Re: What your GI doesn't tell you, unless you ask.....

[Guest guest]

I had a good doctor; Dr Marco Patti (now from Chicago, formally UCSF)

recommends AGAIST a dialtion before surgery. My memory from this board

is that he is not the only one

Dave

cow county Calif

>

>

> From reading most of the post, even going back to the start of this

> group, I think I can say many people have had thier share of bad

> Doctors.

> 4) GI's consider Balloon dilations that last 1 year a success.

>

> 5) GI's have given my family the " you are crazy " look when you tell a

> GI that you want to skip the balloon dilation, and go striaght for a

> Heller procedure.

>

>

> -Dana Mills

>

[Guest guest]

I had a good doctor; Dr Marco Patti (now from Chicago, formally UCSF)

recommends AGAIST a dialtion before surgery. My memory from this board

is that he is not the only one

Dave

cow county Calif

>

>

> From reading most of the post, even going back to the start of this

> group, I think I can say many people have had thier share of bad

> Doctors.

> 4) GI's consider Balloon dilations that last 1 year a success.

>

> 5) GI's have given my family the " you are crazy " look when you tell a

> GI that you want to skip the balloon dilation, and go striaght for a

> Heller procedure.

>

>

> -Dana Mills

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Dana,

I can understand your frustration, but I don't think that getting this bitter

against GI's will help, nor will generalising them.

In the years that I've been dealing with my achalasia I've met many GI's and

only one of them wasn't OK. In the beginning I wasn't even at a specialised

hospital, but the hospital that I was at did warn me for the dilatation risks,

even though this was about 15 years ago already (so internet wasn't like it is

nowadays). My hospital spoke about a myotomy pretty soon and it even discussed

an -ectomy with me. After 5 dilatations they refused to do another one on me and

told me the Heller was the only way to go.

Yes, I was misdiagnosed at first, but who's to blame??? You should always ask

yourself that question. Was it really that stupid an opinion of them to think I

was bulimic? I can honestly say that I think not. They did everything they

could, but in the early stages achalasia is hard to diagnose and in my case when

they re-did the test one or two years later the achalasia had developed and

could be diagnosed. So in the early days they did test me for it, but when it

gave them no answer, they wanted me to see a psychologist as I was a very thin

teenager telling them that she couldn't eat and hiding with her clothes how bad

she had gotten. I don't blame them, chances were just so much higher that I was

bulimic. I can only thank them for taking me thus serious (or should I thank

myself for getting them to take me serious?) and for a re-do of the tests later

on.

If you think back to what a GI has done/tried to help you, try to go stand in

his/her shoes for a minute and try to take a look from the other side. You might

get to understand the reason why they did what they did, even though it might

have been the wrong choice.

 

Doctors didn't study to become a doctor to be ignorant and misdiagnose people.

They want to help people, that's their aim, that's what they've studied and

worked so hard for. They don't know it all and if you stay polite and ask them

all ifs and buts most of them won't give you a hard time and will be as honest

as possible and do their utmost to find out what the best treatment is. At least

that's the way I find things work over here in Holland and I cannot imagine it

being all that different overseas...

Imagine you being a GI and being as generalised as in your earlier post... Hmmm,

don't know whether I'ld be happy to treat another achalasian again, would you?

I find it very hard to understand that people don't always seek the most

specialised hospital/docs for their illness (or complaints when it remains

undiagnosed).

I'm not saying all GI's are perfect. I'm not saying all doctors try hard to do

the best job they can. But I don't think we can put all the blame on them. We

patients need to do our job as well. It's our body they are working on, so we

better work on it ourselves as well by asking questions and by getting as much

information as we can get. I never blindly trust one doctors opinion (maybe

that's the lesson I've learned over the last 15 years???).

I've learned another lesson as well and I've said this one before here on the

board: avoid getting bitter, try to get better!

Love,

Isabella

What your GI doesn't tell you, unless you ask.....

From reading most of the post, even going back to the start of this

group, I think I can say many people have had thier share of bad

Doctors.

1) A GI does not have to refer you for a surgical consult, or inform

you of surgical produres available.

2) GI docs treat patients at ages 60, 50, 20 and 10 years old all the

same and suggestion balloon dilation.

3) GI's don't track their patients, if a patient stops coming around

and is not complaining of symptoms, the GI's assume the patient is well.

4) GI's consider Balloon dilations that last 1 year a success.

5) GI's have given my family the " you are crazy " look when you tell a

GI that you want to skip the balloon dilation, and go striaght for a

Heller procedure.

