Re: Just Had a dilation

[Guest guest]

Sage, I had a dilatation on November 19th. They

did not do a barium swallow that day, but did two

weeks later to check to see if the dilatation was

effective or just how easily food went down. I

actually ate some solid food on the way home.

I don't recall having bowel problems right after the

dilatation, but I often had it before and have sometimes afterwards. No doctor has told me this, but I am convinced

that our problem really runs all the way through the grastro

tract. As says IBS. I would definitely check with the doctor if it continues to be a daily problem.

If my doctor suggested I find another doctor, I would

interpret that to mean he didn't know what else to do and

I would indeed find another and soon.

You have my prayers as well.

Magg

[Guest guest]

,

I am thinking about you and hope things get better soon. I wish

there was something I could do or say to help speed the

righanswer/doctor/solution/peace of mind. Sometimes it all seems like

such a confusing hassle. I truly believe you are going to find an

answer...it must seem like you are spinning your wheels, but keep at it.

While I didln't have a dilation, as you know, I did have a little

stomach/bowel trouble after. Mine seemed like IBS...off and on

diahreah/constipation that lasted for a few weeks, but now it's better.

I think when they start messing with your esophagus in either a dilation

or surgery, there must be kind of a ripple effect to your whole

digestive tract until things calm down again. My doctor even said as

much. Try to relax and think of this as just another step along the way

to your ultimate answer. Be patient with your stomach problem for a few

days. You've been through a lot...anxiety will compound any digestive

problems, as we ALL well know. I know if I'm upset, the first place I

feel it is my stomach. It's like mind over matter...of course you are

anxious and worried, but you have to try not to be in order to have the

best possible situation for your digestive health, right? It's a catch

22, I know. Are you having pain? I would call your doctor right away

and let him know what's going on, but try to keep the faith that the

answer will come and your perserverance and patience will win out with

your solution. You are in my prayers, friend.

[Guest guest]

,

I can certainly feel for you. Seems that I had the same thing done to me last year. I had at least 20 dilations done by one doctor. He straight up told me that he didn't know what else to do and that this was not working. So HE found me another mobility specialist. The new doctor did Botox injections. I have had three sets now. The first lasted only 6 weeks, the second did not work at all and the third was done with an ultrasound and have worked for about 2 1/2 months! The most relief I have had in 2 1/2 years! They are now talking surgery, but I wanted to get my kids through the holidays first. Maybe you should ask this doctor or his staff if he knows any mobility specialists that specialize in achalasia. The dilations never worked for me as an adult. Relief was only gauged in hours if at all. The longest relief I ever received from them was 48 hours.(I had my first dilation at 19 months old it worked pretty well until age 9, at age 9 the dilation worked okay. I just never realized that people didn't get "choked" on everything they ate as I grew up. I didn't realize that everyone's body didn't do the same things until I was a teenager)

Maybe your doctor is just at a loss like my original doctor was. It is a hard change to make, because you become "comfortable" with a doctor. BUT trust me and make the change. A fresh look at it by a new doctor could be just what you need! Have a happy New Year! My prayers are with you. I hope you are feeling better!

Carol

Just Had a dilation

Just had a dilation and have a few questions for anyone who has gone through the same:

After your procedure did they take make you drink a really nasty liquid (not barium) and watch to see if it was going down. From what I could see the procedure didn't work, my esophagus was still filling up. I mentioned this to the doctor taking the x-rays and she said I was still very dilated. I was told that the x-rays were being done so my doctor could check for leaks. He didn't tell me directly, but he told my husband that they used a medium size balloon. When I mentioned to my doctor that it didn't work his response was that I have to find a doctor in my insurance network and in Jew Jersey that can do dilations (this doctor was out of network, i.e., not a member of my insurance, and in NYC) as I would need another one. When I asked why have so many dilations why not just do the surgery he really didn't have an answer, or avoided giving me one and since I was groggy I didn't press the issue. They also took several x-rays of my stomach. Is this common? Also, I hope it stops but now I have severe diaherrea (sp) even after only drinking liquids. I haven't eaten any food, have had just liquids for two days so I don't understand why I would have to have a bowel movement. My stomach rumbles, gurggles very loudly after every sip I take, and then I have to run to the bathroom. I know I should be asking my doctor this, and if it continues eventually I will, but I need your input first, I am so fustrated and fed up and hate to think that I now have a combination stomach and esophagus problem, one problem was enough. Any replys about your expreience with a dilation would be appreciated.

