getting nervous

[Guest guest]

Kathy, everything will go fine with the dilation. You willl be in and out and back home before you even know it.

in Suffolk

In a message dated 5/23/2006 2:31:54 PM GMT Standard Time, kmlyons1946@... writes:

I am scheduled for my balloon dilation Thursday morning at 9 am and I am getting very nervous about the procedure. I worry about feeling pain and I wirry about it not working and having to have another one.I have been on vacation in Massachusetts with my in-laws abd have done fairly well. I've really watched what I am eating, had small portions, and even brought my breakfast oatmeal with me. I have had only one episode of regurgitation. Tonight I begin a 36 hour liquid diet to prepare me for the endoscopy.I'll keep in touch.Kathy

[Guest guest]

Rest assured, Kathy, you will be sedated and probably won't feel a thing. The

hardest part

will be the liquid diet, I am sure. Look beyond the procedure, to when you will

feel food

going down!

Hugs

Peggy

>

> I am scheduled for my balloon dilation Thursday morning at 9 am and I

> am getting very nervous about the procedure. I worry about feeling

> pain and I wirry about it not working and having to have another one.

>

> I have been on vacation in Massachusetts with my in-laws abd have done

> fairly well. I've really watched what I am eating, had small

> portions, and even brought my breakfast oatmeal with me. I have had

> only one episode of regurgitation. Tonight I begin a 36 hour liquid

> diet to prepare me for the endoscopy.

>

> I'll keep in touch.

>

> Kathy

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Kathy,

Good Luck for Thursday. I sincerely hope it goes well for you. Just a word of advice- I don't know what time it is there (still Tuesday morning?). Start your liquid diet now, don't wait till tonight and drink loads of water over the next two days. Think of your oesophagus as a blocked sink that needs a lot of swishing out. I don't think even experts allow us enough time for fasting. The clearer you are, the more straightforward the dilatation has a chance of being. I have not had one personally, but I do have enough common sense to work this one out and know it's good advice.

Lots of love from Ann. I will be thinking about you xxxxx>> I am scheduled for my balloon dilation Thursday morning at 9 am and I > am getting very nervous about the procedure. I worry about feeling > pain and I wirry about it not working and having to have another one.> > I have been on vacation in Massachusetts with my in-laws abd have done > fairly well. I've really watched what I am eating, had small > portions, and even brought my breakfast oatmeal with me. I have had > only one episode of regurgitation. Tonight I begin a 36 hour liquid > diet to prepare me for the endoscopy.> > I'll keep in touch.> > Kathy>

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

I feel for you. Try to focus on the "after the dilation" period when you will be able to eat more normally and get back to a more normal life. I'll be thinking of you on Thursday and keep you in my prayers.

(in Ohio)

From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of kmlyons1946Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 9:29 AMachalasia Subject: Getting Nervous

I am scheduled for my balloon dilation Thursday morning at 9 am and I am getting very nervous about the procedure. I worry about feeling pain and I wirry about it not working and having to have another one.I have been on vacation in Massachusetts with my in-laws abd have done fairly well. I've really watched what I am eating, had small portions, and even brought my breakfast oatmeal with me. I have had only one episode of regurgitation. Tonight I begin a 36 hour liquid diet to prepare me for the endoscopy.I'll keep in touch.Kathy

[Guest guest]

Dear Kathy,

Please try not to be too nervous on Thursday. I had a 2nd dilatation

last February and have not looked back since. It has relieved me of

all symptoms and I can now eat & drink everything there is on the

menu. I must admit at the time I was so ill before the procedure was

done I ended up in hospital and didn't have the chance to feel

nervous. All I felt was blessed relief once it was done and almost

overnight being well enough to go home the next day.

It really is a very simple straightforward procedure without being

as invasive as surgery. The main problem is its lasting effects. It

varies so much and I just hope that it will be years rather than

months.

In the meantime, I'm remaining optimistic and hope that all goes

well for you next Thursday.

Good Luck,

in Essex

[Guest guest]

my drs office called today and changed my appt from next week to this thursday.

I will have my trial at 9am. How long did it take ???

thanks,

melissa

[Guest guest]

Cara,

Sending my prayers your way!  Listen, I know that nothing can completely ease

your anxiety, but what I had to tell myself was to face the facts about my

choices...I had to do somthing and I tried to find the best surgeon that I

could.  You have done the same thing...you have one of the best.  You are in

the

best possible hands...the rest you will have to trust and move forward. 

