Guest guest Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Cindi, the esophagus can be dilated at any point, top to bottom. For achalasia, the LES is what is dilated. For strictures, the portion w/ the stricture is dilated. For the difference between Bougies and Balloons, check out the picture on this page:http://www.gicare.com/pated/epdgs25.htmThe third picture down shows different kinds. The one on top (simple dilator) is also called a bougie. A weighted balloon that stays the same size is different than a pneumatic balloon that is "blown up" while inside the LES. DebForgive me for being ignorant on this.....I thought balloons and bougies were the same thing. I actually had a weighted, mercury filled tube used once and that was the only thing that helped any, really.Also, and maybe I'm wrong again...I thought that a dilation of the E for strictures, etc......was higher up...not on the LES. A dilation for A was the actual tearing of the LES. I'm pretty certain this is why mine didn't work...he was dealing with a small stricture I had, not with the LES itself. At the time I didn't know better and didn't know I had A. Then again, neither did he! Ah well, water under the bridge (or under the LES.....). Cindi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 On 5/20/2005 at 2:35:56 P.M. Central Standard Time you wrote: And further down on page 3--- " Medicines are available that effectively reduce and even eliminate the secretion of stomach acid and increase the strength of the LES muscle" ------now that is helpful for us?!! So many of us are on PPI's and none so far have said that it made their A worse - only that they did not work for them. Joan, maybe that is why some of us progressed so fast. . I had my firs tsymptoms in late September (which were chest pains) and by April had lost 40 lbs. I was put on PPI's while testing was being done. Maybe that is why? Maggie Alabama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Hi Debbie. On the same website there is an article on Heartburn and reflux. There are a couple of interesting statements: "other factors that reduce the LES pressure and allow reflux: * * Fried and fatty food * Caffeine, (coffee, tea, colas, chocolate) * * Peppermint and Spearmint" ----- perhaps that is why some of us find these things useful and helpful to get food down ! Viva le Chocolate ! And further down on page 3--- " Medicines are available that effectively reduce and even eliminate the secretion of stomach acid and increase the strength of the LES muscle" ------now that is helpful for us?!! So many of us are on PPI's and none so far have said that it made their A worse - only that they did not work for them. SO I do wonder if this is correct and what studies they base this statement on. Life gets 'curiouser and curiouser'! Hugs, Joan .. Re: balloons and bougies Cindi, the esophagus can be dilated at any point, top to bottom. For achalasia, the LES is what is dilated. For strictures, the portion w/ the stricture is dilated. For the difference between Bougies and Balloons, check out the picture on this page:http://www.gicare.com/pated/epdgs25.htmThe third picture down shows different kinds. The one on top (simple dilator) is also called a bougie. A weighted balloon that stays the same size is different than a pneumatic balloon that is "blown up" while inside the LES. DebForgive me for being ignorant on this.....I thought balloons and bougies were the same thing. I actually had a weighted, mercury filled tube used once and that was the only thing that helped any, really.Also, and maybe I'm wrong again...I thought that a dilation of the E for strictures, etc......was higher up...not on the LES. A dilation for A was the actual tearing of the LES. I'm pretty certain this is why mine didn't work...he was dealing with a small stricture I had, not with the LES itself. At the time I didn't know better and didn't know I had A. Then again, neither did he! Ah well, water under the bridge (or under the LES.....). Cindi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Joan: Your analysis really intrigues and explains alot about how I have modified my habits! Indeed, my PPI did make my swallowing problems worse -- most notably causing an increase in the dreaded white foam. Peggy > Hi Debbie. On the same website there is an article on Heartburn and reflux. There are a couple of interesting statements: > " other factors that reduce the LES pressure and allow reflux: > * > * Fried and fatty food > * Caffeine, (coffee, tea, colas, chocolate) > * > * Peppermint and Spearmint " > ----- perhaps that is why some of us find these things useful and helpful to get food down ! Viva le Chocolate ! > > And further down on page 3--- " Medicines are available that effectively reduce and even eliminate the secretion of stomach acid and increase the strength of the LES muscle " > ------now that is helpful for us?!! So many of us are on PPI's and none so far have said that it