Re: Hi, I’m a new member. My name is ,

[Guest guest]

Dear , Hi! I am glad that you found this group. I think

that we are all grateful for the opportunity to talk to others about

this disease. And many of us have similar stories. At my worst I

could not swallow spit, I was dehydrated, weak, I ate and kept down

1 meal a week. I weighed in at 94-96 lbs before I had my surgery at

the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Rice was my surgeon and I don't regret it

one bit. (in '93) I have had 3 dilitations since and I lead a very

normal life. I eat everything with no problems. I do need my water

and I have developed a sluggish stomach, but I feel great.

I wish you the best of luck with your visit to Cleveland. I am sure

they will help you so much. Good Luck and keep us posted.

Dawn in Ohio

>

> I've spent hours reading your stories and messages on the site. I

did

> a little crying and some laughing. It was fun to be a voyeur into

the

> lives of others living with this wacky disorder. I have felt very

> alone with this condition for five years and to read about other

> people regurgitating and suffering was strangely comforting.

>

> One time I had to drive my husband, Joe to a meeting and I had

food

> stuck in my throat but we had to leave right then. I had him drive

to

> the meeting while I sat in the passenger seat trying all my tricks

to

> relax my LES. Nothing was working and I knew I was going to puke.

I

> reached my arm back into the back seat groping for something to

puke

> into and my hand grabbed a huge piece of bubble wrap used to

protect

> my husband's paintings. While he drove down Elmwood Avenue I puked

> violently all over the piece of bubble wrap. It was a particularly

> bad episode and I was crying from the violent force. Joe just

pulled

> the car over, carefully took the wrap from my lap and emptied the

> mess onto the side of the street. He then said, " You better rinse

> that off when you get back home, that bubble wrap is expensive " .

It

> was then that I realized he, too, was living with Achlasia. I'd

just

> done the most disgusting thing and he acted like it was

commonplace.

> Along with me he became accustomed to this unpleasant behavior.

> Dinners ruined with me bent over the sink, having to abandon him

in

> restaurants to regurgitate in the rest room, throwing up in public

> behind bushes on busy city streets while he did look out,

canceling

> plans because I was having spasms, terrible back pain during the

> night. All of this was affecting both of us. I am the one in pain

but

> he has had to witness and accommodate my problem. I can't believe

> that for five years I have been enduring this madness. I think I'm

> ready to accept that I am powerless over this condition and no

amount

> of relaxation techniques or behavior modification is going to make

me

> well.

>

> After reading all of your stories I feel more relaxed and open

about

> the Heller's Myotomy surgery.

> For the first time I actually feel optimistic about my condition.

I

> have a consultation appointment at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio on

> March 24th with Shay. I also contacted my insurance

company. I

> live in Buffalo New York and I'm hoping that my insurance will

accept

> my out of state request. They are reviewing my case and will let

me

> know by the end of next week. If they deny coverage I will have to

> settle for a local doctor with much less experience with this

surgery.

>

> I'm grateful to all of you for sharing all of your stories and

> wisdom.

>

> Thank you,

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

It is lovely to meet you and well done for "taking the bull by the horns" and joining in with our Group. To contribute and be part of the proceedings really helps, take it from me. I only joined the Group last Autumn and had lived with this disorder/disease, however you prefer to refer to it, for 15 years, feeling like I was the only person in the world with it. I knew intellectually that I wasn't of course, but that was how it felt, and now I am no longer alone, not at all, and have met online some great characters.

One of the members who has become a particular friend is , who lives in Jericho, New York. I am certain you will be hearing from him very soon, especially as he is from your neck of the woods. You will never be short of educational, emotional or empathic support as long as you stick with us.

I know that the incident you related must have been distressing at the time, but we can all smile and understand and it's wonderful to know that you are not a freak, just an ordinary human being with a health problem that you intend to master.

I hope you will become a regular member. I like your style of writing and assure you that you are very welcome here.

