swallowing problems years after a laparoscopic Heller myotomy

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

It was great to see this forum and I hope someone has some advice on

my particular problems. Actually I hope no one has the experience

I'm having since I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but that said....

I had a laparoscopic Heller myotomy 2 1/2 years ago. Though my

stomach was nicked during the procedure it was ultimately successful

and I recovered fully. However, since my recovery I have had

extreme trouble swallowing during my pregnancy (my daughter is now

15 months) and what appears to be periodically (some times around my

period and ovulation).

First, are there any women out there who've had or are having a

similar experience? And second, has anyone experienced severe

trouble swallowing - eat something and 15-30 minutes either into a

meal or after eating something have to throw up though generally no

food comes up just saliva and whatever was most recently drank

(water, juice) in an attempt to clear the " blockage " ?

If anyone comes close to any of this I would LOVE to talk to you.

Many days I'm fine but when one of thees days occurs my day quickly

revolves around trying to get the " blockage " to clear - ie the

muscle to unconstrict. Very hard to only focus on that with a 1 and

3 year old needing constant attention. :>)

Thanks for listening.

Beverly

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi all,

>

> It was great to see this forum and I hope someone has some advice

on

> my particular problems. Actually I hope no one has the experience

> I'm having since I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but that said....

>

> I had a laparoscopic Heller myotomy 2 1/2 years ago. Though my

> stomach was nicked during the procedure it was ultimately

successful

> and I recovered fully. However, since my recovery I have had

> extreme trouble swallowing during my pregnancy (my daughter is now

> 15 months) and what appears to be periodically (some times around

my

> period and ovulation).

>

> First, are there any women out there who've had or are having a

> similar experience? And second, has anyone experienced severe

> trouble swallowing - eat something and 15-30 minutes either into a

> meal or after eating something have to throw up though generally no

> food comes up just saliva and whatever was most recently drank

> (water, juice) in an attempt to clear the " blockage " ?

>

> If anyone comes close to any of this I would LOVE to talk to you.

> Many days I'm fine but when one of thees days occurs my day quickly

> revolves around trying to get the " blockage " to clear - ie the

> muscle to unconstrict. Very hard to only focus on that with a 1

and

> 3 year old needing constant attention. :>)

>

> Thanks for listening.

> Beverly

Hi Beverly, I am in the middle of my second pregnancy and have had

more difficulties with swallowing and with spasms as my pregnancy

progresses. Fortunatly, nothing severe for me. What I would suggest

is that you need to follow up with your GI. As you will see with many

posts here and I can speak of from personal experience is that you

may need to be dilated. Unfortunately, although surgery is a good

long term option it does not seem to be a permanent fix. I am almost

16 years post op but have had at least one dilation in that time -

kind of a maintenance procedure (for lack of a better way to

explain). I don't find my swallowing to be worse around my cycle but

my spasms are. I've always attributed it to additional stress.

Hope that helps. Keep reading, you'll find loads of information here.

Happy Swallowing!

-

[Guest guest]

Thanks .

As it turns out I had an appointment today

with my GI and he suggested an endoscopy so we can

see just where things are at since I’m 2 ½ years post surgery.  We’ll see if a

dilation is in order for me. 

Though I’ve got 2 kids and don’t plan on more I’d

rather not mess with my cycle as any sort of “fix”.  I’ll just try to be patient for a few

more months (endoscopy is scheduled for 12/17).  You’re right, lots of information in

here.  It’s great to see the

support and information sharing.  J

Beverly

Re:

swallowing problems years after a laparoscopic Heller myotomy

>

> Hi all,

>

> It was great to see this forum and I hope

someone has some advice

on

> my particular problems. Actually I hope

no one has the experience

> I'm having since I wouldn't wish it on

anyone, but that said....

>

> I had a laparoscopic Heller myotomy 2 1/2

years ago. Though my

> stomach was nicked during the procedure it

was ultimately

successful

> and I recovered fully. However, since

my recovery I have had

> extreme trouble swallowing during my

pregnancy (my daughter is now

> 15 months) and what appears to be

periodically (some times around

my

> period and ovulation).

>

> First, are there any women out there who've

had or are having a

> similar experience? And second, has

anyone experienced severe

> trouble swallowing - eat something and 15-30

minutes either into a

> meal or after eating something have to throw

up though generally no

> food comes up just saliva and whatever was

most recently drank

> (water, juice) in an attempt to clear the

" blockage " ?

>

> If anyone comes close to any of this I would

LOVE to talk to you.

> Many days I'm fine but when one of thees days

occurs my day quickly

> revolves around trying to get the

" blockage " to clear - ie the

> muscle to unconstrict. Very hard to

only focus on that with a 1

and

> 3 year old needing constant attention.

:>)

>

> Thanks for listening.

> Beverly

Hi Beverly, I am in the middle of my second

pregnancy and have had

more difficulties with swallowing and with spasms

as my pregnancy

progresses. Fortunatly, nothing severe for me.

What I would suggest

is that you need to follow up with your GI. As you

will see with many

posts here and I can speak of from personal experience

is that you

may need to be dilated. Unfortunately, although

surgery is a good

long term option it does not seem to be a

permanent fix. I am almost

16 years post op but have had at least one

dilation in that time -

kind of a maintenance procedure (for lack of a

better way to

explain). I don't find my swallowing to be worse

around my cycle but

my spasms are. I've always attributed it to

additional stress.

Hope that helps. Keep reading, you'll find loads

of information here.

Happy Swallowing!

-

[Guest guest]

> Thanks .

> As it turns out I had an appointment today with my GI and he

suggested

> an endoscopy so we can see just where things are at since I'm 2 ½

years

> post surgery. We'll see if a dilation is in order for me. Though

I've

> got 2 kids and don't plan on more I'd rather not mess with my cycle

as

> any sort of " fix " . I'll just try to be patient for a few more

months

> (endoscopy is scheduled for 12/17). You're right, lots of

information

> in here. It's great to see the support and information sharing. :

> Beverly

>

Hi Beverly - I should also share with you and anyone else it may help

that I have recently started taking a liquid magnesium supplement

that seems to be helping a great deal. I don't have much trouble

swallowing but I was going through a few weeks there where I was

having quite a few more spasms and having a lot of regurgitation

during the night (even though I sleep elevated). Magnesium helps

relax smooth muscle (your esophagus) and I know of others here who

take mag and also some who take B vitamins. I haven't tried the B yet

but I figure they can't hurt and the mag seems to help quite a bit.

Maybe some supplements will help you get by until your appointment.

good luck

Happy Swallowing!

-michelle

>