Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 hey! It is so important for you to do this research! It not only helps you to understand what is happening but it helps to aid in the choices you have to make! I too had heard of the speech therapy, I had looked into it, but with the swallowing issue, it was more focused on the actual swallowing and tongue thrust issues. We tried the B too, only we used the Sublingual. it is absorbed into the blood from under the tongue... In the old days.. (sorry all) Pre- 1960 doctors would give a vit B shot during the winter blahs, because of the lack of sun and nutrients. The Same B can be taken subligually. We could see no difference. Feel better, now that you have written about it I think I will take it back up..: ) Let us know about the Vital-Slim... Folks who have had serious neck injuries often times have swallowing disorders afterwards. Sometimes it includes dumping syndrome and other gastric anomolies. Carolyn mom to Cameron... in Northern CAcoopsmum77 <coopsmum77@...> wrote: Hello,I have been doing constant research (as I'm sure you guys do too), and came up with something different today. Has anyone tried going to a speech therapist? The things I've looked at said they deal with swallowing problems as well.Also, my mom found something about vitamin b. Has anyone tried taking a vitamin b supplement. I tried, but it didn't stay down. That was very unpleasant. If it worked somewhat for anyone, I'm willing to try it again.Also, has anyone tried any type of electrical stimulation to the neck area. It seems some speech therapists use something called Vital-Stim for folks with swallowing disorders.I am looking for any alternative to the wonderful solutions we have to choose from.Heidi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 that's wild! electroshock therapy to get it to go down....- \-- In achalasia , " coopsmum77 " <coopsmum77@...> wrote: > > Hello, > > I have been doing constant research (as I'm sure you guys do too), > and came up with something different today. Has anyone tried going > to a speech therapist? The things I've looked at said they deal > with swallowing problems as well. > > Also, my mom found something about vitamin b. Has anyone tried > taking a vitamin b supplement. I tried, but it didn't stay down. > That was very unpleasant. If it worked somewhat for anyone, I'm > willing to try it again. > > Also, has anyone tried any type of electrical stimulation to the > neck area. It seems some speech therapists use something called > Vital-Stim for folks with swallowing disorders. > > I am looking for any alternative to the wonderful solutions we have > to choose from. > > Heidi > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 Heidi: I used sublingual B complex -- you stick it under your tongue and dissolve it and then a pill to swallow is not necessary when I could not get enough nutrition and it really did help me. Peggy > > Hello, > > I have been doing constant research (as I'm sure you guys do too), > and came up with something different today. Has anyone tried going > to a speech therapist? The things I've looked at said they deal > with swallowing problems as well. > > Also, my mom found something about vitamin b. Has anyone tried > taking a vitamin b supplement. I tried, but it didn't stay down. > That was very unpleasant. If it worked somewhat for anyone, I'm > willing to try it again. > > Also, has anyone tried any type of electrical stimulation to the > neck area. It seems some speech therapists use something called > Vital-Stim for folks with swallowing disorders. > > I am looking for any alternative to the wonderful solutions we have > to choose from. > > Heidi > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 > I have been doing constant research (as I'm sure you guys do too), > and came up with something different today. Has anyone tried going > to a speech therapist? The things I've looked at said they deal > with swallowing problems as well. My wife is actually a speech therapist working with dysphasia patients at a skilled nursing facility (talking about destiny...) Most of her patients are dealing with issues like stroke, late stage Alzheimer's, cancer etc. She had learned about Achalasia in grad school but hadn't worked with anyone with it before. I think they do focus more on the " upper end " of swallowing (chewing, use of the tounge to prepare the bolus etc.) but I could be wrong. I'll ask her if there are SLP's (Speech Language Pathologists) who deal specifically with issues related to Achalasia and post back. Cheers, n Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 Wow, interesting! I look forward to the update > > > > I have been doing constant research (as I'm sure you guys do too), > > and came up with something different today. Has anyone tried going > > to a speech therapist? The things I've looked at said they deal > > with swallowing problems as well. > > My wife is actually a speech therapist working with dysphasia patients > at a skilled nursing facility (talking about destiny...) Most of her > patients are dealing with issues like stroke, late stage Alzheimer's, > cancer etc. She had learned about Achalasia in grad school but hadn't > worked with anyone with it before. I think they do focus more on the > " upper end " of swallowing (chewing, use of the tounge to prepare the > bolus etc.) but I could be wrong. I'll ask her if there are SLP's > (Speech Language Pathologists) who deal specifically with issues > related to Achalasia and post back. > Cheers, > n > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 For me, I have really only been in the full blown, constant battle with my esophagus for a few months. Before I let them start messing with my muscle, I want to see what else might give me some relief. Our corrective options seem to create some nasty effects, if they work at all. I can still get food and liquid down, if I do it when it seems like my body will cooperate. I have an appointment next week with my GI dr., and don't know what I want