RE: Re: Achalasia for 34 plus years

[Guest guest]

I was diagnosed with Achalasia about 1964 - after the usual misdiagnosis for

a year or two. I was about 13 years old and the docs kept telling my parents

that it was teenage girl stress, etc. You know the drill. I had my first

Heller Myotomy in 1974 and the second in 2008. And a number of dilations

between the two surgeries and a couple since the last surgery. So I have

lived with this condition for about 49 - 50 years. I don't even remember not

ever having a problem with swallowing.

Cheers,

Jan Dolph

From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf

Of Sharon Cline

Sent: Sunday, May 08, 2011 6:55 PM

achalasia

Subject: Re: Achalasia for 34 plus years

Hi,

I had thought I was the only one with Achalasia for that long. I was

diagnosed in the fall of 1978 and had my first balloon dilatation in May

1979. I was in college when diagnosed, but had been dealing with for

several years trying to find out what was wrong. Of course the doctors

thought I was crazy that it was in my mind. That I was just imaginging the

problems and the spasms and the inability to swallow. When my mom told the

doctors that at night I would sit up in my sleep and cough because it

sounded like it was water backing up in a drain pipe. That told my family

doctor what to look for, a simple barium swallow gave me the diagnose. I

had my myotomy in 1999 and almost did not make it, I had problems breathing

in the O R. I had reacted to the CO2 used in a laproscopic procedure. I

have had several balloon dilations since then and take medication and watch

what I eat and struggle with my weight. I consider myself to be

extremely blessed. What I have could be much worse. Even though I know

this is the most mis-diagnosed disease

Best Regards,

Sharon Cline

[Guest guest]

To Jan:

WOW, I do not know anyone that has had it longer than you. I also had problems

as a small child and every so often I would get sick and throw up and I have

always had problems swallowing pills. I was premature at birth by 1 1/2 ounce

and I have often wondered if that is what caused it or if it was the bee that I

found out I was allergic to and my throat swelled. Who knows? I had wondered

if there was anyone out there that has had it longer, and what future problems I

might expect.

Best Regards,

Sharon Cline

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

Yes, I read your story with interest and thought I would let you know how

long I've lived with Achalasia. I was a normal baby and don't remember any

bee stings. I don't suppose we will ever know in our lifetimes what caused

it. The main reason I tell and re-tell the story of how long I've had this

is to reassure " new " Achalasians that you can have a long, normal life. I

went to college and graduate school, got married, had a baby, got divorced,

had a career and retired and am now looking for a new job here in Portland.

I've traveled a lot and love gourmet food and wine. Now, I'm fighting the

battle of trying to lose weight (which is really weird, considering how thin

I was when I was young). I think I've learned about too many foods that I

can swallow that are high calorie (like ice cream and Starbucks

frappuccinos).

So, cheers to a long life!

Jan

From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf

Of Sharon Cline

Sent: Monday, May 09, 2011 12:53 PM

achalasia

Subject: RE: Re: Achalasia for 34 plus years

To Jan:

WOW, I do not know anyone that has had it longer than you. I also had

problems as a small child and every so often I would get sick and throw up

and I have always had problems swallowing pills. I was premature at birth by

1 1/2 ounce and I have often wondered if that is what caused it or if it was

the bee that I found out I was allergic to and my throat swelled. Who knows?

I had wondered if there was anyone out there that has had it longer, and

what future problems I might expect.

Best Regards,

Sharon Cline

[Guest guest]

Hi Jan,

Hope you have had a good day.  I also wish for others to learn that we can live

long lives, I have had 2 wonderful boys and my career is teaching.  So you can

imagine the stress with teaching is not good for the A.  I have learned to take

one day at a time and hope for the best.  My doctor says I have the vigorous

very spastic version.  I want to prove him wrong.  Staying positive is the one

most important thing we can do.  Staying positive does wonders for our

digestive system.  I know you will agree.  Have a wonderful evening. 

 

Regards,

Sharon 

 

 

From: jan dolph <jan.dolph@...>

Subject: RE: Re: Achalasia for 34 plus years

achalasia

Date: Tuesday, May 10, 2011, 1:30 AM

 

Sharon,

Yes, I read your story with interest and thought I would let you know how

long I've lived with Achalasia. I was a normal baby and don't remember any

bee stings. I don't suppose we will ever know in our lifetimes what caused

it. The main reason I tell and re-tell the story of how long I've had this

is to reassure " new " Achalasians that you can have a long, normal life. I

went to college and graduate school, got married, had a baby, got divorced,

had a career and retired and am now looking for a new job here in Portland.

I've traveled a lot and love gourmet food and wine. Now, I'm fighting the

battle of trying to lose weight (which is really weird, considering how thin

I was when I was young). I think I've learned about too many foods that I

can swallow that are high calorie (like ice cream and Starbucks

frappuccinos).

So, cheers to a long life!

Jan

From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf

Of Sharon Cline

Sent: Monday, May 09, 2011 12:53 PM

achalasia

Subject: RE: Re: Achalasia for 34 plus years

To Jan:

WOW, I do not know anyone that has had it longer than you. I also had

problems as a small child and every so often I would get sick and throw up

and I have always had problems swallowing pills. I was premature at birth by

1 1/2 ounce and I have often wondered if that is what caused it or if it was

the bee that I found out I was allergic to and my throat swelled. Who knows?

I had wondered if there was anyone out there that has had it longer, and

what future problems I might expect.

Best Regards,

Sharon Cline

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

I saw on your other email that you live in Pasadena. I was born and raised in

Dallas, just up the road from you. I worked for the City of Garland for 21 years

and then the City of Austin for 5 years. Talk about stress! The politics were

really stressful at times for me. I’m looking for a less stressful job now.

By the time I moved here, I had to have the second Heller Myotomy and really

needed a sabbatical, too. However, the Great Recession hit at the same time and

my sabbatical has lasted a little longer than I wanted. The unemployment up here

in Oregon is still at 10% -- much worse than Texas. However, there are more jobs

being listed and I’ll take that as a good sign. Take care.

Cheers,

Jan

From: achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of

Sharon Cline

Sent: Tuesday, May 10, 2011 6:44 PM

achalasia

Subject: RE: Re: Achalasia for 34 plus years

Hi Jan,

Hope you have had a good day. I also wish for others to learn that we can live

long lives, I have had 2 wonderful boys and my career is teaching. So you can

imagine the stress with teaching is not good for the A. I have learned to take

one day at a time and hope for the best. My doctor says I have the vigorous

very spastic version. I want to prove him wrong. Staying positive is the one

most important thing we can do. Staying positive does wonders for our digestive

system. I know you will agree. Have a wonderful evening.

Regards,

Sharon

]

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