Guest guest Posted October 1, 2004 Report Share Posted October 1, 2004 The doctor wants another manometric test. The last one did not get through the LES. Then, it will be the balloon dilation rather than surgery. What is that like? What am I in for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 Dear Doreen, The balloon dilation was a piece of cake for me and I had huge results immediately. That was the BEST nap I ever had and I didn't have any pain afterward. I hung out somewhere at UCLA for most of the day in a room and then had a barium swallow about 2 or so to make sure everything was fine. No issues at all. I went home and pretty quickly started eating a regular diet. I hadn't had regular chest pains before, but did start having some spasms in the next few weeks. There was some minor pain afterward, but not a big thing at all. Kind of like someone like my 100 pound dog had stepped on my sternum. It felt bruised somewhat but not a big deal. Maybe I tool Tylenol, can't remember but really no big deal. The manometry was much more uncomfortable and those don't bother me that much. I was really sick then, no water and no food, maybe I got in about 300 calories a day. I gained 8 pounds the first week, 7 pounds the 2nd week, 6 pounds the 3rd week etc. Not good at all. I think I was so dehydrated and in a starvation survival state that the weight just piled on. I had been losing about 1/2 to 3/4 of a pound a day before that. The dilation lasted about 6 months then gradually got worse until I had surgery about 2 years later. But I don't regret the dilation, I needed it at that time as the diagnosis was a little slow and waiting to see the doctors for the first time was slow and my Dad passed away just before, so I was desperate, I didn't want to wait to see a surgeon. If you want to call me feel free, 562 494 6760... I'm tied up both days during this weekend but evenings are good usually. Sandy in So Cal.... My daughter's name rhymes w/ yours.... Laureen. >> Well, I just found out that my balloon dilation is scheduled for > Tuesday, August 8 at 8 a.m. I'm glad to be getting in so quickly but I > am a bit nervous about it. I have so many questions and reservations > but don't even know where to begin to articulate them. I hope this is > the right next step and hope it is successful! I will keep you all > posted.> > Doreen> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 Hi Doreen, Current thinking (but is it the surgeons or gastroenterologists who are saying this?) is that you will probably have to repeat the balloon dilatation any number of times, with the distinct possibility that there may be scar tissue that might complicate matters in the future if you need a Heller Myotomy. Lots of people are going directly to the Heller Myotomy (without the dilatation) for a more permanent fix. Did I ever tell you that "nothing is permanent with Achalasia except Achalasia itself?" Some members here are doing very well with their myotomies, while others have been less fortunate. If you haven't read it already, the expression that "we are all different" with Achalasia applies here. "Identical treatments, different results," or "identical drinks or food," and different kinds of swallowings. Same with medications to either improve swallowing or decrease esophageal spasms. Truly, we are all different. At this point I'm betting that you are going to go ahead with your dilatation, so wishing you the best for a painless dilatation, and a long honeymoon period afterwards. Note to Board members: Besides "Doing nothing is not an option" I kind of like the sound of "Nothing is permanent with Achalasia except Achalasia itself." Has a certain FDR kind of ring to it. (But I wish the phrase was not true). :-( >> Well, I just found out that my balloon dilation is scheduled for > Tuesday, August 8 at 8 a.m. I'm glad to be getting in so quickly but I > am a bit nervous about it. I have so many questions and reservations > but don't even know where to begin to articulate them. I hope this is > the right next step and hope it is successful! I will keep you all > posted.> > Doreen> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 4, 2006 Report Share Posted August 4, 2006 Doreen, Did you say where you're having this done and who your doctor is? I remember that you're in Michigan (Ann Arbor, right?), but I didn't know if you had said you were going to U of M for tests and treatment. I wish you the best of luck with your dilation Tuesday! We would definitely like to hear about your progress. Hopefully, you'll have really good news to report! in SE Michigan > > Well, I just found out that my balloon dilation is scheduled for > Tuesday, August 8 at 8 a.m. I'm glad to be getting in so quickly but I > am a bit nervous about it. I have so many questions and reservations > but don't even know where to begin to articulate them. I hope this is > the right next step and hope it is successful! I will keep you all > posted. > > Doreen > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2006 Report Share Posted August 5, 2006 I just had a " dilatation " two weeks ago. My experience was very positive. For me, I needed to do " something " as my achalasia symtpoms had recently taken a turn for the worse. I was losing weight again after being stable for years. This was my first treatment for achalasia. Here's what I found out: 1. While the experts here recommended surgery to me 6 years ago, they now both recommended dilatation as a good first line treatment. Interesting. I learned, from a GI doc (not a surgeon) who has seen 1000 achalasia patients in his career (now retiring) that " fundoplications (esp. done laproscopically, I believe) fall apart in 10-15 years " . I interpret this to mean that the laproscopic Heller is not the permanent fix that it once was thought to be. This guy also told me it is best to put off surgery. " You only have 3 chances for surgery & the last one is an esophegectomy " (sp?), he said. Sort of like having enough cards, chips, or cash for 3 bets ... 