Re: and nec injuiry -- food for thought

[Guest guest]

aries19ox wrote:

> -- there is a connection (you can find it even through Google)

> between

> neck injuries/whiplash and difficulty swallowing

>

Most people with difficulty swallowing do not have achalasia. The vagus

nerve is, as you noted, responsible for the proper function of many

things not just the esophagus. Most studies, of people with what is

believed to be " primary " achalasia, looking for the types of dysfunction

you would expect from damaging the vagus nerve in the neck don't find

it. What they do find is dysfunction that could be caused by damage to

the myenteric neurons of the esophagus, and they do find damage to those

neurons. Also found is evidence of myenteric neural inflammation,

myenteric infiltration by immune cells, antineural antibodies, and

something (unknown) in their serum that can cause changes to myenteric

neurons. These finding suggest that the problem is at the myenteric

plexus. If there is a type of achalasia caused by neck injury to the

vagus nerve that may be a type of secondary achalasia, different in

cause from primary achalasia. There are a number of known types of

secondary achalasia.

> -- I just started an acupuncture course with a new doctor

I don't see much reason to believe that acupuncture will replace the

lost neurons in primary achalasia. It can however change the amount of

certain neural transmitters that can effect LES function through

remaining neurons. This would not be a fix but it could be a treatment

of symptoms. Unfortunately, the damage may be progressing while the

treatment makes it seem as if things are getting better.

Here are some thing to consider when looking at people's stories of how

things helped them. People often get better for a time without any know

reason. If a person had been trying some treatment and became better the

simple conclusion, which could be wrong, is that the treatment made it

better, but it could just be coincidence. Also, achalasia can seem

better because it actually got worse. Less neural activity may be better

when the activity is dysfunctional. Also, just as many people were

misdiagnosed with things other than achalasia before a correct achalasia

diagnoses was made, some people will get an achalasia diagnoses when

they don't have it. If their problems go away you have false stories of

how their achalasia was cured. I am not saying that no one can be cured.

People have apparently been " miraculously " or spontaneously cured of

many things there was no cure for. You may also just happen to stumble

unto a cure, but I am not holding my breath for that.

If the treatment helps for you I hope you also have a doctor to monitor

the size an shape of your esophagus from time to time. I see no reason

not to try things if the size and shape of the esophagus is not

deteriorating and people are willing to put the time and money into it

with no guarantees. Let us know, good or bad, how things turn out.

notan

[Guest guest]

Oh that is so interesting that you said this, I got rearended really

bad in late November 2004, whiplash and low back problems and starting

having minor Achalasia symptoms in December which continued into

finally a diagnosis of Achalasia 6/05! My chiropractor also mentioned

that to me, he thought it was odd and a possibility. I wish there were

more research on this because if my life was ruined by a bad driver and

not by just a fluke disease then I am MADDDDDDDDDD!!!!!! It is hard

enough to live with Achalasia but if it was from negligence of someone

else, UGH!!!!!!!

[Guest guest]

Notan,

thank you for your reply, It looks like you too did a lot of

research. Just curious: are you a patient or a doctor yourself?

this is a quote from a 2005 review on achalasia causes: " Current

evidence suggests that the initial insult to the esophagus, perhaps a

viral infection or some other environmental factor, results in

myenteric plexus inflammation. " Vagus injuiry with the following

disfunction can be seen as this kind of " insult " to the esophagus

which causes secondary effects. Achalasia patients often have other

vagus-assiciated disorders, if the ilterature data are correct.

Being a scientist myself, I trust Pubmed rather than rumors of

miraculous cure, and this is the paper I found there (and I have the

full text). If the authors are telling the truth, their data are

impressive

: J Altern Complement Med. 1999 Feb;5(1):27-45. Links

Acupuncture for gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders.Diehl DL.

Division of Digestive Diseases, UCLA School of Medicine, USA.

Acupuncture has been used for various gastrointestinal (GI)

conditions. Voluminous data support the effect of acupuncture on the

physiology of the GI tract, including acid secretion, motility,

neurohormonal changes, and changes in sensory thresholds. Much of the

neuroanatomic pathway of these effects has been identified in animal

models. A large body of clinical evidence supports the effectiveness

of acupuncture for suppressing nausea associated with chemotherapy,

postoperative state, and pregnancy. Prospective randomized controlled

trials have also shown the efficacy of acupuncture for analgesia for

endoscopic procedures, including colonoscopy and upper endoscopy.

