Re: Let's cure the disease, not the symptoms

[Guest guest]

Welcome to our group Mr. Clean,

Hopefully you can find the answers you are looking for, or at least come away from here with a better understanding. Yours is a very interesting post. I can see you have done some homework before coming here, and while here. You have probably read about our dear Quincia, on the West Coast who does not want the surgery and has traveled to China searching for answers. I don't think she has found them yet.

Nobody starts off wanting the surgery. We just want back what was "mysteriously" taken away. Unfortunately, when things get worse, as they do, we are forced into making choices. Life is all about making choices.

"Is there ANYONE out there who has found any relief from ANYTHING out there that doesn't result in cutting up my body?"

You probably know that most people here have had balloon dilatations and other kinds of stretchings performed. No cutting up there, just that its not a cure, and usually not permanent, and might be a negative to future surgeries (that you're not presently considering).

"There is also a reason NOBODY overseas gets the Heller Myotomy, as most health care overseas is free, so doctors and hospitals have no reason to push very expensive surgeries like the Heller Myotomy."

I think you are going to have to be corrected on that statement. Fact is the operation is performed around the world and not just in random cases. In this group alone, there are people from England, India, Australia, New Zealand, and apologies to the countries that I missed.

Our most used mantra is: "Doing Nothing is not an Option" (which is presently the title of my posts in a recently started series detailing the problems I have been experiencing and what I am doing about it. Later today I have an endoscopy). While you are presently "Mr. Clean," and want to stay that way, you might become "Mr. Damaged" if you don't consider acting upon the various options available. You are suffering big time, have lost a lot of weight, and are looking for answers that may not presently be known to anybody. I give you all the credit in the world for searching. We have many bright people here who are sufferers and contribute to this message board. It was not so long ago that Giselle started posting. She wanted answers to everything like you did. She decided that the best course of action was to opt for the surgery (without first having a dilatation). She can now eat "like" a normal person again. The longer you wait, the more harm you are doing to yourself.

If you find a cure, please share it with the rest of us. Nobody is going to hate you that you had the surgery and we got cut up or dilated. While there have been temporary improvements reported as a result of alternative or complementary medicine, nobody has stated flat out that they are cured as a result. Someday, yes. When, is anybody's guess. Good luck with your search for answers.

Expect many people here to respond to your post.

In a message dated 7/10/2006 8:32:07 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, bbabson@... writes:

Hello,I am a 23 year old male who has had Achalasia symptoms for a year and a half now. Every single swallow, food or liquid, takes a very long time to go down. I am miserable all day, I rarely have an appetite and have lost a lot of weight (I weigh 134 lbs, 6 feet tall). I also suffer from very severe chest pains, or spasms as they are called with this condition. However, my pain not only can center sometimes in the center of the chest, but also on the right side of the middle of my chest under the rib cage. Drinking water after every bite helps a bit, and drinking small sips of water during spasms lessens the pain. From my extensive reserach online, I think I am in the upper tier of more severe cases out there.However, I refuse to get a Heller Myotomy. Everything about the surgery seems wrong to me. Namely, that it is a surgery that cures the symptoms and not the disease, as even the surgeon who would do the procedure on me admitted nobody knows why people suffer from Achalasia. So, I have explored other avenues, so far with not much luck. I have just delved into the Chinese herbal route, as I am seeing a Dr now. He presribed some herbal tablets that at first got rid of some chest pain, but now I all of the symptoms are back.There is one thing I can say to the extreme cases of Achalasia sufferers out there, and let me apologize in advance if people find this offensive. As I mentioned I have been suffering for a long time now and I needed something to make the pain just a bit easier to handle. Marijuana has been a life saver for me, as I try to search for a cure. I have an appetite with it and have gained weight, and it distracts enough from the pain while swallowing that it makes the meals go by easier. I have stopped it now, as it ruins the rest of my day, but I just wanted to let people know if they are looking for some kind of relief.Now, finally to my question. Is there ANYONE out there who has found any relief from ANYTHING out there that doesn't result in cutting up my body? I have found a few posts around here regarding alternatives, but I would like to see if anyone has a more concise route. I am one of the few that believe this is a completely curable disease without surgery. There is a reason Achalasia suffers are mainly in the United States, probably because of diet. There is also a reason NOBODY overseas gets the Heller Myotomy, as most health care overseas is free, so doctors and hospitals have no reason to push very expensive surgeries like the Heller Myotomy. Remember that in the US medicine is just another business, and sometimes it comes before good medicine. I hope I have spurred some people on here into looking for alternatives and I hope we can all help each other cure this frustrating disease.Thanksmr_clean

[Guest guest]

It is not true that Achalasia is only in USA.

I am in India n my son has it since 1994.

We already did 3 endoscopic dilatations.

2 in 1994 and 3rd in June'06..Now he is okay but still needs to drink water to

swallow food..he has been also advised to get laproscopic surgery done soon,

before December '06.

I am looking for a suitable medicine which can at least help in such cases.does

anyone aware of any effective medicine ?..

Thanx .

Mukesh .

Let's cure the disease, not the symptoms

Hello,

I am a 23 year old male who has had Achalasia symptoms for a year

and a half now. Every single swallow, food or liquid, takes a very

long time to go down. I am miserable all day, I rarely have an

appetite and have lost a lot of weight (I weigh 134 lbs, 6 feet

tall). I also suffer from very severe chest pains, or spasms as

they are called with this condition. However, my pain not only can

center sometimes in the center of the chest, but also on the right

side of the middle of my chest under the rib cage. Drinking water

after every bite helps a bit, and drinking small sips of water

during spasms lessens the pain. From my extensive reserach online,

I think I am in the upper tier of more severe cases out there.

