A Voice from the Past in San Francisco

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone!

I took a forced hiatus from the board to deal with my family's health issues and

now mine

are flaring up as well. For you long time members, you may recall that I

underwent a

heller with Dr. Patti at UCSF in Sept 2004 and a post heller dilation with Dr.

Ostroff in Dec.

2004. I was doing well with my achalasia for the first year but have been under

much

stress for the past 10 months. My husband sustained a serious skiing accident

15 months

ago and has fully recovered but I lost my job since I had to care for him for

almost 3

months post accident. Last September, my mother fell and broke her humerus, a

major

bone in her right arm. I cared for her during her recovery in Reno from last

Sept through

this past March and she has recently moved to an assisted living facility here

in SF. I'm

happy to report that both my husband and my mother are now thriving.

I, on the other hand, fell like it's deja vu with my achalasia all over again.

Regrettablely,

I've gained 50 lbs post surgery, mostly around my abdomen. I underwent a barium

swallow

last week which revealed delayed gastric emptying and acid remaining in my

esphag. I'm

regurging and having trouble sleeping, despite being propped up on 2 pillows and

have an

adjustable bed. I know that I created this reoccurence via my way of managing

(or not

managing ) stress and my weight gain. I can't have an endo/colonscopy until

July because

Dr. Ostroff is too booked. I need to call Dr Patti for a follow up appt as

well. Dr. Ostroff's

nurse suggested that I start taking Zelnorm to improve motility in addition to

Prilosec for

the acid. I'm leery about both meds. I took prilosec for years without success

pre

achalasia accurate diagnosis ( I was misdiagnosed with gerd, ibs, crohns for 3

years )

Gaviscon (chewable extra strength) has been the only tablet that has helped me,

both past

and present.

Has anyone experienced similar setbacks? Care to share your experiences? I'd

also

appreciate hearing from you if you have had any experience with Zelnorm.

My best wishes for restored health to you all.

Gayle in San Fran