As I look at your situation, do you really have a choice?  The myotomy is a

simple surgery in the hands of an expert.  What would happen if you didn't do

it?  Wouldn't that be considered somewhat irresponsible???  You are trying to

help your situation, right? 

I will keep praying, and have everyone you know to pray!!!! 

Hugs, Julee So Calif.

 

________________________________

From: spotoca <cspoto@...>

achalasia

Sent: Mon, September 6, 2010 6:29:14 PM

Subject: Getting nervous

 

So I have been having nightmares and negative thoughts about my myotomy lately.

ThE day is fast approaching and I'm afraid that I am going to die. I know this

sounds so crazy and irrational. It's not the surgery that I am afraid of per

see. It's the condition of my E that scares me. What happens if he gets in there

and is like, omg this E is so bad? Or what happens if my surgery is much more

complicated because of my messed up E?

Dr. L said that he will do a very loose Dor wrap. I wonder if I will have reflux

after because of it.

I am just terrified of complications. I booked my flight based on a successful

surgery with discharge on Friday for a we'd surgery. If ere were complications I

would need to push my flight back. But I did not bank on that.I banked on

everything going well.

I really hope it does.

C

[Guest guest]

Dear Cara,

Im not a medical expert or psychologist, but I've seen a few people that seem to

go into the same mind set you have now, for other reasons. Your concerns do

seem a little more aggressive than it was for most of us. I don't know you, and

please take this with an open mind, but I'd suggest seeing your general

practitioner or family doctor or anyone to discuss what seems to me (as a

layperson, not a medical person) to be very high anxiety.

A friend went through a rough patch in her job, and suddendly her anxiety rose

so high over possible cancer spots from regular freckles. She had been totally

normal otherwise. Her mind started playing tricks one her and she could not

function, it got so bad. She took a regular anxiety medication and was fine in

just a few weeks. She could not care for her children and could not sleep.

I would not have believed it could happen unless I saw it happening right in

front of me.

She took the medication for a few months, quit her job, and started a huge

exercise program and all was well for a year or so. Then some other health

issues in her family developed, and it happened again, but she caught it right

away and was back on track in just a few days.

She is normal now, I'm nost sure what medications she takes, but I could see her

reacting exactly like you describe if she was facing surgery like you are.

There are tests they can give you for anxiety and just knowing the results,

whether you take medication may give you peace.

Looking back at stages in my life, I think some anxiety medication might have

helped me a few times, but I didn't want to admit it.

Usually, once one of us makes a decision there is a certain peace, although some

anxiety, but not as much as you have. You seem to not have found that peace

yet.

Again, please take these comments with the intent I offer them, even from a

distance.

My friend, could not take herself to the doctor, your family, had to take her,

almost as a last resort. She could not get over her concerns enough to even

deal with her immediate problems. She could not " see " herself to see how much

her anxiety had taken over her daily activities.

Any doctor, can prescribe the anxiety medication, you have to give it some time

to work, but in a few days your thoughts may be clearer, so that you aren't

second guessing your decision so much. Your healing will be much better and

quicker if your concerns are lessened.

Sandy

>

> So I have been having nightmares and negative thoughts about my myotomy

lately. ThE day is fast approaching and I'm afraid that I am going to die. I

know this sounds so crazy and irrational. It's not the surgery that I am afraid

of per see. It's the condition of my E that scares me. What happens if he gets

in there and is like, omg this E is so bad? Or what happens if my surgery is

much more complicated because of my messed up E?

>

> Dr. L said that he will do a very loose Dor wrap. I wonder if I will have

reflux after because of it.

>

> I am just terrified of complications. I booked my flight based on a successful

surgery with discharge on Friday for a we'd surgery. If ere were complications I

would need to push my flight back. But I did not bank on that.I banked on

everything going well.

>

> I really hope it does.

>

> C

>

[Guest guest]

I just had a myotomy with Dor wrap last week.  While it is a big deal in your

life, I can tell you the anticipation was greater than the experience.

 

I have had no reflux in the last ten days and in fact I have slept lying flat a

few times without issue.  (mainly because I HATE that stupid wedge pillow.)

 

Don't sweat it.  Your surgery will go fine and you will look back and wonder

why you waited so long!

From: spotoca <cspoto@...>

Subject: Getting nervous

achalasia

Date: Monday, September 6, 2010, 8:29 PM

 

So I have been having nightmares and negative thoughts about my myotomy lately.

