My brother may have Achalasia also - I am still considering an Esphogectomy

[Guest guest]

It's a little freaky, but my younger brother is exhibiting signs of

having Achalasia also. He has recently felt things getting stuck

after eating late and then throughing up. (Ironically, he is a

Dentist/Doctor) Also of interest is that my other brother (also

younger) had another type of auto-immune problem in which he formed

non-cancerous lumps form in his lungs.

I am still considering having the total esphogectomy(sp?) as my mega-

esphogus seems to be getting slower and slower. I met with Dr. Nasser

Altorki at New York Hospital yesterday. He was quite honest with

me. He told me that the operation is not a " cure " and has asked

another patient if she would talk to me. Besides the normal

considerations (time away from work ect) I have two other

considerations. First, I have two very small children at home and I

really don't want to burden my wife (she has been fantastic

throughout this whole ordeal) with taking care of the children by

herself. In addition, I don't know what permanent benefit I will get

from the surgery, especially if I have to lose another part of the

digestive tract to get that benefit. Dr. Altorki made it seem that

the only benefit would be that I would be able to eat lots of small

meals, which is how I eat on good days.

If anyone has some insight to this please feel free to respond.

[Guest guest]

My brother may have Achalasia also - I am still considering an Esphogectomy

It's a little freaky, but my younger brother is exhibiting signs of having Achalasia also. He has recently felt things getting stuck after eating late and then throughing up. (Ironically, he is a Dentist/Doctor) Also of interest is that my other brother (also younger) had another type of auto-immune problem in which he formed non-cancerous lumps form in his lungs. I am still considering having the total esphogectomy(sp?) as my mega-esphogus seems to be getting slower and slower. I met with Dr. Nasser Altorki at New York Hospital yesterday. He was quite honest with me. He told me that the operation is not a "cure" and has asked another patient if she would talk to me. Besides the normal considerations (time away from work ect) I have two other considerations. First, I have two very small children at home and I really don't want to burden my wife (she has been fantastic throughout this whole ordeal) with taking care of the children by herself. In addition, I don't know what permanent benefit I will get from the surgery, especially if I have to lose another part of the digestive tract to get that benefit. Dr. Altorki made it seem that the only benefit would be that I would be able to eat lots of small meals, which is how I eat on good days.If anyone has some insight to this please feel free to respond.

[Guest guest]

My brother may have Achalasia also - I am still considering an Esphogectomy

It's a little freaky, but my younger brother is exhibiting signs of having Achalasia also. He has recently felt things getting stuck after eating late and then throughing up. (Ironically, he is a Dentist/Doctor) Also of interest is that my other brother (also younger) had another type of auto-immune problem in which he formed non-cancerous lumps form in his lungs. I am still considering having the total esphogectomy(sp?) as my mega-esphogus seems to be getting slower and slower. I met with Dr. Nasser Altorki at New York Hospital yesterday. He was quite honest with me. He told me that the operation is not a "cure" and has asked another patient if she would talk to me. Besides the normal considerations (time away from work ect) I have two other considerations. First, I have two very small children at home and I really don't want to burden my wife (she has been fantastic throughout this whole ordeal) with taking care of the children by herself. In addition, I don't know what permanent benefit I will get from the surgery, especially if I have to lose another part of the digestive tract to get that benefit. Dr. Altorki made it seem that the only benefit would be that I would be able to eat lots of small meals, which is how I eat on good days.If anyone has some insight to this please feel free to respond.