost 75 lbs in 2 months, they really didn't take me seriously. I finally got to my withs end, went to the hospital and was diagnosed with a simple barium swallow. Half the battle is the diagnosis. You'll do fine once the test are all done. Hope you find the site useful. I just joined and the people seem very nice and greatly supportive. You take care and keep in touch. By the way, where are you from? I'm from Oshawa, ON Canada. Just outside of Toronto. Hope you have a great weekend. clayoub <christine.l.ayoub@...> wrote: ,Thanks for your reply! You've been dealing with this for a long time so you probably know everything there is to know about achalasia. My biggest stress, right now, is just getting a proper diagnosis. It's taking more time than I'd like and I hate having to wait or repeat tests. The myotomy and fundoplication seem like the way to go these days. When is your surgery?Chritine>> Hi and welcome> > I've had achalasia for over 20 years. When I was diagnosed they prime treatment was dilatation. Now it seems that the myotomy with the fundoplication is the prefered treatment. I am waiting for my first surgery. they are doing a partial fundoplication with my surgery.> > They are many members her who could give you more details re: surgery, recovery etc.> > Hope you find this site helpful.> > from Canada>

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

new cars at Autos.

[Guest guest]

I do hope they call you soon. I'm like you, it just makes me crazy

to have to wait! I haven't had a barium swallow yet, but I'm sure,

at some point I will. They want to redo the manometry; did you have

to do that since the barium swallow was positive? It's not much fun.

I never thought it would be so difficult to get a clear diagnosis!

Anyway, I live a bit further south in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I

hear Canada is really beautiful.

I'm feeling pretty well today, so I'm going to enjoy the moment!

You have a good weekend too,

> Hi there,

>

> They haven't given me a date. I'm waiting for a phone call. Say

they will call me 7 days in advance. Could be up to 3 mnths, but

soon I hope. I can't take not knowing.

>

> Yeah, took them a while to figure it out for me too. I was large

to beging with so when I lost 75 lbs in 2 months, they really didn't

take me seriously. I finally got to my withs end, went to the

hospital and was diagnosed with a simple barium swallow.

>

> Half the battle is the diagnosis. You'll do fine once the test

are all done.

>

> Hope you find the site useful. I just joined and the people seem

very nice and greatly supportive.

>

> You take care and keep in touch.

>

> By the way, where are you from? I'm from Oshawa, ON Canada. Just

outside of Toronto.

>

> Hope you have a great weekend.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi again, Would love to see New Mexico. Once the swallow, yes was sent to specialist in Toronto. did motility test, cinegraph barium test, 24 hr ph test and scope. I had dilitations done, so it helped to determine exactly where the stricture was. Yes, Canada is very large and very pretty, but alot of the landscape is similar to the US. I was just wondering, lately I have somedays where I am so hungry and want to eat all day, then days like today, I could care less if I ate at all. Do you get like that? I think what happens first thing in the morning determines my day. If I can drink a hot drink and have a bagel without throwing it back up, it's a good day. Well, have to go bowling now, so hope you had a good day. .clayoub

<christine.l.ayoub@...> wrote: I do hope they call you soon. I'm like you, it just makes me crazy to have to wait! I haven't had a barium swallow yet, but I'm sure, at some point I will. They want to redo the manometry; did you have to do that since the barium swallow was positive? It's not much fun. I never thought it would be so difficult to get a clear diagnosis!Anyway, I live a bit further south in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I hear Canada is really beautiful. I'm feeling pretty well today,

so I'm going to enjoy the moment! You have a good weekend too, > Hi there,> > They haven't given me a date. I'm waiting for a phone call. Say they will call me 7 days in advance. Could be up to 3 mnths, but soon I hope. I can't take not knowing.> > Yeah, took them a while to figure it out for me too. I was large to beging with so when I lost 75 lbs in 2 months, they really didn't take me seriously. I finally got to my withs end, went to the hospital and was diagnosed with a simple barium swallow.> > Half the battle is the diagnosis. You'll do fine once the test are all done. > > Hope you find the site useful. I just joined and the people seem very nice and greatly supportive.> > You take care and keep in touch.> > By the way, where are you from? I'm from Oshawa, ON Canada. Just outside of Toronto.> > Hope you have

a great weekend.> > >

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

new cars at Autos.

