Guest guest Posted March 29, 2006 Report Posted March 29, 2006 Hi, Margaret, I also saw a TCM and Accupunturist China Town San Francisco, CA. I was getting better after four weeks accupunture. from not being able to swallow water to sometimes no symptom at all, I felt the progress and improvement. I am now in China and trying combination of herbal treatment and acupuncture. I have been under treatment for one month. so far so good. usually, herbal treatment need at least 6 monthes. I am making good progress. Thank you for sharing your story. Quincia > > Almost one year ago, I learned that I have achalasia. > Since that time I have spent a good amount of time > looking at alternatives. It seemed to me that there > was never any cure and not much progress from many of > the treatments (work for a while and then start to > fail again). I have been working with Accupunturist > (s Schwerte,LAc.ME)in downtown San Fran.,CA. I > could not eat, now I swallow about 70% of the time and > improving. Here is what also helps. > 1.Try to keep your stress to a minimum especially at > meal time(resist the urge to over-fill your your mouth > before you drink hot water to wash it down and this > also helps to tame chest spasms). > 2. Eat several small meals and keep white stuff(sugar > and empty carbs) to a minimum. Finish eating at least > 3 hours before you sleep. > 3. Drink lots of hot water especially with meals and > try to keep your PH levels alkaline. You can use > saliva or test strips to determine your PH level. > 4. Use diaphram stretching exercises twice daily. > 5. Keep an opaque cup or glass handy to discard > stuff/foam discreetly. It helps when eating out. > 6. Use a good probiotic(live culture)to aid in > digestion and your immune system. > 7. If you have discomfort or nausea when swallowing > use a motion sicknes/anti nausea band (sharper image > and other stores carry this for travelers and morning > sickness - it is the same product). > I feel so much better now and rarely have spasms. I > make sure the waiters know I need lots of hot water > ahead of time. If you have any questions please feel > free to ask. Good luck, I plan on beating this one. > Quote
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Posted March 30, 2006 Hi Quincia, Thanks for letting me know that I am not alone. I appreciate your response. I am also taking Chinese herbs. Do you know what kind you are taking now? I think it is always interesting to find out what is working for others. thanks, Margaret > Hi, Margaret, > > I also saw a TCM and Accupunturist China Town San > Francisco, CA. I > was getting better after four weeks accupunture. > from not being able > to swallow water to sometimes no symptom at all, I > felt the progress > and improvement. I am now in China and trying > combination of herbal > treatment and acupuncture. I have been under > treatment for one month. > so far so good. usually, herbal treatment need at > least 6 monthes. I > am making good progress. > > Thank you for sharing your story. > > Quincia > > > > > > Almost one year ago, I learned that I have > achalasia. > > Since that time I have spent a good amount of time > > looking at alternatives. It seemed to me that > there > > was never any cure and not much progress from many > of > > the treatments (work for a while and then start to > > fail again). I have been working with > Accupunturist > > (s Schwerte,LAc.ME)in downtown San Fran.,CA. > I > > could not eat, now I swallow about 70% of the time > and > > improving. Here is what also helps. > > 1.Try to keep your stress to a minimum especially > at > > meal time(resist the urge to over-fill your your > mouth > > before you drink hot water to wash it down and > this > > also helps to tame chest spasms). > > 2. Eat several small meals and keep white > stuff(sugar > > and empty carbs) to a minimum. Finish eating at > least > > 3 hours before you sleep. > > 3. Drink lots of hot water especially with meals > and > > try to keep your PH levels alkaline. You can use > > saliva or test strips to determine your PH level. > > 4. Use diaphram stretching exercises twice daily. > > 5. Keep an opaque cup or glass handy to discard > > stuff/foam discreetly. It helps when eating out. > > 6. Use a good probiotic(live culture)to aid in > > digestion and your immune system. > > 7. If you have discomfort or nausea when > swallowing > > use a motion sicknes/anti nausea band (sharper > image > > and other stores carry this for travelers and > morning > > sickness - it is the same product). > > I feel so much better now and rarely have spasms. > I > > make sure the waiters know I need lots of hot > water > > ahead of time. If you have any questions please > feel > > free to ask. Good luck, I plan on beating this > one. > > > > > > > > Quote
