Had my Doctors Appointment Today

February 7, 2006

Hi All,

As I mentioned, I have been having an increase in sticking over the

last 3 months. It was not really bad, but I did notice it. When I

called for my 1 year followup, the nurse asked me to compare the last

3 months, I did, and she set me up for an appointment today. I am

going to give you a little more info than you are looking for:

8:30 AM .. scheduled for Barium Swallow. The Radiologist told me he

was taking a few X rays first per Dr. Luketich ... that done, then we

began the barium swallow in a stnding position. I could not see the

results.

Then I had to lay down on my stomach and he had me drink the barium.

I could see the xray and the barium just sat in the upper part of the

E. I took several drinks, but it only moved down because more was

coming than it stopped. They had me stand up and it started back

down. The doctor showed me where it was slowing ... right before

leaping into the stomach. He then had me swallow a radioactive

pill. It went so far then just sat there. It was very interesting.

I asked him if my esophogus was enlarged. He said yes, but not alot.

Next to wait to see my surgeon.

First the Assistant Doctor comes in to ask questions and talk with

me. Finally Dr. Luketich arrived. He said the Barium Swallow

did not look too bad, but there was definately some slow down. He

told me he would like to do a dilation (bougie). He said it was not

an emergency ... I could wait if I wanted, but he preferred to take

care of it before it became a problem. I will have it done next

Tuesday .. quite a valentine gift to myself! I am still coughing

quite a bit, and he said he believes it is Achalasia related.

Here were a few things he said that I thought I would share:

1. He reminded me that this is a progressive disease and it will

never go away. He said some people require a few dilations,

sometimes a 2nd or even 3rd myotomy, and some progress to the removal

of esophagus. He told me I am no where near that step, but he really

wantd me to be aware of the possibilities.

2. He said the Les is like a band around the esophagus, stopping the

food from traveling. He said once he cut the band, he actually sews

it open, and the soft esophagus then bulges out so the food goes thru.

3. He said the stickage could be caused by scar tissue from the

surgery ... or

4. Even though I do not experience GERD, the food could be backing

up thru the toupet fundo and that can cause the E to swell or create

a sore, causing problems.

5. He said by doing the EDG, he can actually visualize what is going

on before he dilates.

6. I asked him who would do the dilation. He said he personally

would want to do it for his Achalasia Patients. He explained that

there is the possibility of a tear, but then said he has never had a

perferation! I thought that was great!

7. I coughed quite a bit while there and he told me he feels it is

related and the dialation could help that too.

8. He would like to help me with the Spasms, but, other than things

like pepcid AC .. which did not work ... he is really not sure what

to tell me. He said there is not much research on spasms, but they

are learning this is a major part of the disease. Fortunately, they

are down from 3-4 per week 1 1/2 to 2 hours to 1 time per week 1 to

1 1/2 hours. Although they are horrific ... that is quite an

improvement.

9. I went in expecting him to tell me it was my imagination, or just

hang in there. Instead, I have an appointment to have this done in

one week! I must admit ... I am really glad and am ready to let him

take care of this before it gets worse.

Before I left the hospital, I had my blood work, an EKG and full x

rays for the procedure. I finally left the hospital at 2:30 this

afternoon. Quite a long day.

Just thought you might be interested in some of this info.

Thanks for your support.

Kathie in Pittsburgh

February 8, 2006

Kathy, so glad you were able to get so much done in one day.

I am learning things. I was not aware that bougie dilatations

were used on achalasia patients anymore. I note that both

you and Tonia's son is getting one.

I was happy to hear he says they are learning that spasms

are a real issue with us too. It's about time! I wish you

could get yours down even more and eliminate them or find

something that will stop them as they start as so many of

us have.

Good luck to you and Tonia's son on the 14th. I'll be praying

for you both.

Maggie

February 8, 2006

Thats basicly what my son's Dr told us.He also has to have the

Boujie done on Feb 14th.Yeah what a " loving gift " huh?

I will be thinking about you and will check back to see how it goes

for you!Good luck-

>

> Hi All,

> As I mentioned, I have been having an increase in sticking over

the

> last 3 months. It was not really bad, but I did notice it. When

I

> called for my 1 year followup, the nurse asked me to compare the

last

> 3 months, I did, and she set me up for an appointment today. I am

> going to give you a little more info than you are looking for:

>

> 8:30 AM .. scheduled for Barium Swallow. The Radiologist told me

he

> was taking a few X rays first per Dr. Luketich ... that done, then

we

> began the barium swallow in a stnding position. I could not see

the

> results.

