Re: Life after Heller Myotomy

[Guest guest]

Hello, what is your name? Did you have a partial or full wrap with the Heller's? Are you taking anything for the heartburn? If so is it helping? If it is not helping then you might be having spasms and it seems that they increase after the surgery. When I normally get a spasm I go and eat some ice-cream and that normally helps calm them down. You might gain some weight so you need to alter your diet and exercise to maintain weight. This disease is a progressive one and the surgeries the best option so far in helping us eat somewhat normal. Feel free to ask any question. We will try and answer it as best we can. there are many well informed people in this group. We are glad you have found us. If you can try and go back and read some of the old post. That will help get an idea of what has been talked about in the past. I hope this helped you out. Once again welcome to out family.

in Suffolk

[Guest guest]

, welcome to the group and I am glad you're so much

better after the myotomy. Are you on medication for the

heartburn and is it working? Did you have a wrap?

We have a number of people on the board from Michigan.

Must be something in the water there. Only kidding.

Maggie

Alabama

[Guest guest]

>

> I am 51, and was diagnosed with Achalasia in September. One week ago

I

> had the Heller Myotomy procedure. For the first time in at least 2

> years I have not choked everytime I began to fall asleep! Without the

> procedure, my condition would only get worse. Now, I need to learn

how

> to adjust for the future. Even walking or sittting in the wrong

> position causes heartburn. I was also told that I would gain weight

> now (just what I don't need!). I can live with the endoscopic

> screening for Cancer. What else should I be aware of after this

> procedure? I would love to hear from those of you that have been down

> the path that I am just beginning to take.

HI- welcome to the group. Sorry you have A but you are in the best

place to learn all about your condition, the best treatments and just

to share and vent with those who understand. There's tons to be learned

here so hang out, check in frequently and ask questions!!!

Here's my 2 cents - A will be with you for the rest of your life but it

doesn't have to control you. You'll learn your specific needs, what you

can/can't eat, etc. Again - read through some of the old posts here and

you'll get a lot of good info.

As far as the future- I've had A for over 25 years (I'm 37 years old)

and had surgery 17 years ago this January. My swallowing is not

perfect, there are a hand ful of foods I can't eat, I do sleep with a

wedge and take protonix daily but otherwise- I'm pretty 'normal'. I

sleep well, I've had 2 successful and pretty easy going pregnancies, I

go to work everyday- all the normal kinds of stuff.

Keep in touch with your GI every year or so for routine follow up and

congratulations on your successful surgery.

Happy Swallowing

- in Va.

P.S. - (techangel) congratulations on your successful myo!!

Glad to hear you are doing better and moving right along with school.

Good luck!

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Maggie I don't know what the wrap is, so must not have. He made a flap I know. I am on Prevacid, but will seek other options at follow-up on the 20th.LunaIam2@... wrote: , welcome to the group and I am glad you're so much better after the myotomy. Are you on medication for the heartburn and is it working? Did you have a wrap? We have a number of people on the board from Michigan. Must be something in the water there. Only kidding. Maggie Alabama

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[Guest guest]

,

Welcome to the group! So sorry to hear that you have achalasia,

but you'll find lots of information and great support from this group!

How long do you think you had " A " before it was diagnosed? That

would be so great if you don't have to take any more medications for

asthma (check with your doctor first, though)! From what I hear,

surgery is the best option, so I'm glad you got yours done and are on

your way to healing. I hope you heal quickly and get back to normal

eating soon!

I, too, live in Michigan (Detroit area). I joined this group

last summer because my husband was told he had " an esophagus motility

problem " by a doctor at U of M. This was after a couple of years of

being misdiagnosed with acid reflux (MANY people in this group have

been misdiagnosed, so you're definitely not alone). We did travel to

Cleveland Clinic in August and they confirmed the diagnosis of Diffuse

Esophageal Spasm (a different esophagus motility problem than " A " ).

They were very professional there. They knew we had traveled a few

hours, so they scheduled tests for my husband the very next day (we

were told ahead of time to plan on staying in town) and gave us the

test results very shortly after the tests were done. They still

haven't found a perfect treatment for his disease, but not as much is

known about treating it. It's not as common as " A " and most people

who have it don't have it as severely as my husband (60 lbs. weight

loss over 3 years and severe spasms with dysphagia 2-3 times/week).

Hopefully, you will get lots of relief for a long time from your

surgery, but if you ever need to, I'd recommend going to Cleveland

Clinic. The doctors there are pretty highly regarded.