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Posted March 30, 2006 hi, Margaret, Basically bad emotion or stress will negatively impact our internal organs. Medical condition will reflect the problems on different part of our body. for example, elder people will experience pain in their legs or hands or arms; however, the problem is not with those body parts; it is simply because they have minor stroke. therefore the herbal prescription is different from individual to individual even though people have the same medical symptoms. you can review my previous messages. I paraphrased what my TCM acupuncturist told me. The best combination will be herbal tea, acupuncture and Chi Gong. " Chi Gong may be used as a daily routine to increase overall health and well-being, as well as for disease prevention and longevity. " [www.dictionary.com] however, I don't know Chi Gong unfortunately. I am also very happy to find that I am not alone. where are you located? san francisco CA? your story is very encouraging. Thank you. keep in touch. Quincia > > > > > > Almost one year ago, I learned that I have > > achalasia. > > > Since that time I have spent a good amount of time > > > looking at alternatives. It seemed to me that > > there > > > was never any cure and not much progress from many > > of > > > the treatments (work for a while and then start to > > > fail again). I have been working with > > Accupunturist > > > (s Schwerte,LAc.ME)in downtown San Fran.,CA. > > I > > > could not eat, now I swallow about 70% of the time > > and > > > improving. Here is what also helps. > > > 1.Try to keep your stress to a minimum especially > > at > > > meal time(resist the urge to over-fill your your > > mouth > > > before you drink hot water to wash it down and > > this > > > also helps to tame chest spasms). > > > 2. Eat several small meals and keep white > > stuff(sugar > > > and empty carbs) to a minimum. Finish eating at > > least > > > 3 hours before you sleep. > > > 3. Drink lots of hot water especially with meals > > and > > > try to keep your PH levels alkaline. You can use > > > saliva or test strips to determine your PH level. > > > 4. Use diaphram stretching exercises twice daily. > > > 5. Keep an opaque cup or glass handy to discard > > > stuff/foam discreetly. It helps when eating out. > > > 6. Use a good probiotic(live culture)to aid in > > > digestion and your immune system. > > > 7. If you have discomfort or nausea when > > swallowing > > > use a motion sicknes/anti nausea band (sharper > > image > > > and other stores carry this for travelers and > > morning > > > sickness - it is the same product). > > > I feel so much better now and rarely have spasms. > > I > > > make sure the waiters know I need lots of hot > > water > > > ahead of time. If you have any questions please > > feel > > > free to ask. Good luck, I plan on beating this > > one. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Posted March 30, 2006 I have posted on this topic before, but feel I should repeat myself for the good of new members. I have engaged in working with a reputable accupuncturist and TCM during my quest for help with achalasia and honor the use of these approaches for establishing and maintaining health. Before my diagnosis, I began work with a wonderful accupuncturist, who did much for me in relieving symptoms and slowing the progression of my disease. He used various GI points in my diaphram, legs and feet and even used a powerful protocol that was published some months back on this site. He also gave me Myo-Calm, a combination of calcium and magnesuim that relaxes smooth muscles and Shu Gan Wan as herbs to help me with my symptoms. Symptom relief was always temporary. At a certain point, however, he was the person who urged me to see a Western specialist and follow Western medical treatment. He helped me find a reputable doctor, helped me to advocate for myself with my insurance company and ultimately supported these treatments with alternative therapies. For me, alternative treatments were helpful in supporting me during rough patches, helping me to get in touch with the emotional, energetic and spiritual reasons for having achalasia, but once the physical realities of the disorder took hold and caused me to lose energy due to malnutrition, I had this professional's full support of taking my treatment to a Western doctor. This disease can be a bit deceptive in symptomology, when I was seeming to be better (i.e., less regurg while eating) I was really getting worse as my body became accustomed to having food in my esophagus. Make sure what feels like symptom relief is not really progression. My TCM said, when I tearfully asked him his opinion anout moving forward with surgery, we have gone as far as we can, you have worked hard to be as well as possible and you have reached a plateau. It is appropriate and necessary for you to proceed with surgery. Just my two cents. Peggy > > > > > > > > Almost one year ago, I learned that I have > > > achalasia. > > > > Since that time I have spent a good amount of time > > > > looking at alternatives. It seemed to me that > > > there > > > > was never any cure and not much progress from many > > > of > > > > the treatments (work for a while and then start to > > > > fail again). I have been working with > > > Accupunturist > > > > (s Schwerte,LAc.ME)in downtown San Fran.,CA. > > > I > > > > could not eat, now I swallow about 70% of the time > > > and > > > > improving. Here is what also helps. > > > > 1.Try to keep your stress to a minimum especially > > > at > > > > meal time(resist the urge to over-fill your your > > > mouth > > > > before you drink hot water to wash it down and > > > this > > > > also helps to tame chest spasms). > > > > 2. Eat several small meals and keep white > > > stuff(sugar > > > > and empty carbs) to a minimum. Finish eating at > > > least > > > > 3 hours before you sleep. > > > > 3. Drink lots of hot water especially with meals > > > and > > > > try to keep your PH levels alkaline. You can use > > > > saliva or test strips to determine your PH level. > > > > 4. Use diaphram stretching exercises twice daily. > > > > 5. Keep an opaque cup or glass handy to discard > > > > stuff/foam discreetly. It helps when eating out. > > > > 6. Use a good probiotic(live culture)to aid in > > > > digestion and your immune system. > > > > 7. If you have discomfort or nausea when > > > swallowing > > > > use a motion sicknes/anti nausea band (sharper > > > image > > > > and other stores carry this for travelers and > > > morning > > > > sickness - it is the same product). > > > > I feel so much better now and rarely have spasms. > > > I > > > > make sure the waiters know I need lots of hot > > > water > > > > ahead of time. If you have any questions please > > > feel > > > > free to ask. Good luck, I plan on beating this > > > one. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote
Guest guest Posted March 30, 2006 Report Posted March 30, 2006 hi, Peggy, can you give me some more info on the protocol that is published on this site. I would like to compare the protocol with one used on me. I really appreciate your opinion. something worries me. now I can eat and drink and I believe I am gaining weight so I am not sure if it is an improvement or the disease if progressing and my E is stetched and food and water are stuck there. My boyfriend also has the same concern. I feel much better now sometimes I do have similar not-so- smoothy feeling like what I had one month ago, not as bad as before. In general, eating is improving. No Regurgitation and cough at night. drinking water was a major problem for me one month ago. now it is ok. sometime I experienced minor spasm. a cup of warm water will solve the problem. I need to drink herbal tea twice a day, one in the morning the other before dinner. I have ear accupuncture with me. I am fighting when I eat as much as before. One month ago, I had problem with drinking water. 50% of time I regurgate when I eat. I have to drink a lot of water to flush my E before I go to bed otherwise I cough at night. now I don't seem to have these problem. I am not sure whether it is an improvement or the sign of disease progression now after reading your message. Did anyone have same experience? Thank you. Quincia > > > > > > > > > > Almost one year ago, I learned that I have > > > > achalasia. > > > > > Since that time I have spent a good amount of time > > > > > looking at alternatives. It seemed to me that > > > > there > > > > > was never any cure and not much progress from many > > > > of > > > > > the treatments (work for a while and then start to > > > > > fail again). I have been working with > > > > Accupunturist > > > > > (s Schwerte,LAc.ME)in downtown San Fran.,CA. > > > > I > > > > > could not eat, now I swallow about 70% of the time > > > > and > > > > > improving. Here is what also helps. > > > > > 1.Try to keep your stress to a minimum especially > > > > at > > > > > meal time(resist the urge to over-fill your your > > > > mouth > > > > > before you drink hot water to wash it down and > > > > this > > > > > also helps to tame chest spasms). > > > > > 2. Eat several small meals and keep white > > > > stuff(sugar > > > > > and empty carbs) to a minimum. Finish eating at > > > > least > > > > > 3 hours before you sleep. > > > > > 3. Drink lots of hot water especially with meals > > > > and > > > > > try to keep your PH levels alkaline. You can use > > > > > saliva or test strips to determine your PH level. > > > > > 4. Use diaphram stretching exercises twice daily. > > > > > 5. Keep an opaque cup or glass handy to discard > > > > > stuff/foam discreetly. It helps when eating out. > > > > > 6. Use a good probiotic(live culture)to aid in > > > > > digestion and your immune system. > > > > > 7. If you have discomfort or nausea when > > > > swallowing > > > > > use a motion sicknes/anti nausea band (sharper > > > > image > > > > > and other stores carry this for travelers and > > > > morning > > > > > sickness - it is the same product). > > > > > I feel so much better now and rarely have spasms. > > > > I > > > > > make sure the waiters know I need lots of hot > > > > water > > > > > ahead of time. If you have any questions please > > > > feel > > > > > free to ask. Good luck, I plan on beating this > > > > one. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2006 Report Posted March 31, 2006 Peggy thank you for sharing your information. I missed your past email regarding acupuncture. I personally found that many doctors do not understand our condition any more than we do. I have read many of your emails and think you have more information than most GPs do and possibly more than some specialists. My GI specialist had suspected that I had Achalasia as it had been reported in Barium swallow results. I took very expensive meds that were not needed, for almost a year and it was not until the Doctor contacted me for an additional procedure (colonoscopy) that it was revealed that my acid reflux was not the problem. I now take no meds and am feeling substantially better than I did before thanks to people like you and my non-traditional care-providers. I know there are wonderful western doctors and we all have to find our own path. It is definitely a condition that does not follow one protocol. Understanding that our condition is not one that will make money for the pharmaceutical companies unless we don't get better,it important too. I think