new to group/not so new to A

[Guest guest]

It's really nice and a little weird to find this group. I've only

met one other person with achalasia in my life. I've seen several

MDs who obviously (the glazed, mild panic in their eyes gives them

away) knew nothing about the disorder. I went through several

unsuccessful dilitations and a bunch of pills that didn't help befor

I had surgery some 25+ years ago. Other than a radical racing

stripe (I hear the incisions are smaller these days) it left me in

good shape. I eat fairly normally. Lots of fluid and a bit of

gurgling but typically no pain or regurgitation. No one knows but

immediate family or life long friends. But I remember eating alone,

running to the bathroom, searing pain, aspirating food into my lungs

and being emaciated. It seems so long ago. Sorry to just dump

here, but I never thought I would be able to talk about it to people

who know what it's like.

I guess the most important thing I want to say is that it's a minor

issue in my life today. For me anyway, the surgery was a Godsend.

I will be getting " scoped " for the first time since the surgery just

as a precaution. I'm hoping the equipment has gotten smaller since

the last time >8-0

I wish everyone a happy holiday and look forward to reading about

other's experiences with this quirky and painful malady. Good luck

to all and God bless the soul who is responsible for starting this

group!!

Aloha,

in Honolulu

[Guest guest]

Welcome, !

As you've already figured out, this group is a wonderful support for

those dealing with achalasia. It's always great to hear from new

members who have had successful treatments -- it gives hope to those

who are unsure what the future holds for them!

Coincidentally, we have a relatively new member to the group who is

also from Hawaii -- Suzi is currently traveling to Washington state

to take her daughter Jena to see Dr. Pelligrini there - surgery is

scheduled for the 19th. Since I've been a member of this group, I

don't recall a single person from Hawaii, and now we get two in the

same month! )

Welcome " aboard " - it's no fun having achalasia, but it's a lot more

bearable when you're among others who understand what you're going

through!

Mele Kalikimaka!

Debbi in Snowy Michigan

[Guest guest]

Welcome . It is so good to have one join our group who had

surgery so long ago and is still eating normally and the surgery was

apparently so successful. It does indeed give us who are still facing

surgery someday new hope.

I hope you will stick around to give others who join the group and

others thinking of having surgery support and courage.

Happy Holidays

Maggie

Alabama

[Guest guest]

Wow, yet another! Thanks for reporting your long term

success with surgery for Achalasia. It is good to know that there

are others out there that have gone that long.

We wish you continued success and a Merry Christmas.

Maggie

Alabama

[Guest guest]

wrote:

>...I had surgery some 25+ years ago. ... I eat fairly normally. ...

Are you are saying that your surgery has lasted over 25 years? Without any

other treatments needed since the surgery? If so, this is very encouraging

news. We all hope our treatments will last a very long time and never need

to be retreated, but I don't remember anyone that has said their's lasted

25 years. People have reported that their doctors have indicated that their

surgeries could last a lifetime, but most of the people we hear from have

not had their surgery that long or their surgeries failed long before that.

notan

[Guest guest]

25 years ago there was a class at the medical schools that showed students how to do the "glazed eye - mild panic" look when they heard about plugged throats and nothing going down.

LMAO -- , you are TOO MUCH!)Deb

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I also had my surgery 24 years ago, i rarely have any problems,only

when stressed, then i notice a tightening of the eosophagus. Like you

only my close friends and family are aware of my condition. I never

had the option of dilitations, surgery was the only solution

available at the time of diagnosis, also there was only 1 researcher

and 1 surgeon that knew anything about this condition, my disease was

so rare in the uk they actually recorded video of my operation for

student records and teaching purposes. I have never seen it I might

add.

These days I get spasms occasionally, cold water cures if drunk

quickly, i eat slower than others, no big deal, I chew more, I avoid

fizzy drinks, i have learned to live with A for so long now it is

almost normal to me.

I found this group around 6 months ago, not entered into conversation

much but have been curious to observe current treatments.

I also have the 40cm scar, a source of conversation at swimming pools

at 30, a source of embarassment as at 13.

Anyway i wish you good health, merry christmas and if there is

anything new for us oldtimers, please do tell.

take care

35, Hertfordshire, UK

> It's really nice and a little weird to find this group. I've only

> met one other person with achalasia in my life. I've seen several

> MDs who obviously (the glazed, mild panic in their eyes gives them

> away) knew nothing about the disorder. I went through several

> unsuccessful dilitations and a bunch of pills that didn't help

befor

> I had surgery some 25+ years ago. Other than a radical racing

> stripe (I hear the incisions are smaller these days) it left me in

> good shape. I eat fairly normally. Lots of fluid and a bit of

> gurgling but typically no pain or regurgitation. No one knows but

> immediate family or life long friends. But I remember eating

alone,

> running to the bathroom, searing pain, aspirating food into my

lungs

> and being emaciated. It seems so long ago. Sorry to just dump

> here, but I never thought I would be able to talk about it to

people

> who know what it's like.

>

> I guess the most important thing I want to say is that it's a minor

> issue in my life today. For me anyway, the surgery was a Godsend.

> I will be getting " scoped " for the first time since the surgery

just

> as a precaution. I'm hoping the equipment has gotten smaller since

> the last time >8-0

>

> I wish everyone a happy holiday and look forward to reading about

> other's experiences with this quirky and painful malady. Good luck

> to all and God bless the soul who is responsible for starting this

> group!!