[Guest guest]

and All,

I do not know how soon it will be available, but my guess is that teaching university hospitals and maybe Cleveland Clinic will soon have a new technology that are designed specifically to make these tests more bearable. I have info on it @ Eva's website on the 'Relational Research' page at the top. The info release is just a few week's old but if y'all start asking, possibly that could help spur things along, and too... possibly everyone who needs to know (administrative expenditures) may not know about it yet.

http://www.caninemegaesophagus.org/Relational_Research.html

Sending prayers and healing thoughts to all who are in need.

Best,

PegSee what's free at AOL.com.

[Guest guest]

I see you've been through the series of tests and procedures. I

feel like I'm becoming radioactive! I really don't look forward to

that motility test again; I had a hard time with it and I wonder how

accurate it is since I was having such a hard time. Do you know if

this has an affect on the results?

Anyway, my appetite varies too, but I get nervous about what I can

and cannot eat. This causes me a lot of anxiety, so I just don't

enjoy eating like I used to. I've never thrown up though. I feel

lots of pressure in my chest and ribcage after eating.

Hope you had fun bowling. I went to see Spiderman!

>

> Hi again,

>

> Would love to see New Mexico.

>

> Once the swallow, yes was sent to specialist in Toronto.

>

> did motility test, cinegraph barium test, 24 hr ph test and

scope. I had dilitations done, so it helped to determine exactly

where the stricture was.

>

> Yes, Canada is very large and very pretty, but alot of the

landscape is similar to the US.

>

> I was just wondering, lately I have somedays where I am so

hungry and want to eat all day, then days like today, I could care

less if I ate at all. Do you get like that? I think what happens

first thing in the morning determines my day. If I can drink a hot

drink and have a bagel without throwing it back up, it's a good day.

>

> Well, have to go bowling now, so hope you had a good day.

>

> .

>

[Guest guest]

,

Welcome to the group! Sorry to hear that you're having troubles,

and possibly Achalasia. Unfortunately, you may have to have some

tests repeated, to get an accurate diagnosis . If at all possible,

it's best to go to a large teaching hospital or university hospital to

have your tests. My husband has an esophagus motility disorder (DES),

not Achalasia. We found that tests at our local hospital, even though

they are a big hospital in our area, were not as detailed as the ones

done at Univ. of Michigan. He also went to Cleveland Clinic and

they're tests were even better (as well as the technicians/nurses

performing the tests) and between the 2 places, one nailed down the

diagnosis and the other confirmed it. All in all, when you're dealing

with a rare condition (Achalasia and motility problems are definitely

more rare than GERD), you may need to consult with the " experts " in

dealing with that, or getting an accurate diagnosis. Hang in there

with the tests! I have to say, my husband has been great, REALLY

tolerant of all the nasty tests they've thrown at him. I don't know

if I could've done as well. I wish you the same strength he's had!

Enjoy your weekend in the meantime!

in Michigan

P.S. How was Spiderman?

>

>

> I see you've been through the series of tests and procedures. I

> feel like I'm becoming radioactive! I really don't look forward to

> that motility test again; I had a hard time with it and I wonder how

> accurate it is since I was having such a hard time. Do you know if

> this has an affect on the results?

>

> Anyway, my appetite varies too, but I get nervous about what I can

> and cannot eat. This causes me a lot of anxiety, so I just don't

> enjoy eating like I used to. I've never thrown up though. I feel

> lots of pressure in my chest and ribcage after eating.

>

> Hope you had fun bowling. I went to see Spiderman!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Peg,

Thanks for the info. I think this article relates to a possible

replacement for the 24 hr. pH probe. I know there's currently a test

being used that uses some type of small " chip " implanted during EGD

(endoscope). This is being used to replace the 24 hr. pH probe, too.