it is wonderful to have so many sharing, caring people to help and guide us and I have noticed that you are a person who is always there to help. I would love to see your message from the past if you still have it. It seems you have blazed the trail for many of us and it never hurts for us newer members to see info that came before we did. I also would love to see an aggregation of helpful hints put together for those who come thru and have something they need help with or something to share. We all have times when we are sick of the hassle that we live with day to day. I personally dread eating out and saw the other message regarding public speaking etc. Does anyone care to put some of our individual knowledge together so that we can track the most popular solutions? I would be glad to be part of a committee to share. --- Peggy Cordero <pegster@...> wrote: > I have posted on this topic before, but feel I > should repeat myself for the good of new > members. I have engaged in working with a reputable > acupuncturist and TCM during my > quest for help with achalasia and honor the use of > these approaches for establishing and > maintaining health. > > Before my diagnosis, I began work with a wonderful > accupuncturist, who did much for me > in relieving symptoms and slowing the progression of > my disease. He used various GI > points in my diaphragm, legs and feet and even used a > powerful protocol that was > published some months back on this site. He also > gave me Myo-Calm, a combination of > calcium and magnesuim that relaxes smooth muscles > and Shu Gan Wan as herbs to help > me with my symptoms. Symptom relief was always > temporary. > > At a certain point, however, he was the person who > urged me to see a Western specialist > and follow Western medical treatment. He helped me > find a reputable doctor, helped me > to advocate for myself with my insurance company and > ultimately supported these > treatments with alternative therapies. > > For me, alternative treatments were helpful in > supporting me during rough patches, > helping me to get in touch with the emotional, > energetic and spiritual reasons for having > achalasia, but once the physical realities of the > disorder took hold and caused me to lose > energy due to malnutrition, I had this > professional's full support of taking my treatment > to a Western doctor. > > This disease can be a bit deceptive in symptomology, > when I was seeming to be better > (i.e., less regurg while eating) I was really > getting worse as my body became accustomed > to having food in my esophagus. Make sure what > feels like symptom relief is not really > progression. > > My TCM said, when I tearfully asked him his opinion > anout moving forward with surgery, > we have gone as far as we can, you have worked hard > to be as well as possible and you > have reached a plateau. It is appropriate and > necessary for you to proceed with surgery. > > Just my two cents. > > Peggy > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Almost one year ago, I learned that I have > > > > achalasia. > > > > > Since that time I have spent a good amount > of time > > > > > looking at alternatives. It seemed to me > that > > > > there > > > > > was never any cure and not much progress > from many > > > > of > > > > > the treatments (work for a while and then > start to > > > > > fail again). I have been working with > > > > Accupunturist > > > > > (s Schwerte,LAc.ME)in downtown San > Fran.,CA. > > > > I > > > > > could not eat, now I swallow about 70% of > the time > > > > and > > > > > improving. Here is what also helps. > > > > > 1.Try to keep your stress to a minimum > especially > > > > at > > > > > meal time(resist the urge to over-fill your > your > > > > mouth > > > > > before you drink hot water to wash it down > and > > > > this > > > > > also helps to tame chest spasms). > > > > > 2. Eat several small meals and keep white > > > > stuff(sugar > > > > > and empty carbs) to a minimum. Finish eating > at > > > > least > > > > > 3 hours before you sleep. > > > > > 3. Drink lots of hot water especially with > meals > > > > and > > > > > try to keep your PH levels alkaline. You can > use > > > > > saliva or test strips to determine your PH > level. > > > > > 4. Use diaphram stretching exercises twice > daily. > > > > > 5. Keep an opaque cup or glass handy to > discard > > > > > stuff/foam discreetly. It helps when eating > out. > > > > > 6. Use a good probiotic(live culture)to aid > in > > > > > digestion and your immune system. > > > > > 7. If you have discomfort or nausea when > > > > swallowing > > > > > use a motion sicknes/anti nausea band > (sharper > > > > image > > > > > and other stores carry this for travelers > and > === message truncated === Quote
