Shingles and Achalasia

[Guest guest]

Someone asked about shingles and achalasia.... there are some older articles possibly linking achalasia w/ herpes ( I assume all kinds, including chicken pox.) Isn't shingles the flare up of the chicken pox virus? I haven't heard much about this theory or checked it out any more.

Seems like when we are initially diagnosed we are concerned about what caused it. After we try to explain achalasia to friends and family and they come up w/ things like fluoride you burn out about trying to find the cause. Everyone has some theory and also some food suggestion you have already tried and discarded. Finally you quit telling anyone about it. Perhaps this is similar to the grieving process in some way.

I think most of us think the doctors we see are pretty knowledgeable, and none of them has come up with a cause. So when lay people come up w/ fluoride, for instance, I wouldn't put much weight on their opinion. Seems like some research was done years ago, but nothing really showed up except the herpes. But... you can find an article that will tell you anything you want to hear also, so I wouldn't put much weight on the herpes/chickenpox/shingles idea.

My pediatrician discussed this issue as to whether the new chicken pox vaccine would later in life trigger shingles or prevent shingles. He was hesitant to use it until the school made him when it first came out. Time will tell.

Sandy in So Cal.... School clothes and supply shopping... YEAH....School should be year around and wear their minds out physically and mentally. Any politician who comes up with how to do that gets my vote. PS This is not meant to open up a discussion, just sharing my thrill about sending them back to school in 3 weeks.

[Guest guest]

Sandy wrote:

Someone

asked about shingles and achalasia....

there are some older articles possibly linking achalasia w/ herpes ( I

assume all kinds, including chicken pox.) Isn't shingles the flare up

of the chicken pox virus? I haven't heard much about this theory or

checked it out any more.

Yes, the herpes virus that causes chicken pox is also the virus that

causes shingles. After you recover from the chicken pox it stays in

your nerves where the immune system can not get at it. As you age your

immune system can become weakened and it can flare up as shingles.

Because it is one of the viruses that can hide in your nerves it is

suspected in the cause of achalasia. There are good reason to think it

has some part in causing achalasia, but there are also good reason to

doubt it. As with most things about achalasia the truth is clear as

mud.

notan

[Guest guest]

no way..

Shingles is a manifestation of a herpes virus

from the dorsal root ganglion that affects the

synaptic and dendrites of and in the chest wall.

I am an expert on thiz.

Were's talkin Acyclovir, AZT and all that first

came out to try to tag Shingles (not personally)

but right when G.dugas and his imfamous band of

guy flight attendants who were doing pychoactive

drugs and spread the HIV.

...Shingles is a rough leave and neurons are not

only present in the brain but not even remotely

close to A. I thought I had shingles with them

spasms and all.

I am a CMV-. they try to get me to give my blood

for preemies but it's an ordeal so I don't do it.

[Guest guest]

While varicella (the virus that causes chicken pox and shingles -- learn more here: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/varicella/ ) has been suspected as a cause in achalasia (along with any number of other viruses), I know for certain that it is NOT the cause in my own case.

In spite of the fact that I'm 37yo and in spite of the fact that I grew up in American suburbia, I have never had chicken pox. About a year ago I had the doctor do bloodwork to check my immunity (everyone was always telling me that I MUST have had CP b/c EVERYONE had CP and I probably had it as a baby and had a mild case so that nobody ever noticed, etc). With my son entering kindergarten last year, I figured that I needed to protect myself from the kids he would be hanging out with, so I needed to know FOR SURE if I was already immune (my son was vaccinated against CP as a baby, but a certain percentage of the school population doesn't get vaccinated due to religious beliefs or other medical conditions in which vaccination is contraindicated).

Sure enough, my titer test came up totally negative. My doctor wrote me a prescription for the CP vaccine (his office doesn't stock it), but it was mid-December and I was too busy with the holidays to get around to it. One month later, chicken pox hit my son's school (and as luck would have it, two days prior I had spent the entire day volunteering with his class!) and I had less than a two-hour window in which to find someplace that had the vaccine in stock and could give me the injection immediately (it was already 3:30 and most places close at 5:00). If you get the first dose of the vaccine within 3 days of exposure, it can still prevent infection with CP (or at least reduce the symptoms if you do get infected).

If anyone in this group has never had CP (or is unsure if they have), I HIGHLY RECOMMEND having your doctor check your titers, and get vaccinated ASAP if you come up negative. Most people think that CP is just annoying, but it can be serious. Prior to wide use of the vaccine, between 4000-9000 people were hospitalized annually due to CP, and 100 deaths per year were caused by CP. And it's much more serious for adults: while adults account for fewer than 5% of CP cases, they account for 55% of the CP-related deaths. If you (or someone you know) have not had chicken pox, PLEASE get tested and/or vaccinated!

Debbi in Michigan

[Guest guest]

My ex got it as an adult and was sicker then a dog for 3

weeks. He had to be hospitalized for a few days. So yes it hits adults a

lot worse then kids.

C Warren

Co-Founder

www.achalasia.us

From: achalasia

[mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of Debbi Heiser

Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 10:01 AM

achalasia

Subject: Re: Shingles and Achalasia

While varicella (the virus that causes chicken pox and shingles

-- learn more here: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/varicella/ )

has been suspected as a cause in achalasia (along with any number of other

viruses), I know for certain that it is NOT the cause in my own case.

