My Rare Disease Day post

[Guest guest]

5+ Years Post Myotomy and Doing Fine!

If you could be with me when I eat you would have no idea that I have

achalasia. I eat whatever I want. I can finish a meal fast. I almost

never have spasms and achalasia rarely bothers me at night.

I had swallowing problems going back to childhood. I don't know for sure

if it was achalasia related all those years ago because it was never

checked and was not constant, but I hated white meat and angel food

cake. In my early twenties I knew something was broke but avoided

doctors and hid my problem. I was able to do that until my mid forties

when I finally told my doctor. It only took a few months to get the

diagnosis. The worst part for me was trying to sleep at night. I waited

another six years to get the myotomy. I am probably lucky my esophagus

didn't go end stage. I don't know why I got by without surgery that long

or way others can't. The surgery went well and over five years later I

am doing great. I got rid of my pile of pillows and lowered the bed

though I still keep it raised just a little just in case. I can even eat

fairly close to bed time without a problem, but if I push it, it can be

a problem but not like it was before. No snacks in bed. I do take a PPI.

If I don't I can get mild heartburn. Probably from a paraesophageal

hernia I now have from heaving. No big deal.

You people mean a lot to me. Thank-you.

notan