Acupuncture has also been used for a variety of other conditions

including postoperative ileus, achalasia, peptic ulcer disease,

functional bowel diseases (including irritable bowel syndrome and

nonulcer dyspepsia), diarrhea, constipation, inflammatory bowel

disease, expulsion of gallstones and biliary ascariasis, and pain

associated with pancreatitis. Although there are few prospective

randomized clinical studies, the well-documented physiological basis

of acupuncture effects on the GI tract, and the extensive history of

successful clinical use of acupuncture, makes this a promising

modality that warrants further investigation.

There are more studies on acupunture (or electric stimulation) in

connection with the LES motility, but this one is more impressive.

And speaking of personal stories or rumors -- on " Alternative

treatment for Achalasia " board there is a woman Quincia whose uncle

is a TCM, and she is now in China getting her treatments. Acording to

her protocol, she is getting her spinal cord region punctured, and

this is what my TCM is currently doing (plust acupressure masage of

te back and nect). What I've experienced with this one -- very subtle

changes, but for the last three weeks I gained more confidence with

liquids, and my " spitting cup " volume reduced from three to one

(during my office hours). Today was the first time I swallowed a

piece of solid food in more than half a year -- a strawberry in

chocolate. I also ate creamy coups without helping to push it down

with carbonated water -- already twice. And if February I once again

wasn't able to swallow nay liquid for two days. Whether it is

temporary or permanent -- we will see.

I am giving a try to the neck/back theory, also starting Qigong and

scheduling a chiroprator visit (unfortunately, because my

chiropractor is so good, I have to wait till May). I very much hope

to be able to post a cheerful message in a few months.

> > -- there is a connection (you can find it even through Google)

> > between

> > neck injuries/whiplash and difficulty swallowing

> >

>

> Most people with difficulty swallowing do not have achalasia. The

vagus

> nerve is, as you noted, responsible for the proper function of many

> things not just the esophagus. Most studies, of people with what is

> believed to be " primary " achalasia, looking for the types of

dysfunction

> you would expect from damaging the vagus nerve in the neck don't

find

> it. What they do find is dysfunction that could be caused by damage

to

> the myenteric neurons of the esophagus, and they do find damage to

those

> neurons. Also found is evidence of myenteric neural inflammation,

> myenteric infiltration by immune cells, antineural antibodies, and

> something (unknown) in their serum that can cause changes to

myenteric

> neurons. These finding suggest that the problem is at the myenteric

> plexus. If there is a type of achalasia caused by neck injury to

the

> vagus nerve that may be a type of secondary achalasia, different in

> cause from primary achalasia. There are a number of known types of

> secondary achalasia.

>

>

> > -- I just started an acupuncture course with a new doctor

>

> I don't see much reason to believe that acupuncture will replace

the

> lost neurons in primary achalasia. It can however change the amount

of

> certain neural transmitters that can effect LES function through

> remaining neurons. This would not be a fix but it could be a

treatment

> of symptoms. Unfortunately, the damage may be progressing while the

> treatment makes it seem as if things are getting better.

>

> Here are some thing to consider when looking at people's stories of

how

> things helped them. People often get better for a time without any

know

> reason. If a person had been trying some treatment and became

better the

> simple conclusion, which could be wrong, is that the treatment made

it

> better, but it could just be coincidence. Also, achalasia can seem

> better because it actually got worse. Less neural activity may be

better

> when the activity is dysfunctional. Also, just as many people were

> misdiagnosed with things other than achalasia before a correct

achalasia

> diagnoses was made, some people will get an achalasia diagnoses

when

> they don't have it. If their problems go away you have false

stories of

> how their achalasia was cured. I am not saying that no one can be

cured.

> People have apparently been " miraculously " or spontaneously cured

of

> many things there was no cure for. You may also just happen to

stumble

> unto a cure, but I am not holding my breath for that.

>

> If the treatment helps for you I hope you also have a doctor to

monitor

> the size an shape of your esophagus from time to time. I see no

reason

> not to try things if the size and shape of the esophagus is not

> deteriorating and people are willing to put the time and money into

it

> with no guarantees. Let us know, good or bad, how things turn out.

>

> notan

>

[Guest guest]

aries19ox wrote:

> ... are you a patient or a doctor yourself?

>

Patient, not doctor.

