Guest guest Posted November 6, 1999 Report Share Posted November 6, 1999 Hello from Elena! I've had achalasia for 3 years now, first doctors thought I was crazy, then I had two botox injections, then a dilation. Just three weeks ago I had a Heller's Myotomy. It's too early to say whether I'm cured but I am much better. If you'd like, e-mail me for more info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 1999 Report Share Posted November 8, 1999 Hello : My name is Elena and I've had the dilation. You receive a sedative then the doctor inserts an endescopic camera and performs the dilation through the same device that houses the camera. The team at UCLA was very professional and let me look at all the equipment and ask all kinds of questions. The dilation gave me the most relief (as opposed to the Botox injections). For some people it's the other way around. Unfortunately, my symptoms got worse because I had the achalasia for a long time. Three weeks ago I had a Heller's myotomy. If you'd like, I'll forward some med sites to you for review. Let me know if you'd like any more info personally. Wishing you a successful dilation, Sincerely, Elena Wagner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 8, 1999 Report Share Posted November 8, 1999 Hi! I had two dilations. The first was using the guide wires to do the procedure, and I had no relief at all. The second was using a balloon device, and I experienced problem free swallowing for 2 days. After that the symptoms of achalasia started to return slowly. I had a little soreness and irritation in my throat for a day or two, and experienced SEVERE heartburn after the last dilation. I had a Heller Myotomy last Monday, am still recovering. During the procedure, the surgeon found small leaks in my esophagus and that may have been the cause of the heartburn. It is hard to say for sure. Good luck, and I hope this gives you some relief! howard@... wrote: > > I am about to go in for a dilation, and would like to know what others > have experienced. > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Imagine a credit card with a 0% Intro APR and Instant Approval… > It seems impossible, but it’s not. Visit GetSmart.com’s Credit Card > Finder and click on instant approval cards right now at > http://clickhere./click/1269 > > -- Easily schedule meetings and events using the group calendar! > -- cal?listname=achalasia & m=1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 1999 Report Share Posted November 11, 1999 Hello, They actually went in and cut the esophogus where it was pinched off and it really helped. I guess the muscles will never work again but I am able to live with it now and I do sleep at night. When the did the barrium swallow on me it was taking a whole day for the stuff to get to my stomach. The Cleveland Clinic is a wonderful place for this problem. They specialize is this surgery. I will look and see if I can find the link that tells about the surgery. You did not say where you were from so I don't know if Cleveland is an option for you. He told me they could do the balloon but it probably would just be a temp. fix. Let me know what you think. Mark~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 1999 Report Share Posted November 11, 1999 Here is the link. Mark~ <A HREF= " http://www4.ccf.org/health/health-info/docs/1300/1368.HTM " >Minimally Invasive Surgery for Achalasia</A> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 1999 Report Share Posted November 11, 1999 Hello, Here is a little more info. explaining why the surgery is the best way to go. Mark~ <A HREF= " http://health.upenn.edu/~surgery/clin/gi/achalas.html " >Achalasia</A> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 1999 Report Share Posted November 11, 1999 Hi everyone, I'm a little surprised your doctor told you that dilation can be done as many times as necessary. My understanding of the procedure is that each dilation becomes less effective. Have you considered a botox injection instead? E Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 1999 Report Share Posted November 11, 1999 Hello - I had the Heller's myotomy on 10/20/99. The articles you forwarded me suggest the surgery " as easy as one-two-three " . My surgery was three hours long and I stayed in the hospital for three days. I wouldn't catogarize it as easy. I feel better but not 100% and have reflux now. At least I can sleep now without waking up choking. This surgery is not for everyone and anyone considering it should discuss it thoroughly with their doctor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 1999 Report Share Posted November 11, 1999 How long after the surgery did the problems start again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 1999 Report Share Posted November 11, 1999 Hey, Sorry I made you think it was easy. It was the toughest thing I ever went through in my life. My surgery was 5 hours long but I was to the point that I could not go on the way things were. Mark~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 1999 Report Share Posted November 11, 1999 I think the problems started again because I did not follow my diet. It started again after about 3 months but nothing like before the surgery. I still sleep at night and I think I have learned to eat better. Mark~ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 1999 Report Share Posted November 11, 1999 What kind of a diet do you follow? Did you visit a nutritiionist for this diet or just avoid certain foods like we all do? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 11, 1999 Report Share Posted November 11, 1999 Hi Mark - the articles made it sound easy, I KNOW it's really hard. How are you recovering? I wasn't allowed to drive for two weeks following the surgery. It was hard to stay still but somehow I made it through OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 23, 2000 Report Share Posted August 23, 2000 Hello . I am sorry to hear that the myotomy did not help. How long ago did you have it done? Have you tried the botox injection? Maybe nifedipine or nitroglycerine tablets can help. What has your doctor told you? I can understand how you can feel depressed with this disease. Sharing with this group can help. Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 My husband, has had two failed myotimies; Nitro does not help his attacks!!! Carol if you are listening; Please help us, I 've gone as far as to try to find cola syrup. The only thing that i could find that the pharmacist said was cola syrup was red. The directions for use was as a laxative. I live in North Bay, Ontario. Ask anybody the doctor's up here are os!!! Believe most other professionals agree with me entirely. The syrup i obtained was red, and i was assured it was the same thing as cola syrup. I do not believe that this was the right medicine for my husband!!!! Please reply, The drepression and no help is extremely depressive, I always that that cola syrup was black! Please advise me if I'm wrong!!! In North bay no other drug store claims to carry it. If I donot have the right syrup; would a heath alternative store have it ??? Need an answer ASAP We desperaately need HELP!!!! LOVE LAURA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 24, 2000 Report Share Posted August 24, 2000 hello allan thanks for emailing me back i had the surgery about 4 months ago sept. 10th will be 4 months i talked to my doctor tuesday after having a hard time swallowing water it would not go down everthing came up i did not get anything down that day that was this monday he put me on levsin and it dont seem to help he said if it did not he wants to see me in his office again and i am going to prevent that if i can they have done two dilations and stretches it did not help so they did the hellers myotomy on me other people say that after they have had that they can eat like a normal person and some say that it was a failure or the symtoms came back after a while i well i cant eat fruits, bread, meat or anything thats hard i am drinking my food and eating baby food i have lost some more weight since my surgery the doctor was talking about more test what would that be? i do not want that manometry done again it took for ever to get the tube down i am in that egroups but i cant remember my password please write back and thank you for emailing me back patricia Re: achalasia > Hello . I am sorry to hear that the myotomy did not help. How > long ago did you have it done? Have you tried the botox injection? > Maybe nifedipine or nitroglycerine tablets can help. What has your > doctor told you? I can understand how you can feel depressed with > this disease. Sharing with this group can help. > > Alan > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2000 Report Share Posted August 29, 2000 - The basic difference between the two achalasias is that, with vigorous achalasia, you have painful muscle spasms of the esophageal muscles. These are often described as being similar to those one must feel when experiencing angina or other cardiac conditions. Indeed, many achalasia sufferers delay receiving proper identification of their condition as physicians seek out cardiac causes for the source of the pain. The spasms can last anywhere from seconds to hours and can occur anytime, even waking you out of a sound sleep. There is a prescription drug, Levsin, which is effective in alleviating the pain. Hope this helps - Carol achalasia hello my name is patricia and i was wondering what is the difference between achalasia and the vigorous achalasia? patricia Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 29, 2000 Report Share Posted August 29, 2000 when you can't get anything (food or liquid) down and severe chest pain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 30, 2000 Report Share Posted August 30, 2000 Dear Carol, now that you have sent a message to about the difference between two types of achalasia. You have just diagnosed My Husband. He has to have vigourous achalasia, and I am printing