And I'm sure others have other horror stories like it's all in your

head, I 'll try not to open that can of worms...

So, my question is what obligation does the GI have to give all the

options available , even if he/she cannot perform the procedure like a

Heller?

How do we educate the GI's to not treat all ages the same?

I understand that for patients with " A " that are 50 -60 years old

balloon dilations can work wonders, but I have read over many studies

that show anyone under 20 years of age should NOT get ballon dilations

because they are only 30-40 % effective and usually don't last longer

than a year. I feel like balloon dilations for the kids are just a

bandaide solution, and gives people false hope.

I guess I feel strongly in this area, and I know why there are other

treatments, and surgery is not right for everybody. I don't want you to

feel " my way is the right way " .( I know it's not right for everyone!) I

guess I wonder if anyone else feels the same, and if there is anything

we can do about, short of calling up each GI doc and giving them an ear

ful. ( HAHA!)-kidding

Anyways, I guess I can't stand hearing that yet another person

was " strung along " and really is suffering all because of a stupid

doctor. I'm with you, just a little grumpy that others are having to

put up with such crap.

-Dana Mills

[Guest guest]

I understand there are good Docs out there but my experienced is based on 4 GI's

who all did the same thing! and I just hate that other people going through the

same thing. And worst of all the first dr said " it can't be Achalasia because it

is RARE!! " Maybe , I'm just in an area that has sub-par Drs. I used to live in

San Diego, CA and had NO problems there. My son is a special needs kid and had

lots of different Drs. and I've never come across such a thing, before. It is

good to hear I am wrong, maybe I'm getting confused in the posts and there seems

like there are more problems then there really are, due to people re-stating

thier issues. This is a place where I'm glad I'm wrong!

when I say GI I don't mean surgeons, the ones before the surgeon visits.

-Dana Mills

Isabella Arnold <arnoldisabella@...> wrote:

Hi Dana,

I can understand your frustration, but I don't think that getting this bitter

against GI's will help, nor will generalising them.

In the years that I've been dealing with my achalasia I've met many GI's and

only one of them wasn't OK. In the beginning I wasn't even at a specialised

hospital, but the hospital that I was at did warn me for the dilatation risks,

even though this was about 15 years ago already (so internet wasn't like it is

nowadays). My hospital spoke about a myotomy pretty soon and it even discussed

an -ectomy with me. After 5 dilatations they refused to do another one on me and

told me the Heller was the only way to go.

Yes, I was misdiagnosed at first, but who's to blame??? You should always ask

yourself that question. Was it really that stupid an opinion of them to think I

was bulimic? I can honestly say that I think not. They did everything they

could, but in the early stages achalasia is hard to diagnose and in my case when

they re-did the test one or two years later the achalasia had developed and

could be diagnosed. So in the early days they did test me for it, but when it

gave them no answer, they wanted me to see a psychologist as I was a very thin

teenager telling them that she couldn't eat and hiding with her clothes how bad

she had gotten. I don't blame them, chances were just so much higher that I was

bulimic. I can only thank them for taking me thus serious (or should I thank

myself for getting them to take me serious?) and for a re-do of the tests later

on.

If you think back to what a GI has done/tried to help you, try to go stand in

his/her shoes for a minute and try to take a look from the other side. You might

get to understand the reason why they did what they did, even though it might

have been the wrong choice.

Doctors didn't study to become a doctor to be ignorant and misdiagnose people.

They want to help people, that's their aim, that's what they've studied and

worked so hard for. They don't know it all and if you stay polite and ask them

all ifs and buts most of them won't give you a hard time and will be as honest

as possible and do their utmost to find out what the best treatment is. At least

that's the way I find things work over here in Holland and I cannot imagine it

being all that different overseas...

Imagine you being a GI and being as generalised as in your earlier post... Hmmm,

don't know whether I'ld be happy to treat another achalasian again, would you?

I find it very hard to understand that people don't always seek the most

specialised hospital/docs for their illness (or complaints when it remains

undiagnosed).

I'm not saying all GI's are perfect. I'm not saying all doctors try hard to do

the best job they can. But I don't think we can put all the blame on them. We

patients need to do our job as well. It's our body they are working on, so we

better work on it ourselves as well by asking questions and by getting as much

information as we can get. I never blindly trust one doctors opinion (maybe

that's the lesson I've learned over the last 15 years???).

I've learned another lesson as well and I've said this one before here on the

board: avoid getting bitter, try to get better!

