and

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I’m so

sorry to hear about your mother. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your

family.

It sounds

like Dr.Achkar is on top of things with s condition. I find it hard to believe

though that not much else that can be done for him if this botox does not help

give him the relief he so badly needs. Although a major surgery, is an

e-gectomy not an option with DES? It makes sense in my head….but maybe

not in his case, or for other reasons…?

Hugs,

in BC

From:

achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of let45ride

Sent: September 21, 2005 5:28 AM

achalasia

Subject: Back From TCC

I just

wanted to let you all know that my husband's Botox at

Cleveland went pretty smoothly yesterday. While Dr. Achkar was

in

there, he took a couple of biopsies of irritated

areas (one was at the

top edge of the duodenum) to check for h.

pylori. We found out why he

personally wanted to administer the Botox.

Since with DES (diffuse

esophageal spasm) the whole esophagus is affected

by the spasms and

irregular contractions, he wanted to give the

injections in a vertical

line, all along the esophagus. I think in

the past, the GI doc

concentrated them in the lower half of the

e. Also, we found out why

Dr. Achkar and the group weren't too keen on

surgery. I guess with

DES they have to cut muscles along the whole

length of esophagus.

There's no way to do this lap and it sounds like a

major operation

just to reach the whole length of the e. He

sounded doubtful that

anything more couple be done for my husband.

I don't know if maybe

someone out there is doing this surgery with VATS

or not. Also, we

still need to explore the possibility of trying

other meds. I read an

online medical article about a study where they

treated 12 people who

had DES with anti-depressants and all 12 got a

reduction in their

symptoms. And, if those options fail, maybe

it's soon time to check

into alternative therapies.

It was a tough trip home

from Cleveland

for us. Enroute back to

Michigan, we got news that my mother had passed away. At 77,

she had

had multiple health problems (rheumatoid

arthritis, double amputee, on

kidney dialysis, weak heart) that aged her before

her time. I don't

think I'll have much time to check in with the

group in the next few

days, so I wish everyone with upcoming surgeries

and tests the best of

luck! Take care, all!

in Michigan