Re: New to

[Guest guest]

Hello, and welcome to the group. I am sorry that your wife and you are going through all this. I would get a second oppinion, it never hurts. There are several option in getting relief for this disease. In my opinion the surgery or Heller's myotomy is the best option for long term management of the disease. That is of course if there are some medical reasons that surgery would not be recomended. I would not even mess with the other options if that could be helped. Take some time to look over some of the old posts and the site. There is a lot of good information there to review. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. in Georgia co-founder of www.achalasia.us mniinfinity

<infinitymortgage@...> wrote: My wife was recently diagnosed and it kills me to see her throw up every time we eat and of course it is very hard to go to resteraunts.She doesnt experience pain but she has lost about 40 LBS and I am worried about the increades risk of Cancer. I saw on the internet a medicine called Achlitin Does anybody have any experience with it? does it work? side effects?The doctor who diagnosed her here in San said we need to do the baloon thing that it works

best we told him we want a 2nd opinon. Any ideas?Thanks<FONT face="comic sans ms" color=#ff0000 size=5> in Georgia </FONT><IMG

src=" ">

Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Small Business.

[Guest guest]

For what it is worth; my doctor, Dr Patti from UCSF feels that

dilation is not a good idea. He thinks it affects the sucess of

surgery, if needed down the road.

With dialtion they basically put a ballon (hence the pnunamtic) down

your throat, then blow it up to break the muscles so the food will

go down. Doesn't sound healthy to me, although a lot of me on this

board have gone through it.

Definitley get a second opinion

>

> My wife was recently diagnosed and it kills me to see her throw up

> every time we eat and of course it is very hard to go to

resteraunts.

>

> She doesnt experience pain but she has lost about 40 LBS and I am

> worried about the increades risk of Cancer. I saw on the internet

a

> medicine called Achlitin Does anybody have any experience with it?

does

> it work? side effects?

>

> The doctor who diagnosed her here in San said we need to

do the

> baloon thing that it works best we told him we want a 2nd opinon.

Any

> ideas?

>

> Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

Hello, You certainly need to go for a second opinion. For as far as I know dillatations really do not work and you will end up having a surgery after all... I am not a doctor, so in that way I am most certainly not an expert. Yet, I do have my achalasia for over 15 years now. With me my 5 dillatations did work, but the result never lasted longer than a few months. At the time I was diagnosed, dillatations were the first things to be done with achalasia. Nowadays it is becoming more and more common to have a Heller Myotomy as soon as possible. Once again, I am not an expert and I cannot give you any advise on the best treatment for your wife. Yet, I am completely sure getting a second opinion is the best thing you can do. I wish you the very best treatment you can get! Isabella

<davster13@...> wrote: For what it is worth; my doctor, Dr Patti from UCSF feels that dilation is not a good idea. He thinks it affects the sucess of surgery, if needed down the road.With dialtion they basically put a ballon (hence the pnunamtic) down your throat, then blow it up to break the muscles so the food will go down. Doesn't sound healthy to me, although a lot of me on this board have gone through it.Definitley get a second opinion>> My wife was recently diagnosed and it kills me to see her throw up > every time we eat and of course it is very hard to go to resteraunts.> > She doesnt experience pain but she has lost about 40 LBS and I am > worried about the increades risk of Cancer. I saw on the internet a > medicine called Achlitin Does anybody have any experience with it? does > it work? side effects?> > The doctor who diagnosed her here in San said we need to do the > baloon thing that it works best we told him we want a 2nd opinon. Any > ideas?> > Thanks>

Don't get soaked. Take a quick peak at the forecast with the Search weather shortcut.

[Guest guest]

Go for that second opinion with A Dr who is a specialist! Thats very

crucial dealing with this disease.There are several DRS around that

are well known surgeons for this disease that have been used by most

of us here on this board depending on where you are willing to go.

It will mean traveling of course but it is so worth having a

specialist to deal with.My son went throught this 2 x cause his

first DR DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH EXPERIENCE.If you would like some of

the names let us know and we will post them.

This is who my son(age 13)had to do his and several of the members

here have used him and a new member is going to use him as

well.There are a few more but well have to get someone to post there

info I dont have it.

DR Rice at the Cleveland Clinic Ohio-1-800-ccf-care

He knows all about this group !lol

Take care - Tonia in Va

>

> My wife was recently diagnosed and it kills me to see her throw up

> every time we eat and of course it is very hard to go to

resteraunts.

>

> She doesnt experience pain but she has lost about 40 LBS and I am

> worried about the increades risk of Cancer. I saw on the internet

a

> medicine called Achlitin Does anybody have any experience with it?

does

> it work? side effects?