Best Wishes and love for now from Ann in England xxx (Five hours in front of you)

>> I've spent hours reading your stories and messages on the site. I did > a little crying and some laughing. It was fun to be a voyeur into the > lives of others living with this wacky disorder. I have felt very > alone with this condition for five years and to read about other > people regurgitating and suffering was strangely comforting.> > One time I had to drive my husband, Joe to a meeting and I had food > stuck in my throat but we had to leave right then. I had him drive to > the meeting while I sat in the passenger seat trying all my tricks to > relax my LES. Nothing was working and I knew I was going to puke. I > reached my arm back into the back seat groping for something to puke > into and my hand grabbed a huge piece of bubble wrap used to protect > my husband's paintings. While he drove down Elmwood Avenue I puked > violently all over the piece of bubble wrap. It was a particularly > bad episode and I was crying from the violent force. Joe just pulled > the car over, carefully took the wrap from my lap and emptied the > mess onto the side of the street. He then said, "You better rinse > that off when you get back home, that bubble wrap is expensive". It > was then that I realized he, too, was living with Achlasia. I'd just > done the most disgusting thing and he acted like it was commonplace. > Along with me he became accustomed to this unpleasant behavior. > Dinners ruined with me bent over the sink, having to abandon him in > restaurants to regurgitate in the rest room, throwing up in public > behind bushes on busy city streets while he did look out, canceling > plans because I was having spasms, terrible back pain during the > night. All of this was affecting both of us. I am the one in pain but > he has had to witness and accommodate my problem. I can't believe > that for five years I have been enduring this madness. I think I'm > ready to accept that I am powerless over this condition and no amount > of relaxation techniques or behavior modification is going to make me > well.> > After reading all of your stories I feel more relaxed and open about > the Heller's Myotomy surgery. > For the first time I actually feel optimistic about my condition. I > have a consultation appointment at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio on > March 24th with Shay. I also contacted my insurance company. I > live in Buffalo New York and I'm hoping that my insurance will accept > my out of state request. They are reviewing my case and will let me > know by the end of next week. If they deny coverage I will have to > settle for a local doctor with much less experience with this surgery.> > I'm grateful to all of you for sharing all of your stories and > wisdom. > > Thank you,> > >

[Guest guest]

Hi :

Welcome. When I arrived about a year ago at this place, it was a solace for me

as well. Do

lots of reading.

I am so glad you are ready to get treatment -- your description is sooo familar

to lots of

us. I travel alot in California and almost 7 months after surgery often say to

myself -- last

time I was here I couln't eat and I puked there and so on.

With regard to insurance, email me offline if you wish and I can offer you some

examples

of letters I wrote to my insurance company arguing the reason for specialty

care. Don't

settle for a community hosptial doctor without A experience. Get the best

possible.

Welcome,

Peggy

>

> I've spent hours reading your stories and messages on the site. I did

> a little crying and some laughing. It was fun to be a voyeur into the

> lives of others living with this wacky disorder. I have felt very

> alone with this condition for five years and to read about other

> people regurgitating and suffering was strangely comforting.

>

> One time I had to drive my husband, Joe to a meeting and I had food

> stuck in my throat but we had to leave right then. I had him drive to

> the meeting while I sat in the passenger seat trying all my tricks to

> relax my LES. Nothing was working and I knew I was going to puke. I

> reached my arm back into the back seat groping for something to puke

> into and my hand grabbed a huge piece of bubble wrap used to protect

> my husband's paintings. While he drove down Elmwood Avenue I puked

> violently all over the piece of bubble wrap. It was a particularly

> bad episode and I was crying from the violent force. Joe just pulled

> the car over, carefully took the wrap from my lap and emptied the

> mess onto the side of the street. He then said, " You better rinse

> that off when you get back home, that bubble wrap is expensive " . It

> was then that I realized he, too, was living with Achlasia. I'd just

> done the most disgusting thing and he acted like it was commonplace.

> Along with me he became accustomed to this unpleasant behavior.

> Dinners ruined with me bent over the sink, having to abandon him in

> restaurants to regurgitate in the rest room, throwing up in public

> behind bushes on busy city streets while he did look out, canceling

> plans because I was having spasms, terrible back pain during the

> night. All of this was affecting both of us. I am the one in pain but

> he has had to witness and accommodate my problem. I can't believe

> that for five years I have been enduring this madness. I think I'm

> ready to accept that I am powerless over this condition and no amount

> of relaxation techniques or behavior modification is going to make me

> well.