to agree to. His last recommendation was the balloon dilation. Any advice. > > > > > > > I have been doing constant research (as I'm sure you guys do > too), > > > and came up with something different today. Has anyone tried > going > > > to a speech therapist? The things I've looked at said they deal > > > with swallowing problems as well. > > > > My wife is actually a speech therapist working with dysphasia > patients > > at a skilled nursing facility (talking about destiny...) Most of > her > > patients are dealing with issues like stroke, late stage > Alzheimer's, > > cancer etc. She had learned about Achalasia in grad school but > hadn't > > worked with anyone with it before. I think they do focus more on > the > > " upper end " of swallowing (chewing, use of the tounge to prepare > the > > bolus etc.) but I could be wrong. I'll ask her if there are SLP's > > (Speech Language Pathologists) who deal specifically with issues > > related to Achalasia and post back. > > Cheers, > > n > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 17, 2006 Report Share Posted August 17, 2006 The balloon dilation isn't bad. If your symptoms aren't that bad, then this couldn't hurt to try. My case was so severe that after a few hours after the first try, my esophagus closed again. I eventually had to have surgery, both myotomy and laproscopic, but its not been too bad. Just a little scary. > > > > > > > > > > I have been doing constant research (as I'm sure you guys do > > too), > > > > and came up with something different today. Has anyone tried > > going > > > > to a speech therapist? The things I've looked at said they > deal > > > > with swallowing problems as well. > > > > > > My wife is actually a speech therapist working with dysphasia > > patients > > > at a skilled nursing facility (talking about destiny...) Most of > > her > > > patients are dealing with issues like stroke, late stage > > Alzheimer's, > > > cancer etc. She had learned about Achalasia in grad school but > > hadn't > > > worked with anyone with it before. I think they do focus more on > > the > > > " upper end " of swallowing (chewing, use of the tounge to prepare > > the > > > bolus etc.) but I could be wrong. I'll ask her if there are SLP's > > > (Speech Language Pathologists) who deal specifically with issues > > > related to Achalasia and post back. > > > Cheers, > > > n > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2006 Report Share Posted August 18, 2006 Mukesh and , Thanks for the feedback. I am leaning toward the balloon, and I sure hope that it doesn't close back off if I do it. I get easily discouraged. Heidi > > > > > > > > > > > > > I have been doing constant research (as I'm sure you guys do > > > too), > > > > > and came up with something different today. Has anyone > tried > > > going > > > > > to a speech therapist? The things I've looked at said they > > deal > > > > > with swallowing problems as well. > > > > > > > > My wife is actually a speech therapist working with dysphasia > > > patients > > > > at a skilled nursing facility (talking about destiny...) Most > of > > > her > > > > patients are dealing with issues like stroke, late stage > > > Alzheimer's, > > > > cancer etc. She had learned about Achalasia in grad school but > > > hadn't > > > > worked with anyone with it before. I think they do focus more > on > > > the > > > > " upper end " of swallowing (chewing, use of the tounge to > prepare > > > the > > > > bolus etc.) but I could be wrong. I'll ask her if there are > SLP's > > > > (Speech Language Pathologists) who deal specifically with > issues > > > > related to Achalasia and post back. > > > > Cheers, > > > > n > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2006 Report Share Posted August 18, 2006 Maggie, Thanks for the link. It is informative. Wonder why the under 40 age group had less of a success rate? Heidi > > Hello Heidi > In reference to your comment: > > > Thanks for the feedback. I am leaning toward the balloon, and I sure hope > that it doesn't close back off if I do it. I get easily discouraged. > We have had this discussion before on this board and I think > the general consensus is that the success of the dilatation is > directly related to the size balloon used and the experience > of the doctor. > > Some doctors start with a much smaller balloon and then > follow up with larger if the lst does not succeed. I believe > the largest balloon is 40mm. I am not suggesting here that > you ask your doctor to use a larger balloon. If he is not > comfortable using a larger one then I certainly would not > want him to do so. My first dilatation lasted 3.5 years and > I probably could have gone longer but was having enough > problems that I wanted to be sure I was not stretching the > esophagus unnecessarily. The balloon my doctor used was 35mm > and was held for 3 minutes. It has been 2.5 years since the > second one and I am still eating most things well. There is > nearly always some foods we cannot eat. I think Debbi's > last dilatation was approximately 9 years ago. I am sure > she'll correct me if I'm wrong. > > Here is a site that offers some more factors effecting the > outcome including age: > _Factors determining successful outcome following pneumatic balloon dilation > in achalasia cardia Mehta Rajiv, Anil, Sadas._ > (http://www.indianjgastro.com/article.asp?issn=0254- 8860;year=2005;volume=24;issue=6;spage=243;epage=24 > 5;aulast=Mehta) > > Remember there is no cure for Achalasia. > > Good luck in making your decision. > > Maggie > Alabama > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2006 Report Share Posted August 18, 2006 Heidi, I was originally sent to a speech therapist (it was thought that the problem was higher up) and learned that they really deal with the top part of our esophagus (and trachea) whereas achalasia is more affecting the lower part of our esophagii (boy, I really should've taken Latin...) So, then I went on to a gastroenterologist. I did try Vitamin B supplements for awhile, but didn't see any noticable change