Love,

Isabella

What your GI doesn't tell you, unless you ask.....

From reading most of the post, even going back to the start of this

group, I think I can say many people have had thier share of bad

Doctors.

1) A GI does not have to refer you for a surgical consult, or inform

you of surgical produres available.

2) GI docs treat patients at ages 60, 50, 20 and 10 years old all the

same and suggestion balloon dilation.

3) GI's don't track their patients, if a patient stops coming around

and is not complaining of symptoms, the GI's assume the patient is well.

4) GI's consider Balloon dilations that last 1 year a success.

5) GI's have given my family the " you are crazy " look when you tell a

GI that you want to skip the balloon dilation, and go striaght for a

Heller procedure.

And I'm sure others have other horror stories like it's all in your

head, I 'll try not to open that can of worms...

So, my question is what obligation does the GI have to give all the

options available , even if he/she cannot perform the procedure like a

Heller?

How do we educate the GI's to not treat all ages the same?

I understand that for patients with " A " that are 50 -60 years old

balloon dilations can work wonders, but I have read over many studies

that show anyone under 20 years of age should NOT get ballon dilations

because they are only 30-40 % effective and usually don't last longer

than a year. I feel like balloon dilations for the kids are just a

bandaide solution, and gives people false hope.

I guess I feel strongly in this area, and I know why there are other

treatments, and surgery is not right for everybody. I don't want you to

feel " my way is the right way " .( I know it's not right for everyone!) I

guess I wonder if anyone else feels the same, and if there is anything

we can do about, short of calling up each GI doc and giving them an ear

ful. ( HAHA!)-kidding

Anyways, I guess I can't stand hearing that yet another person

was " strung along " and really is suffering all because of a stupid

doctor. I'm with you, just a little grumpy that others are having to

put up with such crap.

-Dana Mills

[Guest guest]

Is he a surgeon or just GI? again I'm glad to be wrong. I must just be having

bad luck in this area, 4of out 4 duds...what are the odds?

now surgeons I have no problems

thanks-Dana Mills

<davster13@...> wrote:

I had a good doctor; Dr Marco Patti (now from Chicago, formally UCSF)

recommends AGAIST a dialtion before surgery. My memory from this board

is that he is not the only one

Dave

cow county Calif

>

>

> From reading most of the post, even going back to the start of this

> group, I think I can say many people have had thier share of bad

> Doctors.

> 4) GI's consider Balloon dilations that last 1 year a success.

>

> 5) GI's have given my family the " you are crazy " look when you tell a

> GI that you want to skip the balloon dilation, and go striaght for a

> Heller procedure.

>

>

> -Dana Mills

>

[Guest guest]

Dana, I'm definitely in an area with sub-par doctors. The first

GI told me to " live with it. " The 2nd, 30 miles away, assured me

that I don't have ovarian or stomach cancer because I'd be dead by

now. I'm from San Diego too but up here in No. Arizona, we have few

choices. Doctors in many desert towns are from foreign countries,

brought to the U.S. on 5 year contracts or VISAs & agree to practice

in " under-serviced areas. " They barely speak English, can't read

reports, & in some cases won't actually touch or examine patients.

Susie

>

> I understand there are good Docs out there but my experienced is

based on 4 GI's who all did the same thing! and I just hate that

other people going through the same thing. And worst of all the

first dr said " it can't be Achalasia because it is RARE!! " Maybe ,

I'm just in an area that has sub-par Drs. I used to live in San

Diego, CA and had NO problems there. My son is a special needs kid

and had lots of different Drs. and I've never come across such a

thing, before. It is good to hear I am wrong, maybe I'm getting

confused in the posts and there seems like there are more problems

then there really are, due to people re-stating thier issues. This

is a place where I'm glad I'm wrong!

>

> when I say GI I don't mean surgeons, the ones before the surgeon

visits.

>

> -Dana Mills

>

[Guest guest]

Susie

Sorry to hear it. We are a military family and the thought I keep holding on

to is " just one more year until we move!! " thanks

-Dana

susiedu <susiedu@...> wrote:

Dana, I'm definitely in an area with sub-par doctors. The first

GI told me to " live with it. " The 2nd, 30 miles away, assured me

that I don't have ovarian or stomach cancer because I'd be dead by

now. I'm from San Diego too but up here in No. Arizona, we have few

choices. Doctors in many desert towns are from foreign countries,

brought to the U.S. on 5 year contracts or VISAs & agree to practice

in " under-serviced areas. " They barely speak English, can't read

reports, & in some cases won't actually touch or examine patients.