It drops off and dissolves after a while, but for the first 24 hours,

sends a reading of pH (acid) levels to a monitor for the test. I know

someone from the group has had this, but I don't remember who. I

don't think they have anything to replace the dreaded manometry test,

yet, though. My husband has had that done 4 times, already (poor,

guy!). Maybe one day they can just scan people with a Tricorder, like

on Star Trek, to diagnose them and avoid ALL the tests . Wouldn't

that be great! Hope you have a great weekend!

in Michigan

>

> and All,

>

> I do not know how soon it will be available, but my guess is that

teaching

> university hospitals and maybe Cleveland Clinic will soon have a new

technology

> that are designed specifically to make these tests more bearable. I

have

> info on it @ Eva's website on the 'Relational Research' page at the

top. The

> info release is just a few week's old but if y'all start asking,

possibly that

> could help spur things along, and too... possibly everyone who

needs to know

> (administrative expenditures) may not know about it yet.

>

> _http://www.caninemegaesophagus.org/Relational_Research.html_

> (http://www.caninemegaesophagus.org/Relational_Research.html)

>

> Sending prayers and healing thoughts to all who are in need.

>

> Best,

>

> Peg

>

>

>

> ************************************** See what's free at

http://www.aol.com.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I agree with the suggestion that I go to a teaching hospital.

That's exactly what the surgeon, I was consulting with for a fundo,

told me to do. He's having me repeat the test, with 24 hour

impedance, at a nearby teaching hospital. I don't know how good

they are, but there is a medical school there and the surgeon even

said that he didn't like the facility that I had my original testing

done. I really wonder how different it can be though. When I look

at the results, there are hypotensive readings 50% of the time and

the resting pressures, for the LES, are above normal. Anyway, we'll

see...I hope your husband is doing well. I'm sorry he had to go

through so much.

Spiderman was good! I think they did a good job, especially with the

Venom character.

> >

> >

> > I see you've been through the series of tests and procedures. I

> > feel like I'm becoming radioactive! I really don't look forward

to

> > that motility test again; I had a hard time with it and I wonder

how

> > accurate it is since I was having such a hard time. Do you know

if

> > this has an affect on the results?

> >

> > Anyway, my appetite varies too, but I get nervous about what I

can

> > and cannot eat. This causes me a lot of anxiety, so I just

don't

> > enjoy eating like I used to. I've never thrown up though. I feel

> > lots of pressure in my chest and ribcage after eating.

> >

> > Hope you had fun bowling. I went to see Spiderman!

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Its amazing how different the testing can be from one place to the next, I

believe it has to do with the equipment age - quality, how thorough they are

with the testing, and how knowledgeable the staff is that is performing the

tests and reading the results, Mayo vs. s Hopkins was night and day

literally!

Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

Re: New to this site

Hi,

I agree with the suggestion that I go to a teaching hospital.

That's exactly what the surgeon, I was consulting with for a fundo,

told me to do. He's having me repeat the test, with 24 hour

impedance, at a nearby teaching hospital. I don't know how good

they are, but there is a medical school there and the surgeon even

said that he didn't like the facility that I had my original testing

done. I really wonder how different it can be though. When I look

at the results, there are hypotensive readings 50% of the time and

the resting pressures, for the LES, are above normal. Anyway, we'll

see...I hope your husband is doing well. I'm sorry he had to go

through so much.

Spiderman was good! I think they did a good job, especially with the

Venom character.

> >

> >

> > I see you've been through the series of tests and procedures. I

> > feel like I'm becoming radioactive! I really don't look forward

to

> > that motility test again; I had a hard time with it and I wonder

how

> > accurate it is since I was having such a hard time. Do you know

if

> > this has an affect on the results?