You've made a smart move by joining this group. I've learned so

many things from the group members and I continue to learn more all

the time! Also, it helps to know that ours isn't the only household

dealing with things like spasms, regurgitation, and coughing up foam!

I know my husband has felt more empowered by reading some of the

posts and less embarrassed about his condition. Sorry I can't give

you post-myotomy advise, but I'll try to help you with support if I

can. Happy swallowing and I'm hoping for continued healing for you!

in Michigan

>

> I am 51, and was diagnosed with Achalasia in September. One week ago I

> had the Heller Myotomy procedure. For the first time in at least 2

> years I have not choked everytime I began to fall asleep! Without the

> procedure, my condition would only get worse. Now, I need to learn how

> to adjust for the future. Even walking or sittting in the wrong

> position causes heartburn. I was also told that I would gain weight

> now (just what I don't need!). I can live with the endoscopic

> screening for Cancer. What else should I be aware of after this

> procedure? I would love to hear from those of you that have been down

> the path that I am just beginning to take.

>

[Guest guest]

What you think is heartburn is likely spasms -- your esophagus gets testy after

being

messed with. This will gradually stop happening -- it was alot better after

three weeks for

me. Eat popsicles as they come on and sit quietly.

Isn't eating and not aspirating terrific? Gaining weight -- oh, well, I would

rather be fat

than miserable!

Peggy

>

> I am 51, and was diagnosed with Achalasia in September. One week ago I

> had the Heller Myotomy procedure. For the first time in at least 2

> years I have not choked everytime I began to fall asleep! Without the

> procedure, my condition would only get worse. Now, I need to learn how

> to adjust for the future. Even walking or sittting in the wrong

> position causes heartburn. I was also told that I would gain weight

> now (just what I don't need!). I can live with the endoscopic

> screening for Cancer. What else should I be aware of after this

> procedure? I would love to hear from those of you that have been down

> the path that I am just beginning to take.

>

[Guest guest]

--Hello,

The heartburn may well be spasms. If hearburn medication doesn't help

you, you will be sure it is spams which is most likely.

If you read back only a few weeks ago Debbie did a great wite up on the

chest spasms. Many of us get them and for me they were worse after

surgery. They have settled a little with time, but still make their

presence known. We all have things we try like walking around, trying

cold or hot drinks, camomile tea, popsicles etc.

My spasms came on really excruciatingly strong after surgery if I lay

on my side, turned over too quick in bed, or stressed myself in any way.

Isn't is great though to have all those other terrible symptoms

disappear. You will have a great time soon enjoying soft foods as I am

when you are off pureed food.

All the best with your recovery. Staying with this group will be the

best information collection on your Achalasia you can get. Everyone

here is such great support.

Can we have your name so we know who you are?

Kindest regards in the desert.

- In achalasia , " capmyjo " <capmyjo@y...> wrote:

>

> I am 51, and was diagnosed with Achalasia in September. One week ago

I

> had the Heller Myotomy procedure. For the first time in at least 2

> years I have not choked everytime I began to fall asleep! Without the

> procedure, my condition would only get worse. Now, I need to learn

how

> to adjust for the future. Even walking or sittting in the wrong

> position causes heartburn. I was also told that I would gain weight

> now (just what I don't need!). I can live with the endoscopic

> screening for Cancer. What else should I be aware of after this

> procedure? I would love to hear from those of you that have been down

> the path that I am just beginning to take.

>

[Guest guest]

What a nice message to wake up to! I probably have had this for about 5 years or more, but the last 2-3 years have been very difficult. I had reached the point where I couldn't sleep in bed, and would even choke when sleeping upright on the sofa. The difference post op is amazing. I will keep Cleveland Clinic in mind, but so far am relying heavily on my 3 doctors herelet45ride <brendacoyle@...> wrote: , Welcome to the group! So sorry to hear that you have achalasia,but you'll find lots of information and great support from this group!How long do you think you had "A" before it was diagnosed? Thatwould be so great if you don't have to take any more medications forasthma (check with your doctor first, though)! From what I hear,surgery is the best

option, so I'm glad you got yours done and are onyour way to healing. I hope you heal quickly and get back to normaleating soon! I, too, live in Michigan (Detroit area). I joined this grouplast summer because my husband was told he had "an esophagus motilityproblem" by a doctor at U of M. This was after a couple of years ofbeing misdiagnosed with acid reflux (MANY people in this group havebeen misdiagnosed, so you're definitely not alone). We did travel toCleveland Clinic in August and they confirmed the diagnosis of DiffuseEsophageal Spasm (a different esophagus motility problem than "A"). They were very professional there. They knew we had traveled a fewhours, so they scheduled tests for my husband the very next day (wewere told ahead of time to plan on staying in town) and gave us thetest results very shortly after the tests were done. They stillhaven't found a