Susie

>

> I understand there are good Docs out there but my experienced is

based on 4 GI's who all did the same thing! and I just hate that

other people going through the same thing. And worst of all the

first dr said " it can't be Achalasia because it is RARE!! " Maybe ,

I'm just in an area that has sub-par Drs. I used to live in San

Diego, CA and had NO problems there. My son is a special needs kid

and had lots of different Drs. and I've never come across such a

thing, before. It is good to hear I am wrong, maybe I'm getting

confused in the posts and there seems like there are more problems

then there really are, due to people re-stating thier issues. This

is a place where I'm glad I'm wrong!

>

> when I say GI I don't mean surgeons, the ones before the surgeon

visits.

>

> -Dana Mills

>

[Guest guest]

I have another rare disease-primary pulmonary hypertension. PAH

patients have the same problem. The pulmonologist who diagnosed me

told me I had 18 months to 3 years to live and that there was no

treatment. He was content to be my doctor and watch me die. After I

brought him a press release about a new drug I found on the internet

he bothered to find a specialist for me-just down the freeway 20

minutes. I saw the specialist and followed his treatment plan for me

and here I am 12 years later alive and kicking with yet another rare

disease!

When newbies on the PAH board want to know how to survive I tell them

to do 3 things:

-find a specialist (someone who treats many patients) even if you have

to travel

-do everything that specialist tells you to do

-do it when they tell you to do it

Those are pretty simple things but more problems and deaths with PAH

arise from people not following them.

I think the same advice probably applies to achalasia too. Luckily

enough the GI specialist I saw the second time had an " interest " in

achalasia. He recommended I see Pelegrini to at least talk

about surgery. No one even discussed dilation with me. I'm 58 so maybe

my age was a consideration. Thanks to my heller (last June) I am

symptom free.

Maureen in Mukilteo

---------------------------------------------

In achalasia , " Dana Mills " <danamills@> wrote:

From reading most of the post, even going back to the start of this

group, I think I can say many people have had thier share of bad

Doctors.

>

1) A GI does not have to refer you for a surgical consult, or inform

> you of surgical produres available.

>

2) GI docs treat patients at ages 60, 50, 20 and 10 years old all the

> same and suggestion balloon dilation.

>

3) GI's don't track their patients, if a patient stops coming around

and is not complaining of symptoms, the GI's assume the patient is well.

>

4) GI's consider Balloon dilations that last 1 year a success.

>

5) GI's have given my family the " you are crazy " look when you tell a

GI that you want to skip the balloon dilation, and go striaght for a

Heller procedure.

>

>

>

And I'm sure others have other horror stories like it's all in your

head, I 'll try not to open that can of worms...

>

So, my question is what obligation does the GI have to give all the

options available, even if he/she cannot perform the procedure like a

Heller?

>

How do we educate the GI's to not treat all ages the same?

>

I understand that for patients with " A " that are 50 -60 years old

balloon dilations can work wonders, but I have read over many studies

that show anyone under 20 years of age should NOT get ballon dilations

because they are only 30-40 % effective and usually don't last longer

than a year. I feel like balloon dilations for the kids are just a

bandaide solution, and gives people false hope.

>

I guess I feel strongly in this area, and I know why there are other

treatments, and surgery is not right for everybody. I don't want you

to feel " my way is the right way " .( I know it's not right for

everyone!) I guess I wonder if anyone else feels the same, and if

there is anything we can do about, short of calling up each GI doc and

giving them an earful. ( HAHA!)-kidding

>

>

Anyways, I guess I can't stand hearing that yet another person

was " strung along " and really is suffering all because of a stupid

doctor. I'm with you, just a little grumpy that others are having to

put up with such crap.

-Dana Mills

[Guest guest]

Maureen,

  Did dr.pelegrini do your hellers? I have an operation scheduled with him in

nov. He wants to do a gastric by pass at the same time. I've e-mailed other docs

but they haven't responded yet. I'm not sure about the two surgeries at the same

time, but I am an overweight achalasian, also very rare. My issue is that I'm a

little to trusting I've always thought the doc was right and now I realize I'm

allowed to ask questions. I also am 58 years old. I live in montana and there

are no docs here that have a clue about " A " .

 

    Jeanie  [montana]

From reading most of the post, even going back to the start of this

group, I think I can say many people have had thier share of bad

Doctors.

>

1) A GI does not have to refer you for a surgical consult, or inform

> you of surgical produres available.