> >

> > Anyway, my appetite varies too, but I get nervous about what I

can

> > and cannot eat. This causes me a lot of anxiety, so I just

don't

> > enjoy eating like I used to. I've never thrown up though. I feel

> > lots of pressure in my chest and ribcage after eating.

> >

> > Hope you had fun bowling. I went to see Spiderman!

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I'm from New Mexico too. Farmington. I was diagnosed with achalasia after two

and a

half years. I had my heller myotomy in March and am doing very well. There is

also

another person from Albuquerque on this sght. Perhaps he'll chime in too. If I

can be of

any help to you let me know. I'll be glad to share what I know.

JoAnn

>

> I do hope they call you soon. I'm like you, it just makes me crazy

> to have to wait! I haven't had a barium swallow yet, but I'm sure,

> at some point I will. They want to redo the manometry; did you have

> to do that since the barium swallow was positive? It's not much fun.

> I never thought it would be so difficult to get a clear diagnosis!

>

> Anyway, I live a bit further south in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I

> hear Canada is really beautiful.

>

> I'm feeling pretty well today, so I'm going to enjoy the moment!

> You have a good weekend too,

>

>

>

>

> > Hi there,

> >

> > They haven't given me a date. I'm waiting for a phone call. Say

> they will call me 7 days in advance. Could be up to 3 mnths, but

> soon I hope. I can't take not knowing.

> >

> > Yeah, took them a while to figure it out for me too. I was large

> to beging with so when I lost 75 lbs in 2 months, they really didn't

> take me seriously. I finally got to my withs end, went to the

> hospital and was diagnosed with a simple barium swallow.

> >

> > Half the battle is the diagnosis. You'll do fine once the test

> are all done.

> >

> > Hope you find the site useful. I just joined and the people seem

> very nice and greatly supportive.

> >

> > You take care and keep in touch.

> >

> > By the way, where are you from? I'm from Oshawa, ON Canada. Just

> outside of Toronto.

> >

> > Hope you have a great weekend.

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Oh Wow! I'm so glad to 'meet' you. Yea, I have about a million

questons! Where and who did your surgery? Did you come into

Albuquerque for your procedure? I'm really trying to find my way

through the maze of providers and would love to hear about your

experience. It is so nice to hear that you're doing well. What did

you go through in the 2 1/2 years that it took to diagnose you?

Thanks for responding!

> >

> > I do hope they call you soon. I'm like you, it just makes me

crazy

> > to have to wait! I haven't had a barium swallow yet, but I'm

sure,

> > at some point I will. They want to redo the manometry; did you

have

> > to do that since the barium swallow was positive? It's not much

fun.

> > I never thought it would be so difficult to get a clear

diagnosis!

> >

> > Anyway, I live a bit further south in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

I

> > hear Canada is really beautiful.

> >

> > I'm feeling pretty well today, so I'm going to enjoy the

moment!

> > You have a good weekend too,

> >

> >

> >

> >

> > > Hi there,

> > >

> > > They haven't given me a date. I'm waiting for a phone call.

Say

> > they will call me 7 days in advance. Could be up to 3 mnths, but

> > soon I hope. I can't take not knowing.

> > >

> > > Yeah, took them a while to figure it out for me too. I was

large

> > to beging with so when I lost 75 lbs in 2 months, they really

didn't

> > take me seriously. I finally got to my withs end, went to the

> > hospital and was diagnosed with a simple barium swallow.

> > >

> > > Half the battle is the diagnosis. You'll do fine once the

test

> > are all done.

> > >

> > > Hope you find the site useful. I just joined and the people

seem

> > very nice and greatly supportive.

> > >

> > > You take care and keep in touch.

> > >

> > > By the way, where are you from? I'm from Oshawa, ON Canada.

Just

> > outside of Toronto.

> > >

> > > Hope you have a great weekend.

