New member

Report post · July 14, 2008

In a message dated 7/14/2008 11:36:03 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time, pmleehere@... writes:

I joined to get motivation on losing the last 30-40 pounds as I have been at a stand still for about a year and it is driving me nuts. I also have some issues with my "new body" and would like to know if other that are losing weight have issues!

Hi a - welcome to our group and congrats on the weight you have lost!!

I don't have issues (yet) with my new body - I am not quite half way to goal.

I know I will have some mental issues to overcome - I have said that before - as my body continues to change.

in WA310/250/170 (-60 total, 80 to go, 10 from half-way point) I've lost 66.5 inches!!The beginning is the most important part of any work.-PlatoGet the scoop on last night's hottest shows and the live music scene in your area - Check out TourTracker.com!

Report post · July 14, 2008

I grew up in a suburb of Minneapolis. Now I live in a small town north of the "cities" called Hugo.

a

Re: Re: New Member

Where in Minnesota are you from? My husband grew up in a small town north of Mankato.

Dacia

<><

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." 14:27

Report post · July 14, 2008

a,

WOW! If you need motivation pretend you are not the person that just wrote this email and that all you have to 40lbs to lose, then tell yourself that if that lady can lose 180 I can surly lose 40. You go girl.

From: pmleehere <pmleehere@...>Subject: New Member100-plus Date: Monday, July 14, 2008, 12:02 PM

Hi,I just joined. I don't have 100 pounds to lose anymore, but I have about 40 more to go. I have lost about 150 so far. I don't really know where I started my weight loss journey, because my scale only went to 330 and I ERR that out for a long time! I officially started counting the pounds when I FINALLY stepped on the dr. scale after losing several sizes in clothes. I was 297. I am now about 180.I joined to get motivation on losing the last 30-40 pounds as I have been at a stand still for about a year and it is driving me nuts. I also have some issues with my "new body" and would like to know if other that are losing weight have issues!a

Report post · July 14, 2008

My husband & I met at Concordia University in St. . I have a college friend who was from Hugo. Visited her home a couple of weekends while in college. Dacia<>< Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the

world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." 14:27

Report post · July 14, 2008

Jim

I would love to attend in September. I have never been to such an event. I was

suppose to attend some vaccine seminar with my son's speech pathologist..of all

people, but did not make it. I really would like to attend. Please email me some

info!! Thank You

Kim mom to 4 boys Chicago,IL

new member

HI, I'm a new member this week. I'm near Chicago, Illinois and have 2 kids

under 5yrs. There is SO much information here, so forgive me if I don't jump

into discussion right away. I need to wade through the archives etc and

digest. Thanks!

Report post · July 15, 2008

In a message dated 7/14/2008 2:36:09 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, pmleehere@... writes:

I also have some issues with my "new body" and would like to know if other that are losing weight have issues!

Welcome. What issues are you having? I can think of 5 that I have with the body clutter I carry. I am sure there are solutions just have to ask.

N.H.Get the scoop on last night's hottest shows and the live music scene in your area - Check out TourTracker.com!

Report post · July 15, 2008

>I don't have 100 pounds to lose anymore, but I have

> about 40 more to go. I have lost about 150 so far.

Wow! Congrats! Any special secrets? (If you already answered this in a

later message, ignore this. My ISP is down and I have no idea when this

message will make its way on-line.)

> a

Ack! 2 as on the list now. Would you mind using your last initial or

some other identifier so we keep the 2 of you straight? Thanks.

Sue in NJ

Report post · July 21, 2008

Hi all

Calvin Heuer is the name...am a new member.

I am an ALS paramedic (trained in SA), and have a keen interested in emergency /

remote / tactical medicine. I have worked on a number of projects throughout

Africa and recently the Middle East. I am currently working in North West Africa

(Liberia).

I wish to keep in touch with the international paramedic community, as well as

keep up to date with the latest developments in the EMS industry / remote and

tactical medicine.

Regards

Calvin Heuer

Report post · July 23, 2008

Hi Paris,

Â

Welcome to the world of high adventure and endless courses...first of all make

sure you have your passport and airticket, then the world is your oyster or

abalone so to speak.

Â

P.

From: parisandkim <parisandkim@...>

Subject: new member

Date: Wednesday, 23 July, 2008, 4:13 PM

Hi all, my name is Paris Pearce (male) and I am currently working as

an ALS paramedic in , Australia. I have come across remote

medics in order to expand my experiences, I am looking to work and

travel to different places in the world. Any advice and/or information

to allow me to start my adventures.

cheers Paris

__________________________________________________________

Not happy with your email address?.