However, I refuse to get a Heller Myotomy. Everything about the

surgery seems wrong to me. Namely, that it is a surgery that cures

the symptoms and not the disease, as even the surgeon who would do

the procedure on me admitted nobody knows why people suffer from

Achalasia. So, I have explored other avenues, so far with not much

luck. I have just delved into the Chinese herbal route, as I am

seeing a Dr now. He presribed some herbal tablets that at first got

rid of some chest pain, but now I all of the symptoms are back.

There is one thing I can say to the extreme cases of Achalasia

sufferers out there, and let me apologize in advance if people find

this offensive. As I mentioned I have been suffering for a long

time now and I needed something to make the pain just a bit easier

to handle. Marijuana has been a life saver for me, as I try to

search for a cure. I have an appetite with it and have gained

weight, and it distracts enough from the pain while swallowing that

it makes the meals go by easier. I have stopped it now, as it ruins

the rest of my day, but I just wanted to let people know if they are

looking for some kind of relief.

Now, finally to my question. Is there ANYONE out there who has

found any relief from ANYTHING out there that doesn't result in

cutting up my body? I have found a few posts around here regarding

alternatives, but I would like to see if anyone has a more concise

route. I am one of the few that believe this is a completely

curable disease without surgery. There is a reason Achalasia

suffers are mainly in the United States, probably because of diet.

There is also a reason NOBODY overseas gets the Heller Myotomy, as

most health care overseas is free, so doctors and hospitals have no

reason to push very expensive surgeries like the Heller Myotomy.

Remember that in the US medicine is just another business, and

sometimes it comes before good medicine. I hope I have spurred some

people on here into looking for alternatives and I hope we can all

help each other cure this frustrating disease.

Thanks

mr_clean

[Guest guest]

It's been nearly 90 minutes since I sent in the following post in response to Mr. Clean. I have not seen it hit the message board yet, so please excuse me if it gets posted twice. I have to leave now for my appointment.

Welcome to our group Mr. Clean,

Hopefully you can find the answers you are looking for, or at least come away from here with a better understanding. Yours is a very interesting post. I can see you have done some homework before coming here, and while here. You have probably read about our dear Quincia, on the West Coast who does not want the surgery and has traveled to China searching for answers. I don't think she has found them yet.

Nobody starts off wanting the surgery. We just want back what was "mysteriously" taken away. Unfortunately, when things get worse, as they do, we are forced into making choices. Life is all about making choices.

"Is there ANYONE out there who has found any relief from ANYTHING out there that doesn't result in cutting up my body?"

You probably know that most people here have had balloon dilatations and other kinds of stretchings performed. No cutting up there, just that its not a cure, and usually not permanent, and might be a negative to future surgeries (that you're not presently considering).

"There is also a reason NOBODY overseas gets the Heller Myotomy, as most health care overseas is free, so doctors and hospitals have no reason to push very expensive surgeries like the Heller Myotomy."

I think you are going to have to be corrected on that statement. Fact is the operation is performed around the world and not just in random cases. In this group alone, there are people from England, India, Australia, New Zealand, and apologies to the countries that I missed.

Our most used mantra is: "Doing Nothing is not an Option" (which is presently the title of my posts in a recently started series detailing the problems I have been experiencing and what I am doing about it. Later today I have an endoscopy). While you are presently "Mr. Clean," and want to stay that way, you might become "Mr. Damaged" if you don't consider acting upon the various options available. You are suffering big time, have lost a lot of weight, and are looking for answers that may not presently be known to anybody. I give you all the credit in the world for searching. We have many bright people here who are sufferers and contribute to this message board. It was not so long ago that Giselle started posting. She wanted answers to everything like you did. She decided that the best course of action was to opt for the surgery (without first having a dilatation). She can now eat "like" a normal person again. The longer you wait, the more harm you are doing to yourself.

If you find a cure, please share it with the rest of us. Nobody is going to hate you that you had the surgery and we got cut up or dilated. While there have been temporary improvements reported as a result of alternative or complementary medicine, nobody has stated flat out that they are cured as a result. Someday, yes. When, is anybody's guess. Good luck with your search for answers.

Expect many people here to respond to your post.

In a message dated 7/10/2006 8:32:07 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, bbabson@... writes:

Hello,I am a 23 year old male who has had Achalasia symptoms for a year and a half now. Every single swallow, food or liquid, takes a very long time to go down. I am miserable all day, I rarely have an appetite and have lost a lot of weight (I weigh 134 lbs, 6 feet tall). I also suffer from very severe chest pains, or spasms as they are called with this condition. However, my pain not only can center sometimes in the center of the chest, but also on the right side of the middle of my chest under the rib cage. Drinking water after every bite helps a bit, and drinking small sips of water during spasms lessens the pain. From my extensive reserach online, I think I am in the upper tier of more severe cases out there.However, I refuse to get a Heller Myotomy. Everything about the surgery seems wrong to me. Namely, that it is a surgery that cures the symptoms and not the disease, as even the surgeon who would do the procedure on me admitted nobody knows why people suffer from Achalasia. So, I have explored other avenues, so far with not much luck. I have just delved into the Chinese herbal route, as I am seeing a Dr now. He presribed some herbal tablets that at first got rid of some chest pain, but now I all of the symptoms are back.There is one thing I can say to the extreme cases of Achalasia sufferers out there, and let me apologize in advance if people find this offensive. As I mentioned I have been suffering for a long time now and I needed something to make the pain just a bit easier to handle. Marijuana has been a life saver for me, as I try to search for a cure. I have an appetite with it and have gained weight, and it distracts enough from the pain while swallowing that it makes the meals go by easier. I have stopped it now, as it ruins the rest of my day, but I just wanted to let people know if they are looking for some kind of relief.Now, finally to my question. Is there ANYONE out there who has found any relief from ANYTHING out there that doesn't result in cutting up my body? I have found a few posts around here regarding alternatives, but I would like to see if anyone has a more concise route. I am one of the few that believe this is a completely curable disease without surgery. There is a reason Achalasia suffers are mainly in the United States, probably because of diet. There is also a reason NOBODY overseas gets the Heller Myotomy, as most health care overseas is free, so doctors and hospitals have no reason to push very expensive surgeries like the Heller Myotomy. Remember that in the US medicine is just another business, and sometimes it comes before good medicine. I hope I have spurred some people on here into looking for alternatives and I hope we can all help each other cure this frustrating disease.Thanksmr_clean

[Guest guest]

>

> Hello,

>

> I am a 23 year old male who has had Achalasia symptoms for a year

> and a half now. Every single swallow, food or liquid, takes a very

> long time to go down. I am miserable all day, I rarely have an

> appetite and have lost a lot of weight (I weigh 134 lbs, 6 feet

> tall). I also suffer from very severe chest pains, or spasms as

> they are called with this condition. However, my pain not only can

> center sometimes in the center of the chest, but also on the right

> side of the middle of my chest under the rib cage. Drinking water

> after every bite helps a bit, and drinking small sips of water

> during spasms lessens the pain. From my extensive reserach online,

> I think I am in the upper tier of more severe cases out there.

>

> However, I refuse to get a Heller Myotomy. Everything about the

> surgery seems wrong to me. Namely, that it is a surgery that cures

> the symptoms and not the disease, as even the surgeon who would do

> the procedure on me admitted nobody knows why people suffer from

> Achalasia. So, I have explored other avenues, so far with not much

> luck. I have just delved into the Chinese herbal route, as I am

> seeing a Dr now. He presribed some herbal tablets that at first

got

> rid of some chest pain, but now I all of the symptoms are back.

>

> There is one thing I can say to the extreme cases of Achalasia

> sufferers out there, and let me apologize in advance if people find

> this offensive. As I mentioned I have been suffering for a long

> time now and I needed something to make the pain just a bit easier

> to handle. Marijuana has been a life saver for me, as I try to

> search for a cure. I have an appetite with it and have gained

> weight, and it distracts enough from the pain while swallowing that

> it makes the meals go by easier. I have stopped it now, as it

ruins

> the rest of my day, but I just wanted to let people know if they

are

> looking for some kind of relief.

>

> Now, finally to my question. Is there ANYONE out there who has

> found any relief from ANYTHING out there that doesn't result in

> cutting up my body? I have found a few posts around here regarding

> alternatives, but I would like to see if anyone has a more concise

> route. I am one of the few that believe this is a completely

> curable disease without surgery. There is a reason Achalasia

> suffers are mainly in the United States, probably because of diet.

> There is also a reason NOBODY overseas gets the Heller Myotomy, as

> most health care overseas is free, so doctors and hospitals have no

> reason to push very expensive surgeries like the Heller Myotomy.

> Remember that in the US medicine is just another business, and

> sometimes it comes before good medicine. I hope I have spurred

some

> people on here into looking for alternatives and I hope we can all

> help each other cure this frustrating disease.

>

> Thanks

>

> mr_clean

>

[Guest guest]

>

> Hello,

>

> I am a 23 year old male who has had Achalasia symptoms for a year

> and a half now. Every single swallow, food or liquid, takes a very

> long time to go down. I am miserable all day, I rarely have an

> appetite and have lost a lot of weight (I weigh 134 lbs, 6 feet

> tall). I also suffer from very severe chest pains, or spasms as

> they are called with this condition. However, my pain not only can

> center sometimes in the center of the chest, but also on the right

> side of the middle of my chest under the rib cage. Drinking water

> after every bite helps a bit, and drinking small sips of water

> during spasms lessens the pain. From my extensive reserach online,

> I think I am in the upper tier of more severe cases out there.

>

> However, I refuse to get a Heller Myotomy. Everything about the

> surgery seems wrong to me. Namely, that it is a surgery that cures

> the symptoms and not the disease, as even the surgeon who would do

> the procedure on me admitted nobody knows why people suffer from

> Achalasia. So, I have explored other avenues, so far with not much

> luck. I have just delved into the Chinese herbal route, as I am

> seeing a Dr now. He presribed some herbal tablets that at first

got

> rid of some chest pain, but now I all of the symptoms are back.

>

> There is one thing I can say to the extreme cases of Achalasia

> sufferers out there, and let me apologize in advance if people find

> this offensive. As I mentioned I have been suffering for a long

> time now and I needed something to make the pain just a bit easier

> to handle. Marijuana has been a life saver for me, as I try to

> search for a cure. I have an appetite with it and have gained

> weight, and it distracts enough from the pain while swallowing that

> it makes the meals go by easier. I have stopped it now, as it

ruins

> the rest of my day, but I just wanted to let people know if they

are

> looking for some kind of relief.

>

> Now, finally to my question. Is there ANYONE out there who has

> found any relief from ANYTHING out there that doesn't result in

> cutting up my body? I have found a few posts around here regarding

> alternatives, but I would like to see if anyone has a more concise

> route. I am one of the few that believe this is a completely

> curable disease without surgery. There is a reason Achalasia

> suffers are mainly in the United States, probably because of diet.

> There is also a reason NOBODY overseas gets the Heller Myotomy, as

> most health care overseas is free, so doctors and hospitals have no

> reason to push very expensive surgeries like the Heller Myotomy.

> Remember that in the US medicine is just another business, and

> sometimes it comes before good medicine. I hope I have spurred

some

> people on here into looking for alternatives and I hope we can all

> help each other cure this frustrating disease.

>

> Thanks

>

> mr_clean

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Mr. Clean,

Thank you, thank you. I was feeling really irritable this morning and now you are giving me an outlet.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi

This is a link to almost all the medical articles, in summary format on every disease you can find. I hesitate to say it covers the world, but there are articles from all over the world. You might consider furthuring your references and type in achalasia and see what comes up.

Having had a VATS heller myotomy over 2 years ago and eating almost totally normal I dispute and slightly resent your suggestion we all wasted our time and money getting expensive medical treatment and the solution was hidden from us by the greedy medical system when we could drink a concoction of herbs and be healthy. I could be wrong so please show me your documentation.

Oops I forgot, when I was at my worst I couldn't drink anything. Hmmmm guess that leaves smoking. (Actually that may be an interesting suggestion about marijuana, if I was having really bad spasms I might try it.)

Sandy in So Cal.... Imagining myself in my youth when I would have been in the dating market... meeting you.... hmmmmmm, Mr. Clean and opinionated... sounds like a lot of 23 year old males. That is why and Notan are my type of men, even my husband wins points today.

>> Hello,> > I am a 23 year old male who has had Achalasia symptoms for a year > and a half now. Every single swallow, food or liquid, takes a very > long time to go down. I am miserable all day, I rarely have an > appetite and have lost a lot of weight (I weigh 134 lbs, 6 feet > tall). I also suffer from very severe chest pains, or spasms as > they are called with this condition. However, my pain not only can > center sometimes in the center of the chest, but also on the right > side of the middle of my chest under the rib cage. Drinking water > after every bite helps a bit, and drinking small sips of water > during spasms lessens the pain. From my extensive reserach online, > I think I am in the upper tier of more severe cases out there.> > However, I refuse to get a Heller Myotomy. Everything about the > surgery seems wrong to me. Namely, that it is a surgery that cures > the symptoms and not the disease, as even the surgeon who would do > the procedure on me admitted nobody knows why people suffer from > Achalasia. So, I have explored other avenues, so far with not much > luck. I have just delved into the Chinese herbal route, as I am > seeing a Dr now. He presribed some herbal tablets that at first got > rid of some chest pain, but now I all of the symptoms are back.> > There is one thing I can say to the extreme cases of Achalasia > sufferers out there, and let me apologize in advance if people find > this offensive. As I mentioned I have been suffering for a long > time now and I needed something to make the pain just a bit easier > to handle. Marijuana has been a life saver for me, as I try to > search for a cure. I have an appetite with it and have gained > weight, and it distracts enough from the pain while swallowing that > it makes the meals go by easier. I have stopped it now, as it ruins > the rest of my day, but I just wanted to let people know if they are > looking for some kind of relief.> > Now, finally to my question. Is there ANYONE out there who has > found any relief from ANYTHING out there that doesn't result in > cutting up my body? I have found a few posts around here regarding > alternatives, but I would like to see if anyone has a more concise > route. I am one of the few that believe this is a completely > curable disease without surgery. There is a reason Achalasia > suffers are mainly in the United States, probably because of diet. > There is also a reason NOBODY overseas gets the Heller Myotomy, as > most health care overseas is free, so doctors and hospitals have no > reason to push very expensive surgeries like the Heller Myotomy. > Remember that in the US medicine is just another business, and > sometimes it comes before good medicine. I hope I have spurred some > people on here into looking for alternatives and I hope we can all > help each other cure this frustrating disease.> > Thanks> > mr_clean>

[Guest guest]

First of all, to the people who have responded so far, you are all

right, some of my statements were a bit over generalized and I

apologize. My post came off a bit more inflamatory than I intended,

as I easily get frustrated with this disease (I'm sure all of you

can relate).

I have had to endoscopies and 1 dilation, which helped for a few

weeks, but is fairly pointless in a case like mine, as it just helps

the symptoms for a bit.

I'm glad to hear that Quincia is searching for answers in China, I

believe that is where an answer may be. I went to see a Chinese

doctor a few weeks ago, and his response to a question I had is what

really made me feel there is a cure out there. My question

was, " Have you ever heard of Achalasia before seeing me? " , He

responded with a bit of a laugh, " Well, I've seen someone with these

symptoms before, but Achalasia is just what doctors call this

collection of symptoms they don't understand. " It's that type of

philosophy with which I know approach this disease.

I want everyone to know on this board that I am aware of the risks

that arise if I continue to eat without a surgery, and for now it is

one I'm willing to take. If I make any headway in the next few

weeks especially I well keep everyone posted. Thank you for the

responses, and thank you for creating a community where people with

this disease can feel like they are not alone.

>

> It's been nearly 90 minutes since I sent in the following post in

> response to Mr. Clean. I have not seen it hit the message board

yet, so

> please excuse me if it gets posted twice. I have to leave now

for my

> appointment. Welcome to our group Mr. Clean, Hopefully

you can

> find the answers you are looking for, or at least come away from

here

> with a better understanding. Yours is a very interesting post. I

can

> see you have done some homework before coming here, and while

here. You

> have probably read about our dear Quincia, on the West Coast who

does

> not want the surgery and has traveled to China searching for

answers. I

> don't think she has found them yet. Nobody starts off

wanting the

> surgery. We just want back what was " mysteriously " taken away.

> Unfortunately, when things get worse, as they do, we are forced

into

> making choices. Life is all about making choices. " Is there

ANYONE

> out there who has found any relief from ANYTHING out there that

doesn't

> result in cutting up my body? " You probably know that most

people here

> have had balloon dilatations and other kinds of stretchings

performed.

> No cutting up there, just that its not a cure, and usually not

> permanent, and might be a negative to future surgeries (that

you're not

> presently considering). " There is also a reason NOBODY overseas

gets

> the Heller Myotomy, as most health care overseas is free, so

doctors and

> hospitals have no reason to push very expensive surgeries like the

> Heller Myotomy. " I think you are going to have to be corrected

on that

> statement. Fact is the operation is performed around the world

and not

> just in random cases. In this group alone, there are people from

> England, India, Australia, New Zealand, and apologies to the

countries

> that I missed. Our most used mantra is: " Doing Nothing is

not an

> Option " (which is presently the title of my posts in a recently

started

> series detailing the problems I have been experiencing and what I

am

> doing about it. Later today I have an endoscopy). While you are

> presently " Mr. Clean, " and want to stay that way, you might

become " Mr.

> Damaged " if you don't consider acting upon the various options

> available. You are suffering big time, have lost a lot of weight,

and

> are looking for answers that may not presently be known to

anybody. I

> give you all the credit in the world for searching. We have many

bright

> people here who are sufferers and contribute to this message

board. It

> was not so long ago that Giselle started posting. She wanted

answers to

> everything like you did. She decided that the best course of

action was

> to opt for the surgery (without first having a dilatation). She

can now

> eat " like " a normal person again. The longer you wait, the more

harm

> you are doing to yourself. If you find a cure, please share it

with

> the rest of us. Nobody is going to hate you that you had the

surgery

> and we got cut up or dilated. While there have been temporary

> improvements reported as a result of alternative or complementary

> medicine, nobody has stated flat out that they are cured as a

result.

> Someday, yes. When, is anybody's guess. Good luck with your

search for

> answers. Expect many people here to respond to your post.

> In a message dated 7/10/2006 8:32:07 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> bbabson@... writes:

> Hello,

>

> I am a 23 year old male who has had Achalasia symptoms for a year

> and a half now. Every single swallow, food or liquid, takes a very

> long time to go down. I am miserable all day, I rarely have an

> appetite and have lost a lot of weight (I weigh 134 lbs, 6 feet

> tall). I also suffer from very severe chest pains, or spasms as

> they are called with this condition. However, my pain not only can

> center sometimes in the center of the chest, but also on the right

> side of the middle of my chest under the rib cage. Drinking water

> after every bite helps a bit, and drinking small sips of water

> during spasms lessens the pain. From my extensive reserach online,

> I think I am in the upper tier of more severe cases out there.

>

> However, I refuse to get a Heller Myotomy. Everything about the

> surgery seems wrong to me. Namely, that it is a surgery that cures

> the symptoms and not the disease, as even the surgeon who would do

> the procedure on me admitted nobody knows why people suffer from

> Achalasia. So, I have explored other avenues, so far with not much

> luck. I have just delved into the Chinese herbal route, as I am

> seeing a Dr now. He presribed some herbal tablets that at first got

> rid of some chest pain, but now I all of the symptoms are back.

>

> There is one thing I can say to the extreme cases of Achalasia

> sufferers out there, and let me apologize in advance if people find

> this offensive. As I mentioned I have been suffering for a long

> time now and I needed something to make the pain just a bit easier

> to handle. Marijuana has been a life saver for me, as I try to

> search for a cure. I have an appetite with it and have gained

> weight, and it distracts enough from the pain while swallowing that

> it makes the meals go by easier. I have stopped it now, as it ruins

> the rest of my day, but I just wanted to let people know if they

are

> looking for some kind of relief.

>

> Now, finally to my question. Is there ANYONE out there who has

> found any relief from ANYTHING out there that doesn't result in

> cutting up my body? I have found a few posts around here regarding

> alternatives, but I would like to see if anyone has a more concise

> route. I am one of the few that believe this is a completely

> curable disease without surgery. There is a reason Achalasia

> suffers are mainly in the United States, probably because of diet.

> There is also a reason NOBODY overseas gets the Heller Myotomy, as

> most health care overseas is free, so doctors and hospitals have no

> reason to push very expensive surgeries like the Heller Myotomy.

> Remember that in the US medicine is just another business, and

> sometimes it comes before good medicine. I hope I have spurred some

> people on here into looking for alternatives and I hope we can all

> help each other cure this frustrating disease.

>

> Thanks

>

> mr_clean

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Clean,

That was a gracious apology. Should I have been harsh I also apologize. When you are in early stages of the disease your reaction is somewhat common. There is such hope there is something easier, if you just dig down enough. Arrogance is not unusual at your age etc.

Being on the now relatively "healthy side" of achalasia and being one of the few that seemed to have been diagnosed and treated fairly quickly I just freak out when I hear people delaying treatment for any reason. My esophagus seems healthy and my surgeon said I didn't need any more tests in the immediate future.

You are so young and have so many more years, (I'm almost 49) to pamper your esophagus I find myself being an advocate. Two weeks of research is reasonable.

Should we be in a dating situation, I'll stop from throwing the glass of ice water on you and would accept a dance and maybe offer you my phone number after your graciousness, depending on......... other things.

Oh.... we've all seen and heard a lot of tests, our own and others here. I think some good doctors DO understand the symptoms very well. There isn't much arguing about a bird's beak esophagus. Manometry tests can vary. There is understanding and knowledge about this disease but the treatment options are not guaranteed. I don't agree w/ your Chinese doctor.

Sandy in So Cal.... getting my disco globe polished....

> >> > It's been nearly 90 minutes since I sent in the following post in> > response to Mr. Clean. I have not seen it hit the message board > yet, so> > please excuse me if it gets posted twice. I have to leave now > for my> > appointment. Welcome to our group Mr. Clean, Hopefully > you can> > find the answers you are looking for, or at least come away from > here> > with a better understanding. Yours is a very interesting post. I > can> > see you have done some homework before coming here, and while > here. You> > have probably read about our dear Quincia, on the West Coast who > does> > not want the surgery and has traveled to China searching for > answers. I> > don't think she has found them yet. Nobody starts off > wanting the> > surgery. We just want back what was "mysteriously" taken away. > > Unfortunately, when things get worse, as they do, we are forced > into> > making choices. Life is all about making choices. "Is there > ANYONE> > out there who has found any relief from ANYTHING out there that > doesn't> > result in cutting up my body?" You probably know that most > people here> > have had balloon dilatations and other kinds of stretchings > performed. > > No cutting up there, just that its not a cure, and usually not> > permanent, and might be a negative to future surgeries (that > you're not> > presently considering). "There is also a reason NOBODY overseas > gets> > the Heller Myotomy, as most health care overseas is free, so > doctors and> > hospitals have no reason to push very expensive surgeries like the> > Heller Myotomy." I think you are going to have to be corrected > on that> > statement. Fact is the operation is performed around the world > and not> > just in random cases. In this group alone, there are people from > > England, India, Australia, New Zealand, and apologies to the > countries> > that I missed. Our most used mantra is: "Doing Nothing is > not an> > Option" (which is presently the title of my posts in a recently > started> > series detailing the problems I have been experiencing and what I > am> > doing about it. Later today I have an endoscopy). While you are> > presently "Mr. Clean," and want to stay that way, you might > become "Mr.> > Damaged" if you don't consider acting upon the various options> > available. You are suffering big time, have lost a lot of weight, > and> > are looking for answers that may not presently be known to > anybody. I> > give you all the credit in the world for searching. We have many > bright> > people here who are sufferers and contribute to this message > board. It> > was not so long ago that Giselle started posting. She wanted > answers to> > everything like you did. She decided that the best course of > action was> > to opt for the surgery (without first having a dilatation). She > can now> > eat "like" a normal person again. The longer you wait, the more > harm> > you are doing to yourself. If you find a cure, please share it > with> > the rest of us. Nobody is going to hate you that you had the > surgery> > and we got cut up or dilated. While there have been temporary> > improvements reported as a result of alternative or complementary> > medicine, nobody has stated flat out that they are cured as a > result. > > Someday, yes. When, is anybody's guess. Good luck with your > search for> > answers. Expect many people here to respond to your post. > > > In a message dated 7/10/2006 8:32:07 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,> > bbabson@ writes:> > Hello,> > > > I am a 23 year old male who has had Achalasia symptoms for a year> > and a half now. Every single swallow, food or liquid, takes a very> > long time to go down. I am miserable all day, I rarely have an> > appetite and have lost a lot of weight (I weigh 134 lbs, 6 feet> > tall). I also suffer from very severe chest pains, or spasms as> > they are called with this condition. However, my pain not only can> > center sometimes in the center of the chest, but also on the right> > side of the middle of my chest under the rib cage. Drinking water> > after every bite helps a bit, and drinking small sips of water> > during spasms lessens the pain. From my extensive reserach online,> > I think I am in the upper tier of more severe cases out there.> > > > However, I refuse to get a Heller Myotomy. Everything about the> > surgery seems wrong to me. Namely, that it is a surgery that cures> > the symptoms and not the disease, as even the surgeon who would do> > the procedure on me admitted nobody knows why people suffer from> > Achalasia. So, I have explored other avenues, so far with not much> > luck. I have just delved into the Chinese herbal route, as I am> > seeing a Dr now. He presribed some herbal tablets that at first got> > rid of some chest pain, but now I all of the symptoms are back.> > > > There is one thing I can say to the extreme cases of Achalasia> > sufferers out there, and let me apologize in advance if people find> > this offensive. As I mentioned I have been suffering for a long> > time now and I needed something to make the pain just a bit easier> > to handle. Marijuana has been a life saver for me, as I try to> > search for a cure. I have an appetite with it and have gained> > weight, and it distracts enough from the pain while swallowing that> > it makes the meals go by easier. I have stopped it now, as it ruins> > the rest of my day, but I just wanted to let people know if they > are> > looking for some kind of relief.> > > > Now, finally to my question. Is there ANYONE out there who has> > found any relief from ANYTHING out there that doesn't result in> > cutting up my body? I have found a few posts around here regarding> > alternatives, but I would like to see if anyone has a more concise> > route. I am one of the few that believe this is a completely> > curable disease without surgery. There is a reason Achalasia> > suffers are mainly in the United States, probably because of diet.> > There is also a reason NOBODY overseas gets the Heller Myotomy, as> > most health care overseas is free, so doctors and hospitals have no> > reason to push very expensive surgeries like the Heller Myotomy.> > Remember that in the US medicine is just another business, and> > sometimes it comes before good medicine. I hope I have spurred some> > people on here into looking for alternatives and I hope we can all> > help each other cure this frustrating disease.> > > > Thanks> > > > mr_clean> >>

[Guest guest]

Dear Clean,

That was a gracious apology. Should I have been harsh I also apologize. When you are in early stages of the disease your reaction is somewhat common. There is such hope there is something easier, if you just dig down enough. Arrogance is not unusual at your age etc.

Being on the now relatively "healthy side" of achalasia and being one of the few that seemed to have been diagnosed and treated fairly quickly I just freak out when I hear people delaying treatment for any reason. My esophagus seems healthy and my surgeon said I didn't need any more tests in the immediate future.

You are so young and have so many more years, (I'm almost 49) to pamper your esophagus I find myself being an advocate. Two weeks of research is reasonable.

Should we be in a dating situation, I'll stop from throwing the glass of ice water on you and would accept a dance and maybe offer you my phone number after your graciousness, depending on......... other things.

Oh.... we've all seen and heard a lot of tests, our own and others here. I think some good doctors DO understand the symptoms very well. There isn't much arguing about a bird's beak esophagus. Manometry tests can vary. There is understanding and knowledge about this disease but the treatment options are not guaranteed. I don't agree w/ your Chinese doctor.

Sandy in So Cal.... getting my disco globe polished....

> >> > It's been nearly 90 minutes since I sent in the following post in> > response to Mr. Clean. I have not seen it hit the message board > yet, so> > please excuse me if it gets posted twice. I have to leave now > for my> > appointment. Welcome to our group Mr. Clean, Hopefully > you can> > find the answers you are looking for, or at least come away from > here> > with a better understanding. Yours is a very interesting post. I > can> > see you have done some homework before coming here, and while > here. You> > have probably read about our dear Quincia, on the West Coast who > does> > not want the surgery and has traveled to China searching for > answers. I> > don't think she has found them yet. Nobody starts off > wanting the> > surgery. We just want back what was "mysteriously" taken away. > > Unfortunately, when things get worse, as they do, we are forced > into> > making choices. Life is all about making choices. "Is there > ANYONE> > out there who has found any relief from ANYTHING out there that > doesn't> > result in cutting up my body?" You probably know that most > people here> > have had balloon dilatations and other kinds of stretchings > performed. > > No cutting up there, just that its not a cure, and usually not> > permanent, and might be a negative to future surgeries (that > you're not> > presently considering). "There is also a reason NOBODY overseas > gets> > the Heller Myotomy, as most health care overseas is free, so > doctors and> > hospitals have no reason to push very expensive surgeries like the> > Heller Myotomy." I think you are going to have to be corrected > on that> > statement. Fact is the operation is performed around the world > and not> > just in random cases. In this group alone, there are people from > > England, India, Australia, New Zealand, and apologies to the > countries> > that I missed. Our most used mantra is: "Doing Nothing is > not an> > Option" (which is presently the title of my posts in a recently > started> > series detailing the problems I have been experiencing and what I > am> > doing about it. Later today I have an endoscopy). While you are> > presently "Mr. Clean," and want to stay that way, you might > become "Mr.> > Damaged" if you don't consider acting upon the various options> > available. You are suffering big time, have lost a lot of weight, > and> > are looking for answers that may not presently be known to > anybody. I> > give you all the credit in the world for searching. We have many > bright> > people here who are sufferers and contribute to this message > board. It> > was not so long ago that Giselle started posting. She wanted > answers to> > everything like you did. She decided that the best course of > action was> > to opt for the surgery (without first having a dilatation). She > can now> > eat "like" a normal person again. The longer you wait, the more > harm> > you are doing to yourself. If you find a cure, please share it > with> > the rest of us. Nobody is going to hate you that you had the > surgery> > and we got cut up or dilated. While there have been temporary> > improvements reported as a result of alternative or complementary> > medicine, nobody has stated flat out that they are cured as a > result. > > Someday, yes. When, is anybody's guess. Good luck with your > search for> > answers. Expect many people here to respond to your post. > > > In a message dated 7/10/2006 8:32:07 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,> > bbabson@ writes:> > Hello,> > > > I am a 23 year old male who has had Achalasia symptoms for a year> > and a half now. Every single swallow, food or liquid, takes a very> > long time to go down. I am miserable all day, I rarely have an> > appetite and have lost a lot of weight (I weigh 134 lbs, 6 feet> > tall). I also suffer from very severe chest pains, or spasms as> > they are called with this condition. However, my pain not only can> > center sometimes in the center of the chest, but also on the right> > side of the middle of my chest under the rib cage. Drinking water> > after every bite helps a bit, and drinking small sips of water> > during spasms lessens the pain. From my extensive reserach online,> > I think I am in the upper tier of more severe cases out there.> > > > However, I refuse to get a Heller Myotomy. Everything about the> > surgery seems wrong to me. Namely, that it is a surgery that cures> > the symptoms and not the disease, as even the surgeon who would do> > the procedure on me admitted nobody knows why people suffer from> > Achalasia. So, I have explored other avenues, so far with not much> > luck. I have just delved into the Chinese herbal route, as I am> > seeing a Dr now. He presribed some herbal tablets that at first got> > rid of some chest pain, but now I all of the symptoms are back.> > > > There is one thing I can say to the extreme cases of Achalasia> > sufferers out there, and let me apologize in advance if people find> > this offensive. As I mentioned I have been suffering for a long> > time now and I needed something to make the pain just a bit easier> > to handle. Marijuana has been a life saver for me, as I try to> > search for a cure. I have an appetite with it and have gained> > weight, and it distracts enough from the pain while swallowing that> > it makes the meals go by easier. I have stopped it now, as it ruins> > the rest of my day, but I just wanted to let people know if they > are> > looking for some kind of relief.> > > > Now, finally to my question. Is there ANYONE out there who has> > found any relief from ANYTHING out there that doesn't result in> > cutting up my body? I have found a few posts around here regarding> > alternatives, but I would like to see if anyone has a more concise> > route. I am one of the few that believe this is a completely> > curable disease without surgery. There is a reason Achalasia> > suffers are mainly in the United States, probably because of diet.> > There is also a reason NOBODY overseas gets the Heller Myotomy, as> > most health care overseas is free, so doctors and hospitals have no> > reason to push very expensive surgeries like the Heller Myotomy.> > Remember that in the US medicine is just another business, and> > sometimes it comes before good medicine. I hope I have spurred some> > people on here into looking for alternatives and I hope we can all> > help each other cure this frustrating disease.> > > > Thanks> > > > mr_clean> >>

[Guest guest]

hi, I have been drinking herbal tea. and now I am sticking with two

of them. They taste a little sweet. I am also seeing my TCM for

acupuncture for at least two times a week. sometimes if I am busing

with work, I just go once a week when I feel I need to. what I mean

is when symptoms are noticable to me. I am also taking Vt B

sometimes.I have bad memory, I am not taking Vt B everyday. I keep

myself relax and not to be stressed on some issues I used to feel

stressed. I am doing very well now.

Mauro in Norway gets the disorder well controlled and he is doing

even better that I am. only one or two accidents a months for him.

most of the time he is symptom free. he is trying combination of TCM

treatment like I do. actually, I am following his advices. There is a

tincture that I still need to get to relax my E. Mauro is also taking

it right now in the morning. I need to see what actually it is and

where I can get it. however, it is definitely not the plant that Mr.

Clean mentioned in his email. it is used in western medical history

to help people relax and reduce their anxiety.

anyway, just keep you updated.

Quincia

>

> It's been nearly 90 minutes since I sent in the following post in

> response to Mr. Clean. I have not seen it hit the message board

yet, so

> please excuse me if it gets posted twice. I have to leave now for

my

> appointment. Welcome to our group Mr. Clean, Hopefully

you can

> find the answers you are looking for, or at least come away from

here

> with a better understanding. Yours is a very interesting post. I

can

> see you have done some homework before coming here, and while

here. You

> have probably read about our dear Quincia, on the West Coast who

does

> not want the surgery and has traveled to China searching for

answers. I

> don't think she has found them yet. Nobody starts off wanting

the

> surgery. We just want back what was " mysteriously " taken away.

