Guest guest Posted February 27, 2006 Report Share Posted February 27, 2006 Welcome to the group. The hospitals you have mentioned for your brother may indeed be good ones (a couple from the board have been treated in the Boston Area, I think at the same places). However, you need to remember that this is a very rare disease, so even the best hospitals may not see it often. Also, a very good hospital still has specialties. Perhaps cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's, etc...and perhaps NOT achalasia. they might be fine for an uncomplicated myotomy (initial surgery) but not for re-building an esophagus. I would strongly recommend calling the Cleveland Clinic (Dr. Rice). Perhaps someone would be kind enough to post the number, or you could check in files for it. Another person on the Eastern Seaboard is Dr. Richter in Philly (Temple). Calling a couple of these guys might give you some new ideas for your brother. It can't hurt you or him to talk to a great specialist. I'm with whoever stated that oxycontin isn't a long-term solution. Also, there are strong links between depression and chronic illness. Having suffered from that, and being a person who gets plenty of pain from this disease, I can tell you from personal experience that a 5 month stint of an anti-depressant did wonders for me in dealing with the depression and taking away the painful spasms. Keep in touch! That's what we are here for. Cindi in Cold PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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