>

> After reading all of your stories I feel more relaxed and open about

> the Heller's Myotomy surgery.

> For the first time I actually feel optimistic about my condition. I

> have a consultation appointment at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio on

> March 24th with Shay. I also contacted my insurance company. I

> live in Buffalo New York and I'm hoping that my insurance will accept

> my out of state request. They are reviewing my case and will let me

> know by the end of next week. If they deny coverage I will have to

> settle for a local doctor with much less experience with this surgery.

>

> I'm grateful to all of you for sharing all of your stories and

> wisdom.

>

> Thank you,

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

, I live in downstate NY, near Corning and went to Packard in PA for treatment, if...for some unknown reason you are not approved for Cleveland (the best in our area), ask for a review of your case...again! If you need, I do know that there is someone at Strong in Rochester that has come from California that is experienced...can't remember name, but I think it is posted somewhere here! Good luck, we are just one big happy family here! Crystalchristine38cmiller <christine38cmiller@...> wrote: I've spent hours reading your stories and messages on the site. I did a little crying and some laughing. It was fun to be a voyeur into the lives of others living with this wacky disorder. I have felt very alone with this condition for five years and to read about other

people regurgitating and suffering was strangely comforting.One time I had to drive my husband, Joe to a meeting and I had food stuck in my throat but we had to leave right then. I had him drive to the meeting while I sat in the passenger seat trying all my tricks to relax my LES. Nothing was working and I knew I was going to puke. I reached my arm back into the back seat groping for something to puke into and my hand grabbed a huge piece of bubble wrap used to protect my husband's paintings. While he drove down Elmwood Avenue I puked violently all over the piece of bubble wrap. It was a particularly bad episode and I was crying from the violent force. Joe just pulled the car over, carefully took the wrap from my lap and emptied the mess onto the side of the street. He then said, "You better rinse that off when you get back home, that bubble wrap is expensive". It was then that I realized he, too, was living with Achlasia.

I'd just done the most disgusting thing and he acted like it was commonplace. Along with me he became accustomed to this unpleasant behavior. Dinners ruined with me bent over the sink, having to abandon him in restaurants to regurgitate in the rest room, throwing up in public behind bushes on busy city streets while he did look out, canceling plans because I was having spasms, terrible back pain during the night. All of this was affecting both of us. I am the one in pain but he has had to witness and accommodate my problem. I can't believe that for five years I have been enduring this madness. I think I'm ready to accept that I am powerless over this condition and no amount of relaxation techniques or behavior modification is going to make me well.After reading all of your stories I feel more relaxed and open about the Heller's Myotomy surgery. For the first time I actually feel optimistic about my condition. I

have a consultation appointment at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio on March 24th with Shay. I also contacted my insurance company. I live in Buffalo New York and I'm hoping that my insurance will accept my out of state request. They are reviewing my case and will let me know by the end of next week. If they deny coverage I will have to settle for a local doctor with much less experience with this surgery.I'm grateful to all of you for sharing all of your stories and wisdom. Thank you,

Bring photos to life! New PhotoMail makes sharing a breeze.

[Guest guest]

,

Welcome to the group! I'll echo others in saying that you've

found a great group here! They will provide you with LOTS of

information and support! I'm sure it's good (in a strange way) to

hear that others have the same problems. I can relate to what you

said about your husband being affected by all this. My husband is the

one with the esophagus motility problem (he has Diffuse Esophageal

Spasm, not A, though). We live with some of the same things, but not

all of what you deal with. He rarely seems to regurgitate food,

mostly just liquids come up after meals sometimes. We have " spit

cups " and even " spit wastebaskets " at our house and I wake up at night

(at least for a few minutes) and sometimes we have to cancel our

plans, when my husband has bad spasms. I help him make the calls to

his local GI for work excuses when he can't make it in because of

spasms. I worry about him when he loses weight (70 lbs. in 3 years)

and about our finances when he can't work a full week (most weeks).