In spite of the fact that I'm 37yo and in spite of the fact that

I grew up in American suburbia, I have never had chicken pox. About a

year ago I had the doctor do bloodwork to check my immunity (everyone was

always telling me that I MUST have had CP b/c EVERYONE had CP and I probably

had it as a baby and had a mild case so that nobody ever noticed, etc).

With my son entering kindergarten last year, I figured that I needed to protect

myself from the kids he would be hanging out with, so I needed to know FOR SURE

if I was already immune (my son was vaccinated against CP as a baby,

but a certain percentage of the school population doesn't get vaccinated due to

religious beliefs or other medical conditions in which vaccination is

contraindicated).

Sure enough, my titer test came up totally negative. My

doctor wrote me a prescription for the CP vaccine (his office doesn't stock

it), but it was mid-December and I was too busy with the holidays to get around

to it. One month later, chicken pox hit my son's school (and as luck

would have it, two days prior I had spent the entire day volunteering with his

class!) and I had less than a two-hour window in which to find

someplace that had the vaccine in stock and could give me the injection

immediately (it was already 3:30 and most places close at 5:00). If you

get the first dose of the vaccine within 3 days of exposure, it can still

prevent infection with CP (or at least reduce the symptoms if you do get

infected).

If anyone in this group has never had CP (or is unsure if they

have), I HIGHLY RECOMMEND having your doctor check your titers, and get

vaccinated ASAP if you come up negative. Most people think that CP is

just annoying, but it can be serious. Prior to wide use of the vaccine,

between 4000-9000 people were hospitalized annually due to CP, and 100 deaths

per year were caused by CP. And it's much more serious for

adults: while adults account for fewer than 5% of CP cases, they account

for 55% of the CP-related deaths. If you (or someone you know) have not

had chicken pox, PLEASE get tested and/or vaccinated!

Debbi in Michigan

[Guest guest]

I just saw an old thread here possibly linking shingles and A. I had it while I

was pregnant with my first son 19 years ago. Is there a connection?

Wondering if this is how my A started. Mine started after an argument with my

brother that I now don't see anymore. I always hated him for causing that!

[Guest guest]

Hi

I had shingles on the back about 45 years ago and one on the face about 10

years ago, it got close to the eye so went to my eye doctor.

Maybe the one on the face was the start, as the swalloing problem and movement

in the chest was shortly after that. Will see if I can find the dates.

Ray CA OC

>

>

> I just saw an old thread here possibly linking shingles and A. I had it while

I was pregnant with my first son 19 years ago. Is there a connection?

> Wondering if this is how my A started. Mine started after an argument with my

brother that I now don't see anymore. I always hated him for causing that!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have never had shingles. but i did have an awful virus that i was in the

hospital for 2 weeks in 2007.. i have never been so sick in my life, they never

did figure out what it was,. had awful headaches was in extreme pain. and i am

TOUGH i can take pain . but it was awful. was so weak i had to crawl out of the

bathtub slither over the side like a slug and dry while sitting on the floor and

pull on a gown , call someone to help me get in the wheelchair. it was the

weirdest thing. i am a almost 5'11 " tall woman in great physical shape strong!

and not a weiner.LOL but it was terrible. i think my husband really thought i

was going to die. i am not kidding. i really got more pronounced symptoms after

that. i was thinking about that and wondereing if there was anything like that

for anyone else. i will never know what it was. they couldnt figure it out. i

was getting worried.. Kim Ellen in the Deep South

> >

> >

> > I just saw an old thread here possibly linking shingles and A. I had it

while I was pregnant with my first son 19 years ago. Is there a connection?

> > Wondering if this is how my A started. Mine started after an argument with

my brother that I now don't see anymore. I always hated him for causing that!

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I currently have a virus that is linked to the shingles/chicken pox virus that I

cannot get rid of. I have had for about 2 1/2 months -one right after another. i

am on my fourth one and the docs are perplexed! I have been getting swollen

glands, fever, body/nerve aches and my mouth on the inside swells up and it has

ulcerated in the back of my throat. Plain and simple I haven't felt good in a

long time. My doc says this type of virus hides in your nerves. Since I really

don't think I have much of that left, not sure where they are hiding!!! I am

going in for some biopsies and EGD week after next and I am sure they won't

figure this out either!!

 

Kim A

Wisconsin

________________________________

From: kimellenbailey <kimellenbailey@...>

achalasia

Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 12:35 PM

Subject: Re: Shingles and Achalasia

 

I have never had shingles. but i did have an awful virus that i was in the

hospital for 2 weeks in 2007.. i have never been so sick in my life, they never

did figure out what it was,. had awful headaches was in extreme pain. and i am

TOUGH i can take pain . but it was awful. was so weak i had to crawl out of the

bathtub slither over the side like a slug and dry while sitting on the floor and

pull on a gown , call someone to help me get in the wheelchair. it was the

weirdest thing. i am a almost 5'11 " tall woman in great physical shape strong!

and not a weiner.LOL but it was terrible. i think my husband really thought i

was going to die. i am not kidding. i really got more pronounced symptoms after

that. i was thinking about that and wondereing if there was anything like that

for anyone else. i will never know what it was. they couldnt figure it out. i

was getting worried.. Kim Ellen in the Deep South

> >

> >

> > I just saw an old thread here possibly linking shingles and A. I had it

while I was pregnant with my first son 19 years ago. Is there a connection?

> > Wondering if this is how my A started. Mine started after an argument with

my brother that I now don't see anymore. I always hated him for causing that!