> this is a quote from a 2005 review on achalasia causes: " Current

> evidence suggests that the initial insult to the esophagus, perhaps a

> viral infection or some other environmental factor, results in

> myenteric plexus inflammation. "

I assume that is from:

Etiology and pathogenesis of achalasia: the current understanding.

Park W, Vaezi MF.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=1\

5929777 & dopt=Abstract

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=\

15929777 & dopt=Abstract>

> Vagus injuiry with the following

> disfunction can be seen as this kind of " insult " to the esophagus

> which causes secondary effects.

Vagus injury being that kind of insult didn't come to my mind when I

read the quote but then myenteric plexus inflammation is not what I

would expect from vagus injury. Is there a reason to expect myenteric

plexus inflammation after vagus injury?

Reading where your quote from the article left off is:

" The inflammation then leads to an autoimmune response in a susceptible

population who may be genetically predisposed. Subsequently, chronic

inflammation leads to destruction of the inhibitory myenteric ganglion

cells resulting in the clinical syndrome of idiopathic achalasia. "

Those ganglion cell are nerve cells, so, the " initial insult, " whether

it is a neck injury or what have you, is not what causes the symptoms of

achalasia. It is the destruction of nerve cells in the myenteric plexus

that causes the symptoms. At least that is the view as presented in that

article.

> Achalasia patients often have other

> vagus-assiciated disorders, if the ilterature data are correct.

People often have vagus associated disorders and we are people. The

question is first, do those with primary achalasia have more than

expected by chance. I believe the answer is yes. Yes, I said yes. Next,

does primary achalasia with or without such other disorders appear to

fit what would be expected from vagal injury due to something like

violent trauma to the neck? I believe the answer to that is generally

no. Can trauma to the vagus nerve cause achalasia. I believe it can and

this would be another type of achalasia, not what most people with

primary achalasia have.

This is a bit complicated and the research is not consistent. As a

scientist you understand that some research data and analysis is good

and some is bad. Some is valid but misleading. You have to choose which

you think is valid and properly interpreted. If I was given the task of

convincing people that their achalasia was caused by neck injury I could

choose from published research selected documents and interpret them in

a way that would convince many. I don't believe that interpretation

would be good for many of us so I am inclined to select and interpret

them differently. Here are some articles and other information. How I

see them in this context is discussed after the list.

1

parasymp_review.jpg

http://anatomy.med.umich.edu/modules/autonomics_abdomen_module/Files/parasymp_re\

view.jpg

Notice that the vagus nerve has many branches.

2

Studies of autonomic function in patients with achalasia and nutcracker

oesophagus.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=1\

0654793 & dopt=Abstract

" Whereas tests of cardiovascular and pupillary autonomic function are

normal in patients with achalasia, patients with nutcracker oesophagus

show defects in both parasympathetic and sympathetic function. "

3

Cardiovascular Autonomic Function in Patients with Primary

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=1\

0759256 & dopt=Abstract

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=\

10759256 & dopt=Abstract>

" This study failed to disclose impaired cardiovascular autonomic control

in achalasic patients. We suggest that in primary achalasia the defect

is limited to the gastrointestinal tract. "

4

Achalasia presenting after operative and nonoperative trauma.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=1\

5628710 & dopt=Abstract

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=\

15628710 & dopt=Abstract>

" Following trauma, patients may be at increased risk for developing

achalasia, possibly from neuropathic dysfunction due to vagal nerve damage. "

Notice that in cases of operative trauma the trauma was in the chest not

the neck.

5

Image of Vagus nerve on stomach.

http://hopkins-gi.nts.jhu.edu/images/shared/disease/database/shared_7691_GP-06.j\

pg

6

Esophageal and gastric nitric oxide synthesizing innervation in primary

achalasia.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=1\

0483991 & dopt=Abstract

" ...achalasic patients showed a marked decrease of nitric oxide nerves

and labeled neurons in both esophageal and gastric components of the LES

and the gastric fundus. ... CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that

achalasia is a motor disorder with an intrinsic inhibitory denervation

of the esophageal and gastric component of the LES and of the proximal

stomach, thus providing further evidence for an extraesophageal

extension of the disease. "

7

Pathophysiology of achalasia and diffuse esophageal spasm

http://www.nature.com/gimo/contents/pt1/full/gimo22.html

(From the Animal Models section)

" These animal models demonstrate that vagotomy does not consistently

produce an achalasia-like picture. Moreover, significant and lasting

dysphagia is uncommonly observed following surgical vagotomy in humans.

