Guest guest Posted May 3, 2011 Report Share Posted May 3, 2011 Hi Everyone, Hope you all are doing good. I have few questions - again - and i thought i should seek your help. a) Its said that if achalasis is un-treated, this could lead to the cancer - we have read this on internet. But this statement is little confusing, because achalasia has most of the times remain un-treated till the patient starts throwing up the food. At that stage you have no other choice but to treat it. So my question is, what does this statement mean 'if achalasia is un-treated' ... i mean how could achalasia be un-treated? Do you think that achalasia requires routine (once a year) endoscopy? Have your dr recommended this? c) To oversome the spasm, was any medicine given to relax your LES? Thanks Hassaan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2011 Report Share Posted May 3, 2011 Hassaan, In some cases Achalasia can go untreated. Many people choose to just live with it. They find ways to cope and get the food to go down. I " lived " with it untreated for about 12 years. I had a dilitation but then my swallowing got worse 2 years post dilatation but I did nothing about it for another 12 years. There are people in this group that have had NO intervetions at all and have lived with it for over 20 years. So it can be done. Quality of life many not be great, but it can be done. As for cancer risk increasing with out treatment? Not sure, I was under the impression that cancer risk is increased due to symtoms of GERD from post Heller Myotomy patients. Notan has been commenting on this lately. Although I would suppose that lactic acid buildup from fodd sitting in an untreated Achalasic Esophagus could cause cell changes in the lining. I don't think its common though. i think Achalasians should have checkups (barium swallows and endoscopies) every few years or more often if symptoms persist. But if swallowing is going well, every 3 years or so for a check up is a pretty good idea. I was not given anything for spasms because my GI docs had no idea what they were. Now, I do not get spasms anymore. I think my E is beyond the point where it has any activity left in it. When I did get spasms, luke warm water at the very onset would keep them at bay. This does not work for everyone and others have been prescribed meds. I do not know if they have had success. Maybe they will chime in to tell of their experiences. Cara > > > Hi Everyone, > Hope you all are doing good. I have few questions - again - and i thought i should seek your help. > > a) Its said that if achalasis is un-treated, this could lead to the cancer - we have read this on internet. But this statement is little confusing, because achalasia has most of the times remain un-treated till the patient starts throwing up the food. At that stage you have no other choice but to treat it. So my question is, what does this statement mean 'if achalasia is un-treated' ... i mean how could achalasia be un-treated? > > Do you think that achalasia requires routine (once a year) endoscopy? Have your dr recommended this? > > c) To oversome the spasm, was any medicine given to relax your LES? > > Thanks > > Hassaan > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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