this and taking to Toronto to the new Specialist. Wish us luck Thanks so very much, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 31, 2000 Report Share Posted August 31, 2000 - You might also want to arm yourself with Dr. Zucker's excellent article on achalasia which can be found at the web site: http://www.aalaparoscopic-surgery.com/achalasi.htm. This is probably the most complete document on achalasia I've ever read and discussed all the diagnostic procedures as well as treatment options. Good luck - let us know what happens! I'll be thinking of you! Carol Re: achalasia > > Dear Carol, > > now that you have sent a message to about the difference between two > types of achalasia. You have just diagnosed My Husband. He has to have > vigourous achalasia, and I am printing this and taking to Toronto to the new > Specialist. Wish us luck > > Thanks so very much, > > > > > > > > _____NetZero Free Internet Access and Email______ http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 1, 2000 Report Share Posted September 1, 2000 : Glad to hear you are going for a second opinion in Toronto! There ARE specialists in this stuff. I spoke with a doc in Chicago who had seen approximately 1000 patients suffering from achalasia over the course of his career. Hope you find someone like that. Good luck! Swack In achalasiaegroups, red57kw05@a... wrote: > Dear Carol, > > now that you have sent a message to about the difference between two > types of achalasia. You have just diagnosed My Husband. He has to have > vigourous achalasia, and I am printing this and taking to Toronto to the new > Specialist. Wish us luck > > Thanks so very much, > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2000 Report Share Posted October 30, 2000 Abby - This was a wonderful - if you can use that word! - description of what lies ahead for achalasiacs. I hope none of us ever get to that point, but we just never know what will happen. And yes, while I am remarkably improved to the point where I hardly think of having an eating problem, I do still have some episodes. When I'm tired or stressed, I'm more prone to the painful chest spasms. Thankfully, there is Levsin to help ease the attack very quickly. However, I never go anywhere without an emergency supply - including my early morning 4 mile walks - so it's always " with me " , in the back of my mind, that this is a condition I have to live with. Likewise with eating - I still avoid certain foods, especially when I'm eating out. If I think there's a chance I'll have something stick, I go for the safe stuff - like soups or soft foods. Luckily, I like mashed potatoes! My doctors told me I'd never be 100% and so I'm not upset when these things happen. On balance, I'm better off that I used to be and for that I'm grateful. Your information was well presented and much needed on this site. Thanks! Carol achalasia > : > Your Dr. didn't tell you what the long term effects of achalasia > are because he/she probably doesn't know. > I've had achalasia for four years now. I've had two surgeries to > correct the problem . Although I'm not perfect, I'm substantially > better than I was. Of all of us in the group, Carol seems to have had > the best luck. She doesn't seem to have any residual effects of the > disease. I,on the other hand can eat much better since my > surgeries,however I am sttll very aware of the fact that I have a > disorder that effects my eating. > No one has told me what to expect except for a cardio-thoracic > surgeon,who was supposed to perform an esophagectomy(removal of the > esophagus) on me with my general surgeon. He told me I don't need the > surgery yet, as I am still able to eat,but at sometime,10,20,maybe 30 > yrs from now I will need one. Most people with achalasia will need one > at some point ,as this is a progressive disease. Myotomy > surgery(cutting of the esophgeal muscle) will make you feel better,but > it is not a cure for the disease. > When,you might ask does one know when he/she needs an > esophagectomy? When the esophagus becomes twisted and contorted,due to > a lack of mobility and usage. The esohagus is a muscle,and as with any > muscle,if it is not used it becomes flaccid and lax. It may then begin > to fold on itself making eating virtually impossible. If the Dr. can't > pass a scope because of the twisting,it's time for an esophagectomy. > It is possible to live without an esohagus. The surgery can be doe > two ways. Either part of ypur intestine is used to fashion a new > esohagus(colan intraposition),or the stomach is puled up into the chest > and connected to the nub of the esohagus that's left in place. Sounds > horrible,I know,but peope who have had it done seem to come out > A-OK.Abby > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ Why pay for something you could get for free? NetZero provides FREE Internet Access and Email http://www.netzero.net/download/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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