In a study of 96 patients who had undergone proximal gastric vagotomy

for ulcer disease, only five patients developed transient albeit severe

dysphagia with delayed transit of barium and incomplete LES relaxation. "

(From the Neurodegenerative Hypothesis section)

" The majority of pathologic studies, however, have found that the

predominant abnormalities exist within the myenteric plexus with marked

diminution or complete absence of ganglion cells as well as intense

inflammatory infiltration of the myenteric plexus. Neural inflammation

has not been described in other parts of the autonomic or central

nervous system of achalasia patients arguing against these being the

primary site of denervation. Furthermore, defects in vagal innervation

would be expected to lead to prominent clinical abnormalities outside

the esophagus including gastric emptying disorders, which are uncommonly

seen in achalasia. A number of studies have looked for autonomic effects

on gastric physiology and provided inconsistent results. Significant

abnormalities in esophageal function are uncommon clinical

manifestations in patients who have had vagal transections. Additional

evidence to support the neurodegenerative hypothesis comes from the

description of Lewy bodies, intracytoplasmic inclusions

characteristically found in Parkinson's disease, in the myenteric plexus

and dorsal motor nucleus of achalasia patients. It is likely that the

neurodegenerative changes in achalasia are secondary to viral or

autoimmune-mediated destruction of the enteric ganglia. "

8

Serum from achalasia patients alters neurochemical coding in the

myenteric plexus and nitric oxide mediated motor response in normal

human fundus.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=1\

6105888 & dopt=Abstract

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=\

16105888 & dopt=Abstract>

" CONCLUSIONS: Serum from achalasia patients can induce phenotypic and

functional changes which reproduce the characteristics of the disease. "

9

Antineuronal antibodies in idiopathic achalasia and gastro-oesophageal

reflux disease.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=1\

2692044 & dopt=Abstract

<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=PubMed & list_uids=\

12692044 & dopt=Abstract>

" RESULTS: Positive immunostaining of the myenteric plexus was detected

in significantly more achalasia and GORD samples than control samples... "

Looking at the image (1) we can see that the vagus nerve branches to

many organs. If the damage is high, as it would be if in the neck, it

should cause problems to many organs, including the heart. In studies

that looked for problems with the heart and cardiovascular functions (2

and 3) there was no difference seen in achalasia patients with controls

but there was in nutcracker patients. So, it would seem that the source

of the dysfunction in achalasia is not high enough to cause problems for

the heart. It is interesting that nutcracker effects the entire

esophagus while achalasia is often limited to the lower esophagus. In a

study (4) that looked at achalasia fallowing trauma the examples of

surgical trauma given were of surgeries in the chest. While that does

not mean it can't happen higher it indicates that when reading about

vagal trauma one should not assume that it is in the neck or that if in

the neck the symptoms would be the same. In the image (5) of the vagus

nerve and the stomach you can see how it comes down from along the

esophagus. If the nerve were damage above this point, high enough to

cause problems for the esophagus it is likely that it would also cause

gastric problems. Vagal neuropathy often causes clinically significant

gastric dysfunction as it does in diabetes. Gastric dysfunction is found

in achalasia but it is usually not clinically significant. Also, as

found in the study on nitric oxide synthesizing innervation in primary

achalasia (6) these gastric dysfunctions can be attributed to changes in

local nitrinergic neurons of the muscle and myenteric plexus. In the

article about the pathophysiology of achalasia and diffuse esophageal

spasm (7) the author finds that animal and human studies of vagotomies

and vagal transections suggest that the primary damage in achalasia is

not to the vagus nerve. He also indicates that inflammation of the

myenteric plexus is found in achalasia and that such inflammation is not

found in other parts of the autonomic or central nervous system of

achalasia patients, which suggests that the myenteric plexus is the

primary site of neural damage. Research (8) has found more evidence that

the damage is primary to the myenteric plexus by finding that serum for

achalasia patients can cause changes to the myenteric plexus neurons in

tissue taken from healthy subjects. I see no reason that would happen if

the problem was primary to the vagus nerve. Immunostaining of the

myenteric plexus (9) also seems to point the the myenteric plexus as the

primary site of damage. There is also the parallel with secondary

achalasia caused by Chaga's disease which is not cause by a neck injury

but by a parasite. The damage in primary and Chaga's achalasia to the

myenteric plexus is very similar. In Chaga's there is even more

involvement of other organs but not because of vagal damage due to neck

injury.