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Back in 2004, I had a really bad infection in my right leg to the point

that they almost amputated it to stop the infection from getting into

my abdomen. It took an infectious disease doctor to reverse the infection

which saved me losing my leg. The pain was so intense that I loss control

of basic bodily functions and got to the point I could not even walk.

Luckily, I was able to get myself to the hospital so I received proper

care. Because of that I have to wear compression socks to maintain the

proper circulation in my legs and to avoid a repeat infection which could

kill me or cause the amputation of my leg. It was probably a few years

after that infection that I started to notice issues with swallowing. In

2008, I got married and my swallowing issue started to get worst and my

wife noticed it. She twisted my arm to get it checked out and my GI doc

thought it was GERD. The years after that my swallowing got worst and

worst to the point that I would spend most nights regurtitating throughout

the night. So this past year I went back to the GI doc and talked to him

about how bad the problem had become. Again, barium swallow and then a

manometry; both of these confirmed the Achalasia diagnosis. So now I am

scheduled for a Heller myotomy with a dor fundoplication on April 25, 2012.

My A has gotten worst and if I am not faithful with clearing my E before

going to bed, it is possible to regurgitate or end up with spasms that

cause intense NCCP (Non-Cardiac Chest Pain). I am in the Washington DC

area and a Kaiser Healthcare member but think I have got a great team of

doctors to work with at this time. My surgeon is Dr. Gibeily and he

is having Dr. Cantor assist during the surgery. I so hope that the surgery

gives me back some better quality of life so I can enjoy my three year old

daughter as she grows up. She cracks me up at times because she always

says to me when I am having issues eating a meal " Are you okay daddy? " And

when you are trying to catch your breath and force food down your E into

your stomach it is hard to tell her " Yes, daddy will be okay. "

All I can say is hanging in there and thanks to this I have learned much

about the disease and how to cope with it.

Geoffrey Crego - Northern Virginia, 41 (soon to be 42), male

On Wed, Mar 21, 2012 at 1:46 PM, Kim Abrams <xploring37@...> wrote:

> **

>

>

> I currently have a virus that is linked to the shingles/chicken pox virus

> that I cannot get rid of. I have had for about 2 1/2 months -one right

> after another. i am on my fourth one and the docs are perplexed! I have

> been getting swollen glands, fever, body/nerve aches and my mouth on the

> inside swells up and it has ulcerated in the back of my throat. Plain and

> simple I haven't felt good in a long time. My doc says this type of virus

> hides in your nerves. Since I really don't think I have much of that left,

> not sure where they are hiding!!! I am going in for some biopsies and EGD

> week after next and I am sure they won't figure this out either!!

>

> Kim A

> Wisconsin

>

> ________________________________

> From: kimellenbailey <kimellenbailey@...>

> achalasia

> Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 12:35 PM

> Subject: Re: Shingles and Achalasia

>

>

>

> I have never had shingles. but i did have an awful virus that i was in the

> hospital for 2 weeks in 2007.. i have never been so sick in my life, they

> never did figure out what it was,. had awful headaches was in extreme pain.

> and i am TOUGH i can take pain . but it was awful. was so weak i had to

> crawl out of the bathtub slither over the side like a slug and dry while

> sitting on the floor and pull on a gown , call someone to help me get in

> the wheelchair. it was the weirdest thing. i am a almost 5'11 " tall woman

> in great physical shape strong! and not a weiner.LOL but it was terrible. i

> think my husband really thought i was going to die. i am not kidding. i

> really got more pronounced symptoms after that. i was thinking about that

> and wondereing if there was anything like that for anyone else. i will

> never know what it was. they couldnt figure it out. i was getting worried..

> Kim Ellen in the Deep South

>

> > >

> > >

> > > I just saw an old thread here possibly linking shingles and A. I had

> it while I was pregnant with my first son 19 years ago. Is there a

> connection?

> > > Wondering if this is how my A started. Mine started after an argument

> with my brother that I now don't see anymore. I always hated him for

> causing that!

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

wrote:

>

> I just saw an old thread here possibly linking shingles and A. I had

> it while I was pregnant with my first son 19 years ago. Is there a

> connection?

>

Shingles is caused by the virus that causes chicken pox. That virus is

in the herpes family of viruses. They can infect nerve cells and hide

there for the rest of your life. You get chicken pox as a child but it

hides in nerves until your immune system is weak and then strikes as

shingles. That is like the virus that causes fever blisters. You get one

and then it hides in your nerves and returns when the opportunity is

good and continues to repeat this the rest of your life. Most people

that got chicken pox or even shingles don't get achalasia the cause must

be more complicated than just that virus, if it is involved.

There is a theory that achalasia may be caused a virus like these. Maybe

one of them or one not yet known. There is evidence that seem to support

the idea but not enough to prove it. The same is true for other theories

of how achalasia is caused. So, for now just choose your favorite theory

and let me choose mine.

notan

[Guest guest]

Geoffrey wrote:

> ... She cracks me up at times because she always

> says to me when I am having issues eating a meal " Are you okay daddy? " And

> when you are trying to catch your breath and force food down your E into

> your stomach it is hard to tell her " Yes, daddy will be okay. "

It is good to let your kids know that you are not really in danger but

that it is always good to have a signal that there is trouble that you

all know for any of you that may someday be chocking. A motion like

waving your open hand at your throat or whatever you like. And perhaps

thumbs up for yes or down for no. If you don't give a sign it means you

are fine.

notan

[Guest guest]

Notan, that is good advice about creating a signal plan that all members of

the family know about, so in a real emergency they are able to act and

provide the proper treatment for the problem. I will definitely be

teaching her a signaling system as she gets older and understands how to

use it. My wife and I already have a signaling system and she is good at

getting me that extra bottle of water or whatever is needed when I am

having difficulty swallowing some food.