>

> The doctor who diagnosed her here in San said we need to

do the

> baloon thing that it works best we told him we want a 2nd opinon.

Any

> ideas?

>

> Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

Isabella Arnold wrote:

> ..... For as far as I know dillatations really do not work and you

> will end up having a surgery after all...

For some people they work very well. Statistically the " success rate "

is almost as good as myotomy. The younger you are the less likely they

are to last, and if they don't work and you need a myotomy it may make

the myotomy more difficult. Some doctors still prefer dilatation over

myotomy.

notan

[Guest guest]

Me

& my wife are in San . Is there a specialist in this neck of the woods? We have been

seeing Dr. Homero Garza here in SA and had probably every test known to man:

Cat

Mobility

Upper & lower GI

Midi scan? I think that was it

And 2 time he did a endoscopy

He says he wants to do the balloon and

that he has treated thousands of patients in his 30 year career. I know he is a

gastro… doctor and seems to know what he is talking about. I told him and

my wife I think she should do the surgery as the doc says some people have to

come back in 6 months to do the balloon again. Unfortunately my wife is not

very keen on surgery and is a self proclaimed coward. I am at a loss.

Thank you to everyone for your kind words

and taking the time to respond to me.

Mark

Re: New to

achalasia

Go for that second

opinion with A Dr who is a specialist! Thats very

crucial dealing with this disease.There are several DRS around that

are well known surgeons for this disease that have been used by most

of us here on this board depending on where you are willing to go.

It will mean traveling of course but it is so worth having a

specialist to deal with.My son went throught this 2 x cause his

first DR DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH EXPERIENCE.If you would like some of

the names let us know and we will post them.

This is who my son(age 13)had to do his and several of the members

here have used him and a new member is going to use him as

well.There are a few more but well have to get someone to post there

info I dont have it.

DR Rice at the Cleveland Clinic Ohio-1-800-ccf-care

He knows all about this group !lol

Take care - Tonia in Va

>

> My wife was recently diagnosed and it kills me to see her throw up

> every time we eat and of course it is very hard to go to

resteraunts.

>

> She doesnt experience pain but she has lost about 40 LBS and I am

> worried about the increades risk of Cancer. I saw on the internet

a

> medicine called Achlitin Does anybody have any experience with it?

does

> it work? side effects?

>

> The doctor who diagnosed her here in San said we need to

do the

> baloon thing that it works best we told him we want a 2nd opinon.

Any

> ideas?

>

> Thanks

>

[Guest guest]

--Hi Mark,

I am newly diagnosed with achalasia and have decided it is best to

see a doctor who specializes in achalasia. I'm from New Mexico and

have decided that it is worth getting advice from Dr. Rice in

Cleveland. You need to convince your wife to see an achalasia

specialist and them let her make a dicision on what she would like to

do. It's always best to get the best advice before deciding.

I found a list of Drs. who specialize in achalasia. I think in this

site, maybe in files. There are two listed in Houston TX. If you

can't find the list and are interested let me know and I will give

you their names and phone numbers.

Best Wishes,

JoAnn

- In achalasia , " Mark " <infinitymortgage@...>

wrote:

>

> Me & my wife are in San . Is there a specialist in this neck

of the

> woods? We have been seeing Dr. Homero Garza here in SA and had

probably

> every test known to man:

>

>

>

> Cat

>

> Mobility

>

> Upper & lower GI

>

> Midi scan? I think that was it

>

> And 2 time he did a endoscopy

>

>

>

> He says he wants to do the balloon and that he has treated

thousands of

> patients in his 30 year career. I know he is a gastro. doctor and

seems to

> know what he is talking about. I told him and my wife I think she

should do

> the surgery as the doc says some people have to come back in 6

months to do

> the balloon again. Unfortunately my wife is not very keen on

surgery and is

> a self proclaimed coward. I am at a loss.

>

> Thank you to everyone for your kind words and taking the time to

respond to

> me.

>

>

>

> Mark

>

>

>

> Re: New to achalasia

>

>

>

> Go for that second opinion with A Dr who is a specialist! Thats

very

> crucial dealing with this disease.There are several DRS around that

> are well known surgeons for this disease that have been used by

most

> of us here on this board depending on where you are willing to go.

>

> It will mean traveling of course but it is so worth having a

> specialist to deal with.My son went throught this 2 x cause his

> first DR DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH EXPERIENCE.If you would like some of

> the names let us know and we will post them.

> This is who my son(age 13)had to do his and several of the members

> here have used him and a new member is going to use him as

> well.There are a few more but well have to get someone to post

there

> info I dont have it.

>

> DR Rice at the Cleveland Clinic Ohio-1-800-ccf-care

>

> He knows all about this group !lol

>

> Take care - Tonia in Va

>

>

> >

> > My wife was recently diagnosed and it kills me to see her throw

up

> > every time we eat and of course it is very hard to go to

> resteraunts.

> >

> > She doesnt experience pain but she has lost about 40 LBS and I am

> > worried about the increades risk of Cancer. I saw on the internet

> a

> > medicine called Achlitin Does anybody have any experience with

it?

> does

> > it work? side effects?

> >

> > The doctor who diagnosed her here in San said we need to

> do the

> > baloon thing that it works best we told him we want a 2nd opinon.

> Any

> > ideas?

> >

> > Thanks

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Mark wrote:

He says he

wants to do the balloon and

that he has treated thousands of patients in his 30 year career.

He may have treated thousands of patients but it is unlikely that he

has treated many with achalasia. In a population of 100,000 people you

would expect only one new case of achalasia per year. My GI had treated

many people with dilatation before me. Most of those where for other

kinds of strictures, scar tissue and such. He tried a small balloon on

me but it did not work. He told me that it could take a larger diameter

balloon to work but that it was not done often enough for him to

develop the expertise needed and that if I wanted it I should find

someone that treats lots of achalasia patients with dilatation, but

after more testing he recommended surgery.

notan

[Guest guest]

Joann,

You're from New Mexico? Wouldn't it be closer for you to see Dr.

Patti in San Francisco? He is also one of the very top surgeons

for achalasia in the country. The ones I'm aware of are at

Cleveland, OH (Rice), Los Angeles (DeMeester, Maish), Nashville,

TN (Torquati), New York City (Altorki, Salky), Rochester, NY

(s), Rochester, MN (Deschamps, Nichols), Pittsburgh, PA

(Luketich), San Francisco (Patti), Seattle, WA (Pellegrini), and

Tampa, FL (Rosemurgy).

Re: New to achalasia

> --Hi Mark,

> I am newly diagnosed with achalasia and have decided it is best

> to

> see a doctor who specializes in achalasia. I'm from New Mexico

> and

> have decided that it is worth getting advice from Dr. Rice in

> Cleveland. You need to convince your wife to see an achalasia

> specialist and them let her make a dicision on what she would

> like to

> do. It's always best to get the best advice before deciding.

>

> I found a list of Drs. who specialize in achalasia. I think in

> this

> site, maybe in files. There are two listed in Houston TX. If

> you

> can't find the list and are interested let me know and I will

> give

> you their names and phone numbers.

>

> Best Wishes,

> JoAnn

[Guest guest]

Hi Suzan- how are you doing?How is your son? I hope all is well.

This is a great post!

We need to get it in the files section listed specialist for

Achalasia.This is a big help for people looking for a qualified Dr.I

was not aware there were this many- I only knew of Rice,Patti, and

Dempsey.Good to know for all who are looking!

Thanks-Tonia

>

> Joann,

>

> You're from New Mexico? Wouldn't it be closer for you to see Dr.

> Patti in San Francisco? He is also one of the very top surgeons

> for achalasia in the country. The ones I'm aware of are at

> Cleveland, OH (Rice), Los Angeles (DeMeester, Maish), Nashville,

> TN (Torquati), New York City (Altorki, Salky), Rochester, NY

> (s), Rochester, MN (Deschamps, Nichols), Pittsburgh, PA

> (Luketich), San Francisco (Patti), Seattle, WA (Pellegrini), and

> Tampa, FL (Rosemurgy).

>

>

>

> Re: New to achalasia

>

>

> > --Hi Mark,

> > I am newly diagnosed with achalasia and have decided it is best

> > to

> > see a doctor who specializes in achalasia. I'm from New Mexico

> > and

> > have decided that it is worth getting advice from Dr. Rice in

> > Cleveland. You need to convince your wife to see an achalasia

> > specialist and them let her make a dicision on what she would

> > like to

> > do. It's always best to get the best advice before deciding.

> >

> > I found a list of Drs. who specialize in achalasia. I think in

> > this

> > site, maybe in files. There are two listed in Houston TX. If

> > you

> > can't find the list and are interested let me know and I will

> > give

> > you their names and phone numbers.

> >

> > Best Wishes,

> > JoAnn

>

[Guest guest]

Hello

In reference to your comment:

I do agree with Tonia that some sort of directory for Drs. would be very helpful for new members

It you will go to the Achalasia web site, on the left hand side,

and click on database, the first file there is a doctor referral

list.

If there are those here who have not listed their doctor here,

it would be helpful if you would do so.

Maggie

AlabamaAOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's free from AOL at AOL.com.

[Guest guest]

-Hi Mark,

Hope this helps. I don't know anything about these drs. I found them

on the website achalasia.us. Perhaps some of the group could give you

more information about these drs.

Dr. F Lyone Hochman

Gastroenterology/Consultant

Gastroenterologist Texas Heart Institute

Clinical Professor of Medicine Baylor

College of Medicine

St. Lukes Episcopal Hospital, Houston

(713) 797-0808

Dr. Reardon

Head of Noninvasive Chest and Abdominal Surgery at Baylor College of

Medicine

Houston

(7130 790-3140

JoAnn

-- In achalasia , " Mark " <infinitymortgage@...>

wrote:

>

> Joann,

>

>

>

> Thank you I would really appreciate it if you could

give me

> they're names & numbers.

>

>

>

> Mark

>

>

>

> Re: New to achalasia

>

>

>

> Hi Suzan- how are you doing?How is your son? I hope all is well.

>

> This is a great post!

>

> We need to get it in the files section listed specialist for

> Achalasia.This is a big help for people looking for a qualified

Dr.I

> was not aware there were this many- I only knew of Rice,Patti, and

> Dempsey.Good to know for all who are looking!

> Thanks-Tonia

>

>

> >

> > Joann,

> >

> > You're from New Mexico? Wouldn't it be closer for you to see Dr.

> > Patti in San Francisco? He is also one of the very top surgeons

> > for achalasia in the country. The ones I'm aware of are at

> > Cleveland, OH (Rice), Los Angeles (DeMeester, Maish), Nashville,

> > TN (Torquati), New York City (Altorki, Salky), Rochester, NY

> > (s), Rochester, MN (Deschamps, Nichols), Pittsburgh, PA

> > (Luketich), San Francisco (Patti), Seattle, WA (Pellegrini), and

> > Tampa, FL (Rosemurgy).

> >

> >

> >

> > Re: New to achalasia

> >

> >

> > > --Hi Mark,

> > > I am newly diagnosed with achalasia and have decided it is best

> > > to

> > > see a doctor who specializes in achalasia. I'm from New Mexico

> > > and

> > > have decided that it is worth getting advice from Dr. Rice in

> > > Cleveland. You need to convince your wife to see an achalasia

> > > specialist and them let her make a dicision on what she would

> > > like to

> > > do. It's always best to get the best advice before deciding.

> > >

> > > I found a list of Drs. who specialize in achalasia. I think in

> > > this

> > > site, maybe in files. There are two listed in Houston TX. If

> > > you

> > > can't find the list and are interested let me know and I will

> > > give

> > > you their names and phone numbers.

> > >

> > > Best Wishes,

> > > JoAnn

> >

>

[Guest guest]

-Hi ,

Yes it would be closer. At the time I made the decision I had heard

lots of good things about Dr. Rice and really didn't know about Dr.

Patti. It also helps that Dr. Rice and Cleveland Clinic are primary

providers for my insurance. Also due to the different airlines that

service the areas it is cheaper for us to fly to Cleveland.

I do agree with Tonia that some sort of directory for Drs. would be

very helpful for new members.

I found a list of drs. on achalasia.us .

JoAnn

-- In achalasia , " " <1x2y3z@...> wrote:

>

> Joann,

>

> You're from New Mexico? Wouldn't it be closer for you to see Dr.

> Patti in San Francisco? He is also one of the very top surgeons

> for achalasia in the country. The ones I'm aware of are at

> Cleveland, OH (Rice), Los Angeles (DeMeester, Maish), Nashville,

> TN (Torquati), New York City (Altorki, Salky), Rochester, NY

> (s), Rochester, MN (Deschamps, Nichols), Pittsburgh, PA

> (Luketich), San Francisco (Patti), Seattle, WA (Pellegrini), and

> Tampa, FL (Rosemurgy).

>

>

>

> Re: New to achalasia

>

>

> > --Hi Mark,

> > I am newly diagnosed with achalasia and have decided it is best

> > to

> > see a doctor who specializes in achalasia. I'm from New Mexico

> > and

> > have decided that it is worth getting advice from Dr. Rice in

> > Cleveland. You need to convince your wife to see an achalasia

> > specialist and them let her make a dicision on what she would

> > like to

> > do. It's always best to get the best advice before deciding.

> >

> > I found a list of Drs. who specialize in achalasia. I think in

> > this

> > site, maybe in files. There are two listed in Houston TX. If

> > you

> > can't find the list and are interested let me know and I will

> > give

> > you their names and phone numbers.

> >

> > Best Wishes,

> > JoAnn

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Maggie! I know from Texas just had her

operation not to long ago and got her doc off the list!!!

C Warren

Co-Founder

www.achalasia.us

From: achalasia

[mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of LunaIam2@...

Sent: Monday, March 05, 2007 10:28 PM

achalasia

Subject: Re: Re: New to achalasia

Hello

In

reference to your comment:

I do agree with Tonia that some

sort of directory for Drs. would be

very helpful for new members

It you will go to the Achalasia web site, on the left hand side,

and click on database, the first file there is a doctor referral

list.

If there are those here who have not listed their doctor here,

it would be helpful if you would do so.

Maggie

Alabama

AOL now offers free email to everyone. Find out more about what's

free from AOL at AOL.com.

[Guest guest]

Eva, welcome to this board.

It is no surprise to many here that stress makes the symptoms of achalasia

worse, but I doubt it would be the " cause " of achalasia. No one knows what

causes it.

There is several speculations, but so far no cause has been established.

If you live in or near Chicago, one of the best known achalasia specialist is

Dr. Marco Patti. You are lucky to live close to one. Many members travel

miles to find one with this kind of experience. check this link:

_Marco Patti, MD - University of Chicago Medical Center_

(http://www.uchospitals.edu/physicians/marco-patti.html) Dr. Patti is well

known to members

of this board. I don't know who your appointment is with, but I feel you'd be

doing yourself a favor, to cancel and make your appointment with Dr. Patti.

Don't be afraid...with the right doctor and treatment you can do well. Age

is not a major factor, if you're in good health.

Feel free to ask any questions....you'll find someone here who can answer

them for you.

Maggie

Alabama

**************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy

steps!

(http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1219957551x1201325337/aol?redir=http:%2\

F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID

%3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62)

[Guest guest]

Eva,

My name is Tom D.

I was diagnosed with achalasia when I was in the middle of a divorce

proceeding when I was 37 years old. I am now 52 years old.

I definitely think, in my case, that stress played a part but it was

just one of a few factors, as I look back.

I would be very curious how much acupuncture helps you.

Please let me know.............Thanks

Good Luck!

Tom

>

> I've been reading the posts since January when I first suspected that

> I had Achalasia. My name is Eva. A friend told me that my symptoms

> didnot sound like reflux but more like what her brother-in-law had,

> because of my coughing up at night.

>

> So I looked up Achalasia and made a Feb doctors appointment to see my

> internist. I suspected last summer already that my symptoms did not

> sound like reflux. I started the coughing up of foamy stuffy and it

> coming out of my nose at night in August but I have had trouble

> swallowing for more than two years. Started with fruit like apples

> and progressed to other things. This Nov/Dec I started regurgitating

> food during the day. But that does not happen regularly. I don't

> have any pain.

>

> Also in August I had a really bad case of heartburn that lasted over

> 20 minutes where I was thinking it might be my heart but it wasn't.

>

> I've had the problem of waking up at night and eating for many many

> years and it is not helping with the Achalasia.

>

> I had the barium xray of my esophagus and it showed the classic bird

> beak at the bottom and the esophagus with very wide. I was scheduled

> for a scoping tomorrow but my new GI doc had a death in the family so

> it is post-poned. I found this doc through a recommendationa and

> like what he had to say. He is with a good hospital outside of

> Chicago and knows docs to refer me to in teaching hospital depending

> on what scoping will find.

>

> In the meantime, I found a great Chinese doctor who is doing

> acupuncture to heal the nerves (and muscles)of the throat and

> esophagus. He has been doing acupuncture for 30 years and was a

> physician in China. He is also a chiropractor here. He said that we

> should wait to see what the scoping shows. I'm getting acupuncture 2

> or 3 times a week and it would take as much as six months to cure the

> problem. I know a little bit about acupuncture and had it done

> before with success. But I wanted to find the best acupuncturist I

> could and my doctor recommended him.

>

> I've learned a lot from reading your posts but it also scared me.

> I'm 61 years old and in good health otherwise. I think it might have

> been partly caused by the stress of having my 87 dad live with us for

> the last 2 years. There was a stressor in August when he came home

> from the nursing home and refused to go to daycare the next day is

> when I started to cough up at night.

>

> What has your experience been with stress causing A? Any other

> advice is welcome.

>

> Eva G.

>