Thanks, and Happy New Year.

[Guest guest]

I'm not a big fan of dilations. I had two before I had surgery

which didn't last very long and things slowly but surely went back

to how they were before. When I was then put forward for surgery

because they hadn't given me much relief, the surgeon I was referred

to for the myotomy said he prefers to operate on people who haven't

had dilations as they can damage the oesophagus. I was angry as I

didn't know there was a surgery they could do at the time and if I'd

had the choice I would have preferred to go straight for surgery I

think although no-one likes the thought of an operation, in

hindsight it was the best option as it is so much more precise than

a dilation.

After my dilations there was no follow up procedure/barium swallows

to see how things had gone. I was just made an appointment for six

months or so, by which time things had gotten worse again. Perhaps

things are different here in the UK.

I felt groggy afterwards the procedure as they put you out for a

short time and this can affect your whole system I think. I didn't

have any problems bowel or stomach wise, just felt a bit bruised

inside my chest area. Also heartburn was a big problem.

My thoughts are with you and I hope you soon feel improved.

TRACY.

>

> Just had a dilation and have a few questions for anyone who has

gone through the same:

>

> After your procedure did they take make you drink a really nasty

liquid (not barium) and watch to see if it was going down. From

what I could see the procedure didn't work, my esophagus was still

filling up. I mentioned this to the doctor taking the x-rays and

she said I was still very dilated. I was told that the x-rays were

being done so my doctor could check for leaks. He didn't tell me

directly, but he told my husband that they used a medium size

balloon. When I mentioned to my doctor that it didn't work his

response was that I have to find a doctor in my insurance network

and in Jew Jersey that can do dilations (this doctor was out of

network, i.e., not a member of my insurance, and in NYC) as I would

need another one. When I asked why have so many dilations why not

just do the surgery he really didn't have an answer, or avoided

giving me one and since I was groggy I didn't press the issue. They

also took several x-rays of my stomach. Is this common? Also, I

hope it stops but now I have severe diaherrea (sp) even after only

drinking liquids. I haven't eaten any food, have had just liquids

for two days so I don't understand why I would have to have a bowel

movement. My stomach rumbles, gurggles very loudly after every sip

I take, and then I have to run to the bathroom. I know I should be

asking my doctor this, and if it continues eventually I will, but I

need your input first, I am so fustrated and fed up and hate to

think that I now have a combination stomach and esophagus problem,

one problem was enough. Any replys about your expreience with a

dilation would be appreciated.

>

> Thanks, and Happy New Year.

>

>

>

> ---------------------------------

>

[Guest guest]

Carol, Thanks for the input. You certainly have traveled a rough road, and much longer than I have. My achalasia started when I was sixteen (I am 53). My daughter called the doctor tonight as I had a spasm so severe I thought I was going to pass out. I asked the doctor if he felt that the dilation worked or not and he said it's difficult to tell. He explained that things are swollen, etc. He said if I had pain medication at home to use it, and if things didn't subside to call him again. I told him that I guess I just won't eat as when I do I get chest pains, hopefully this will pass because if it doesn't I don't know what I'll do. I'm not a good patient as I can't tolerate all the "red tape" involved with illness. That is finding the right doctor, making sure that they do everything the insurance company wants, etc. I guess I have to convince myself that there is no quick fix. I've had alot of surgery and they were all successful and corrected the problem, having stuff done and still having a problem doesn't sit well with my personality. Please let us all know if you have the surgery and how you're recuperating after. I wish you well and my prayers are with you. Carol <ckeith@...> wrote: