newly diagnosed with

[Guest guest]

hello,

i'm new to message boards and haven't figured out how to

navigate, however my story...i have just been diagonosed

with achalasia after a year of suffering. I have trouble

swallowing, wieght loss, spasms, get hoarse easily and almost feel

obstructions in my throat.

sleepless nights ,water is even hard to keep down.

I usually get sick about 2 to 3 times during my meal.

I have now been referred to harefield hospital in mid july.

Any info and support would be appreciated as i don't get anything

from the doctors.

I would like to hear from anyone in england to join their meet ups.

[Guest guest]

Hi Maxine,

.....and welcome to our group of special people, for there are maybe only 1 new case per year per 100,000 population, making us a very close knit group online. First of all, now that you are an Achalasian, you should know that we are a very refined group. We don't vomit, we regurgitate. Vomiting is for other people. Our LES (lower esophageal sphincter) is all but closed not permitting food in the stomach to come up (vomiting) but the contents of our esophagus does get regurgitated.

While there is no cure for achalasia, most of us in the group lead a pretty normal life once we get to know the ins and outs of this disease.

I don't know where on the internet you have been reading, but you should try spending some more time reading the posts here. Tens of thousands of posts, as you can see. Many people when they first find this group are very depressed, feel hopeless, not very knowledgeable about achalasia and often are at wits end. When we "finish with them" there is a whole new attitude, and they know more than most doctors about the disease, thus can make intelligent choices.

The more you read here, the more you will understand. Despite the fact there are no cures, there are treatments, there are excellent doctors and surgeons who will know the best course of action for you to follow. Please don't be discouraged. If you follow the advice of people here by reading the posts and following the resources we have available for you, your life can and will be turned around. As dark as it might seem at this moment, coming here is the first step in getting it to be a lot brighter!

There have been a lot of "famous within our group" expressions over the last few years. One of them is that you will achieve a "new normal" and if your esophagus is in pretty good shape and you are with a doctor/surgeon well versed in achalasia, you will achieve that state, and its not bad at all, especially comparted to how you could be if left untreated.

Please read the posts here, ask questions, and while you're at it you can tell us where you are located, who your gastroenterologist is, have you been recommended to any surgeons, what course of action, if any, you have been recommended, and just how long you have been having problems with your swallowing. That's just for starters. You keep up your end and this group will get you through this, and we'll turn your pessimistic attitude right around where you can look forward to eating your next meal.

>> Hi everyone. what a relief to know that I am not the only one with this strange disorder. I am a 59 yr old female. I have been having problems > vomiting any time I eat or drink anything. I have been through so many tests and on Wednesday had a monomitry test taken and was diagnosed > with achalasia. Everything I have read on the internet or been told about this disorder does not sound too encouraging. Has anyone been > cured or been able to live a normal life with meds or surgery? I am still waiting on the results of a test where they monitored me while I > wore some sort of device. That didn't go so well, as I vomited up the tube they had inserted down my throat. They are hoping I was able to > wear it long enough to get the data they need. I am so discoureged. I just want to be able to eat and drink normally again. Any advice, > Please?> Maxine>

[Guest guest]

Dear Maxine, Welcome to the Group. has already said most of the things I wanted to share with you, so regard this as a "same from me" reply. I can relate to you very well, being 57. Unfortunately I was foolish enough to try to cope with my symptoms myself for many years, but eventually I had the courage and the knowledge to do something about it. Don't think in terms of being "cured". Think about getting yourself fixed. I feel fixed. I had the surgery (Heller Myotomy) done by keyhole, which means I only have 5 small cuts on my front, at the end of May 2006. Over that time I have improved slowly but surely and now feel practically normal (my "new normal"). I will never get the

peristalsis back. I know and accept that. But I can eat anything. I eat as much as my Husband now, and I am afraid it is beginning to show around my waist-line!!! What I am trying to say is that you must not be discouraged. A lot of the people who post on this site do so when they are going through the difficult times and need a lot of support. But there are plenty of us around who are thriving Maxine. I hope that with our friendship and support you soon will be one of them. With love and hope for a good future, from Ann in England X) rowdygirl48 <rowdygirl48@...> wrote: Hi everyone. what a relief to know that I am not the only one with this strange disorder. I am a 59 yr old female. I have been having problems vomiting any time I eat or drink anything. I have been through so many tests and on Wednesday had a monomitry test taken and was diagnosed with achalasia. Everything I have read on the internet or been told about this disorder does not sound too encouraging. Has anyone been cured or been able to live a normal life with meds or surgery? I am still waiting on the results of a test where they monitored me while I wore some sort of device. That didn't go so well, as I vomited up the tube they had

inserted down my throat. They are hoping I was able to wear it long enough to get the data they need. I am so discoureged. I just want to be able to eat and drink normally again. Any advice, Please?Maxine

Answers - Get better answers from someone who knows. Try

it now.