> Then I had to lay down on my stomach and he had me drink the

barium.

> I could see the xray and the barium just sat in the upper part of

the

> E. I took several drinks, but it only moved down because more was

> coming than it stopped. They had me stand up and it started back

> down. The doctor showed me where it was slowing ... right before

> leaping into the stomach. He then had me swallow a radioactive

> pill. It went so far then just sat there. It was very

interesting.

> I asked him if my esophogus was enlarged. He said yes, but not

alot.

> Next to wait to see my surgeon.

>

> First the Assistant Doctor comes in to ask questions and talk with

> me. Finally Dr. Luketich arrived. He said the Barium

Swallow

> did not look too bad, but there was definately some slow down. He

> told me he would like to do a dilation (bougie). He said it was

not

> an emergency ... I could wait if I wanted, but he preferred to

take

> care of it before it became a problem. I will have it done next

> Tuesday .. quite a valentine gift to myself! I am still coughing

> quite a bit, and he said he believes it is Achalasia related.

>

> Here were a few things he said that I thought I would share:

>

> 1. He reminded me that this is a progressive disease and it will

> never go away. He said some people require a few dilations,

> sometimes a 2nd or even 3rd myotomy, and some progress to the

removal

> of esophagus. He told me I am no where near that step, but he

really

> wantd me to be aware of the possibilities.

> 2. He said the Les is like a band around the esophagus, stopping

the

> food from traveling. He said once he cut the band, he actually

sews

> it open, and the soft esophagus then bulges out so the food goes

thru.

> 3. He said the stickage could be caused by scar tissue from the

> surgery ... or

> 4. Even though I do not experience GERD, the food could be

backing

> up thru the toupet fundo and that can cause the E to swell or

create

> a sore, causing problems.

> 5. He said by doing the EDG, he can actually visualize what is

going

> on before he dilates.

> 6. I asked him who would do the dilation. He said he personally

> would want to do it for his Achalasia Patients. He explained that

> there is the possibility of a tear, but then said he has never had

a

> perferation! I thought that was great!

> 7. I coughed quite a bit while there and he told me he feels it

is

> related and the dialation could help that too.

> 8. He would like to help me with the Spasms, but, other than

things

> like pepcid AC .. which did not work ... he is really not sure

what

> to tell me. He said there is not much research on spasms, but

they

> are learning this is a major part of the disease. Fortunately,

they

> are down from 3-4 per week 1 1/2 to 2 hours to 1 time per week 1

to

> 1 1/2 hours. Although they are horrific ... that is quite an

> improvement.

> 9. I went in expecting him to tell me it was my imagination, or

just

> hang in there. Instead, I have an appointment to have this done

in

> one week! I must admit ... I am really glad and am ready to let

him

> take care of this before it gets worse.

>

> Before I left the hospital, I had my blood work, an EKG and full x

> rays for the procedure. I finally left the hospital at 2:30 this

> afternoon. Quite a long day.

>

> Just thought you might be interested in some of this info.

> Thanks for your support.

> Kathie in Pittsburgh

>

February 8, 2006

Dear Kathie,

Thank you very much for sharing all that useful information with us. I will be thinking about you on your BIG DAY. I hope it goes very well for you. I am pleased that you are making some progress.