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2006 Report Posted March 31, 2006 Hi, Margaret , if you want to see all Peggy's post, you can search the website database. right underneath Message header on the group message page, you can search all message and reply posted by Peggy. Quincia > > > > > > > > > > > > Almost one year ago, I learned that I have > > > > > achalasia. > > > > > > Since that time I have spent a good amount > > of time > > > > > > looking at alternatives. It seemed to me > > that > > > > > there > > > > > > was never any cure and not much progress > > from many > > > > > of > > > > > > the treatments (work for a while and then > > start to > > > > > > fail again). I have been working with > > > > > Accupunturist > > > > > > (s Schwerte,LAc.ME)in downtown San > > Fran.,CA. > > > > > I > > > > > > could not eat, now I swallow about 70% of > > the time > > > > > and > > > > > > improving. Here is what also helps. > > > > > > 1.Try to keep your stress to a minimum > > especially > > > > > at > > > > > > meal time(resist the urge to over-fill your > > your > > > > > mouth > > > > > > before you drink hot water to wash it down > > and > > > > > this > > > > > > also helps to tame chest spasms). > > > > > > 2. Eat several small meals and keep white > > > > > stuff(sugar > > > > > > and empty carbs) to a minimum. Finish eating > > at > > > > > least > > > > > > 3 hours before you sleep. > > > > > > 3. Drink lots of hot water especially with > > meals > > > > > and > > > > > > try to keep your PH levels alkaline. You can > > use > > > > > > saliva or test strips to determine your PH > > level. > > > > > > 4. Use diaphram stretching exercises twice > > daily. > > > > > > 5. Keep an opaque cup or glass handy to > > discard > > > > > > stuff/foam discreetly. It helps when eating > > out. > > > > > > 6. Use a good probiotic(live culture)to aid > > in > > > > > > digestion and your immune system. > > > > > > 7. If you have discomfort or nausea when > > > > > swallowing > > > > > > use a motion sicknes/anti nausea band > > (sharper > > > > > image > > > > > > and other stores carry this for travelers > > and > > > === message truncated === > Quote
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2006 Report Posted March 31, 2006 Thanks Margaret, for your kind words. I have learned a lot about achalasia from so many here, as well as scouring the internet. I, too, took proton pump inhibtors (expensive) and calcium channel blockers for about 18 months before I was given a proper diagnosis and treatment. I am now med free. I also went on for a myotomy without a wrap -- very successful so far. I like your idea about compiling helpful hints -- we can figure out a way. I will look in my file and see if I can pull out the protocol post provided by Carolyn in Truckee -- which was the protocol used by my LA-C. Peggy > > > > > > > > > > > > Almost one year ago, I learned that I have > > > > > achalasia. > > > > > > Since that time I have spent a good amount > > of time > > > > > > looking at alternatives. It seemed to me > > that > > > > > there > > > > > > was never any cure and not much progress > > from many > > > > > of > > > > > > the treatments (work for a while and then > > start to > > > > > > fail again). I have been working with > > > > > Accupunturist > > > > > > (s Schwerte,LAc.ME)in downtown San > > Fran.,CA. > > > > > I > > > > > > could not eat, now I swallow about 70% of > > the time > > > > > and > > > > > > improving. Here is what also helps. > > > > > > 1.Try to keep your stress to a minimum > > especially > > > > > at > > > > > > meal time(resist the urge to over-fill your > > your > > > > > mouth > > > > > > before you drink hot water to wash it down > > and > > > > > this > > > > > > also helps to tame chest spasms). > > > > > > 2. Eat several small meals and keep white > > > > > stuff(sugar > > > > > > and empty carbs) to a minimum. Finish eating > > at > > > > > least > > > > > > 3 hours before you sleep. > > > > > > 3. Drink lots of hot water especially with > > meals > > > > > and > > > > > > try to keep your PH levels alkaline. You can > > use > > > > > > saliva or test strips to determine your PH > > level. > > > > > > 4. Use diaphram stretching exercises twice > > daily. > > > > > > 5. Keep an opaque cup or glass handy to > > discard > > > > > > stuff/foam discreetly. It helps when eating > > out. > > > > > > 6. Use a good probiotic(live culture)to aid > > in > > > > > > digestion and your immune system. > > > > > > 7. If you have discomfort or nausea when > > > > > swallowing > > > > > > use a motion sicknes/anti nausea band > > (sharper > > > > > image > > > > > > and other stores carry this for travelers > > and > > > === message truncated === > Quote
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2006 Report Posted March 31, 2006 Wow, Quinicia, you just taught me a cool search trick! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Almost one year ago, I learned that I have > > > > > > achalasia. > > > > > > > Since that time I have spent a good amount > > > of time > > > > > > > looking at alternatives. It seemed to me > > > that > > > > > > there > > > > > > > was never any cure and not much progress > > > from many > > > > > > of > > > > > > > the treatments (work for a while and then > > > start to > > > > > > > fail again). I have been working with > > > > > > Accupunturist > > > > > > > (s Schwerte,LAc.ME)in downtown San > > > Fran.,CA. > > > > > > I > > > > > > > could not eat, now I swallow about 70% of > > > the time > > > > > > and > > > > > > > improving. Here is what also helps. > > > > > > > 1.Try to keep your stress to a minimum > > > especially > > > > > > at > > > > > > > meal time(resist the urge to over-fill your > > > your > > > > > > mouth > > > > > > > before you drink hot water to wash it down > > > and > > > > > > this > > > > > > > also helps to tame chest spasms). > > > > > > > 2. Eat several small meals and keep white > > > > > > stuff(sugar > > > > > > > and empty carbs) to a minimum. Finish eating > > > at > > > > > > least > > > > > > > 3 hours before you sleep. > > > > > > > 3. Drink lots of hot water especially with > > > meals > > > > > > and > > > > > > > try to keep your PH levels alkaline. You can > > > use > > > > > > > saliva or test strips to determine your PH > > > level. > > > > > > > 4. Use diaphram stretching exercises twice > > > daily. > > > > > > > 5. Keep an opaque cup or glass handy to > > > discard > > > > > > > stuff/foam discreetly. It helps when eating > > > out. > > > > > > > 6. Use a good probiotic(live culture)to aid > > > in > > > > > > > digestion and your immune system. > > > > > > > 7. If you have discomfort or nausea when > > > > > > swallowing > > > > > > > use a motion sicknes/anti nausea band > > > (sharper > > > > > > image > > > > > > > and other stores carry this for travelers > > > and > > > > > === message truncated === > > > Quote
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2006 Report Posted March 31, 2006 Peggy, Thank you so much for sharing your story. I am pretty new to the group and I've been wrestling daily with whether to have the surgery or not. Your experience really spoke to me and has given me a lot to think about. My dilemma is that I look and feel healthy besides living with Achalasia. I have developed lots of tricks to swallow successfully and I've managed to maintain a healthy weight. I have always been athletic and I've been a vegetarian for twenty years. When Achalasia struck me 5 years ago I adopted the attitude that I could handle the problem with behavior modification and visualization techniques. There are times when none of my tricks work and I spend the night bent over the sink vomiting. I do regurgitate daily and those night spasms are awful. But somehow I keep telling myself I'm okay and surgery just seems so drastic. I guess I naively thought if I took good care of myself I would always be healthy. Knowing that you went the acupuncture route and still ended up seeking Western Medicine was good for me to read. I want to do what is best for my body and I know throwing up and regurgitating must be taking its toll even though I look healthy on the outside. Also- the strain and concentration that eating requires is very exhausting. But I'm scared that I will regret the surgery; that I will hate the way it feels afterwards. And in the end I will just be trading Achalasia for acid reflux. But then again I have "reached a plateau". Maybe it's time I try something else. Thanks for your two cents. It's worth more than you'll ever know. > > > > >> > > > > Almost one year ago, I learned that I have> > > > achalasia.> > > > > Since that time I have spent a good amount of time> > > > > looking at alternatives. It seemed to me that> > > > there> > > > > was never any cure and not much progress from many> > > > of> > > > > the treatments (work for a while and then start to> > > > > fail again). I have been working with> > > > Accupunturist> > > > > (s Schwerte,LAc.ME)in downtown San Fran.,CA.> > > > I> > > > > could not eat, now I swallow about 70% of the time> > > > and> > > > > improving. Here is what also helps.> > > > > 1.Try to keep your stress to a minimum especially> > > > at> > > > > meal time(resist the urge to over-fill your your> > > > mouth> > > > > before you drink hot water to wash it down and> > > > this> > > > > also helps to tame chest spasms).> > > > > 2. Eat several small meals and keep white> > > > stuff(sugar> > > > > and empty carbs) to a minimum. Finish eating at> > > > least> > > > > 3 hours before you sleep.> > > > > 3. Drink lots of hot water especially with meals> > > > and > > > > > try to keep your PH levels alkaline. You can use> > > > > saliva or test strips to determine your PH level.> > > > > 4. Use diaphram stretching exercises twice daily.> > > > > 5. Keep an opaque cup or glass handy to discard> > > > > stuff/foam discreetly. It helps when eating out.> > > > > 6. Use a good probiotic(live culture)to aid in> > > > > digestion and your immune system.> > > > > 7. If you have discomfort or nausea when> > > > swallowing> > > > > use a motion sicknes/anti nausea band (sharper> > > > image> > > > > and other stores carry this for travelers and> > > > morning> > > > > sickness - it is the same product).> > > > > I feel so much better now and rarely have spasms.> > > > I> > > > > make sure the waiters know I need lots of hot> > > > water> > > > > ahead of time. If you have any questions please> > > > feel> > > > > free to ask. Good luck, I plan on beating this> > > > one.> > > > >> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >> > >> >> Quote
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2006 Report Posted March 31, 2006 Hi, all, we are trying different route or treatment. if all are not working, LES will become something like tumor even though it is not tumor because it is not functioning properly most of the time. It keeps us from being healthy and enjoying our life. Even though A is not life- threatening, it will cause other health problems that could be life- threatening. Surgery is the best treatment if all others fail. However, it is permanent and as I read the message within the group, for some of us, A symptoms come back within a couple of years. or symptoms only become minor to a degree that they can be neglected after the surgery. Anyway, Thank you all for all the wonderful informations and stories. Quincia > > > > > > > > > > > > Almost one year ago, I