> Unfortunately, when things get worse, as they do, we are forced into

> making choices. Life is all about making choices. " Is there

ANYONE

> out there who has found any relief from ANYTHING out there that

doesn't

> result in cutting up my body? " You probably know that most people

here

> have had balloon dilatations and other kinds of stretchings

performed.

> No cutting up there, just that its not a cure, and usually not

> permanent, and might be a negative to future surgeries (that you're

not

> presently considering). " There is also a reason NOBODY overseas

gets

> the Heller Myotomy, as most health care overseas is free, so

doctors and

> hospitals have no reason to push very expensive surgeries like the

> Heller Myotomy. " I think you are going to have to be corrected on

that

> statement. Fact is the operation is performed around the world and

not

> just in random cases. In this group alone, there are people from

> England, India, Australia, New Zealand, and apologies to the

countries

> that I missed. Our most used mantra is: " Doing Nothing is not

an

> Option " (which is presently the title of my posts in a recently

started

> series detailing the problems I have been experiencing and what I am

> doing about it. Later today I have an endoscopy). While you are

> presently " Mr. Clean, " and want to stay that way, you might

become " Mr.

> Damaged " if you don't consider acting upon the various options

> available. You are suffering big time, have lost a lot of weight,

and

> are looking for answers that may not presently be known to

anybody. I

> give you all the credit in the world for searching. We have many

bright

> people here who are sufferers and contribute to this message

board. It

> was not so long ago that Giselle started posting. She wanted

answers to

> everything like you did. She decided that the best course of

action was

> to opt for the surgery (without first having a dilatation). She

can now

> eat " like " a normal person again. The longer you wait, the more

harm

> you are doing to yourself. If you find a cure, please share it

with

> the rest of us. Nobody is going to hate you that you had the

surgery

> and we got cut up or dilated. While there have been temporary

> improvements reported as a result of alternative or complementary

> medicine, nobody has stated flat out that they are cured as a

result.

> Someday, yes. When, is anybody's guess. Good luck with your

search for

> answers. Expect many people here to respond to your post.

> In a message dated 7/10/2006 8:32:07 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,

> bbabson@... writes:

> Hello,

>

> I am a 23 year old male who has had Achalasia symptoms for a year

> and a half now. Every single swallow, food or liquid, takes a very

> long time to go down. I am miserable all day, I rarely have an

> appetite and have lost a lot of weight (I weigh 134 lbs, 6 feet

> tall). I also suffer from very severe chest pains, or spasms as

> they are called with this condition. However, my pain not only can

> center sometimes in the center of the chest, but also on the right

> side of the middle of my chest under the rib cage. Drinking water

> after every bite helps a bit, and drinking small sips of water

> during spasms lessens the pain. From my extensive reserach online,

> I think I am in the upper tier of more severe cases out there.

>

> However, I refuse to get a Heller Myotomy. Everything about the

> surgery seems wrong to me. Namely, that it is a surgery that cures

> the symptoms and not the disease, as even the surgeon who would do

> the procedure on me admitted nobody knows why people suffer from

> Achalasia. So, I have explored other avenues, so far with not much

> luck. I have just delved into the Chinese herbal route, as I am

> seeing a Dr now. He presribed some herbal tablets that at first got

> rid of some chest pain, but now I all of the symptoms are back.

>

> There is one thing I can say to the extreme cases of Achalasia

> sufferers out there, and let me apologize in advance if people find

> this offensive. As I mentioned I have been suffering for a long

> time now and I needed something to make the pain just a bit easier

> to handle. Marijuana has been a life saver for me, as I try to

> search for a cure. I have an appetite with it and have gained

> weight, and it distracts enough from the pain while swallowing that

> it makes the meals go by easier. I have stopped it now, as it ruins

> the rest of my day, but I just wanted to let people know if they are

> looking for some kind of relief.

>

> Now, finally to my question. Is there ANYONE out there who has

> found any relief from ANYTHING out there that doesn't result in

> cutting up my body? I have found a few posts around here regarding

> alternatives, but I would like to see if anyone has a more concise

> route. I am one of the few that believe this is a completely

> curable disease without surgery. There is a reason Achalasia

> suffers are mainly in the United States, probably because of diet.

> There is also a reason NOBODY overseas gets the Heller Myotomy, as

> most health care overseas is free, so doctors and hospitals have no

> reason to push very expensive surgeries like the Heller Myotomy.

> Remember that in the US medicine is just another business, and

> sometimes it comes before good medicine. I hope I have spurred some

> people on here into looking for alternatives and I hope we can all

> help each other cure this frustrating disease.

>

> Thanks

>

> mr_clean

>

[Guest guest]

Long, long ago, In achalasia , " mr_clean021 " wrote:

>... I refuse to get a Heller Myotomy. ...

How is that working for you?

>...

> There is also a reason NOBODY overseas gets the Heller Myotomy, as

> most health care overseas is free, so doctors and hospitals have no

> reason to push very expensive surgeries like the Heller Myotomy.

>...

I think you better check your facts.

> Remember that in the US medicine is just another business, and

> sometimes it comes before good medicine.

I agree. When I asked my doctor about the disagreement between some

surgeons doing myotomies and GIs doing dilatations, he said, remember

that surgeons are in the business of doing surgeries and GI are in the

business of doing esophageal dilatations.

> I hope I have spurred some

> people on here into looking for alternatives and I hope we can all

> help each other cure this frustrating disease.

But lets be fair and apply your advice about " US medicine " to

alternatives of myotomy also. Clinical Hypnotists are in the business

of doing hypnosis. Herbalists are in the herbal business. NCR

practitioners are in the business of NCR. The alternative medicine

business is " just another business and sometime it comes before good

medicine. "

notan