Guest guest Posted February 27, 2006 Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 Hi everyone- My name is and I'm 22. I got Achalasia when I was 14, and have had 3 balloon dilatations, none of them really " fixing " the problem. I recently had to switch doctors (I'm out of pedatric age range) and my new doctor doesn't exactly make me feel very optimistic about future problems. If any of you can shed some light on the questions I have, I'd appreciate it. He just is too depressing to ask questions to. -Has anyone had the surgery after having some dilatations? Have you had to have subsequent dilatations anyway? Was the surgery painful? Worth it? -Does anyone else have sharp pains in their esophagus (especially at night, for me)? Cold water sometimes helps me, but other times I'm freaking out convinced I'll just keel over. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I'm sort of in an odd position because I'm still under my father's health insurance and soon I won't be, so I need to make the decision about the surgery in the next few months. Is it better to have dilatations, or the surgery? Thanks for your help. I keep forgetting I'm not the only one with this weird condition. - Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 27, 2006 Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 Hello , Greetings & Welcome! I've had multiple dilations both before and after Myotomy surgery. I got stretched for the first time starting at age 21. (twenty-five years ago) The surgery was not too effective in my case. The cutting of the muscle only resulted in a 10 to 15% increase of the inside diameter of the LES. I'm sure you will receive plenty of feedback from others at this site to help gauge your outlook on the deal. I probably would not have had the surgery in 2001 if it was not for feedback in this group at the time. No sharp pains here..although a number of us have muscular spasms of the LES muscle that are quite distressing and painful. In my particular case, the myotomy did result in a reduced frequency of muscle spasms. I'm thinking you may be experiencing acid reflux that can burn the eso. especially in the laydown position with a malfunctioning LES. Once again Howdy and welcome. and yes..what a wonderfully lovely e-mail handle you have going there! M. > > Hi everyone- > My name is and I'm 22. I got Achalasia when I was 14, and have > had 3 balloon dilatations, none of them really " fixing " the problem. > I recently had to switch doctors (I'm out of pedatric age range) and > my new doctor doesn't exactly make me feel very optimistic about > future problems. If any of you can shed some light on the questions > I have, I'd appreciate it. He just is too depressing to ask > questions to. > > -Has anyone had the surgery after having some dilatations? Have you > had to have subsequent dilatations anyway? Was the surgery painful? > Worth it? > -Does anyone else have sharp pains in their esophagus (especially at > night, for me)? Cold water sometimes helps me, but other times I'm > freaking out convinced I'll just keel over. Does anyone have any > other suggestions? > > I'm sort of in an odd position because I'm still under my father's > health insurance and soon I won't be, so I need to make the decision > about the surgery in the next few months. Is it better to have > dilatations, or the surgery? > > Thanks for your help. I keep forgetting I'm not the only one with > this weird condition. > > - > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 28, 2006 Report Share Posted February 28, 2006 , welcome to the group. It sounds like you have been going to a GI and maybe have not seen a surgeon. I assume that you must be graduating from school soon and thus will no longer be covered under your father's insurance, so yes it is important for you to made a decision soon, and it is also important for you to think about buying your own insurance as soon as you can and get a good one. As other's in the group have mentioned it is very important to find a doctor with lots of experience to do your surgery and you are of the age where surgery is your best option. unless you have other medical problems to prevent that. Please tell us where you live and someone here may be able to recommend a surgeon for you to see. You have a lot of experience on this board and many will be able to stir you in the right direction if you give us more information. Read as many of the old post as you are able and keep asking questions here. Nothing is too hard or to simple to ask. Maggie Alabama Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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