made their A worse - only that they did not work for them. SO I do wonder if this is correct and what studies they base this statement on. > Life gets 'curiouser and curiouser'! > Hugs, > Joan > . > > > Re: balloons and bougies > > > Cindi, the esophagus can be dilated at any point, top to bottom. > > For achalasia, the LES is what is dilated. For strictures, the portion w/ the stricture is dilated. > > For the difference between Bougies and Balloons, check out the picture on this page: > > http://www.gicare.com/pated/epdgs25.htm > > The third picture down shows different kinds. The one on top (simple dilator) is also called a bougie. A weighted balloon that stays the same size is different than a pneumatic balloon that is " blown up " while inside the LES. > > Deb > > Forgive me for being ignorant on this.....I thought balloons and bougies were the same thing. I actually had a weighted, mercury filled tube used once and that was the only thing that helped any, really. > > Also, and maybe I'm wrong again...I thought that a dilation of the E for strictures, etc......was higher up...not on the LES. A dilation for A was the actual tearing of the LES. I'm pretty certain this is why mine didn't work...he was dealing with a small stricture I had, not with the LES itself. At the time I didn't know better and didn't know I had A. Then again, neither did he! > > Ah well, water under the bridge (or under the LES.....). Cindi > > > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Peggy - now there's a thing for you ! It will be interesting to see who else picks up on that bit of coincidence. I had awful heartburn after a dilatation and PPI's eventually did work for that - but I had to be careful to take them a least an hour after and before the next meal. Joan Re: balloons and bougies >> >> >> Cindi, the esophagus can be dilated at any point, top to bottom. >> >> For achalasia, the LES is what is dilated. For strictures, the portion >> w/ the > stricture is dilated. >> >> For the difference between Bougies and Balloons, check out the picture >> on > this page: >> >> http://www.gicare.com/pated/epdgs25.htm >> >> The third picture down shows different kinds. The one on top (simple > dilator) is also called a bougie. A weighted balloon that stays the same > size is > different than a pneumatic balloon that is " blown up " while inside the > LES. >> >> Deb >> >> Forgive me for being ignorant on this.....I thought balloons and >> bougies > were the same thing. I actually had a weighted, mercury filled tube used > once > and that was the only thing that helped any, really. >> >> Also, and maybe I'm wrong again...I thought that a dilation of the E >> for > strictures, etc......was higher up...not on the LES. A dilation for A was > the > actual tearing of the LES. I'm pretty certain this is why mine didn't > work...he > was dealing with a small stricture I had, not with the LES itself. At the > time I > didn't know better and didn't know I had A. Then again, neither did he! >> >> Ah well, water under the bridge (or under the LES.....). Cindi >> >> >> >> >> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 20, 2005 Report Share Posted May 20, 2005 Could be ? Interesting ! Joan Re: balloons and bougies On 5/20/2005 at 2:35:56 P.M. Central Standard Time you wrote: And further down on page 3--- " Medicines are available that effectively reduce and even eliminate the secretion of stomach acid and increase the strength of the LES muscle" ------now that is helpful for us?!! So many of us are on PPI's and none so far have said that it made their A worse - only that they did not work for them. Joan, maybe that is why some of us progressed so fast. . I had my firs tsymptoms in late September (which were chest pains) and by April had lost 40 lbs. I was put on PPI's while testing was being done. Maybe that is why? Maggie Alabama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2005 Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 Joan and Maggie, I think that the context of the article is from the problem of GERD-- the statement about [ " reducing/eliminating secretion of stomach acid/increasing the strength of the LES " ] means--with less pressure behind an already compromised (weak) LES muscle, the LES would become more stable or " stronger " because there is less pressure below it. Along with the meds, one is supposed to avoid large meals, those particular foods (once in your stomach they will compromise the LES pressure),etc. I do not believe that the conclusion is that PPI's could cause or progress the achalasia symptoms. (I am one of those that PPI's has seriously helped--pain and swallowing (somewhat) and I have a normal LES pressure--no GERD.) Anyway, this is my opinion, but I would also hope you don't worry that taking any PPI's made you worse Maggie. --- LunaIam2@... wrote: > On 5/20/2005 at 2:35:56 P.M. Central Standard Time > you wrote: > > > And further down on page 3--- " Medicines are > available that effectively > reduce and even eliminate the secretion of stomach > acid and increase the > strength of the LES muscle " ------now that is > helpful for us?!! So many of us are on > PPI's and none so far have said that it made their > A worse - only that they > did not work for them. > > Joan, maybe that is why some of us progressed so > fast. . I had > my firs tsymptoms in late September (which were > chest pains) > and by April had lost 40 lbs. I was put on PPI's > while testing > was being done. > Maybe that is why? > > Maggie > Alabama > Stay connected, organized, and protected. Take the tour: http://tour.mail./mailtour.