learned that I have > > > > > achalasia. > > > > > > Since that time I have spent a good amount of time > > > > > > looking at alternatives. It seemed to me that > > > > > there > > > > > > was never any cure and not much progress from many > > > > > of > > > > > > the treatments (work for a while and then start to > > > > > > fail again). I have been working with > > > > > Accupunturist > > > > > > (s Schwerte,LAc.ME)in downtown San Fran.,CA. > > > > > I > > > > > > could not eat, now I swallow about 70% of the time > > > > > and > > > > > > improving. Here is what also helps. > > > > > > 1.Try to keep your stress to a minimum especially > > > > > at > > > > > > meal time(resist the urge to over-fill your your > > > > > mouth > > > > > > before you drink hot water to wash it down and > > > > > this > > > > > > also helps to tame chest spasms). > > > > > > 2. Eat several small meals and keep white > > > > > stuff(sugar > > > > > > and empty carbs) to a minimum. Finish eating at > > > > > least > > > > > > 3 hours before you sleep. > > > > > > 3. Drink lots of hot water especially with meals > > > > > and > > > > > > try to keep your PH levels alkaline. You can use > > > > > > saliva or test strips to determine your PH level. > > > > > > 4. Use diaphram stretching exercises twice daily. > > > > > > 5. Keep an opaque cup or glass handy to discard > > > > > > stuff/foam discreetly. It helps when eating out. > > > > > > 6. Use a good probiotic(live culture)to aid in > > > > > > digestion and your immune system. > > > > > > 7. If you have discomfort or nausea when > > > > > swallowing > > > > > > use a motion sicknes/anti nausea band (sharper > > > > > image > > > > > > and other stores carry this for travelers and > > > > > morning > > > > > > sickness - it is the same product). > > > > > > I feel so much better now and rarely have spasms. > > > > > I > > > > > > make sure the waiters know I need lots of hot > > > > > water > > > > > > ahead of time. If you have any questions please > > > > > feel > > > > > > free to ask. Good luck, I plan on beating this > > > > > one. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2006 Report Posted March 31, 2006 I am glad my story helped you -- I too was afraid to do the permanent thing with surgery, but now I would never consider waiting so long! Peg > > > > > > > > > > > > Almost one year ago, I learned that I have > > > > > achalasia. > > > > > > Since that time I have spent a good amount of time > > > > > > looking at alternatives. It seemed to me that > > > > > there > > > > > > was never any cure and not much progress from many > > > > > of > > > > > > the treatments (work for a while and then start to > > > > > > fail again). I have been working with > > > > > Accupunturist > > > > > > (s Schwerte,LAc.ME)in downtown San Fran.,CA. > > > > > I > > > > > > could not eat, now I swallow about 70% of the time > > > > > and > > > > > > improving. Here is what also helps. > > > > > > 1.Try to keep your stress to a minimum especially > > > > > at > > > > > > meal time(resist the urge to over-fill your your > > > > > mouth > > > > > > before you drink hot water to wash it down and > > > > > this > > > > > > also helps to tame chest spasms). > > > > > > 2. Eat several small meals and keep white > > > > > stuff(sugar > > > > > > and empty carbs) to a minimum. Finish eating at > > > > > least > > > > > > 3 hours before you sleep. > > > > > > 3. Drink lots of hot water especially with meals > > > > > and > > > > > > try to keep your PH levels alkaline. You can use > > > > > > saliva or test strips to determine your PH level. > > > > > > 4. Use diaphram stretching exercises twice daily. > > > > > > 5. Keep an opaque cup or glass handy to discard > > > > > > stuff/foam discreetly. It helps when eating out. > > > > > > 6. Use a good probiotic(live culture)to aid in > > > > > > digestion and your immune system. > > > > > > 7. If you have discomfort or nausea when > > > > > swallowing > > > > > > use a motion sicknes/anti nausea band (sharper > > > > > image > > > > > > and other stores carry this for travelers and > > > > > morning > > > > > > sickness - it is the same product). > > > > > > I feel so much better now and rarely have spasms. > > > > > I > > > > > > make sure the waiters know I need lots of hot > > > > > water > > > > > > ahead of time. If you have any questions please > > > > > feel > > > > > > free to ask. Good luck, I plan on beating this > > > > > one. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote
Guest guest Posted March 31, 2006 Report Posted March 31, 2006 wrote: .... I adopted the attitude that I could handle the problem with behavior modification and visualization techniques. ... You sound like me in some ways. I went for six years after I was diagnosed before I decided to have surgery, though I had it for many years before that. I like to think that I can handle what life throws at me. I like to be in control and I don't like to give up. Like you I didn't like the idea that surgery could perhaps not give as good of results as I wanted with no way to undo it. Over the years the severity of the symptoms would rise and fall. I could be have it bad and then be good for days, weeks, or months. Over time the bad times became worse even though there were still good times. Finally, before I saw my surgeon I knew I didn't want to have to live with it if it became any worse, but I still had my