Get the one you really want - millions of new email addresses available now at

http://uk.docs./ymail/new.html

Report post · July 23, 2008

Howdy Paris. Welcome to the list.

Donn

" Liberty is telling people what they do not want to hear. "

- Arthur Blair, from the preface to Animal Farm

_____

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of parisandkim

Sent: Tuesday, July 22, 2008 11:13 PM

Subject: new member

Hi all, my name is Paris Pearce (male) and I am currently working as

an ALS paramedic in , Australia. I have come across remote

medics in order to expand my experiences, I am looking to work and

travel to different places in the world. Any advice and/or information

to allow me to start my adventures.

cheers Paris

Report post · July 23, 2008

Paris

You should try ISOS. Is this your first time doing international remote work? If

so, ISOS is a good place to start, they have many contracts, and are reliable.

Contact Diane Hutchinson (diane.hutchinson@...)

Regards

Calvin

new member

Hi all, my name is Paris Pearce (male) and I am currently working as

an ALS paramedic in , Australia. I have come across remote

medics in order to expand my experiences, I am looking to work and

travel to different places in the world. Any advice and/or information

to allow me to start my adventures.

cheers Paris

Report post · July 26, 2008

hi Shane welcome,

Im currently working in Australia as an ALS paramedic and am

very interested in coming over and working in the middle east, an

interesting place I hear? I also hear the ambulance service is

developing?

where abouts in the middle east are you and how are the conditions

(for example; pay, holidays, accommodation etc.)

cheers Paris

-- In , " shakinship "

<cyborg540@...> wrote:

>

> Hi to all the member

>

> The name is Shane, a paramedic working in the Middle east. Find the

> site and chats very interesting. Later

>

Report post · July 28, 2008

Welcome Holly,

You will find a wealth of information and support from the members here!!!

We are all located all over the world and are of various ages! Ask anything

you are worried about or curious about and I'm sure someone will pitch you

some info!!! I can tell you that my experience with Achalasia has been a bit

of an on going issue.most have issues of some sort through their lives. The

key is to have a GREAT GI doc and an EXECLENT surgeon!!!! Who is doing your

surgery? Where are you having it done?

Hope to hear more from you.

in Arkansas

From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf

Of ta2rdr18

Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 10:57 AM

achalasia

Subject: New member

Hello my name is Holly and I am 24 years old from southwest colorado.

I have been suffering from achalasia since i was 15 and I am scheduled

for my first esophogeal myotomy Aug. 14th and was wondering if anyone

could tell me about their personal experiences with the procedure. I

have had dilations done and had an ER scare back in May when I

developed bleeding ulcers in my esophagus and began throwing up large

amounts of blood and was put in the ICU. I had a dilation done after

that but it was recommended that I have the myotomy surgery done. Im a

bit afraid of having the surgery done after hearing some awful stories

of worse symptoms aftewards and I am also a very slow healer. If

anyone can tell me anything at all of their experiences I would

greatly appreciate any advice I can get.

Report post · July 28, 2008

>

> Welcome Holly,

>

> You will find a wealth of information and support from the members

here!!!

> We are all located all over the world and are of various ages! Ask

anything

> you are worried about or curious about and I'm sure someone will

pitch you

> some info!!! I can tell you that my experience with Achalasia has

been a bit

> of an on going issue.most have issues of some sort through their

lives. The

> key is to have a GREAT GI doc and an EXECLENT surgeon!!!! Who is

doing your

> surgery? Where are you having it done?

>

> Hope to hear more from you.

>

> in Arkansas

>

> From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ]

On Behalf

> Of ta2rdr18

> Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 10:57 AM

> achalasia

> Subject: New member

>

> Hello my name is Holly and I am 24 years old from southwest

colorado.

> I have been suffering from achalasia since i was 15 and I am

scheduled

> for my first esophogeal myotomy Aug. 14th and was wondering if

anyone

> could tell me about their personal experiences with the procedure.

I

> have had dilations done and had an ER scare back in May when I

> developed bleeding ulcers in my esophagus and began throwing up

large

> amounts of blood and was put in the ICU. I had a dilation done

after

> that but it was recommended that I have the myotomy surgery done.

Im a

> bit afraid of having the surgery done after hearing some awful

stories

> of worse symptoms aftewards and I am also a very slow healer. If

> anyone can tell me anything at all of their experiences I would

> greatly appreciate any advice I can get.

