New hello from Detroit

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I just saw a thoracic surgeon yesterday after having

swallowing/heartburn problems since I was at least 14 years old. I

just turned 43. When I was young they would do stress tests and make

sure the pains in my chest were not heart related....and then never

figured anything out. When I was in college I had a barium swallow

and some other tests and they said my muscles were not working in the

right order and bouncing the food around and that it wasn't able to

pass easily into the stomach.....so they did a balloon dilation.

That caused years of incredible acid reflux and I swore I would NEVER

have it done again. But, 20 years later, by last summer my

swallowing gotten so bad that not only was I having a tendancy

to " overdose " on pills (ie. asprin etc) that would collect till the

muscle decided to relax and then sometimes several dosings got to the

stomach at once....but, I was choking on food regularly. My kids

would panick when I was unable to breath during a meal, and then

often throw-up. So, the day after Christmas I had another smaller

dilation and a botox injection. I was " perfect " for several months -

but symptoms are slowly returning. The Dr. said I needed this other

proceedure before the botox wears off.

I had NO idea the Heller procedure was such a major thing. I guess I

assumed he could go down my throat like with everything else. Now I

am scared and my husband wants to make sure we find the " BEST "

Dr...no matter how far we have to go. Sombody told me to go to the

University of Michigan because they perform more of them there, but

my Dr. said he performs more than anyone in the state. I don't know

what to do or how to locate the best Dr. I just want the best

possible outcome.

Joy