concerns. The surgeon addressed all my concerns and said the choice comes down to "do you want to continue living with it as it is or have surgery and be better. The logic was so simple and clear. Why put up with having to handle it? I was ready to give up. Give up waking at night feeling like I was drowning. Give up choking in restaurants. Give up franticly trying to make it to a sink or toilet. Give up spiting up foam. Easy choice. I left with a date for surgery. The ups and downs of symptoms are a problem when judging treatments. This is true for many diseases. If you try something and you get better is it what you are doing or were you going to have an upturn anyway? If you try something and don't get better, is it not working or were you otherwise going to have a worse downturn at that time? If you have enough people with any of many diseases some will get better, at least for a while, regardless of what you do to them. notan Quote
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2006 Report Posted April 4, 2006 Hi Margaret, I also have had achalasia for a year now, and I've decided against surgery for now. I use many of the same tricks that you do to get food down. It works 85% of the time for me. Hot water is a blessing, but I've found that most non-carbonated beverages at room temperature will do the trick. However I rarely eat out, and when I do I ususally have soup, and dessert ( I'd rather not risk running to the bathroom during a meal). I have found that if I stand when eating I will get a meal down 95% of the time, so I eat most meals at home. I haven't lost weight at all since being diagnosed with this disorder, and I feel super most times. Best wishes YaneekMargaret <gezmorgan@...> wrote: Almost one year ago, I learned that I have achalasia.Since that time I have spent a good amount of timelooking at alternatives. It seemed to me that therewas never any cure and not much progress from many ofthe treatments (work for a while and then start tofail again). I have been working with Accupunturist(s Schwerte,LAc.ME)in downtown San Fran.,CA. Icould not eat, now I swallow about 70% of the time andimproving. Here is what also helps.1.Try to keep your stress to a minimum especially atmeal time(resist the urge to over-fill your your mouthbefore you drink hot water to wash it down and thisalso helps to tame chest spasms).2. Eat several small meals and keep white stuff(sugarand empty carbs) to a minimum. Finish eating at least3 hours before you sleep.3. Drink lots of hot water especially with meals and try to keep your PH levels alkaline. You can usesaliva or test strips to determine your PH level.4. Use diaphram stretching exercises twice daily.5. Keep an opaque cup or glass handy to discardstuff/foam discreetly. It helps when eating out.6. Use a good probiotic(live culture)to aid indigestion and your immune system.7. If you have discomfort or nausea when swallowinguse a motion sicknes/anti nausea band (sharper imageand other stores carry this for travelers and morningsickness - it is the same product).I feel so much better now and rarely have spasms. Imake sure the waiters know I need lots of hot waterahead of time. If you have any questions please feelfree to ask. Good luck, I plan on beating this one. Messenger with Voice. Make PC-to-Phone Calls to the US (and 30+ countries) for 2¢/min or less. Quote
Guest guest Posted April 4, 2006 Report Posted April 4, 2006 hi, Yaneek, I felt food going down by standing while eating. however, I encourage you to find treatment asap, since later you will feel it won't work anymore. don't think against the surgery. Surgery is always the last and best option if none of the alternatives works. good luck and happy swallowing. Quincia > Almost one year ago, I learned that I have achalasia. > Since that time I have spent a good amount of time > looking at alternatives. It seemed to me that there > was never any cure and not much progress from many of > the treatments (work for a while and then start to > fail again). I have been working with Accupunturist > (s Schwerte,LAc.ME)in downtown San Fran.,CA. I > could not eat, now I swallow about 70% of the time and > improving. Here is what also helps. > 1.Try to keep your stress to a minimum especially at > meal time(resist the urge to over-fill your your mouth > before you drink hot water to wash it down and this > also helps to tame chest spasms). > 2. Eat several small meals and keep white stuff(sugar > and empty carbs) to a minimum. Finish eating at least > 3 hours before you sleep. > 3. Drink lots of hot water especially with meals and > try to keep your PH levels alkaline. You can use > saliva or test strips to determine your PH level. > 4. Use diaphram stretching exercises twice daily. > 5. Keep an opaque cup or glass handy to discard > stuff/foam discreetly. It helps when eating out. > 6. Use a good probiotic(live culture)to aid in > digestion and your immune system. > 7. If you have discomfort or nausea when swallowing > use a motion sicknes/anti nausea band (sharper image > and other stores carry this for travelers and morning > sickness - it is the same product). > I feel so much better now and rarely have spasms. I > make sure the waiters know I need lots of hot water > ahead of time. If you have any questions please feel > free to ask. Good luck, I plan on beating this one. > > > > > > > > > > Quote
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