>

Report post · July 28, 2008

Hi Holly,

Besides looking for people to respond to your thoughtful questions, I would

suggest you take some time to read on this Board what many people have already

written about their experiences. In doing so, you will also come across much

which has been written about how important the experience of the surgeon is who

will be performing the myotomy on you. Having a good deal of respect about

a well intended surgeon may not be enough to give you the outcome you desire.

It is one thing to anticipate how you might be feeling afterwards (your

question), but I would give a higher priority to finding a doctor who is very

well versed with this surgery, so that you can worry less about how you feel

shortly afterwards and from that point on. This is very specialized surgery

and you would not be out lf line to ask a surgeon how many myotomies he has

done. If only a few, regardless of how you feel about him, you should look

elsewhere. There are certain techniques involved in doing this that only a

surgeon who has done this numerous times (we usually go with 50) has mastered.

As you have said, you don't want to come out of this feeling worse than when you

came in. While there are never any guarantees, you want to improve the odds as

much as possible.

I understand you have insurance and financial concerns and sadly that

complicates matters. There are a number of people on this Board who may have

suggestions for you as to how best to go about this.

New member

>

> Hello my name is Holly and I am 24 years old from southwest

colorado.

> I have been suffering from achalasia since i was 15 and I am

scheduled

> for my first esophogeal myotomy Aug. 14th and was wondering if

anyone

> could tell me about their personal experiences with the procedure.

I

> have had dilations done and had an ER scare back in May when I

> developed bleeding ulcers in my esophagus and began throwing up

large

> amounts of blood and was put in the ICU. I had a dilation done

after

> that but it was recommended that I have the myotomy surgery done.

Im a

> bit afraid of having the surgery done after hearing some awful

stories

> of worse symptoms aftewards and I am also a very slow healer. If

> anyone can tell me anything at all of their experiences I would

> greatly appreciate any advice I can get.

>

Report post · July 28, 2008

Welcome to the group, Holly. You will find a wealth of information here.

In VA

> >

> > Welcome Holly,

> >

> > You will find a wealth of information and support from the members

> here!!!

> > We are all located all over the world and are of various ages! Ask

> anything

> > you are worried about or curious about and I'm sure someone will

> pitch you

> > some info!!! I can tell you that my experience with Achalasia has

> been a bit

> > of an on going issue.most have issues of some sort through their

> lives. The

> > key is to have a GREAT GI doc and an EXECLENT surgeon!!!! Who is

> doing your

> > surgery? Where are you having it done?

> >

> > Hope to hear more from you.

> >

> > in Arkansas

> >

> > From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ]

> On Behalf

> > Of ta2rdr18

> > Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 10:57 AM

> > achalasia

> > Subject: New member

> >

> > Hello my name is Holly and I am 24 years old from southwest

> colorado.

> > I have been suffering from achalasia since i was 15 and I am

> scheduled

> > for my first esophogeal myotomy Aug. 14th and was wondering if

> anyone

> > could tell me about their personal experiences with the procedure.

> I

> > have had dilations done and had an ER scare back in May when I

> > developed bleeding ulcers in my esophagus and began throwing up

> large

> > amounts of blood and was put in the ICU. I had a dilation done

> after

> > that but it was recommended that I have the myotomy surgery done.

> Im a

> > bit afraid of having the surgery done after hearing some awful

> stories

> > of worse symptoms aftewards and I am also a very slow healer. If

> > anyone can tell me anything at all of their experiences I would

> > greatly appreciate any advice I can get.

> >

Report post · July 28, 2008

Holly wrote:

> ... If anyone can tell me anything at all of their experiences I would

> greatly appreciate any advice I can get. ...

>

We are all different and our experiences vary. For many of us the

surgery was not as bad as others things we have been through. For me it

was easy. The day of the surgery I was sore but not more than I could

cope with. I did not have the shoulder pains that some get though. I

only pushed the button on my pain control system once to help sleep. I

was choosing to use so little that they were concerned that I was not

using enough pain medication. The next day I felt ready to go home and

they released me. I tried the pain medication before going to bed but

didn't like the effect and did that only once.

I have been in other situations where I could not get enough pain

medications. Once my wife called my primary doctor to ask about the pain

medication that another doctor had prescribed because I was still in

unbearable pain waiting at home for a surgery on some broken bones. He

said double the dose and double the frequency and check my pulse every

30 min..

The pain from the myotomy was nothing like that or the like the other

very painful experiences I have had.

Thanksgiving day was two weeks after my surgery and was the first day

off the soft diet for me. Others may be told to stay on a soft diet

longer. I was up and about and having a good time. I had no problem

eating but I was full quickly and being full was a little uncomfortable.

Again not a terrible pain but more uncomfortable than being full should

be. Not everyone is able to eat without problems right away or with out

more pain than I had, but most seem to quickly do very well.

The small holes used for the devices to go through your flesh seem to

heal quickly and in time disappear for most people. I have one, the

larger one that is still looks like a small scar. The others have gone.

You can find pictures of people after their surgeries in the photo

section of the web site.

Two and a half years latter I eat anything I want without problems. Very

dry cracker or such, may need something to wash them down with, but most

meals I can eat without even drinking anything. I try to drink a little

while eating but I could eat a normal meal without drinking. Other

people have had varying success with eating but most, by far, are happy

with the results. A few had unsuccessful myotomies. Some had to have

dilatations to make them better and others had to have the surgery

redone. Some had to have a fundoplication undone or redone because it

was too tight. For some the myotomy was not long enough and that is the

reason it had to be redone. Some people have the problems return over

time because the myotomy was not completely through the muscle layers

and that allowed the muscles to regrow through the myotomy and then the

myotomy had to be redone. For some scarring of the myotomy is a problem

and a dilatation is needed to take care of it. Needing a dilatation

after a myotomy is not a big deal.

Getting a good clean myotomy completely through the muscles layers

without going to far and causing a perforation is a skill that is

learned from doing myotomies. Also, judging just how long to make the

myotomy, where to start and stop is also a skill that is learned by

doing them. Avoiding damage to the vagus nerve and other important

structures is also learned from doing them.

There are risks. There are the risks that go with any surgery like this.

There are also the risks of perforations of the esophagus and damage to

the vagus nerve. Perforations while having a myotomy are generally not a

big deal and may just heal on their own. They can be serious though and

cause infections that could be fatal. If the vagus nerve is damaged it

can cause various problems but in that area generally mean your stomach

will either be to slow or to fast (dumping) letting food through.

In the long-term even with a good myotomy your esophagus may still

deteriorate. Years latter a few will need another myotomy or even an

esophagectomy. It may be nice to have a medical center that you can

count on years latter to have someone very skilled and have access to

your records and be familiar with the doctors and methods from the past

at that center.

I know you may be limited in your options but if I were you I would see

if there was anyway I could get approval to go to a doctor and canter

that is skilled at doing this surgery and does them often. I would ask

my doctor to help me do that. That is what I did so I could go to Mayo.

Even with limited options and a surgeon that is new to it, myotomy may

still be your best option. Most people are happy with the results and

would do it again.

notan

Report post · July 28, 2008

>

> > ... If anyone can tell me anything at all of their experiences I

would

> > greatly appreciate any advice I can get. ...

> >

>

> We are all different and our experiences vary. For many of us the

> surgery was not as bad as others things we have been through. For

me it

> was easy. The day of the surgery I was sore but not more than I

could

> cope with. I did not have the shoulder pains that some get though.

I

> only pushed the button on my pain control system once to help

sleep. I

> was choosing to use so little that they were concerned that I was

not

> using enough pain medication. The next day I felt ready to go home

and

> they released me. I tried the pain medication before going to bed

but

> didn't like the effect and did that only once.

>

> I have been in other situations where I could not get enough pain

> medications. Once my wife called my primary doctor to ask about the

pain

> medication that another doctor had prescribed because I was still

in

> unbearable pain waiting at home for a surgery on some broken bones.

He

> said double the dose and double the frequency and check my pulse

every

> 30 min..

>

> The pain from the myotomy was nothing like that or the like the

other

> very painful experiences I have had.

>

> Thanksgiving day was two weeks after my surgery and was the first

day

> off the soft diet for me. Others may be told to stay on a soft diet

> longer. I was up and about and having a good time. I had no problem

> eating but I was full quickly and being full was a little

uncomfortable.

> Again not a terrible pain but more uncomfortable than being full

should

> be. Not everyone is able to eat without problems right away or with

out

> more pain than I had, but most seem to quickly do very well.

>

> The small holes used for the devices to go through your flesh seem

to

> heal quickly and in time disappear for most people. I have one, the

> larger one that is still looks like a small scar. The others have

gone.

> You can find pictures of people after their surgeries in the photo

> section of the web site.

>

> Two and a half years latter I eat anything I want without problems.

Very

> dry cracker or such, may need something to wash them down with, but

most

> meals I can eat without even drinking anything. I try to drink a

little

> while eating but I could eat a normal meal without drinking. Other

> people have had varying success with eating but most, by far, are

happy

> with the results. A few had unsuccessful myotomies. Some had to

have

> dilatations to make them better and others had to have the surgery

> redone. Some had to have a fundoplication undone or redone because

it

> was too tight. For some the myotomy was not long enough and that is

the

> reason it had to be redone. Some people have the problems return

over

> time because the myotomy was not completely through the muscle

layers

> and that allowed the muscles to regrow through the myotomy and then

the

> myotomy had to be redone. For some scarring of the myotomy is a

problem

> and a dilatation is needed to take care of it. Needing a dilatation

> after a myotomy is not a big deal.

>

> Getting a good clean myotomy completely through the muscles layers

> without going to far and causing a perforation is a skill that is

> learned from doing myotomies. Also, judging just how long to make

the

> myotomy, where to start and stop is also a skill that is learned by

> doing them. Avoiding damage to the vagus nerve and other important

> structures is also learned from doing them.

>

> There are risks. There are the risks that go with any surgery like

this.

> There are also the risks of perforations of the esophagus and

damage to

> the vagus nerve. Perforations while having a myotomy are generally

not a

> big deal and may just heal on their own. They can be serious though

and

> cause infections that could be fatal. If the vagus nerve is damaged

it

> can cause various problems but in that area generally mean your

stomach

> will either be to slow or to fast (dumping) letting food through.

>

> In the long-term even with a good myotomy your esophagus may still

> deteriorate. Years latter a few will need another myotomy or even

an

> esophagectomy. It may be nice to have a medical center that you can

> count on years latter to have someone very skilled and have access

to

> your records and be familiar with the doctors and methods from the

past

> at that center.

>

> I know you may be limited in your options but if I were you I would

see

> if there was anyway I could get approval to go to a doctor and

canter

> that is skilled at doing this surgery and does them often. I would

ask

> my doctor to help me do that. That is what I did so I could go to

Mayo.

>

> Even with limited options and a surgeon that is new to it, myotomy

may

> still be your best option. Most people are happy with the results

and

> would do it again.

>

> notan

>

I thank you very much for your information.

Report post · July 28, 2008

Holly, I am 38, was diagnosed in July of 2005, had it real bad (lost 80 pounds

in 2 months), could not eat or drink (very dehydrated). I am stunned I never

fainted.

Had a great doctor, and had the surgery in Feb of 2006. I still need water to

get some things down, but I eat anything I want. After the surgery I was back

at work in 2 weeks. I was eating Taco Bell on day 3 (probably not advised).

Had some bad diareaha for about 2 weeks (it did worry me, but it was normal),

and I was sore as could be. Other than that, no real complications. I was out

of the hospital in less than 24 hours.

Due to the fact that the original symptoms took so much out of me, it took me a

good 2 years to really get back to myself physically and mentally. I was in

real bad shape before the operation.

I would recommend it to anyone.....but find a good, experienced doctor.

Thanks,

Vinnie

From: oneofsevenwives <oneofsevenwives@...>

Subject: Re: New member

achalasia

Date: Monday, July 28, 2008, 12:53 PM

Welcome Holly,

You've come to the right place. The folks on the board have a wealth

of knowledge about achalasia.

In VA

>

> Hello my name is Holly and I am 24 years old from southwest colorado.

> I have been suffering from achalasia since i was 15 and I am scheduled

> for my first esophogeal myotomy Aug. 14th and was wondering if anyone

> could tell me about their personal experiences with the procedure. I

> have had dilations done and had an ER scare back in May when I

> developed bleeding ulcers in my esophagus and began throwing up large

> amounts of blood and was put in the ICU. I had a dilation done after

> that but it was recommended that I have the myotomy surgery done. Im a

> bit afraid of having the surgery done after hearing some awful stories

> of worse symptoms aftewards and I am also a very slow healer. If

> anyone can tell me anything at all of their experiences I would

> greatly appreciate any advice I can get.

>

Report post · July 29, 2008

Hello Holly,

Â

Welcome to the Group.Â Â Â Â Don't be frightened by some of the bad reports you

read, as naturally most people will be posting when they have problems and need

to ask for help. There are many of us who are doing very well after the myotomy.

If we started sending good reports day after day -Tuesday: " Hi. everybody, I am

fine today " - Wednesday: " Hi Folks, nothing to report, everything going

down " ...... it might get a bit boring. LOL

Â

Good Luck with your research and decisions.

Best Wishes from Ann in England.

From: oneofsevenwives <oneofsevenwives>

Subject: Re: New member

achalasia@grou ps.com