ThE day is fast approaching and I'm afraid that I am going to die. I know this

sounds so crazy and irrational. It's not the surgery that I am afraid of per

see. It's the condition of my E that scares me. What happens if he gets in there

and is like, omg this E is so bad? Or what happens if my surgery is much more

complicated because of my messed up E?

Dr. L said that he will do a very loose Dor wrap. I wonder if I will have reflux

after because of it.

I am just terrified of complications. I booked my flight based on a successful

surgery with discharge on Friday for a we'd surgery. If ere were complications I

would need to push my flight back. But I did not bank on that.I banked on

everything going well.

I really hope it does.

C

[Guest guest]

Thanks Sandy,

I am on Lexapro. Have been for a while now. I am completely able to function

and take care of my kids. Most days I just push the thoughts out of my head

cause I'm so busy. Its just at night when I am finally able to relax do I think

about the surgery. I will mention again that I am not afraid of the myotomy. I

have had major surgery before. I am afraid that my E is so bad that it will make

the surgery more complicated and maybe even fail mid surgery.

There is nothing that will be able to help rid me of these thoughts. They are

real and not made up. I have to deal with this on my own. Sorry if my post made

it seem like I couldn't fuction, that is hardly the case. I am functioning

fine. I'm just scared.

Doesn't anyone on this board ever get scared?

C

> >

> > So I have been having nightmares and negative thoughts about my myotomy

lately. ThE day is fast approaching and I'm afraid that I am going to die. I

know this sounds so crazy and irrational. It's not the surgery that I am afraid

of per see. It's the condition of my E that scares me. What happens if he gets

in there and is like, omg this E is so bad? Or what happens if my surgery is

much more complicated because of my messed up E?

> >

> > Dr. L said that he will do a very loose Dor wrap. I wonder if I will have

reflux after because of it.

> >

> > I am just terrified of complications. I booked my flight based on a

successful surgery with discharge on Friday for a we'd surgery. If ere were

complications I would need to push my flight back. But I did not bank on that.I

banked on everything going well.

> >

> > I really hope it does.

> >

> > C

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Cara

May I ask how your E is so bad, or which tests indicate it's bad ?

I am most scared that no doctor will treat me, even after years of tests.

Susie

>

> Thanks Sandy,

> I am on Lexapro. Have been for a while now. I am completely able to function

and take care of my kids. Most days I just push the thoughts out of my head

cause I'm so busy. Its just at night when I am finally able to relax do I think

about the surgery. I will mention again that I am not afraid of the myotomy. I

have had major surgery before. I am afraid that my E is so bad that it will make

the surgery more complicated and maybe even fail mid surgery.

>

> There is nothing that will be able to help rid me of these thoughts. They are

real and not made up. I have to deal with this on my own. Sorry if my post made

it seem like I couldn't fuction, that is hardly the case. I am functioning

fine. I'm just scared.

>

> Doesn't anyone on this board ever get scared?

> C

>

[Guest guest]

scared yes but i think for different reasons I dont like pain

and the recovery worries me. also the fear of not being able to

do the things I like to do now, after surgery.

My swallowing isn't really that bad, I just hate the thought of

surgery maybe making things worse?

as for your worries if you had all the tests to diagnose achalasia

then the doctors know the condition of your E and know what they

need to do during the surgery.

I just had the camera down the throat " again " because the doctor

wanted to see what shape things are in for himself.

my followup to this latest test is in a week then i will know what

he wants to do, not sure yet what I want to do though:(

matt

> > >

> > > So I have been having nightmares and negative thoughts about my myotomy

lately. ThE day is fast approaching and I'm afraid that I am going to die. I

know this sounds so crazy and irrational. It's not the surgery that I am afraid

of per see. It's the condition of my E that scares me. What happens if he gets

in there and is like, omg this E is so bad? Or what happens if my surgery is

much more complicated because of my messed up E?

> > >

> > > Dr. L said that he will do a very loose Dor wrap. I wonder if I will have

reflux after because of it.

> > >

> > > I am just terrified of complications. I booked my flight based on a

successful surgery with discharge on Friday for a we'd surgery. If ere were

complications I would need to push my flight back. But I did not bank on that.I

banked on everything going well.

> > >

> > > I really hope it does.