Take care Kathie, with love from Ann in England xxxx>> Hi All,> As I mentioned, I have been having an increase in sticking over the > last 3 months. It was not really bad, but I did notice it. When I > called for my 1 year followup, the nurse asked me to compare the last > 3 months, I did, and she set me up for an appointment today. I am > going to give you a little more info than you are looking for:> > 8:30 AM .. scheduled for Barium Swallow. The Radiologist told me he > was taking a few X rays first per Dr. Luketich ... that done, then we > began the barium swallow in a stnding position. I could not see the > results. > Then I had to lay down on my stomach and he had me drink the barium. > I could see the xray and the barium just sat in the upper part of the > E. I took several drinks, but it only moved down because more was > coming than it stopped. They had me stand up and it started back > down. The doctor showed me where it was slowing ... right before > leaping into the stomach. He then had me swallow a radioactive > pill. It went so far then just sat there. It was very interesting. > I asked him if my esophogus was enlarged. He said yes, but not alot.> Next to wait to see my surgeon. > > First the Assistant Doctor comes in to ask questions and talk with > me. Finally Dr. Luketich arrived. He said the Barium Swallow > did not look too bad, but there was definately some slow down. He > told me he would like to do a dilation (bougie). He said it was not > an emergency ... I could wait if I wanted, but he preferred to take > care of it before it became a problem. I will have it done next > Tuesday .. quite a valentine gift to myself! I am still coughing > quite a bit, and he said he believes it is Achalasia related.> > Here were a few things he said that I thought I would share:> > 1. He reminded me that this is a progressive disease and it will > never go away. He said some people require a few dilations, > sometimes a 2nd or even 3rd myotomy, and some progress to the removal > of esophagus. He told me I am no where near that step, but he really > wantd me to be aware of the possibilities.> 2. He said the Les is like a band around the esophagus, stopping the > food from traveling. He said once he cut the band, he actually sews > it open, and the soft esophagus then bulges out so the food goes thru.> 3. He said the stickage could be caused by scar tissue from the > surgery ... or> 4. Even though I do not experience GERD, the food could be backing > up thru the toupet fundo and that can cause the E to swell or create > a sore, causing problems.> 5. He said by doing the EDG, he can actually visualize what is going > on before he dilates.> 6. I asked him who would do the dilation. He said he personally > would want to do it for his Achalasia Patients. He explained that > there is the possibility of a tear, but then said he has never had a > perferation! I thought that was great!> 7. I coughed quite a bit while there and he told me he feels it is > related and the dialation could help that too.> 8. He would like to help me with the Spasms, but, other than things > like pepcid AC .. which did not work ... he is really not sure what > to tell me. He said there is not much research on spasms, but they > are learning this is a major part of the disease. Fortunately, they > are down from 3-4 per week 1 1/2 to 2 hours to 1 time per week 1 to > 1 1/2 hours. Although they are horrific ... that is quite an > improvement.> 9. I went in expecting him to tell me it was my imagination, or just > hang in there. Instead, I have an appointment to have this done in > one week! I must admit ... I am really glad and am ready to let him > take care of this before it gets worse.> > Before I left the hospital, I had my blood work, an EKG and full x > rays for the procedure. I finally left the hospital at 2:30 this > afternoon. Quite a long day.> > Just thought you might be interested in some of this info.> Thanks for your support.> Kathie in Pittsburgh>

February 8, 2006

Hello Tonia:

and I will garner a little comfort in knowing we are both going

in on the same day. I am wishing him a totally uncomplicated and easy

procedure. Dr. Luketich told me the actual dilation takes about 15

minutes. Of course you can't eat 24 hours prior, must be checked in at

the hospital 2 hours prior and stay until you are totally out of

anthesia and can sit up and swallow. S O O O ... that 15 minute

procedure winds up being an entire day.

My thoughts and prayers are with . I am glad to hear that he is

doing better and hope it increases daily.

Kathie in Pittburgh ... a Boujie Buddie for !

************************

> > 9. I went in expecting him to tell me it was my imagination, or

> just > > hang in there. Instead, I have an appointment to have this

done in one week! > > Kathie in Pittsburgh

> >

>

February 8, 2006

hey boujie buddy this is james the little boujie dude u where

talking about =) umm... good luck to you we will be better soon we

are the

MIGHTY POWERFULL ACHALASIANS

ok bye,

(ps hope ur surgery thing goes good too)

from

> > > 9. I went in expecting him to tell me it was my imagination,

or

> > just > > hang in there. Instead, I have an appointment to have

this

> done in one week! > > Kathie in Pittsburgh

> > >

> >

>

February 8, 2006

Kathy,

I am so interested in hearing more about Dr. Luketich because my

specialist has recently mentioned his name as a surgeon I should go to

for another opinion. (The first surgeon I went to has recommended the

esophagectomy for me, and being he is the only one I have seen,

clearly I am hesitant, although I understand why he is recommending

it. In addition, the surgeon I saw will probably do it as an open

procedure - given the size and shape of my esophagus, that may be the

best option, but I would really like to see someone else who has some

specialization in less invasive procedures to see what he has to say

about it. The first surgeon hasn't done testing on me yet, so I am

kind of in a holding pattern about everything.

So it seems like Dr. Luketich is very thorough from what you reported.

How did you like him? Did you feel rushed at all? Clearly he sounds

like he answered all your questions. Tell me more!

Thanks,

in NY