> Being a scientist myself, I trust Pubmed rather than rumors of

> miraculous cure, and this is the paper I found there (and I have the

> full text). If the authors are telling the truth, their data are

> impressive

>

> : J Altern Complement Med. 1999 Feb;5(1):27-45. Links

> Acupuncture for gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disorders.Diehl DL.

> Division of Digestive Diseases, UCLA School of Medicine, USA.

>

I don't see anything in what you quoted to indicate that acupuncture

will regrow destroyed nerves or that the process of destruction is not

continuing while the patient feels better. You could take a smooth

muscle relaxant to make the symptoms less. It also would not regrow the

damaged neurons or prevent the progression. Neither acupuncture or

smooth muscle relaxants are likely to cure primary achalasia. Both are

likely to have a temporary, but limited, effect on the muscles of the

esophagus by changing the amount of neural transmitters.

> ... Whether it is

> temporary or permanent -- we will see.

>

I am glad you are doing better. I hope you will have the size and shape

of your esophagus monitored from time to time.

I had the myotomy and as far as I can tell I swallow as well as if I

were normal. It may also be temporary, but the odds are that it will

last a long time and I don't have to put up with limited success. I put

off the surgery for six years while I tried some things and did a wait

and see. At times it seemed like I had it beat and then it would come

back. I should have just gotten the surgery sooner.

notan

[Guest guest]

Hello Notan, I have been reading the posts about neck injuries and achalasia. My questions may be way off base but I keep wondering about it so I thought, "what do I have to loose by asking". "Current evidence suggests that the initial insult to the esophagus, perhaps a > viral infection or some other environmental factor, results in > myenteric plexus inflammation. " The part about a viral infection leading to myenteric inflammation has me wondering. When Tia was about 6 or 7 she had the

stomach flu and ended up with a STAPH INFECTION, in her throat and mouth. Her mouth and what I could see of her throat were covered in a white yucky puss. She didn't have strep which surprised the doctor but he sent the test strip to a lab and a few days later called to say that staph had grown. Tia was doing better so nothing was done. I'm not sure if staph is a viral or bacterial infection. The doctor felt that the virus she had traveled and settled in her throat/mouth. Do you think that this could have lead to anything related to achalasia with Tia?? I know that you are not a doctor but you have done so much research, I value your opinions. Another thing I did ask Tia's gastronologist about is electrical shock. Last Spring, during the time that Tia was just beginning to have swallowing problems and she was being treated by a Ears, Nose and Throat doctor Tia experienced an electrical shock. In the spring her symptoms were a little different than then there were in the Fall. She had her tonsils removed about 2 weeks after the electrical shock. About a month after having her tonsils out then she really started having trouble swallowing. The doctors can't say 100% that the spring and fall issues were related to achalasia. It may have been just tonsil issues in the Spring then achalasia issues started in the late summer early fall. Or it could have been achalasia issues all along. We will never know. About the electrical shock.. Tia was going to plug in a fish lamp and there was a short in the cord (of course we didn't know this). When Tia plugged it in the cord exploded. Tia's hand was burnt from the explosion and she was thrown backwards. The "prongs" that you plug into the wall were completely severed from the cord. I ended up calling 911 because my husband had already left for work and Tia was screaming so loud I couldn't even think. I wasn't sure what happened because everything happened so fast. At first it looked like Tia's hand was "charred" but it ended up being soot on her hand. Her hand was really dry and sore, the paramedics thought it was like a flash burn. Once we calmed her down she was fine. There is a big investigation going on with the toy that "exploded". The fire department had to report it and we had to talk to an investigator because there were other

complaints on the toy. When Tia was being tested for achalasia I mentioned this to her doctor. He thought it was very interesting and did some research. He said he could only find one case where electric shock had any relation to achalasia. Anyways both of these things may mean nothing. But, it has always been on my mind. I was wondering if you may have some thoughts. Thanks for your time.

No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go with for Mobile. Get started.

[Guest guest]

Bourm wrote:

When

Tia was about 6 or 7 she had the stomach flu and ended up with a STAPH

INFECTION, in her throat and mouth.

Staph is bacterial. There are reasons that a virus is suspected as the

initial cause of the inflammation, however no one knows and while many

people have staph infection without it causing achalasia it may be that

people with achalasia have something about them that lets something

like staph trigger achalasia. No one knows though so at this time one

can only speculate.