>

2) GI docs treat patients at ages 60, 50, 20 and 10 years old all the

> same and suggestion balloon dilation.

>

3) GI's don't track their patients, if a patient stops coming around

and is not complaining of symptoms, the GI's assume the patient is well.

>

4) GI's consider Balloon dilations that last 1 year a success.

>

5) GI's have given my family the " you are crazy " look when you tell a

GI that you want to skip the balloon dilation, and go striaght for a

Heller procedure.

>

>

>

And I'm sure others have other horror stories like it's all in your

head, I 'll try not to open that can of worms...

>

So, my question is what obligation does the GI have to give all the

options available, even if he/she cannot perform the procedure like a

Heller?

>

How do we educate the GI's to not treat all ages the same?

>

I understand that for patients with " A " that are 50 -60 years old

balloon dilations can work wonders, but I have read over many studies

that show anyone under 20 years of age should NOT get ballon dilations

because they are only 30-40 % effective and usually don't last longer

than a year. I feel like balloon dilations for the kids are just a

bandaide solution, and gives people false hope.

>

I guess I feel strongly in this area, and I know why there are other

treatments, and surgery is not right for everybody. I don't want you

to feel " my way is the right way " .( I know it's not right for

everyone!) I guess I wonder if anyone else feels the same, and if

there is anything we can do about, short of calling up each GI doc and

giving them an earful. ( HAHA!)-kidding

>

>

Anyways, I guess I can't stand hearing that yet another person

was " strung along " and really is suffering all because of a stupid

doctor. I'm with you, just a little grumpy that others are having to

put up with such crap.

-Dana Mills

[Guest guest]

thats interesting that baloon dilation is considered worse to have before

myotomies. i had 2 myotomies already and no dilations. nothing worked yet in

the past 8 years at all. im thinking about doing my first dilation now after 2

myotomies but im afriad it will be risky. i asked earlier on the boards here

and got 2 responses one in favor and one against. the two drs ive seen both

recommended i try dilations now. it's so confusing i ddont want to do any more

damage!

>

> From reading most of the post, even going back to the start

> of this

> group, I think I can say many people have had thier share

> of bad

> Doctors.

> >

> 1) A GI does not have to refer you for a surgical consult,

> or inform

> > you of surgical produres available.

> >

> 2) GI docs treat patients at ages 60, 50, 20 and 10 years

> old all the

> > same and suggestion balloon dilation.

> >

> 3) GI's don't track their patients, if a patient

> stops coming around

> and is not complaining of symptoms, the GI's assume the

> patient is well.

> >

> 4) GI's consider Balloon dilations that last 1 year a

> success.

> >

> 5) GI's have given my family the " you are

> crazy " look when you tell a

> GI that you want to skip the balloon dilation, and go

> striaght for a

> Heller procedure.

> >

> >

> >

> And I'm sure others have other horror stories like

> it's all in your

> head, I 'll try not to open that can of worms...

> >

> So, my question is what obligation does the GI have to give

> all the

> options available, even if he/she cannot perform the

> procedure like a

> Heller?

> >

> How do we educate the GI's to not treat all ages the

> same?

> >

> I understand that for patients with " A " that are

> 50 -60 years old

> balloon dilations can work wonders, but I have read over

> many studies

> that show anyone under 20 years of age should NOT get

> ballon dilations

> because they are only 30-40 % effective and usually

> don't last longer

> than a year. I feel like balloon dilations for the kids are

> just a

> bandaide solution, and gives people false hope.

> >

> I guess I feel strongly in this area, and I know why there

> are other

> treatments, and surgery is not right for everybody. I

> don't want you

> to feel " my way is the right way " .( I know

> it's not right for

> everyone!) I guess I wonder if anyone else feels the same,

> and if

> there is anything we can do about, short of calling up each

> GI doc and

> giving them an earful. ( HAHA!)-kidding

> >

> >

> Anyways, I guess I can't stand hearing that yet another

> person

> was " strung along " and really is suffering all

> because of a stupid

> doctor. I'm with you, just a little grumpy that others

> are having to

> put up with such crap.

>

> -Dana Mills

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Mike,

I understand your confusion, but the fact is that there is a difference in

dilatation pre and post surgery.

Dilatations pre myotomy often just don't do the trick and cause scar tissue,

thus lessening success rates and increasing complication risks of an eventual

later myotomy.

Dilatations post myotomy do the trick more often and are worth a shot in several

cases. They also cause scar tissue of course, so indeed they also lessen success

rates and increase complication risks of an eventual later re-do of the myotomy.