in my condition. And, I also saw a doctor for awhile who applied electrical stimulation along my throat and stomach. He started out a western MD, then practiced acupuncture for 20 years, and now does what he considers a " speeded up " version of acupuncture - the electrical stimulation. With this, I did notice a lessoning of symptoms, but had great concern that even though I had less trouble swallowing, that my esophagus could still be stretching out and I would never know. So, long story long, in the end I opted for a Heller Myotomy, which I had exactly one week ago today. Joy in No. CA > > Hello, > > I have been doing constant research (as I'm sure you guys do too), > and came up with something different today. Has anyone tried going > to a speech therapist? The things I've looked at said they deal > with swallowing problems as well. > > Also, my mom found something about vitamin b. Has anyone tried > taking a vitamin b supplement. I tried, but it didn't stay down. > That was very unpleasant. If it worked somewhat for anyone, I'm > willing to try it again. > > Also, has anyone tried any type of electrical stimulation to the > neck area. It seems some speech therapists use something called > Vital-Stim for folks with swallowing disorders. > > I am looking for any alternative to the wonderful solutions we have > to choose from. > > Heidi > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 18, 2006 Report Share Posted August 18, 2006 I've had three balloon dialations -- but they've been smaller using first a 15mm then 20mm balloon. I went 5 weeks with the first dialation, 6 weeks with the second. The third dialation was 8 weeks ago and going OK so far, but I'm starting to feel the symptoms coming back again. I wasn't even diagnosised with achalasia until after the third dialation. The doctors (my GI and the surgeon) told me that since I hadn't responded very well to the previous dialations, they didn't think using a bigger balloon would be of much help for me (the 40mm is the largest they said). So I'm looking into the myotomy. Good luck! -Kathleen in Madison > > Hello Heidi > In reference to your comment: > > > Thanks for the feedback. I am leaning toward the balloon, and I sure hope > that it doesn't close back off if I do it. I get easily discouraged. > We have had this discussion before on this board and I think > the general consensus is that the success of the dilatation is > directly related to the size balloon used and the experience > of the doctor. > > Some doctors start with a much smaller balloon and then > follow up with larger if the lst does not succeed. I believe > the largest balloon is 40mm. I am not suggesting here that > you ask your doctor to use a larger balloon. If he is not > comfortable using a larger one then I certainly would not > want him to do so. My first dilatation lasted 3.5 years and > I probably could have gone longer but was having enough > problems that I wanted to be sure I was not stretching the > esophagus unnecessarily. The balloon my doctor used was 35mm > and was held for 3 minutes. It has been 2.5 years since the > second one and I am still eating most things well. There is > nearly always some foods we cannot eat. I think Debbi's > last dilatation was approximately 9 years ago. I am sure > she'll correct me if I'm wrong. > > Here is a site that offers some more factors effecting the > outcome including age: > _Factors determining successful outcome following pneumatic balloon dilation > in achalasia cardia Mehta Rajiv, Anil, Sadas._ > (http://www.indianjgastro.com/article.asp?issn=0254- 8860;year=2005;volume=24;issue=6;spage=243;epage=24 > 5;aulast=Mehta) > > Remember there is no cure for Achalasia. > > Good luck in making your decision. > > Maggie > Alabama > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 21, 2006 Report Share Posted August 21, 2006 Supposedly the under 40 group has a lower sucess rate with dilation because the body has a greater ability to heal and 'override' the dilation. The dilation is really breaking the inner muscle of the esophagus, but not the outer, while the surgery cuts through both layers of muscle (harder to heal back both layers). Joy in No. CA > > > > Hello Heidi > > In reference to your comment: > > > > > > Thanks for the feedback. I am leaning toward the balloon, and I > sure hope > > that it doesn't close back off if I do it. I get easily > discouraged. > > We have had this discussion before on this board and I think > > the general consensus is that the success of the dilatation is > > directly related to the size balloon used and the experience > > of the doctor. > > > > Some doctors start with a much smaller balloon and then > > follow up with larger if the lst does not succeed. I believe > > the largest balloon is 40mm. I am not suggesting here that > > you ask your doctor to use a larger balloon. If he is not > > comfortable using a larger one then I certainly would not > > want him to do so. My first dilatation lasted 3.5 years and > > I probably could have gone longer but was having enough > > problems that I wanted to be sure I was not stretching the > > esophagus unnecessarily. The balloon my doctor used was 35mm > > and was held for 3 minutes. It has been 2.5 years since the > > second one and I am still eating most things well. There is > > nearly always some foods we cannot eat. I think Debbi's > > last dilatation was approximately 9 years ago. I am sure > > she'll correct me if I'm wrong. > > > > Here is a site that offers some more factors effecting the > > outcome including age: > > _Factors determining successful outcome following pneumatic > balloon dilation > > in achalasia cardia Mehta Rajiv, Anil, Sadas._ > > (http://www.indianjgastro.com/article.asp?issn=0254- > 8860;year=2005;volume=24;issue=6;spage=243;epage=24 > > 5;aulast=Mehta) > > > > Remember there is no cure for Achalasia. > > > > Good luck in making your decision. > > > > Maggie > > Alabama > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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