So, yes, your family lives through the disease as well.

I certainly hope that you can get your insurance to approve your

visit to Cleveland Clinic. We've traveled there a few times, already.

In fact, the last time we were there (end of Jan.), we met Dr. Shay.

My husband had originally seen Dr. Achkar (head of the Swallowing

Disorders dept.), but we really liked Dr. Shay better. We also had a

consult with Dr. Rice on that last visit. He is definitely

well-qualified! He told us he does 300 Hellers a year!

Unfortunately, for my hubby, he has only done surgery (long myotomy) 3

times on DES patients, because it is so rare . We have been

impressed with how well they treat out-of-towners, too. When we first

went there last August, they told us to plan on staying in town

overnight, so that any tests could be scheduled for the day after his

initial consultation. The second day, my husband finished his barium

swallow at 2:30 (manometry was done earlier that day). By 3:30, we

were in Dr. Achkar's office, discussing results! We've never had that

kind of promptness with any local doctors! They were just as

efficient last visit, when Dr. Rice asked Dr. Shay to squeeze him in

for another test. Within a couple of hours, the 3 doctors had

discussed his tests results and his case and had decided on a

treatment plan!

Sorry this is so long! Again, welcome to our little " family " and

please continue to share your story with us! Best of luck to you!

in Michigan

wife of with DES

[Guest guest]

hi, christine,

sorry about what happened to you. actually everyone in the group

has similar kind of experiences. I kept big bottles in my car, next

to my pillow, during my meals before. my boyfriend calls those

bottles " throw-up bottle " . He has been taking great care of me. I am

surprised that your husband is also an achalasian. you guys can share

some experiences. I am currently seeking some conventional treatment.

however, it is good idea to see an experienced GI and surgeon if you

decide to go for operation. good luck and you are not alone. you have

us.

Quincia

>

> I've spent hours reading your stories and messages on the site. I

did

> a little crying and some laughing. It was fun to be a voyeur into

the

> lives of others living with this wacky disorder. I have felt very

> alone with this condition for five years and to read about other

> people regurgitating and suffering was strangely comforting.

>

> One time I had to drive my husband, Joe to a meeting and I had

food

> stuck in my throat but we had to leave right then. I had him drive

to

> the meeting while I sat in the passenger seat trying all my tricks

to

> relax my LES. Nothing was working and I knew I was going to puke. I

> reached my arm back into the back seat groping for something to

puke

> into and my hand grabbed a huge piece of bubble wrap used to

protect

> my husband's paintings. While he drove down Elmwood Avenue I puked

> violently all over the piece of bubble wrap. It was a particularly

> bad episode and I was crying from the violent force. Joe just

pulled

> the car over, carefully took the wrap from my lap and emptied the

> mess onto the side of the street. He then said, " You better rinse

> that off when you get back home, that bubble wrap is expensive " . It

> was then that I realized he, too, was living with Achlasia. I'd

just

> done the most disgusting thing and he acted like it was

commonplace.

> Along with me he became accustomed to this unpleasant behavior.

> Dinners ruined with me bent over the sink, having to abandon him in

> restaurants to regurgitate in the rest room, throwing up in public

> behind bushes on busy city streets while he did look out, canceling

> plans because I was having spasms, terrible back pain during the

> night. All of this was affecting both of us. I am the one in pain

but

> he has had to witness and accommodate my problem. I can't believe

> that for five years I have been enduring this madness. I think I'm

> ready to accept that I am powerless over this condition and no

amount

> of relaxation techniques or behavior modification is going to make

me

> well.

>

> After reading all of your stories I feel more relaxed and open

about

> the Heller's Myotomy surgery.

> For the first time I actually feel optimistic about my condition. I

> have a consultation appointment at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio on

> March 24th with Shay. I also contacted my insurance company.

I

> live in Buffalo New York and I'm hoping that my insurance will

accept

> my out of state request. They are reviewing my case and will let me

> know by the end of next week. If they deny coverage I will have to

> settle for a local doctor with much less experience with this

surgery.

>

> I'm grateful to all of you for sharing all of your stories and

> wisdom.