> > >

> > > C

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Susie,

Here is my story in a nutshell. I was diagnosed at 22 after about 5 years of

intermittent swallowing problems. I never went to the doctor because I was

scared that I had cancer. I finally went when couldn't swallow water. I was

diagnosed right away after the three tests ( barium, manometry and endoscopy). I

had a dilatation and then I could swallow fine.

I have been swallowing fine for 14 years. Never went for a checkup to see how my

E was doing. Never knew I had to. Then found this group and realized that I

needed to get checked out. Well, I was pregnant with twins so I couldn't get a

barium so I waited another year. I went in on June 4 th 2010 for my barium that

showed a dilated tortuous Esophagus with a diameter of 10.5cm (yikes). This is

really bad. It's so bad that you don't even hear about any one like me getting a

myotomy. Most people in my shoes need a total removal (ectomy).

So I went to dr. Rice and dr. luketich and they both offered a myotomy to try to

give me some more years with my E before removal. I am 36 and have 2 yo twins. I

swallow fine. He is hopeful of a good outcome.

I have surgery with dr. L on oct 13th in Pittsburgh.

C

> >

> > Thanks Sandy,

> > I am on Lexapro. Have been for a while now. I am completely able to

function and take care of my kids. Most days I just push the thoughts out of my

head cause I'm so busy. Its just at night when I am finally able to relax do I

think about the surgery. I will mention again that I am not afraid of the

myotomy. I have had major surgery before. I am afraid that my E is so bad that

it will make the surgery more complicated and maybe even fail mid surgery.

> >

> > There is nothing that will be able to help rid me of these thoughts. They

are real and not made up. I have to deal with this on my own. Sorry if my post

made it seem like I couldn't fuction, that is hardly the case. I am functioning

fine. I'm just scared.

> >

> > Doesn't anyone on this board ever get scared?

> > C

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Cara, that's an amazing story. I would sure wonder why your E. is so dilated.

Mine is the opposite, walls thickened so much, nothing will do down &

dilitations didn't help tight LES.

Since both doctors offered you a myotomy, they must be confident that it'll

work. Let's keep that thought...it's going to work & you'll have many more

years with it.

All best, Susie

>

>

> Susie,

> Here is my story in a nutshell. I was diagnosed at 22 after about 5 years of

intermittent swallowing problems. I never went to the doctor because I was

scared that I had cancer. I finally went when couldn't swallow water. I was

diagnosed right away after the three tests ( barium, manometry and endoscopy). I

had a dilatation and then I could swallow fine.

>

> I have been swallowing fine for 14 years. Never went for a checkup to see how

my E was doing. Never knew I had to. Then found this group and realized that I

needed to get checked out. Well, I was pregnant with twins so I couldn't get a

barium so I waited another year. I went in on June 4 th 2010 for my barium that

showed a dilated tortuous Esophagus with a diameter of 10.5cm (yikes). This is

really bad. It's so bad that you don't even hear about any one like me getting a

myotomy. Most people in my shoes need a total removal (ectomy).

>

> So I went to dr. Rice and dr. luketich and they both offered a myotomy to try

to give me some more years with my E before removal. I am 36 and have 2 yo

twins. I swallow fine. He is hopeful of a good outcome.

>

> I have surgery with dr. L on oct 13th in Pittsburgh.

>

[Guest guest]

wow you wouldnt have thought that if you were swallowing fine

after the dilitation that damage would have been occurring.

Now you have me worried, i can swallow fine its just slow

am i going to end up with a dilated E..

matt

> >

> >

> > Susie,

> > Here is my story in a nutshell. I was diagnosed at 22 after about 5 years

of intermittent swallowing problems. I never went to the doctor because I was

scared that I had cancer. I finally went when couldn't swallow water. I was

diagnosed right away after the three tests ( barium, manometry and endoscopy). I

had a dilatation and then I could swallow fine.

> >

> > I have been swallowing fine for 14 years. Never went for a checkup to see

how my E was doing. Never knew I had to. Then found this group and realized that

I needed to get checked out. Well, I was pregnant with twins so I couldn't get a

barium so I waited another year. I went in on June 4 th 2010 for my barium that

showed a dilated tortuous Esophagus with a diameter of 10.5cm (yikes). This is

really bad. It's so bad that you don't even hear about any one like me getting a

myotomy. Most people in my shoes need a total removal (ectomy).

> >

> > So I went to dr. Rice and dr. luketich and they both offered a myotomy to

try to give me some more years with my E before removal. I am 36 and have 2 yo

twins. I swallow fine. He is hopeful of a good outcome.