So the difference is that a dilatation post myotomy might prevent one needing a

second myotomy, whereas this is more rare in dilatation pre myotomy.

Isabella

Re: Re: What your GI doesn't tell you, unless you ask.....

thats interesting that baloon dilation is considered worse to have before

myotomies. i had 2 myotomies already and no dilations. nothing worked yet in the

past 8 years at all. im thinking about doing my first dilation now after 2

myotomies but im afriad it will be risky. i asked earlier on the boards here and

got 2 responses one in favor and one against. the two drs ive seen both

recommended i try dilations now. it's so confusing i ddont want to do any more

damage!

>

> From reading most of the post, even going back to the start

> of this

> group, I think I can say many people have had thier share

> of bad

> Doctors.

> >

> 1) A GI does not have to refer you for a surgical consult,

> or inform

> > you of surgical produres available.

> >

> 2) GI docs treat patients at ages 60, 50, 20 and 10 years

> old all the

> > same and suggestion balloon dilation.

> >

> 3) GI's don't track their patients, if a patient

> stops coming around

> and is not complaining of symptoms, the GI's assume the

> patient is well.

> >

> 4) GI's consider Balloon dilations that last 1 year a

> success.

> >

> 5) GI's have given my family the " you are

> crazy " look when you tell a

> GI that you want to skip the balloon dilation, and go

> striaght for a

> Heller procedure.

> >

> >

> >

> And I'm sure others have other horror stories like

> it's all in your

> head, I 'll try not to open that can of worms...

> >

> So, my question is what obligation does the GI have to give

> all the

> options available, even if he/she cannot perform the

> procedure like a

> Heller?

> >

> How do we educate the GI's to not treat all ages the

> same?

> >

> I understand that for patients with " A " that are

> 50 -60 years old

> balloon dilations can work wonders, but I have read over

> many studies

> that show anyone under 20 years of age should NOT get

> ballon dilations

> because they are only 30-40 % effective and usually

> don't last longer

> than a year. I feel like balloon dilations for the kids are

> just a

> bandaide solution, and gives people false hope.

> >

> I guess I feel strongly in this area, and I know why there

> are other

> treatments, and surgery is not right for everybody. I

> don't want you

> to feel " my way is the right way " .( I know

> it's not right for

> everyone!) I guess I wonder if anyone else feels the same,

> and if

> there is anything we can do about, short of calling up each

> GI doc and

> giving them an earful. ( HAHA!)-kidding

> >

> >

> Anyways, I guess I can't stand hearing that yet another

> person

> was " strung along " and really is suffering all

> because of a stupid

> doctor. I'm with you, just a little grumpy that others

> are having to

> put up with such crap.

>

> -Dana Mills

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[Guest guest]

I live in the Washington DC metro area and you would think there would

be some excellent GIs here who know all about achalasia. I first had

Kaiser Permenente and was misdiagnosed for five years until they

finally sent me to one of their GI specialists who immediately

diagnosed achalasia with a barium swallow and manometry and two

balloon dilations. Then, I changed jobs and went to a top-rated GI on

the Washingtonian list and he performed at least 4 more dilations and

used botox twice; he left and his collegue performed yet another

dilation. I finally found the Cleveland Clinic through research and

found Dr. Rice. I do not even go here anymore for my GI visits. I go

back to Cleveland and see the GI who works with Dr. Rice, Dr. Shay. It

is just not worth the risk. I don't trust any of them here. Dr. Rice

said I had far too many dilations, which is why the laporoscopic

heller myotomy only lasted three years. Dr. Rice said two dilations is

enough.

I am not bitter. It is what it is. But hopefully as soon as folks are

diagnosed (and will probably be misdiagnosed for a long time), they

will find this group.

InVA

> >

> > I understand there are good Docs out there but my experienced is

> based on 4 GI's who all did the same thing! and I just hate that

> other people going through the same thing. And worst of all the

> first dr said " it can't be Achalasia because it is RARE!! " Maybe ,

> I'm just in an area that has sub-par Drs. I used to live in San

> Diego, CA and had NO problems there. My son is a special needs kid

> and had lots of different Drs. and I've never come across such a

> thing, before. It is good to hear I am wrong, maybe I'm getting

> confused in the posts and there seems like there are more problems

> then there really are, due to people re-stating thier issues. This

> is a place where I'm glad I'm wrong!

> >

> > when I say GI I don't mean surgeons, the ones before the surgeon

> visits.

> >

> > -Dana Mills

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