>

> Thank you,

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Quincia,

It is good to hear from you again, and I have been following with interest your reports back to us.

First, if you read 's letter back about her experiences and emotions she so generously shared with the group, you will see that her dear husband, Joe, is not in fact an Achalasian. He is an honorary Achalasian, as is my wife. Likewise, 's letter brought back many memories to me about how my wife patiently supported me during the days of my maximum sufferings and for the 11 days I was in s Hopkins recovering from my open Heller. (btw , when something similar happened to me in the car, while I was driving, forget about the bubble wrap, I'd just get out of the car wherever I was and just let loose! Previously, I attempted keeping a mouthful of that stuff going but it did not lend itself to successful two way conversation. Hand signals pointing to my expanded cheeks led my wife to say, just "get out of the car and do what you have to!")

Quincia: I applaud your efforts to find an alternative solution and I thank you so much for keeping the group up to date contemporaneously. Whatever happens will be additional knowledge that we will share. What I am hoping for you is a cure, and not a treatment. If you end up having a tempary relief of symptoms, (while any relief is fine,) but you end up ultimately with the surgery anyway, then I feel that a person should have just gone directly for the surgery. In essence, you have voluntarily become the lab animal for all of us, or more specifically those of us who have not had treatments or surgeries that would compromise alternative or complementary medicine.

If you cross new "horizons" and the symptoms permanently disappear, then you will in fact have set a goal, a new pathway, for others to follow. This is what I pray and wish for you to accomplish.

Thank you so much for keeping us up to date and good luck.

PS to Ann from England.....I love you too!

> >> > I've spent hours reading your stories and messages on the site. I > did > > a little crying and some laughing. It was fun to be a voyeur into > the > > lives of others living with this wacky disorder. I have felt very > > alone with this condition for five years and to read about other > > people regurgitating and suffering was strangely comforting.> > > > One time I had to drive my husband, Joe to a meeting and I had > food > > stuck in my throat but we had to leave right then. I had him drive > to > > the meeting while I sat in the passenger seat trying all my tricks > to > > relax my LES. Nothing was working and I knew I was going to puke. I > > reached my arm back into the back seat groping for something to > puke > > into and my hand grabbed a huge piece of bubble wrap used to > protect > > my husband's paintings. While he drove down Elmwood Avenue I puked > > violently all over the piece of bubble wrap. It was a particularly > > bad episode and I was crying from the violent force. Joe just > pulled > > the car over, carefully took the wrap from my lap and emptied the > > mess onto the side of the street. He then said, "You better rinse > > that off when you get back home, that bubble wrap is expensive". It > > was then that I realized he, too, was living with Achlasia. I'd > just > > done the most disgusting thing and he acted like it was > commonplace. > > Along with me he became accustomed to this unpleasant behavior. > > Dinners ruined with me bent over the sink, having to abandon him in > > restaurants to regurgitate in the rest room, throwing up in public > > behind bushes on busy city streets while he did look out, canceling > > plans because I was having spasms, terrible back pain during the > > night. All of this was affecting both of us. I am the one in pain > but > > he has had to witness and accommodate my problem. I can't believe > > that for five years I have been enduring this madness. I think I'm > > ready to accept that I am powerless over this condition and no > amount > > of relaxation techniques or behavior modification is going to make > me > > well.> > > > After reading all of your stories I feel more relaxed and open > about > > the Heller's Myotomy surgery. > > For the first time I actually feel optimistic about my condition. I > > have a consultation appointment at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio on > > March 24th with Shay. I also contacted my insurance company. > I > > live in Buffalo New York and I'm hoping that my insurance will > accept > > my out of state request. They are reviewing my case and will let me > > know by the end of next week. If they deny coverage I will have to > > settle for a local doctor with much less experience with this > surgery.> > > > I'm grateful to all of you for sharing all of your stories and > > wisdom. > > > > Thank you,> > > > > >>

[Guest guest]

hi, ,

Thank you for all your kind comments. all I am doing is to try

alternative treatments. I am indeed getting better.