~ Geoffrey

On Sun, Mar 25, 2012 at 8:24 PM, notan ostrich <notan_ostrich@...>wrote:

> **

>

>

> Geoffrey wrote:

> > ... She cracks me up at times because she always

>

> > says to me when I am having issues eating a meal " Are you okay daddy? "

> And

> > when you are trying to catch your breath and force food down your E into

> > your stomach it is hard to tell her " Yes, daddy will be okay. "

>

> It is good to let your kids know that you are not really in danger but

> that it is always good to have a signal that there is trouble that you

> all know for any of you that may someday be chocking. A motion like

> waving your open hand at your throat or whatever you like. And perhaps

> thumbs up for yes or down for no. If you don't give a sign it means you

> are fine.

>

> notan

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Wow - that is incredible. How did you get the infection in your leg?

 

I know it sounds like nothing compared to what you went through but I first

started getting these viral infections at the beginning of the year. And I still

and suffering the effects of very swollen glands, body aches from the rib cage

and up, fever, headaches and just extreme fatigue. My doctor said all I can do

is to stay hydrated and rest a lot. Apparently my immune system is still out of

whack - can't wait until it gets better!

________________________________

From: Geoffrey Crego <gcrego@...>

achalasia

Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 2:08 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Shingles and Achalasia

Back in 2004, I had a really bad infection in my right leg to the point

that they almost amputated it to stop the infection from getting into

my abdomen.  It took an infectious disease doctor to reverse the infection

which saved me losing my leg.  The pain was so intense that I loss control

of basic bodily functions and got to the point I could not even walk.

Luckily, I was able to get myself to the hospital so I received proper

care.  Because of that I have to wear compression socks to maintain the

proper circulation in my legs and to avoid a repeat infection which could

kill me or cause the amputation of my leg.  It was probably a few years

after that infection that I started to notice issues with swallowing.  In

2008, I got married and my swallowing issue started to get worst and my

wife noticed it.  She twisted my arm to get it checked out and my GI doc

thought it was GERD.  The years after that my swallowing got worst and

worst to the point that I would spend most nights regurtitating throughout

the night.  So this past year I went back to the GI doc and talked to him

about how bad the problem had become.  Again, barium swallow and then a

manometry; both of these confirmed the Achalasia diagnosis.  So now I am

scheduled for a Heller myotomy with a dor fundoplication on April 25, 2012.

My A has gotten worst and if I am not faithful with clearing my E before

going to bed, it is possible to regurgitate or end up with spasms that

cause intense NCCP (Non-Cardiac Chest Pain).  I am in the Washington DC

area and a Kaiser Healthcare member but think I have got a great team of

doctors to work with at this time.  My surgeon is Dr. Gibeily and he

is having Dr. Cantor assist during the surgery.  I so hope that the surgery

gives me back some better quality of life so I can enjoy my three year old

daughter as she grows up.  She cracks me up at times because she always

says to me when I am having issues eating a meal " Are you okay daddy? "   And

when you are trying to catch your breath and force food down your E into

your stomach it is hard to tell her " Yes, daddy will be okay. "

All I can say is hanging in there and thanks to this I have learned much

about the disease and how to cope with it.

Geoffrey Crego - Northern Virginia, 41 (soon to be 42), male

On Wed, Mar 21, 2012 at 1:46 PM, Kim Abrams <xploring37@...> wrote:

> **

>

>

> I currently have a virus that is linked to the shingles/chicken pox virus

> that I cannot get rid of. I have had for about 2 1/2 months -one right

> after another. i am on my fourth one and the docs are perplexed! I have

> been getting swollen glands, fever, body/nerve aches and my mouth on the

> inside swells up and it has ulcerated in the back of my throat. Plain and

> simple I haven't felt good in a long time. My doc says this type of virus

> hides in your nerves. Since I really don't think I have much of that left,

> not sure where they are hiding!!! I am going in for some biopsies and EGD

> week after next and I am sure they won't figure this out either!!

>

> Kim A

> Wisconsin

>

> ________________________________

> From: kimellenbailey <kimellenbailey@...>

> achalasia

> Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 12:35 PM

> Subject: Re: Shingles and Achalasia

>

>

>

> I have never had shingles. but i did have an awful virus that i was in the

> hospital for 2 weeks in 2007.. i have never been so sick in my life, they

> never did figure out what it was,. had awful headaches was in extreme pain.

> and i am TOUGH i can take pain . but it was awful. was so weak i had to

> crawl out of the bathtub slither over the side like a slug and dry while

> sitting on the floor and pull on a gown , call someone to help me get in

> the wheelchair. it was the weirdest thing. i am a almost 5'11 " tall woman

> in great physical shape strong! and not a weiner.LOL but it was terrible. i

> think my husband really thought i was going to die. i am not kidding. i

> really got more pronounced symptoms after that. i was thinking about that

> and wondereing if there was anything like that for anyone else. i will

> never know what it was. they couldnt figure it out. i was getting worried..

> Kim Ellen in the Deep South

>

> > >

> > >

> > > I just saw an old thread here possibly linking shingles and A. I had

> it while I was pregnant with my first son 19 years ago. Is there a

> connection?

> > > Wondering if this is how my A started. Mine started after an argument

> with my brother that I now don't see anymore. I always hated him for

> causing that!

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

Well, ever since I turned 30 yrs old (due to turn 42 in a couple weeks) I

have suffered from continuous sinus infections (doc says they are a

side-effect of severe sleep apnea), so I think that my immune system is

constantly under attack. Then one summer I got a bad case of athletes foot

which caused the skin between my toes to crack and lead to it bleeding

some. The infectious disease doctor thinks that was the entry point for

getting cellulitis in my leg that basically destroyed the blood circulation

ability in that leg (now I wear compression stocking so I do not get any

further infections in that leg). I think that my immune system was

seriously compromised when I got the leg infection due to the super strong

antibiotics that they pumped into me to get the infection under control.

Because now when I get a serious sinus infection they are not able to give

me the same antibiotics they use to give me in order to get rid of the

sinus infection. But that is just my conclusion and I have not discussed

it with my PCP (Primary Care Physician), in fact, it seems like they have

to give me a strong one each time (so now when I feel a sinus infection

starting I go on a week long Apple Cider Vinegar treatment plan which

controls the infection and normally knocks the infection out of my body for

a while).

~ Geoffrey

On Tue, Mar 27, 2012 at 12:51 PM, Kim Abrams <xploring37@...> wrote:

> **

>

>

> Wow - that is incredible. How did you get the infection in your leg?

>

> I know it sounds like nothing compared to what you went through but I

> first started getting these viral infections at the beginning of the year.

> And I still and suffering the effects of very swollen glands, body aches

> from the rib cage and up, fever, headaches and just extreme fatigue. My

> doctor said all I can do is to stay hydrated and rest a lot. Apparently my

> immune system is still out of whack - can't wait until it gets better!

>

> ________________________________

> From: Geoffrey Crego <gcrego@...>

> achalasia

> Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 2:08 PM

> Subject: Re: Re: Shingles and Achalasia

>

>

> Back in 2004, I had a really bad infection in my right leg to the point

> that they almost amputated it to stop the infection from getting into

> my abdomen. It took an infectious disease doctor to reverse the infection

> which saved me losing my leg. The pain was so intense that I loss control

> of basic bodily functions and got to the point I could not even walk.

> Luckily, I was able to get myself to the hospital so I received proper

> care. Because of that I have to wear compression socks to maintain the

> proper circulation in my legs and to avoid a repeat infection which could

> kill me or cause the amputation of my leg. It was probably a few years

> after that infection that I started to notice issues with swallowing. In

> 2008, I got married and my swallowing issue started to get worst and my

> wife noticed it. She twisted my arm to get it checked out and my GI doc

> thought it was GERD. The years after that my swallowing got worst and

> worst to the point that I would spend most nights regurtitating throughout

> the night. So this past year I went back to the GI doc and talked to him

> about how bad the problem had become. Again, barium swallow and then a

> manometry; both of these confirmed the Achalasia diagnosis. So now I am

> scheduled for a Heller myotomy with a dor fundoplication on April 25, 2012.

> My A has gotten worst and if I am not faithful with clearing my E before

> going to bed, it is possible to regurgitate or end up with spasms that

> cause intense NCCP (Non-Cardiac Chest Pain). I am in the Washington DC

> area and a Kaiser Healthcare member but think I have got a great team of

> doctors to work with at this time. My surgeon is Dr. Gibeily and he

> is having Dr. Cantor assist during the surgery. I so hope that the surgery

> gives me back some better quality of life so I can enjoy my three year old

> daughter as she grows up. She cracks me up at times because she always

> says to me when I am having issues eating a meal " Are you okay daddy? " And

> when you are trying to catch your breath and force food down your E into

> your stomach it is hard to tell her " Yes, daddy will be okay. "

>

> All I can say is hanging in there and thanks to this I have learned much

> about the disease and how to cope with it.

>

> Geoffrey Crego - Northern Virginia, 41 (soon to be 42), male

>

> On Wed, Mar 21, 2012 at 1:46 PM, Kim Abrams <xploring37@...> wrote:

>

> > **

>

> >

> >

> > I currently have a virus that is linked to the shingles/chicken pox virus

> > that I cannot get rid of. I have had for about 2 1/2 months -one right

> > after another. i am on my fourth one and the docs are perplexed! I have

> > been getting swollen glands, fever, body/nerve aches and my mouth on the

> > inside swells up and it has ulcerated in the back of my throat. Plain and

> > simple I haven't felt good in a long time. My doc says this type of virus

> > hides in your nerves. Since I really don't think I have much of that

> left,

> > not sure where they are hiding!!! I am going in for some biopsies and EGD

> > week after next and I am sure they won't figure this out either!!

> >

> > Kim A

> > Wisconsin

> >

> > ________________________________

> > From: kimellenbailey <kimellenbailey@...>

> > achalasia

> > Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 12:35 PM

> > Subject: Re: Shingles and Achalasia

> >

> >

> >

> > I have never had shingles. but i did have an awful virus that i was in

> the

> > hospital for 2 weeks in 2007.. i have never been so sick in my life, they

> > never did figure out what it was,. had awful headaches was in extreme

> pain.