She

had her tonsils removed

When I had mine removed at seven it seemed like for a long time I had

too much saliva and could not swallow it all. I can only speculate

about if it was the beginning for me. If it was, I had years before it

was more than just a little there. Though there were problems along the

way, it was not until I was in college that I was sure something was

broken. There is no way to know if there is a connection to the

tonsils. It may be that there are a number of things, not just one

virus or what have you, that can cause achalasia. No one knows.

Another

thing I did ask Tia's gastronologist about is electrical shock.

The first thing that comes to my mind about the way you told the story

is that it is possible no electricity was running through her. The burn

could have been caused by explosive heat generated by the short and she

may have been "thrown backwards" by her reaction. Unless she was

barefoot and standing on a good conductor or holding one in her other

hand there would not be much reason for the electricity to use her body

to complete a circuit with enough current to be a problem. If her body

did complete a good circuit with the electricity taking a path through

her esophagus, it is possible that those neurons could have been

damaged. However, those neurons are very close to the heart and lungs,

and it seems likely to me, though this could be wrong, that she would

have been worse off if it was in fact damaging nerves in that area.

I am sure this is just coincidence, when I was a child, my brother and

I were struck by lightning. We were a little dazed but unharmed.

notan

[Guest guest]

Hi -

I was reading about Tia and what your were saying.

always had severe strep as a kid growing up and constant ear

infections.He has tonsils taken out ,tubes in ears etc..He had a

infection in his mouth but his was a bad case of thrush they said.

He even had a major shock as a kid too...hmmm

makes ya wonder if there is any kind of relations to any of this

wnet it comes to A.Ya know they dont know were or what causes it

soooooo ... Whos's to say wheither or not some type of infection

got into the E and caused the damage or whatever.Could the shock od

done something to the E???

I only hope to still be alive when they find out more about this

disease.We should do a poll with the other moms here and see if they

had any of these issues with ther kids.Heck also if any adults here

had issues with ears,throat,and if they were ever shocked.Might

sound CRAZY TO SOME BUT YOU JUST NEVER KNOW..SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Tell Miss Tia hello-How is she doing?

Tonia

>

> Hello Notan,

>

> I have been reading the posts about neck injuries and achalasia.

My questions may be way off base but I keep wondering about it so I

thought, " what do I have to loose by asking " .

>

>

> " Current evidence suggests that the initial insult to the

esophagus, perhaps a

> > viral infection or some other environmental factor, results in

> > myenteric plexus inflammation. "

> The part about a viral infection leading to myenteric

inflammation has me wondering.

>

> When Tia was about 6 or 7 she had the stomach flu and ended up

with a STAPH INFECTION, in her throat and mouth. Her mouth and what

I could see of her throat were covered in a white yucky puss. She

didn't have strep which surprised the doctor but he sent the test

strip to a lab and a few days later called to say that staph had

grown. Tia was doing better so nothing was done. I'm not sure if

staph is a viral or bacterial infection. The doctor felt that the

virus she had traveled and settled in her throat/mouth.

>

> Do you think that this could have lead to anything related to

achalasia with Tia?? I know that you are not a doctor but you have

done so much research, I value your opinions.

>

> Another thing I did ask Tia's gastronologist about is electrical

shock. Last Spring, during the time that Tia was just beginning to

have swallowing problems and she was being treated by a Ears, Nose

and Throat doctor Tia experienced an electrical shock. In the spring

her symptoms were a little different than then there were in the

Fall. She had her tonsils removed about 2 weeks after the electrical

shock. About a month after having her tonsils out then she really

started having trouble swallowing. The doctors can't say 100% that

the spring and fall issues were related to achalasia. It may have

been just tonsil issues in the Spring then achalasia issues started

in the late summer early fall. Or it could have been achalasia

issues all along. We will never know.

>

> About the electrical shock.. Tia was going to plug in a fish

lamp and there was a short in the cord (of course we didn't know

this). When Tia plugged it in the cord exploded. Tia's hand was

burnt from the explosion and she was thrown backwards. The " prongs "

that you plug into the wall were completely severed from the cord. I

ended up calling 911 because my husband had already left for work

and Tia was screaming so loud I couldn't even think. I wasn't sure

what happened because everything happened so fast. At first it

looked like Tia's hand was " charred " but it ended up being soot on

her hand. Her hand was really dry and sore, the paramedics thought

it was like a flash burn. Once we calmed her down she was fine.