>

> Aloha,

>

> in Honolulu

[Guest guest]

Notan,

When I first read you note I thought you were asking if I was on the surgical table for 25 years "did the surgery last 25 years"...Yikes!!

I am saying that 27 years ago, I had surgery (@ UAB Hospital in Birmingham Alabama USA) and have had no treatment since. I have occassional spasm, ussually when my sleep pattern is disrupted, or I'm under intense stress. But I eat normally, whatever I want and have no pain when I eat. I took muscle relaxants for a few years post surgery but gave them up since I only took them when I was having a spasm, and the spasm would resolve on it's own before the pill kicked in. I do use meditation / relaxation to counter spasm. It works well if I catch it early. But I probably have spasms less than 5 times per year. In reading the posts from this group, I realize how lucky I am, that I got treatment early and that it has held so well.

Warm aloha,

Re: new to group/not so new to A

wrote:>...I had surgery some 25+ years ago. ... I eat fairly normally. ...Are you are saying that your surgery has lasted over 25 years? Without any other treatments needed since the surgery? If so, this is very encouraging news. We all hope our treatments will last a very long time and never need to be retreated, but I don't remember anyone that has said their's lasted 25 years. People have reported that their doctors have indicated that their surgeries could last a lifetime, but most of the people we hear from have not had their surgery that long or their surgeries failed long before that.notan

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 12/18/2003 6:17:03 PM Central America Standard Ti, @... writes:

I am saying that 27 years ago, I had surgery (@ UAB Hospital in Birmingham Alabama USA) and have had no treatment since

, it is good to know that you got such good treatment

in my home state.

I live in Montgomery,AL and I go to a grastroenterologist,

Dr. Slaughter, at UAB.  I have not had the

surgery yet, but hope when it is needed that I will be

a canidate for the lap surgery.  Dr. Slaughter did a

pneumatic dilation on me a little over two years ago.  It

is getting more difficult to swallow but not bad enough to

go back for treatment yet. Who was your surgeon there?

I doubt he would still be there but who knows?

I wonder if you went to school at UAB.

I wish you continued success.

Maggie

Alabama

[Guest guest]

Hi, I had my surgery done by a Dr. Westmoreland in Dallas at Baylor. He is one of only a few who even do the surgery lappy. The surgery went well and had I not had it I problem would be majorily dehydrated by now if not worse. Mine had gotten so bad that it didn't matter what I ate, solid or liquid I threw it up. I was in and out of the hospital the whole month of July getting IV fluids. I actually ended up in the hosp. with aspiration pneumonia due to the achalasia. They didn't know I had achalasia at the time I was diagnosed with the pneumonia. They also did a cardiac workup on me because some of the symptoms mimic heart problems.

-- Re: new to group/not so new to A

In a message dated 12/18/2003 6:17:03 PM Central America Standard Ti, @... writes:

I am saying that 27 years ago, I had surgery (@ UAB Hospital in Birmingham Alabama USA) and have had no treatment since, it is good to know that you got such good treatmentin my home state.

I live in Montgomery,AL and I go to a grastroenterologist,Dr. Slaughter, at UAB. I have not had thesurgery yet, but hope when it is needed that I will bea canidate for the lap surgery. Dr. Slaughter did apneumatic dilation on me a little over two years ago. Itis getting more difficult to swallow but not bad enough togo back for treatment yet. Who was your surgeon there?I doubt he would still be there but who knows? :)I wonder if you went to school at UAB.I wish you continued success.MaggieAlabama

[Guest guest]

, thanks for answering those personal questions and for

the story. It does indeed sound like a set up, but if it worked and

turned out so well then I suppose it was good. You have to give

him credit for trying, or maybe he was giving you a lesson in

psychology.

, I pray your surgery will continue to be successful for

the rest of your life.

Blessings,

Maggie

Alabama

[Guest guest]

Maggie,

My surgeon at UAB was a big red headed guy named Marshall. I don't know if that was his first name or his last. I know that may sound ridiculus that I can't remember, but I was 19 years old and scared to death. I remember looking at his hands and thinking how steady they were. He did an odd thing. At the end of my pre op exam, a man burst into the room. He was agitated and nervous and asking the doctor lots of questions. He was also emaciated, (so was I). After the Doctor answered a few of his questions he directed him towards another room. Then the doctor turned to me and said "That man also has achalasia. He decided not to get the surgery. If you decide not to get the surgery you will not die. But that is how you will live." I suspect the intrusion was a set up. I could be angry that he manipulated me. I'm actually grateful because it gave me the courage to commit to the surgery that radically changed my life.

Maggie, I went undergrad to Univ of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. My Doctorate is in Clinical Psychology and I got that here in Honolulu.

Good luck with your treatment. I agree with those who have posted here that getting the most experienced surgeon is the way to go.

God bless and Happy holidays,

Re: new to group/not so new to A

In a message dated 12/18/2003 6:17:03 PM Central America Standard Ti, @... writes:

I am saying that 27 years ago, I had surgery (@ UAB Hospital in Birmingham Alabama USA) and have had no treatment since, it is good to know that you got such good treatmentin my home state.

I live in Montgomery,AL and I go to a grastroenterologist,Dr. Slaughter, at UAB. I have not had thesurgery yet, but hope when it is needed that I will bea canidate for the lap surgery. Dr. Slaughter did apneumatic dilation on me a little over two years ago. Itis getting more difficult to swallow but not bad enough togo back for treatment yet. Who was your surgeon there?I doubt he would still be there but who knows? :)I wonder if you went to school at UAB.I wish you continued success.MaggieAlabama