> > and i am TOUGH i can take pain . but it was awful. was so weak i had to

> > crawl out of the bathtub slither over the side like a slug and dry while

> > sitting on the floor and pull on a gown , call someone to help me get in

> > the wheelchair. it was the weirdest thing. i am a almost 5'11 " tall woman

> > in great physical shape strong! and not a weiner.LOL but it was

> terrible. i

> > think my husband really thought i was going to die. i am not kidding. i

> > really got more pronounced symptoms after that. i was thinking about that

> > and wondereing if there was anything like that for anyone else. i will

> > never know what it was. they couldnt figure it out. i was getting

> worried..

> > Kim Ellen in the Deep South

> >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > I just saw an old thread here possibly linking shingles and A. I had

> > it while I was pregnant with my first son 19 years ago. Is there a

> > connection?

> > > > Wondering if this is how my A started. Mine started after an argument

> > with my brother that I now don't see anymore. I always hated him for

> > causing that!

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Shingles...that's the chicken pox (or herpes simplex) virus that lies dormant in

your body and will sometimes re-emerge as shingles.

My family has ALWAYS thought there was some connection between that virus and

achalasia. When I was about 20 (prior to onset of achalasia), I got this crazy

eye infection..went to several eye doctors, and they couldn't figure out what it

was. All they told me was that it looked so bad, I could potentially lose my

vision. Interestingly, they figured out it was that same chicken pox virus that

comes back as shingles, except for some reason, the virus had come back and

attacked my eye.

Found out after that one of my professors had shingles around the same time I

got this herpes simplex eye infection (meaning we were both exposed to the

chicken pox virus somewhere at the college). Onset of achalasia symptoms began a

few years later.

In fact, my mother feels so strongly that there is a connection between the

virus and achalasia (the virus attacking the esophagus or something of that

nature), that she has encouraged me to get the shingles vaccine (which her hopes

would be that it would keep that virus dormant...don't know how much good that

would do at this point, though). If that same virus re-emerged from dormancy and

attacked my eye, what would prevent it from coming back and attacking another

organ? There's so much we do not know!

>

>

> I just saw an old thread here possibly linking shingles and A. I had it while

I was pregnant with my first son 19 years ago. Is there a connection?

> Wondering if this is how my A started. Mine started after an argument with my

brother that I now don't see anymore. I always hated him for causing that!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have always wondered about the chicken pox virus also.  When I was 28 yrs old

I came down with chicken pox, my children passed it on to me and I never knew

that I hadn't had it in childhood. Then a year and a half later I began my

journey with achalasia.  We may never know if it is connected, my doctor said

she couldn't say, but felt there could be a genetic link.  I am wondering if it

is a good idea to get the vaccine for shingles, does anyone know??

 

Julee from Oregon

________________________________

From: ladawki143 <lauramccarty77@...>

achalasia

Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2012 8:22 AM

Subject: Re: Shingles and Achalasia

 

Shingles...that's the chicken pox (or herpes simplex) virus that lies dormant in

your body and will sometimes re-emerge as shingles.

My family has ALWAYS thought there was some connection between that virus and

achalasia. When I was about 20 (prior to onset of achalasia), I got this crazy

eye infection..went to several eye doctors, and they couldn't figure out what it

was. All they told me was that it looked so bad, I could potentially lose my

vision. Interestingly, they figured out it was that same chicken pox virus that

comes back as shingles, except for some reason, the virus had come back and

attacked my eye.

Found out after that one of my professors had shingles around the same time I

got this herpes simplex eye infection (meaning we were both exposed to the

chicken pox virus somewhere at the college). Onset of achalasia symptoms began a

few years later.

In fact, my mother feels so strongly that there is a connection between the

virus and achalasia (the virus attacking the esophagus or something of that

nature), that she has encouraged me to get the shingles vaccine (which her hopes

would be that it would keep that virus dormant...don't know how much good that

would do at this point, though). If that same virus re-emerged from dormancy and

attacked my eye, what would prevent it from coming back and attacking another

organ? There's so much we do not know!

>

>

> I just saw an old thread here possibly linking shingles and A. I had it while

I was pregnant with my first son 19 years ago. Is there a connection?

> Wondering if this is how my A started. Mine started after an argument with my

brother that I now don't see anymore. I always hated him for causing that!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I hadn't ever made this connection, but I, too, got chicken pox when I was 17,

and I went to the doctor about my achalasia symptoms at 18. Hmm... H. (Boy

)Buffalo City, WI

.

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Debbi, where ever you are now. . . .

Folks: *After* does NOT equal " therefore *caused* by " . . . .

As Debbi pointed out, virtually everyone in this country has had chicken pox,

and therefore has the virus. And *still* only one in one hundred thousand/year

is diagnosed with Achalasia. . . .

Heck, I had chicken pox when I was three. And sixty-three years later, right on

time, I started regurging at night. So you can see the connection is clear. Or

wait: maybe it was mumps? Or German measles?

I know that wanting to *know* is natural, but jeepers. . . .

xox

>

> While varicella (the virus that causes chicken pox and shingles -- learn more

here: http://www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/varicella/ ) has been suspected as a

cause in achalasia (along with any number of other viruses), I know for certain

that it is NOT the cause in my own case.