> >

> > I have surgery with dr. L on oct 13th in Pittsburgh.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

The point to all of this, and Cara has made this abundantly clear, our " story "

does not end when we get dilatations or myotomies, or even ectomies. We must

continue to get monitored on a regular basis (perhaps once a year, or every

other year).  The problem we are seeing is that we, as patients, are not always

advised that we should have these regular followups.

With the advent of the internet and our group, more people should become aware,

but clearly there will be newly diagnosed people who will get " fixed " only to

find out that it might be temporary.

As the esophagus stretches, it sometimes becomes easier to eat.  (How about the

analogy of getting your foot into a sock that's all stretched out of shape. 

Might be easier, but its not going to last much longer if it gets too

stretched).  So, we swallow better, oblivious to the fact that its easier

because the esophagus is stretching.  Thus, no need to go to the doctor for the

various unpleasantries of an endoscopy or barium.

Then one day, a Cara, or a (NY) " wake up " and discover that the darn thing

went mega and nobody warned them about it.  In many cases I would blame the

doctors for being negligent about this becoming a possibility, for all the good

it'll do us.

________________________________

From: nowtri <nowtri@...>

achalasia

Sent: Tue, September 7, 2010 3:50:49 PM

Subject: Re: Getting nervous

 

wow you wouldnt have thought that if you were swallowing fine

after the dilitation that damage would have been occurring.

Now you have me worried, i can swallow fine its just slow

am i going to end up with a dilated E..

matt

> >

> >

> > Susie,

> > Here is my story in a nutshell. I was diagnosed at 22 after about 5 years of

>intermittent swallowing problems. I never went to the doctor because I was

>scared that I had cancer. I finally went when couldn't swallow water. I was

>diagnosed right away after the three tests ( barium, manometry and endoscopy).

I

>had a dilatation and then I could swallow fine.

> >

> > I have been swallowing fine for 14 years. Never went for a checkup to see

how

>my E was doing. Never knew I had to. Then found this group and realized that I

>needed to get checked out. Well, I was pregnant with twins so I couldn't get a

>barium so I waited another year. I went in on June 4 th 2010 for my barium that

>showed a dilated tortuous Esophagus with a diameter of 10.5cm (yikes). This is

>really bad. It's so bad that you don't even hear about any one like me getting

a

>myotomy. Most people in my shoes need a total removal (ectomy).

>

> >

> > So I went to dr. Rice and dr. luketich and they both offered a myotomy to

try

>to give me some more years with my E before removal. I am 36 and have 2 yo

>twins. I swallow fine. He is hopeful of a good outcome.

>

> >

> > I have surgery with dr. L on oct 13th in Pittsburgh.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I think this is the case with my husband, which you all warned me about.

He's been eating ok....not even drinking his usual gallon of water. Last night

he threw up.... & threw up .... & threw up.....about 2 hours after dinner. I was

already upstairs with the kids, he doesn't know I heard him. He didn't say

anything & I didn't ask. But over the weekend his allergies were killing

him....he was so congested & he wasn't eating much. I said " Are you sick or is

it your allergies? " (meaning one or the other) & he said " I hope so " ......and

yet, he still hasn't called the doctor.

> > >

> > >

> > > Susie,

> > > Here is my story in a nutshell. I was diagnosed at 22 after about 5 years

of

> >intermittent swallowing problems. I never went to the doctor because I was

> >scared that I had cancer. I finally went when couldn't swallow water. I was

> >diagnosed right away after the three tests ( barium, manometry and

endoscopy). I

> >had a dilatation and then I could swallow fine.

> > >

> > > I have been swallowing fine for 14 years. Never went for a checkup to see

how

> >my E was doing. Never knew I had to. Then found this group and realized that

I

> >needed to get checked out. Well, I was pregnant with twins so I couldn't get

a

> >barium so I waited another year. I went in on June 4 th 2010 for my barium

that

> >showed a dilated tortuous Esophagus with a diameter of 10.5cm (yikes). This

is

> >really bad. It's so bad that you don't even hear about any one like me

getting a

> >myotomy. Most people in my shoes need a total removal (ectomy).

> >

> > >

> > > So I went to dr. Rice and dr. luketich and they both offered a myotomy to

try

> >to give me some more years with my E before removal. I am 36 and have 2 yo

> >twins. I swallow fine. He is hopeful of a good outcome.

> >

> > >

> > > I have surgery with dr. L on oct 13th in Pittsburgh.