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

--,

Glad to help out. In the 2 1/2 years I was treated for acid reflux with

medication. Then

when I started having problems swallowing I had two dilations (they still

thought it was

reflux) which didn't help at all. I'm sure they were not stretching the right

area. I just gave

up and decided to live with the swallowing problems Then when it got worse with

throwing

up, gaging at night, spasms, I went back and they did a barium swallow and

monometry

and diagnosed me with achalasia. My GI dr. put me on a high blood pressure

medication

that worked for a while but made me a little light headed. In the mean time I

found this

site and Achalasia.us and began learning about achalasia. The most important

thing I

learned was that doing nothing is not an option and to go to the best dr. you

can afford.

Dr. Rice at the Cleveland Clinic came highly recommended and was also a primary

provider

for our insurance so I went there. I called and set up the appointment and the

nurse said

that if I stayed for two weeks I would be able to have the surgery during the

same trip. Dr.

Rice reviewed my records and called me about two weeks before I was planning to

go and

said that my tests did indicate achalasia but the monometry didn't. He felt

that that test

had not been done correctly. He set it up where I could have all the tests

redone and have

the surgery if needed in one weeks time. He scoped me on Monday morning, as

soon as I

was coherent again he said that from the scoping he could tell that I did have

achalasia.

He had me continue my tests but had me meet with him Monday afternoon and set up

my

surgery date, Wednesday. Surgery was not bad at all and I was out of the

hospital

Thursday afternoon and flew home on the following Monday. I feel going to the

best is

definitely worth it if you can possible afford it. Rich, also on this site, had

his surgery in

Albuquerque and has also had good results. The main thing he is concerned about

is that

his dr. did not want a follow up. I have his drs. names at home. Follow up can

be the

difference between continueing to eat and ruining your esophagus. Rich is

planning on

asking his GI dr. to do follow up with him. My computer is down (lightning took

out the

modem) so I can't give you my e-mail address but feel free to call me.

505.326.2065 I

know that there are other qualified drs. closer than Cleveland. At the

achalasia.us web site

there is a list of drs. I think there is one in Phoenix which wouldn't be too

far. Hope this

helps.

JoAnn

- In achalasia , " clayoub " <christine.l.ayoub@...> wrote:

>

> Oh Wow! I'm so glad to 'meet' you. Yea, I have about a million

> questons! Where and who did your surgery? Did you come into

> Albuquerque for your procedure? I'm really trying to find my way

> through the maze of providers and would love to hear about your

> experience. It is so nice to hear that you're doing well. What did

> you go through in the 2 1/2 years that it took to diagnose you?

> Thanks for responding!

>

>

>

>

> > >

> > > I do hope they call you soon. I'm like you, it just makes me

> crazy

> > > to have to wait! I haven't had a barium swallow yet, but I'm

> sure,

> > > at some point I will. They want to redo the manometry; did you

> have

> > > to do that since the barium swallow was positive? It's not much

> fun.

> > > I never thought it would be so difficult to get a clear

> diagnosis!

> > >

> > > Anyway, I live a bit further south in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

> I

> > > hear Canada is really beautiful.

> > >

> > > I'm feeling pretty well today, so I'm going to enjoy the

> moment!

> > > You have a good weekend too,

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > > Hi there,

> > > >

> > > > They haven't given me a date. I'm waiting for a phone call.

> Say

> > > they will call me 7 days in advance. Could be up to 3 mnths, but

> > > soon I hope. I can't take not knowing.

> > > >

> > > > Yeah, took them a while to figure it out for me too. I was

> large

> > > to beging with so when I lost 75 lbs in 2 months, they really

> didn't

> > > take me seriously. I finally got to my withs end, went to the

> > > hospital and was diagnosed with a simple barium swallow.

> > > >

> > > > Half the battle is the diagnosis. You'll do fine once the

> test

> > > are all done.

> > > >

> > > > Hope you find the site useful. I just joined and the people

> seem

> > > very nice and greatly supportive.

> > > >

> > > > You take care and keep in touch.

> > > >

> > > > By the way, where are you from? I'm from Oshawa, ON Canada.

> Just

> > > outside of Toronto.

> > > >

> > > > Hope you have a great weekend.

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

>