2. The papers I read suggested that dilations can be very effective for the majority of people for 5+ years. 3. The doc who dialated me said that the procedure would not compromise the chances of successful surgery at some point in the future. 4. I believe that in the right (experienced) hands, the procedure can be very safe. I experienced some post-procedure pain for 48 hours or so which was alleviated by some Advil. No big deal. I " slept " through the entire procedure. The greatest discomfort I experienced was the initial " stick " of the IV needle. That's it! 5. Surgery is always still an option! Doreen, as far as I can tell - based on what I have read here, my conversations with doctors, and on my reading of (many) journal articles - there are only 3 treatments that work effectively and consistently. I don't know how long my dilatation will last, but I feel great now. I don't expect things to be perfect, but in the last two weeks I have again enjoyed hamburgers, steak, meat loaf, spaghetti with meat sauce, etc. - things I have avoided and/or have had to eat in small quantities for years. My sleeping is much better, no regurgitation at all, no stack of pillows, no taking an hour to eat a meal... It all feels really good to me. What I didn't realize, also, was how much better I felt when I (finally) " did something about it " . I have come to realize that treating achalasia is not straightforward. I agree with (below). Everyone's achalasia is a bit different. We all respond to treatments in different ways. Indeed, treating achalasia is more like jazz where the performance is improvised - basically composed on the fly around a framework - than like a Mozart symphony where every sound is precisely specified and known ahead of time. Accepting the uncertainty of the outcome made it easier, for me, to move forward. Good luck, Doreen. The odds are very much in your favor. Rich (Chicago) > > > > Well, I just found out that my balloon dilation is scheduled for > > Tuesday, August 8 at 8 a.m. I'm glad to be getting in so quickly but I > > am a bit nervous about it. I have so many questions and reservations > > but don't even know where to begin to articulate them. I hope this is > > the right next step and hope it is successful! I will keep you all > > posted. > > > > Doreen > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2006 Report Share Posted August 5, 2006 Hi Reenie It's Pippa Good Luck for you ballon dialation on Tuesday, I will be thinking of you. At leaat you can say that it won't be long now before you can start to eat again properly. Keep us all posted as to how it goes. Take care (thinking of you) Pippa(England) > > Well, I just found out that my balloon dilation is scheduled for > Tuesday, August 8 at 8 a.m. I'm glad to be getting in so quickly but I > am a bit nervous about it. I have so many questions and reservations > but don't even know where to begin to articulate them. I hope this is > the right next step and hope it is successful! I will keep you all > posted. > > Doreen > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2006 Report Share Posted August 5, 2006 richinchicagousa wrote: > While the experts here recommended surgery to me 6 years ago, they > now both recommended dilatation as a good first line treatment. Like you I waited 6 years after being told to have surgery. In the end, also after much research, I decided to have the myotomy with the fundo. It was not an easy choice. I think those that say surgery is the only way to go overstate the case for myotomy. Still I am comfortable with my decision. However, I know there are no guarantees either way. If one way was that much better than the others all doctors would agree on how treat. As it is the " experts " don't agree. That may seem bad but the good news is that you and I are both doing well and we have this medium to comfort those that have to make the choice by letting them know that either way can be a good choice. Another choice that we both made that some here would not support is that we chose to do nothing for 6 years after being told to have surgery. I have no regrets about that choice and I respect others that choose it. It probably isn't a good choice for everyone, but what achalasia choice is? Maybe it is bad for most people, but that does not mean it is wrong for everyone. There are no right answers just good guesses. notan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 5, 2006 Report Share Posted August 5, 2006 Thanks for all of your replies and support. I am hopeful that the balloon dilation will be successful for at least a few years. , yes I am in Ann Arbor but I am going to the Center for Digestive Care at St. Joe's in Ypsilanti. My doctor is Dr. Adler. He seems very knowledgeable and capable and I am very comfortable with him. In addition, the nursing staff is wonderful! I will keep you all posted! Doreen > > > > Well, I just found out that my balloon dilation is scheduled for > > Tuesday, August 8 at 8 a.m. I'm glad to be getting in so quickly but I > > am a bit nervous about it. I have so many questions and reservations > > but don't even know where to begin to articulate them. I hope this is > > the right next step and hope it is successful! I will keep you all > > posted. > > > > Doreen > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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