My boyfriend initially strongly encourage me to go for a surgery since

he could not stand while I was doing those achalasian things. He is more

nervous that I was. however, the time I was admitted to the GI

emergency room due to a piece of chicken got stuck in my esophagus.

(this could happen to everyone not just us; chew food better.) I asked

the GI nurse if surgery is good. She told me we should try different

treatment first since surgery is permanent. at the meantime, my boy

friend has been conducting a huge amount of research on the internet to

search any possible treatment or cure. Chinese conventional treatment

caught our attention. therefore we are willing to try it out first. we

experience the change. before I got all the symptoms an achalasian can

have. wrost thing was I could not sleep since food kept coming back at

that time. and I could drink water and my hand and throut is dry. I had

never successfully finished a complete meal. I lost 30 to 40 pound since

April of 2004. all the symptoms were with me since then.

I booked a ticket to China Feb 28 2006. and I planned to get it

treated after I got to china. My boyfriend warned me that I will

probably die before Feb 28 2006. therefore starting from Dec 2005 we

went to see a TCM acupuncturist. Things did not change dramatically at

the first two weeks. however, I did got some relief the first time. I

kept seeing the doctor for a month, 2 times a week sometime 3 times a

week. I got 8 needles on my back, 2 on my ribs, on my knees for 30

minutes. sometime, I had 8 needles on my abdoment, 2 on my forearm, 2

on my knees. sometime on my toes. After two weeks, things started

getting better. I sometimes could finished a whole meal; some come up if

I ate too fast. My boyfriend worried if my E is stressed to hold all the

food there. however, I did not feel any food stay in my E and I drank a

lot of water to clean my E before I went to bed since I did not want to

cough at night. only a little piece of food come up with water and I

have tried to get the water up. and I did not wake up at night. one

thing I found out if I am stressed from work or being emotional, my

symptom cames back at the meal and it will go away next day. I am also

taking VB. My boyfriend found lack of Vb1 will cause achalasia. so I am

also taking Vb and multiple V.

The TCM doctor did not prescribe me any herb tea or pills since he said

since I could drink water at all herb tea will come up right away. it is

waste of time. so He strongly suggested acupuncture.

now I am china. I am visiting some of my relatives meanwhile seeking

treatments. and I am trying combination of herb tea and acupuncture

since I can drink and eat now. The environment is more relaxed since I

don't need to work. I hope it is cure; however, it is a relief for the

symptoms for long term,I am happy.

when I throw up, my boyfriend said he are willing to help me push food

down using chopsticks. he was just joking; however, we realized

achalasia is not fatal. it is just disorder. but if an achalasian did

not get enough nutrition, other organ will be malfunctioning too.

This is my story. Thank you for reading and replying my message.

I will keep you all updated on my alternative treatement.

happy swallowing.

Quincia

> > >

> > > I've spent hours reading your stories and messages on the site. I

> > did

> > > a little crying and some laughing. It was fun to be a voyeur into

> > the

> > > lives of others living with this wacky disorder. I have felt very

> > > alone with this condition for five years and to read about other

> > > people regurgitating and suffering was strangely comforting.

> > >

> > > One time I had to drive my husband, Joe to a meeting and I had

> > food

> > > stuck in my throat but we had to leave right then. I had him drive

> > to

> > > the meeting while I sat in the passenger seat trying all my tricks

> > to

> > > relax my LES. Nothing was working and I knew I was going to puke.

I

> > > reached my arm back into the back seat groping for something to

> > puke

> > > into and my hand grabbed a huge piece of bubble wrap used to

> > protect

> > > my husband's paintings. While he drove down Elmwood Avenue I puked

> > > violently all over the piece of bubble wrap. It was a particularly

> > > bad episode and I was crying from the violent force. Joe just

> > pulled

> > > the car over, carefully took the wrap from my lap and emptied the

> > > mess onto the side of the street. He then said, " You better rinse

> > > that off when you get back home, that bubble wrap is expensive " .

It

> > > was then that I realized he, too, was living with Achlasia. I'd

> > just

> > > done the most disgusting thing and he acted like it was

> > commonplace.

> > > Along with me he became accustomed to this unpleasant behavior.

