Re: spouse of patient--looking for help!

[Guest guest]

Well, since he's not on a full diet yet, and he hasn't stretched out his

stomach again yet, I would think that gaining two pounds is doing pretty

well! I know some people here have continued to lose weight for a few

weeks after surgery, because of limited diet.

I would discuss your concerns about your husband's swallowing with his

surgeon. Each doc seems to have slightly different opinions about what

kind of progress you should have, or what foods should be eaten when, etc.

One thing to keep in mind, too, is that the myotomy doesn't " fix " the lack

of peristalsis at all -- it just opens the LES so that food will go

through when it gets to that point. Your husband will always need to use

gravity and lots of liquid to " push " the food down to the LES, so if he's

trying to eat " regularly " (without lots of water) or while reclined/lying

down, it's just not gonna work very well.

If you go back through the old messages, you'll see where others have

posted their own post-myotomy situations. Some have a tremendous increase

in eating ability, and others don't; it's just one of those " individual

results " kinds of things.

Hope this helps!

Debbi in Michigan

>

> hello. my husband was diagnosed with achalasia in january and it

> has rapidly progressed. in the last two months he has lost 25-30

> pounds, after several tests, plus one dialation they sent us to mayo

> clinic and at mayo they proformed a myotomy (don't know about

> spelling)three weeks ago. he is still weak and not eating as well as

> we hoped. he has only gained back two pounds that he lost. this

> all so new to us, and he is only in his 30's. anyone with the same

> situation? any suggestions? don't know what else to do.

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Welcome to a wonderful support group!

I had a myotomy 3 weeks ago as well. My eating is still small. He

needs to baby his esophagus and LES muscle, It is still healing.

I have lost a total of 47 lbs from this, good side effect. I am 35

years old, some here are younger some are older. It is no respecter

of persons, unfortunately.

He needs to take it slow and easy, ease back into eating normal

foods, and chew well before swallowing.

If you or him have any questions, ask! there are some great posts in

the archives, both of you might benefit from that adventure.

Keep us posted on his progress!

Genia in Michigan

> hello. my husband was diagnosed with achalasia in january and it

> has rapidly progressed. in the last two months he has lost 25-30

> pounds, after several tests, plus one dialation they sent us to

mayo

> clinic and at mayo they proformed a myotomy (don't know about

> spelling)three weeks ago. he is still weak and not eating as well

as

> we hoped. he has only gained back two pounds that he lost. this

> all so new to us, and he is only in his 30's. anyone with the same

> situation? any suggestions? don't know what else to do.

[Guest guest]

One thing I forgot to mention in my earlier reply -- did your husband have

a fundoplication ( " wrap " ) also? If so, it could be that the wrap is too

tight, and that's restricting his swallowing, too.

Deb, hoping she remembered everything THIS time....

[Guest guest]

It took me almost three weeks to even feel like I could stand up and make some tea for myself so I know all about being weak after surgery! It will come right just persevere. One usually loses weight after surgery on top of that which you had already lost so don't worry, he will soon gain weight again when his eating improves. 2lbs is good going!! He must not rush things. Eat soft food for as long as you need to and look after the sphincter {LES]- it is tender and vulnerable for some time. Just give him the things that go down and that he enjoys.

Good wishes!

Joan

Johannesburg South Africajpearse@...

spouse of achalasia patient--looking for help!

hello. my husband was diagnosed with achalasia in january and it has rapidly progressed. in the last two months he has lost 25-30 pounds, after several tests, plus one dialation they sent us to mayo clinic and at mayo they proformed a myotomy (don't know about spelling)three weeks ago. he is still weak and not eating as well as we hoped. he has only gained back two pounds that he lost. this all so new to us, and he is only in his 30's. anyone with the same situation? any suggestions? don't know what else to do.

[Guest guest]

Has your husband tried " ensure " or " boost " meal replacements in addition to

his meals? You can get the extra calorie or extra protien versions. I

remember it took about a month and a half for my eating to get back on track

after surgery with the first two weeks on soft/ liquid foods. Is he able to

keep food down? I remember how frustrating it was putting the weight back

on after my myotomy. Fudgsicles and shakes helped alot. Good luck. I'm

sure other people will offer suggestions too.

Kat

>From: " r_haze03 " <r_haze03@...>

>Reply-achalasia

>achalasia

>Subject: spouse of achalasia patient--looking for help!

>Date: Mon, 12 Apr 2004 22:11:36 -0000

>

> hello. my husband was diagnosed with achalasia in january and it

>has rapidly progressed. in the last two months he has lost 25-30

>pounds, after several tests, plus one dialation they sent us to mayo

>clinic and at mayo they proformed a myotomy (don't know about

>spelling)three weeks ago. he is still weak and not eating as well as

>we hoped. he has only gained back two pounds that he lost. this

>all so new to us, and he is only in his 30's. anyone with the same

>situation? any suggestions? don't know what else to do.

>

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