>

> In spite of the fact that I'm 37yo and in spite of the fact that I grew up in

American suburbia, I have never had chicken pox. About a year ago I had the

doctor do bloodwork to check my immunity (everyone was always telling me that I

MUST have had CP b/c EVERYONE had CP and I probably had it as a baby and had a

mild case so that nobody ever noticed, etc). With my son entering kindergarten

last year, I figured that I needed to protect myself from the kids he would be

hanging out with, so I needed to know FOR SURE if I was already immune (my son

was vaccinated against CP as a baby, but a certain percentage of the school

population doesn't get vaccinated due to religious beliefs or other medical

conditions in which vaccination is contraindicated).

>

> Sure enough, my titer test came up totally negative. My doctor wrote me a

prescription for the CP vaccine (his office doesn't stock it), but it was

mid-December and I was too busy with the holidays to get around to it. One

month later, chicken pox hit my son's school (and as luck would have it, two

days prior I had spent the entire day volunteering with his class!) and I had

less than a two-hour window in which to find someplace that had the vaccine in

stock and could give me the injection immediately (it was already 3:30 and most

places close at 5:00). If you get the first dose of the vaccine within 3 days

of exposure, it can still prevent infection with CP (or at least reduce the

symptoms if you do get infected).

>

> If anyone in this group has never had CP (or is unsure if they have), I HIGHLY

RECOMMEND having your doctor check your titers, and get vaccinated ASAP if you

come up negative. Most people think that CP is just annoying, but it can be

serious. Prior to wide use of the vaccine, between 4000-9000 people were

hospitalized annually due to CP, and 100 deaths per year were caused by CP. And

it's much more serious for adults: while adults account for fewer than 5% of CP

cases, they account for 55% of the CP-related deaths. If you (or someone you

know) have not had chicken pox, PLEASE get tested and/or vaccinated!

>

> Debbi in Michigan

>

[Guest guest]

It seems like you have had your fair share of strange luck. Infections in the

body can be very tricky and cause lots of problems. The last time I ever had a

viral infection prior to this year was about 12 years ago. I was miserable for a

month-  body aches, night sweeats, fever, sinus pressure and then it finally

went away but the infection itself, as they told me, came out in my eye. I had

to go to an eye specialist and she thought it was a cyst. After they removed it

and sent it to the lab they found out it was a tumor. She said it was so rare

that people actually get tumors on the sclera that they sent it to a second lab

to retest to make sure. It took a very long time to heal and still have issues

with  that eye from the surgery. Some things just stay with you I guess.

What is the apple cider vinegar treatment?

 

 

Kim A 

________________________________

From: Geoffrey Crego <gcrego@...>

achalasia

Sent: Tuesday, March 27, 2012 12:08 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Shingles and Achalasia

Well, ever since I turned 30 yrs old (due to turn 42 in a couple weeks) I

have suffered from continuous sinus infections (doc says they are a

side-effect of severe sleep apnea), so I think that my immune system is

constantly under attack.  Then one summer I got a bad case of athletes foot

which caused the skin between my toes to crack and lead to it bleeding

some.  The infectious disease doctor thinks that was the entry point for

getting cellulitis in my leg that basically destroyed the blood circulation

ability in that leg  (now I wear compression stocking so I do not get any

further infections in that leg).  I think that my immune system was

seriously compromised when I got the leg infection due to the super strong

antibiotics that they pumped into me to get the infection under control.

Because now when I get a serious sinus infection they are not able to give

me the same antibiotics they use to give me in order to get rid of the

sinus infection.  But that is just my conclusion and I have not discussed

it with my PCP (Primary Care Physician), in fact, it seems like they have

to give me a strong one each time (so now when I feel a sinus infection

starting I go on a week long Apple Cider Vinegar treatment plan which

controls the infection and normally knocks the infection out of my body for

a while).

~ Geoffrey

On Tue, Mar 27, 2012 at 12:51 PM, Kim Abrams <xploring37@...> wrote:

> **

>

>

> Wow - that is incredible. How did you get the infection in your leg?

>

> I know it sounds like nothing compared to what you went through but I

> first started getting these viral infections at the beginning of the year.

> And I still and suffering the effects of very swollen glands, body aches

> from the rib cage and up, fever, headaches and just extreme fatigue. My

> doctor said all I can do is to stay hydrated and rest a lot. Apparently my

> immune system is still out of whack - can't wait until it gets better!

>

> ________________________________

> From: Geoffrey Crego <gcrego@...>

> achalasia

> Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 2:08 PM

> Subject: Re: Re: Shingles and Achalasia

>

>

> Back in 2004, I had a really bad infection in my right leg to the point

> that they almost amputated it to stop the infection from getting into

> my abdomen.  It took an infectious disease doctor to reverse the infection

> which saved me losing my leg.  The pain was so intense that I loss control

> of basic bodily functions and got to the point I could not even walk.

> Luckily, I was able to get myself to the hospital so I received proper

> care.  Because of that I have to wear compression socks to maintain the

> proper circulation in my legs and to avoid a repeat infection which could

> kill me or cause the amputation of my leg.  It was probably a few years

> after that infection that I started to notice issues with swallowing.  In

> 2008, I got married and my swallowing issue started to get worst and my

> wife noticed it.  She twisted my arm to get it checked out and my GI doc

> thought it was GERD.  The years after that my swallowing got worst and

> worst to the point that I would spend most nights regurtitating throughout

> the night.  So this past year I went back to the GI doc and talked to him

> about how bad the problem had become.  Again, barium swallow and then a

> manometry; both of these confirmed the Achalasia diagnosis.  So now I am

> scheduled for a Heller myotomy with a dor fundoplication on April 25, 2012.