> > > Dinners ruined with me bent over the sink, having to abandon him

in

> > > restaurants to regurgitate in the rest room, throwing up in public

> > > behind bushes on busy city streets while he did look out,

canceling

> > > plans because I was having spasms, terrible back pain during the

> > > night. All of this was affecting both of us. I am the one in pain

> > but

> > > he has had to witness and accommodate my problem. I can't believe

> > > that for five years I have been enduring this madness. I think I'm

> > > ready to accept that I am powerless over this condition and no

> > amount

> > > of relaxation techniques or behavior modification is going to make

> > me

> > > well.

> > >

> > > After reading all of your stories I feel more relaxed and open

> > about

> > > the Heller's Myotomy surgery.

> > > For the first time I actually feel optimistic about my condition.

I

> > > have a consultation appointment at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio on

> > > March 24th with Shay. I also contacted my insurance

company.

> > I

> > > live in Buffalo New York and I'm hoping that my insurance will

> > accept

> > > my out of state request. They are reviewing my case and will let

me

> > > know by the end of next week. If they deny coverage I will have to

> > > settle for a local doctor with much less experience with this

> > surgery.

> > >

> > > I'm grateful to all of you for sharing all of your stories and

> > > wisdom.

> > >

> > > Thank you,

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hey ,

I'm a new member, too. I must say, I could relate to so many of the

unpleasant moments you shared. I thought I was the only person who

ever had to run to the kitchen sink to throw up my dinner. In

public, I actually feel paranoid that people are going to label me

with an eating disorder rather than find out the true cause of my

eating behaviors. I'm with ya! I'm originally from Syracuse, New

York, and most of my siblings attended college in Buffalo. Nice

area. I hope all goes well with your request for an out-of-state

doctor.

-Aileen

>

> I've spent hours reading your stories and messages on the site. I

did

> a little crying and some laughing. It was fun to be a voyeur into

the

> lives of others living with this wacky disorder. I have felt very

> alone with this condition for five years and to read about other

> people regurgitating and suffering was strangely comforting.

>

> One time I had to drive my husband, Joe to a meeting and I had

food

> stuck in my throat but we had to leave right then. I had him drive

to

> the meeting while I sat in the passenger seat trying all my tricks

to

> relax my LES. Nothing was working and I knew I was going to puke.

I

> reached my arm back into the back seat groping for something to

puke

> into and my hand grabbed a huge piece of bubble wrap used to

protect

> my husband's paintings. While he drove down Elmwood Avenue I puked

> violently all over the piece of bubble wrap. It was a particularly

> bad episode and I was crying from the violent force. Joe just

pulled

> the car over, carefully took the wrap from my lap and emptied the

> mess onto the side of the street. He then said, " You better rinse

> that off when you get back home, that bubble wrap is expensive " .

It

> was then that I realized he, too, was living with Achlasia. I'd

just

> done the most disgusting thing and he acted like it was

commonplace.

> Along with me he became accustomed to this unpleasant behavior.

> Dinners ruined with me bent over the sink, having to abandon him

in

> restaurants to regurgitate in the rest room, throwing up in public

> behind bushes on busy city streets while he did look out,

canceling

> plans because I was having spasms, terrible back pain during the

> night. All of this was affecting both of us. I am the one in pain

but

> he has had to witness and accommodate my problem. I can't believe

> that for five years I have been enduring this madness. I think I'm

> ready to accept that I am powerless over this condition and no

amount

> of relaxation techniques or behavior modification is going to make

me

> well.

>

> After reading all of your stories I feel more relaxed and open

about

> the Heller's Myotomy surgery.

> For the first time I actually feel optimistic about my condition.

I

> have a consultation appointment at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio on

> March 24th with Shay. I also contacted my insurance

company. I

> live in Buffalo New York and I'm hoping that my insurance will

accept

> my out of state request. They are reviewing my case and will let

me

> know by the end of next week. If they deny coverage I will have to

> settle for a local doctor with much less experience with this

surgery.

>

> I'm grateful to all of you for sharing all of your stories and

> wisdom.

>

> Thank you,

>

>

>