Peggy

[Guest guest]

Hi Peggy!

Welcome to the

group! I hope you are reading some back posts. They will give you

so much information,

some of which your doc may not even know, or share with you. Please read

and take in as much as you can. It might seem like a lot, but it will be

totally worth it!!!!! If you could post where you are from, someone may

be able to recommend their team of doctors for you.

I was diagnosed with A last January. I had the lap surgery

Sept 29/04 and feel sooooooo good. I can’t stress it enough.

I was so fed up with life up until that point. It was frusterating on the

best of days.

*1.

Does anyone else have a history of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (a motility

disorder of a different

sort) and how does this disorder (especially flare ups) affect problems with

the esophagus?*

I don’t have

IBS… but I believe there are members who might… someone will reply,

I am sure.

*2. How has this disorder -- with nighttime

regurg and coughing -- impacted the quality

of sleep and how does that impact your life?

Any suggestions for managing energy?*

I was

lucky in the nighttime regurging department. I only had a few nights

where I woke up choking. The last few weeks before my surgery, I slept

with a “husband pillow” (as Cindi calls them!). It is that

pillow with the arm thingy’s. It seemed to help, but was not too

comfortable. I also slept with that pillow after surgery for a few

weeks. I couldn’t lie flat right away.

*3. Did anyone else's onset

start with what appeared to be the WORST heartburn ever --

such that it felt like my whole esophagus was

injured? That happened to me several times

-- very scarey and then swallowing difficulties

slowly started developing over the next six months.*

About 6 months

(maybe more) I was having horrible “hearburn”. I went to the

docs about it, and was told that due to my age (20 at the time) that there was

no way it could be heartburn. He told me to watch my diet, and see what

happens. No otc meds worked for the heartburn. Usually, I’d

have to drink my way out of it. (with water, and milk ) When

diagnosed with achalasia 6 months later… I totally had to wonder if that

heartburn was associated with it. I am sure it is. Now, when I have

these same pains, I know that it is “just” a spasm, and not

heartburn. They are similar in pain for me, but more of a pressure thing,

not acid. I never have an acid taste in my mouth, and since prevacid,

pepto, and the like don’t work, I’ve ruled out heartburn. My

surgeon agrees that they are spasms, and not heartburn. Many achalasia “sufferers”

have spasms. Many different things work for different people, usually

just not all the time!

*4. Do the women who have this

disorder notice symptoms seem to get worse just before

their menstrual periods and then calm down when

flow starts (sorry, gentlemen!)*

Personally, I have

never linked my period with any worse symptoms. Again, many other women

have. I can think of a few off the top of my head. If you wait for

a while… I am sure a few of them might chime in! J

I hope this can help you somewhat. If

you have any other questions, just post! There are sooooo many other

people who are in this group who were exactly where you are, and are here to

help! Take care, and keep posting!

21

Chilliwack, BC