> My A has gotten worst and if I am not faithful with clearing my E before

> going to bed, it is possible to regurgitate or end up with spasms that

> cause intense NCCP (Non-Cardiac Chest Pain).  I am in the Washington DC

> area and a Kaiser Healthcare member but think I have got a great team of

> doctors to work with at this time.  My surgeon is Dr. Gibeily and he

> is having Dr. Cantor assist during the surgery.  I so hope that the surgery

> gives me back some better quality of life so I can enjoy my three year old

> daughter as she grows up.  She cracks me up at times because she always

> says to me when I am having issues eating a meal " Are you okay daddy? "   And

> when you are trying to catch your breath and force food down your E into

> your stomach it is hard to tell her " Yes, daddy will be okay. "

>

> All I can say is hanging in there and thanks to this I have learned much

> about the disease and how to cope with it.

>

> Geoffrey Crego - Northern Virginia, 41 (soon to be 42), male

>

> On Wed, Mar 21, 2012 at 1:46 PM, Kim Abrams <xploring37@...> wrote:

>

> > **

>

> >

> >

> > I currently have a virus that is linked to the shingles/chicken pox virus

> > that I cannot get rid of. I have had for about 2 1/2 months -one right

> > after another. i am on my fourth one and the docs are perplexed! I have

> > been getting swollen glands, fever, body/nerve aches and my mouth on the

> > inside swells up and it has ulcerated in the back of my throat. Plain and

> > simple I haven't felt good in a long time. My doc says this type of virus

> > hides in your nerves. Since I really don't think I have much of that

> left,

> > not sure where they are hiding!!! I am going in for some biopsies and EGD

> > week after next and I am sure they won't figure this out either!!

> >

> > Kim A

> > Wisconsin

> >

> > ________________________________

> > From: kimellenbailey <kimellenbailey@...>

> > achalasia

> > Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 12:35 PM

> > Subject: Re: Shingles and Achalasia

> >

> >

> >

> > I have never had shingles. but i did have an awful virus that i was in

> the

> > hospital for 2 weeks in 2007.. i have never been so sick in my life, they

> > never did figure out what it was,. had awful headaches was in extreme

> pain.

> > and i am TOUGH i can take pain . but it was awful. was so weak i had to

> > crawl out of the bathtub slither over the side like a slug and dry while

> > sitting on the floor and pull on a gown , call someone to help me get in

> > the wheelchair. it was the weirdest thing. i am a almost 5'11 " tall woman

> > in great physical shape strong! and not a weiner.LOL but it was

> terrible. i

> > think my husband really thought i was going to die. i am not kidding. i

> > really got more pronounced symptoms after that. i was thinking about that

> > and wondereing if there was anything like that for anyone else. i will

> > never know what it was. they couldnt figure it out. i was getting

> worried..

> > Kim Ellen in the Deep South

> >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > I just saw an old thread here possibly linking shingles and A. I had

> > it while I was pregnant with my first son 19 years ago. Is there a

> > connection?

> > > > Wondering if this is how my A started. Mine started after an argument

> > with my brother that I now don't see anymore. I always hated him for

> > causing that!

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Actually since the beginning of the year I have gotten reacurring viral

infections that ulcerate caused by the same virus (hs) but in my mouth. I had

one after another, so far six times and my GI doesn't see any reason to believe

Achalasia has anything to do with it. I think he's wrong and most possibly a

side effect from my immune system being so low when I lost 35 pounds in a couple

of months. I think it has everything to do with it but what do I know. I think

the stress on me and my body brought it out, waiting for your defenses to be

down to attack other normally healthy cells and tissue. He said none of his

other 8 A patients had anything like this, but I do. They went in Monday to do

some biopsies but I have not gotten the results back yet. Now that my pockets

are a little lighter it will probably go away! LOL

I had another bad experience with a viral infection 12 years ago that came out

in my eye as well. But turned into a tumor!

Kim A

________________________________

From: ladawki143 <lauramccarty77@...>

achalasia

Sent: Thursday, March 29, 2012 9:22 AM

Subject: Re: Shingles and Achalasia

 

Shingles...that's the chicken pox (or herpes simplex) virus that lies dormant in

your body and will sometimes re-emerge as shingles.

My family has ALWAYS thought there was some connection between that virus and

achalasia. When I was about 20 (prior to onset of achalasia), I got this crazy

eye infection..went to several eye doctors, and they couldn't figure out what it

was. All they told me was that it looked so bad, I could potentially lose my

vision. Interestingly, they figured out it was that same chicken pox virus that

comes back as shingles, except for some reason, the virus had come back and

attacked my eye.

Found out after that one of my professors had shingles around the same time I

got this herpes simplex eye infection (meaning we were both exposed to the

chicken pox virus somewhere at the college). Onset of achalasia symptoms began a

few years later.

In fact, my mother feels so strongly that there is a connection between the

virus and achalasia (the virus attacking the esophagus or something of that

nature), that she has encouraged me to get the shingles vaccine (which her hopes

would be that it would keep that virus dormant...don't know how much good that

would do at this point, though). If that same virus re-emerged from dormancy and

attacked my eye, what would prevent it from coming back and attacking another

organ? There's so much we do not know!

>

>

> I just saw an old thread here possibly linking shingles and A. I had it while

I was pregnant with my first son 19 years ago. Is there a connection?

> Wondering if this is how my A started. Mine started after an argument with my

brother that I now don't see anymore. I always hated him for causing that!

>

>

>