Old Achalasia question ...

[Guest guest]

I guess I've had Achalasia now for 15 years or more. My Dr. in polis

diagnosed it right away, sent me to Hopkins, where I've been treated since.

Only treatments so far have been Botox injections. But now they don't seem to

work. Previously, I've had remissions that have lasted as long as 5 years which

was unusual as Botox is supposedly effective for only 1 year.

Lately, despite 2 injections at Hopkins in the last 6 months, Botox hasn't

worked, I've had many episodes, and I think my esophagus is deteriorating. I

need to do something different. But like years ago when I considered the

options, I'm still scared of dilitation, and even more of surgery. Maybe these

techniques are more successful today than in the past when I was one of the

first members of this group and treatment options were new and Drs had

little experience in treatment.

Question: I work on eating slowly and chewing well but I forget when I'm very

hungry and then it's too late or I gulp a liquid and the esophagus knots up.

Are there any mental tricks to learn which can help? If not, what low risk

treatments do you recommend?