There is a big investigation going on with the toy that " exploded " .

The fire department had to report it and we had to talk to an

investigator because there were other complaints on the toy.

>

> When Tia was being tested for achalasia I mentioned this to her

doctor. He thought it was very interesting and did some research. He

said he could only find one case where electric shock had any

relation to achalasia.

>

> Anyways both of these things may mean nothing. But, it has

always been on my mind. I was wondering if you may have some

thoughts. Thanks for your time.

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

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Your posts are very interesting. I am also and have been wondering if shoulder injury could have caused my achalasia. 6 months prior to my first symptoms, I had a computer monitor fall on my shoulder causing a crushing injury to my shoulder blade, I also have since experienced pinched nerves in my shoulder and have wondered if this could have been the cause of my achalasia. I have never experienced any symptoms of the achalasia and suddenly I couldn't swallow. Just another food for thought! Crystaltoniasdogsandi <toniasdogsandi@...> wrote: Hi -I was reading about Tia and what your were saying. always had severe strep as a kid growing up and constant ear infections.He has tonsils taken out ,tubes in ears etc..He had a infection in his mouth but his was a bad case of thrush they said.He even had a major shock as a kid too...hmmmmakes ya wonder if there is any kind of relations to any of this wnet it comes to A.Ya know they dont know were or what causes it soooooo ... Whos's to say wheither or not some type of infection got into the E and caused the damage or whatever.Could the shock od done something to the E???I only hope to still be alive when they find out more about this disease.We should do a poll with the other moms here and see if they had any of these issues with ther kids.Heck also if any adults here had issues with ears,throat,and if they were ever shocked.Might

sound CRAZY TO SOME BUT YOU JUST NEVER KNOW..SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUTTell Miss Tia hello-How is she doing?Tonia>> Hello Notan,> > I have been reading the posts about neck injuries and achalasia. My questions may be way off base but I keep wondering about it so I thought, "what do I have to loose by asking".> > > "Current evidence suggests that the initial insult to the esophagus, perhaps a > > viral infection or some other environmental factor, results in > > myenteric plexus inflammation. " > The part about a viral infection leading to myenteric inflammation has me wondering. > > When Tia was about 6 or 7 she had the stomach flu and ended up with a STAPH INFECTION, in her throat and mouth. Her mouth and what I

could see of her throat were covered in a white yucky puss. She didn't have strep which surprised the doctor but he sent the test strip to a lab and a few days later called to say that staph had grown. Tia was doing better so nothing was done. I'm not sure if staph is a viral or bacterial infection. The doctor felt that the virus she had traveled and settled in her throat/mouth. > > Do you think that this could have lead to anything related to achalasia with Tia?? I know that you are not a doctor but you have done so much research, I value your opinions. > > Another thing I did ask Tia's gastronologist about is electrical shock. Last Spring, during the time that Tia was just beginning to have swallowing problems and she was being treated by a Ears, Nose and Throat doctor Tia experienced an electrical shock. In the spring her symptoms were a little different than then there were in the Fall. She had

her tonsils removed about 2 weeks after the electrical shock. About a month after having her tonsils out then she really started having trouble swallowing. The doctors can't say 100% that the spring and fall issues were related to achalasia. It may have been just tonsil issues in the Spring then achalasia issues started in the late summer early fall. Or it could have been achalasia issues all along. We will never know. > > About the electrical shock.. Tia was going to plug in a fish lamp and there was a short in the cord (of course we didn't know this). When Tia plugged it in the cord exploded. Tia's hand was burnt from the explosion and she was thrown backwards. The "prongs" that you plug into the wall were completely severed from the cord. I ended up calling 911 because my husband had already left for work and Tia was screaming so loud I couldn't even think. I wasn't sure what happened because everything

happened so fast. At first it looked like Tia's hand was "charred" but it ended up being soot on her hand. Her hand was really dry and sore, the paramedics thought it was like a flash burn. Once we calmed her down she was fine. There is a big investigation going on with the toy that "exploded". The fire department had to report it and we had to talk to an investigator because there were other complaints on the toy. > > When Tia was being tested for achalasia I mentioned this to her doctor. He thought it was very interesting and did some research. He said he could only find one case where electric shock had any relation to achalasia. > > Anyways both of these things may mean nothing. But, it has always been on my mind. I was wondering if you may have some thoughts. Thanks for your time.> > > > > > > >

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