perfect treatment for his disease, but not as much isknown about treating it. It's not as common as "A" and most peoplewho have it don't have it as severely as my husband (60 lbs. weightloss over 3 years and severe spasms with dysphagia 2-3 times/week). Hopefully, you will get lots of relief for a long time from yoursurgery, but if you ever need to, I'd recommend going to ClevelandClinic. The doctors there are pretty highly regarded. You've made a smart move by joining this group. I've learned somany things from the group members and I continue to learn more allthe time! Also, it helps to know that ours isn't the only householddealing with things like spasms, regurgitation, and coughing up foam!I know my husband has felt more empowered by reading some of theposts and less embarrassed about his condition. Sorry I can't giveyou post-myotomy advise, but I'll try to help you with

support if Ican. Happy swallowing and I'm hoping for continued healing for you! in Michigan>> I am 51, and was diagnosed with Achalasia in September. One week ago I > had the Heller Myotomy procedure. For the first time in at least 2 > years I have not choked everytime I began to fall asleep! Without the > procedure, my condition would only get worse. Now, I need to learn how > to adjust for the future. Even walking or sittting in the wrong > position causes heartburn. I was also told that I would gain weight > now (just what I don't need!). I can live with the endoscopic > screening for Cancer. What else should I be aware of after this > procedure? I would love to hear from those of you that have been down > the path that I am just beginning to take.>

[Guest guest]

Hi Peggy You are probably right, from all the response I am getting, I just know from the recovery room until present time, this is a companion I do not want around. I will try the popsicles...sitting quietly does help. Eating isn't huge on my list yet, but sleeping soundly is a miracle.Peggy Cordero <pegster@...> wrote: What you think is heartburn is likely spasms -- your esophagus gets testy after being messed with. This will gradually stop happening -- it was alot better after three weeks for me. Eat popsicles as they come on and sit quietly.Isn't eating and not aspirating terrific? Gaining weight -- oh, well, I would rather be fat than miserable!Peggy>> I am 51, and was diagnosed with

Achalasia in September. One week ago I > had the Heller Myotomy procedure. For the first time in at least 2 > years I have not choked everytime I began to fall asleep! Without the > procedure, my condition would only get worse. Now, I need to learn how > to adjust for the future. Even walking or sittting in the wrong > position causes heartburn. I was also told that I would gain weight > now (just what I don't need!). I can live with the endoscopic > screening for Cancer. What else should I be aware of after this > procedure? I would love to hear from those of you that have been down > the path that I am just beginning to take.>

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[Guest guest]

Hi My name is Blauer, and I am from Schoolcraft, MI After having lived in San Diego, Millington, TN, and Yokosuka, Japan. I understand your loss...we are waiting for our vet to make the decision for our nearly 17 year old Cocker. They really are family. You are right about the group. It is a Godsend to have found all of you.ykosworks <ykosworks@...> wrote: --Hello,The heartburn may well be spasms. If hearburn medication doesn't help you, you will be sure it is spams which is most likely.If you read back only a few weeks ago Debbie did a great wite up on the chest spasms. Many of us get them and for me they were worse after surgery. They have settled a little with time, but still make their presence known. We all have things we try like walking around, trying cold or hot drinks,

camomile tea, popsicles etc.My spasms came on really excruciatingly strong after surgery if I lay on my side, turned over too quick in bed, or stressed myself in any way.Isn't is great though to have all those other terrible symptoms disappear. You will have a great time soon enjoying soft foods as I am when you are off pureed food.All the best with your recovery. Staying with this group will be the best information collection on your Achalasia you can get. Everyone here is such great support.Can we have your name so we know who you are?Kindest regards in the desert.- In achalasia , "capmyjo" <capmyjo@y...> wrote:>> I am 51, and was diagnosed with Achalasia in September. One week ago I > had the Heller Myotomy procedure. For the first time in at least 2 > years I have not choked everytime I began to fall asleep! Without the > procedure, my condition would only get

worse. Now, I need to learn how > to adjust for the future. Even walking or sittting in the wrong > position causes heartburn. I was also told that I would gain weight > now (just what I don't need!). I can live with the endoscopic > screening for Cancer. What else should I be aware of after this > procedure? I would love to hear from those of you that have been down > the path that I am just beginning to take.>

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