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2005 Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 On 5/20/2005 at 7:47:13 P.M. Central Standard Time you wrote: but I would alsohope you don't worry that taking any PPI's made youworse Maggie. Lori....sorry I answered Joan's post much too quickly and I guess did not say what I should have said. In the beginning I only had the chest pains and difficulty swallowing. I took the PPI's about 2 months. They did not help me because I did not have GERD at all. I actually did not start regurging everything that went down until sometime in January. I only meant if they strengthen the LES muscle (caused it to be tighter) maybe I started regurging soon than I would have. On the other hand, you may be absolutely correct and they had no affect on me at all. Thanks for making me set that straight. Maggie Alabama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2005 Report Share Posted May 21, 2005 Hi Lori, Yes the article was in the context of GERD but how many of us also have symptoms of GERD as well as Achalasia? PPI's have also helped me. But I only needed them after I had a dilatation (13 months post Heller with a Dor fundoplication) - Up until then - post op - I had no reflux or heartburn. So many papers give a list of do's and don'ts with food etc and I wonder where they get their information from - was it a study they did or is it a rehash of info printed in some venerated textbook and they are just repeating what the other person said. This is how the 'holy cows' of medicine and nursing are perpetuated. In this group there are so many variables of what can and can't be eaten - how long to wait after you have eaten before you go to bed etc. that it just makes me wonder. Some can't eat chocolate - others live on it. Some can't drink soda and pop - others use it to push their food down. I also don't think that the PPI's actually added to the progression of A. But for some of us we certainly don't need the LES to have any more pressure or be any tighter (as opposed to 'strong' ) Once you have had a dilatation or a myotomy - in theory - your LES remains open all the time unless it has a 'wrap' to protect it as they do in a fundoplication. The surgical treatment for GERD is a fundoplication.. What I did not realise before was that with GERD the 'weight' of a full stomach actually lets the LES open /stay open [have I got that right?] which is why they say you must not have large meals with GERD. All rather interesting. Joan Re: balloons and bougies > Joan and Maggie, > > I think that the context of the article is from the > problem of GERD-- the statement about > [ " reducing/eliminating secretion of stomach > acid/increasing the strength of the LES " ] means--with > less pressure behind an already compromised (weak) LES > muscle, the LES would become more stable or " stronger " > because there is less pressure below it. Along with > the meds, one is supposed to avoid large meals, those > particular foods (once in your stomach they will > compromise the LES pressure),etc. I do not believe > that the conclusion is that PPI's could cause or > progress the achalasia symptoms. (I am one of those > that PPI's has seriously helped--pain and swallowing > (somewhat) and I have a normal LES pressure--no > GERD.) Anyway, this is my opinion, but I would also > hope you don't worry that taking any PPI's made you > worse Maggie. > > > --- LunaIam2@... wrote: >> On 5/20/2005 at 2:35:56 P.M. Central Standard Time >> you wrote: >> >> >> And further down on page 3--- " Medicines are >> available that effectively >> reduce and even eliminate the secretion of stomach >> acid and increase the >> strength of the LES muscle " ------now that is >> helpful for us?!! So many of us are on >> PPI's and none so far have said that it made their >> A worse - only that they >> did not work for them. >> >> Joan, maybe that is why some of us progressed so >> fast. . I had >> my firs tsymptoms in late September (which were >> chest pains) >> and by April had lost 40 lbs. I was put on PPI's >> while testing >> was being done. >> Maybe that is why? >> >> Maggie >> Alabama >> > > > > > Stay connected, organized, and protected. Take the tour: > http://tour.mail./mailtour.html > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.