> > >

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Matt,

I have no idea if your E is stretching. Everyon progresses at different rates.

All I can say is get a barium swallow test every 2 years to see the shape of

your E and then make a plan based on that. If its stretching and its hard to

swallow then maybe you need another procedure or surgery (I am not sure of your

surgical history).

There does become a point where your E is so stretched out that all that can be

done is removal. I am at that point. The only reason they are attempting a

myotomy is because 1) I have never had one 2) my sigmoid turn is not completely

fighting gravity (although one could argue that it is) 3) I am so young and I

have young kids and an ectomy would not be very good for me and my family right

now

i spoke to Dr. L and he feels that my swallowing won't feel like so much of an

improvement because i feel like I can swallow so well already. But he hope to

see things go down much faster and not sit in my E and continue to stretch it

out.

He feels that if I can empty my E out then I am not at risk for aspiration, or

cancer or any further stretching. Then I can go on for who knows how many more

years happily with my native E. Dr. L feels I can get 5 -10 more years. But i

guess no one really knows. No one has a crystal ball and most people in my

situation have a hard time swallowing. That is at least what Dr. L has seen. He

says I am kind of an anomaly that I can swallow. I guess this is a good sign.

i need to keep the positive thoughts in my head.

Funny thing though. As I am all nervous and feeling down, I get a packet in the

mail today from Dr. L. Its a whole folder on him, his bio and credentials and

also a magazine with him on the cover. Makes me feel more confident in his

abilities. Maybe it was meant to be that I received this today.

There are no coincidences in life. I have faith that God will take care of me.

Sometimes I just lose sight of that.

Thanks everyone for all your kind words. I would be lost without all of you!

C

> > >

> > >

> > > Susie,

> > > Here is my story in a nutshell. I was diagnosed at 22 after about 5 years

of intermittent swallowing problems. I never went to the doctor because I was

scared that I had cancer. I finally went when couldn't swallow water. I was

diagnosed right away after the three tests ( barium, manometry and endoscopy). I

had a dilatation and then I could swallow fine.

> > >

> > > I have been swallowing fine for 14 years. Never went for a checkup to see

how my E was doing. Never knew I had to. Then found this group and realized that

I needed to get checked out. Well, I was pregnant with twins so I couldn't get a

barium so I waited another year. I went in on June 4 th 2010 for my barium that

showed a dilated tortuous Esophagus with a diameter of 10.5cm (yikes). This is

really bad. It's so bad that you don't even hear about any one like me getting a

myotomy. Most people in my shoes need a total removal (ectomy).

> > >

> > > So I went to dr. Rice and dr. luketich and they both offered a myotomy to

try to give me some more years with my E before removal. I am 36 and have 2 yo

twins. I swallow fine. He is hopeful of a good outcome.

> > >

> > > I have surgery with dr. L on oct 13th in Pittsburgh.

> > >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

getting a few more years before they have to do anything to extensive

might be a good thing at the rate stemcell work is going

we might be able to have new parts made to replace our old

not working parts. thats something to look forward to:)

I will know next wednesday what my doctor wants to do when we

review the test results / talk about what he seen with the camera.

(i suspect nothing was seen like the first time)

he said my barium swallow didnt show anything other than slow draining

which is good i think.

matt

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Susie,

> > > > Here is my story in a nutshell. I was diagnosed at 22 after about 5

years of intermittent swallowing problems. I never went to the doctor because I

was scared that I had cancer. I finally went when couldn't swallow water. I was

diagnosed right away after the three tests ( barium, manometry and endoscopy). I

had a dilatation and then I could swallow fine.

> > > >

> > > > I have been swallowing fine for 14 years. Never went for a checkup to

see how my E was doing. Never knew I had to. Then found this group and realized

that I needed to get checked out. Well, I was pregnant with twins so I couldn't

get a barium so I waited another year. I went in on June 4 th 2010 for my barium

that showed a dilated tortuous Esophagus with a diameter of 10.5cm (yikes).

This is really bad. It's so bad that you don't even hear about any one like me

getting a myotomy. Most people in my shoes need a total removal (ectomy).

> > > >

> > > > So I went to dr. Rice and dr. luketich and they both offered a myotomy

to try to give me some more years with my E before removal. I am 36 and have 2

yo twins. I swallow fine. He is hopeful of a good outcome.

> > > >

> > > > I have surgery with dr. L on oct 13th in Pittsburgh.

> > > >

> > >

> >

>