Re: new to group, need help please....

[Guest guest]

Hi

I felt so emotional reading this - I am so sorry for what you are going through.

Keep telling your doctor's you think you have achalsia and make them look into

it. A barium swallow is the classic way of diagnosing. I am having a tough time

myself with this right now but at least I have know what I have and my doctors

are supportive. good luck finding one (I am in the UK sadly as I would recommend

mine). All the very best, it is a horrible condition but can be managed. love

Kay xx

>

> Hi, I wanted to introduce myself. My name is . I am an " almost " 40 yo

mother of three. I have a busy life with my family, as I homeschool all three

(16,13,6) I'm not on the wrong group, I just wanted you to know I have an active

life and a family who depends on me 24/7. About 3 years ago I woke up in the

middle of the night with the most intense pain I had ever experienced, and I

birthed a 11 pound baby! It was so horrible!! My husband rushed me to the

hospital bc I just knew I was having a heart attack. The doctors said it was

stress, a panic attack. It fit, I had three kids...so I started taking meds for

panic attacks. These pains would happen usually at night. I would take the

pain meds given to me but after a few times I quit. I couldn't be knocked out

for the whole next day...my children could destroy my house in 15 min...imagine

half a day alone!! I always drank cold ice water and would take a very hot bath.

Usually a combo of the two would knock it out. I finally threw the pills for

both away. I wasn't having panic attacks. It wasn't a heart attack. But

doctors didn't know what it was.

>

> A few months before this began, I had started to have these pains when I would

eat or drink. They didn't happen often at first, maybe once or twice a month.

But the pain was intense. I could breath, the food just would not go down. It

was like the elevator to take my food from my throat down hadn't made it there

in time. As soon as it arrived, I was better. Ofcourse, this was not pleasant

while driving a car!! I talked to my GP and didn't really have much to say.

>

> It was a year later that I was having bowel problems and saw a GI dr. I told

him of my problems swallowing and chest pains. He noted it but didn't have much

to say. Granted, I had much larger problems to deal with...forward a year and I

was in the hospital for intense cramping...the suspect crohns. Meds

given...sent home, test...three months later again I was rushed to ER,

intestinal problems again. The cramps in my stomach was so bad. Pain was

horrible. by the time I made it to the hospital and they saw me I was throwing

up everything. The chalky white mixture they gave me to drink wouldn't go and

stay down. Three days it took them till they gave up on my drinking this and

they installed the tube down my nose....colonoscopy was done. they also had me

swallow a small pill with a camera in it, which got stuck...three more days in

hospital till it emerged...here's the thing. The last two days there I started

the chest and back pain again. Great place for it bc the meds kicked it out

fast!! I was released (they chalked it up to stress, I was in the hospital for a

week, kids begging for me and a garden needing me) The swallowing by this time

had gotten to the point where it was every meal. swallow, pain, pain, swallow,

pain, pain,throw up...but then I could eat. I noticed whenever I took my pain

med's I was able to eat that day and the next with no problems. but meds ran

out. I couldn't keep meds down (3 types of steriods) bc of throwing up.

>

> I switched drs bc my husband was not convinced I had crohns. My new dr was

one of best in town. I told him history...but he wasn't concerned with crohn's

as much bc I wasn't in pain. He was focusing on my swallowing. he put me on

one med after another. It's heart burn. NO, I said, only time I have heart

burn is when I don't eat and I have too much acid in my stomach. He put me on

heavy duty heart burn meds...guess what, I started throwing up acid at night!

so now, I throw up food, drink during day, acid at night. Food with it too, if

I hadn't thrown it all up by then. He ran all kinds of test. by this time my

'crohns' was acting up but he didn't do much. told me to change my diet, after

all I could lose weight. (at this point I had lost 45 pounds already but I

thought it was from being on Weight Watchers, which I quit after I couldn't keep

food down) finally after six months this dr told me he couldn't help me and

would refer me somewhere else if I'd like. I just 'needed to learn to deal with

the pain and just eat 2-3 bites at a time several times a day'

>

> About this time I got extremely depressed. (could be due to fact that prozac

would not stay down) In the last five months I also had learned I have

fibromyalgia. And gotten a kidney stone from dehydration. I had no energy. I

was starving. And had no desire to cook for my family when I couldn't eat

myself. I quit going to any doctor. Finally I decided to look at a natural

doctor. However, I was not able to do what he suggested...bc pills wouldn't

stay down. Couldn't put them in a shake...cause that shake wouldn't stay

down....finally it got to the point where whenever I could eat and swallow the

food would always come back up. from right away or later that night. My

friends didn't know how I could do it and keep trying to eat. But I told them

it was digested. No acid. I never thought that it wasn't going into my

stomach...Sometimes my chest would hurt so much when I ate I would beat on my

chest, I'd tell my husband, IF I could just burp it would be ok. Sometimes at

night when I would throw up it would be foamy...reminded me of the top of a pond

with frog eggs...gross!!!!

>

>

> Then I developed this horrible croak...speaking of frogs. It would be when

I'd try to sleep and it came from my throat. Not a burp, not a snore...a

stinking croak...it scared my kids!! not to mention my husband!!

>

> I've lost 109 pounds so far. 70 of that has been just in the last six months.

(ok, that's the ONLY silver lining in this story) I now went to ton to a

diff doc to see what he says. I've been scheduled for an endoscopy twice and

they've been canceled due to me developing a cough from my night time throwing

up...then I get stopped up in my nose. My next one is scheduled for Tuesday

next week. in the mean time i've had people tell me it's all in my head. I've

had people ask my husband if I have an eating disorder. I've had to disappoint

my kids over and over bc I'm too sick or too tired to keep the plans we had. My

six year old asked me this week if I could go a day without throwing up. I did

just for her, Tuesday I took her too the zoo. I ate nothing and only sipped my

lemon aid. no throwing up...but totally worn out and starving...but so worth

it!!

>

> Now today I've thrown up watermelon I attempted to eat last night. I threw it

up last night...three times right afterwards. I coughed all night. I had

nothing but water this morning and I threw that up with a non digested

watermelon! I ate a few fries later and threw them up. But they felt like they

were stuck in my throat. I drank water. and coughed and coughed...threw

up...finally fries came up but still felt like something is in my throat.

>

> Now I don't know what to do and need advice. (by the way, I forgot to mention

my bff saw the mystery Diagnosis show last week and told me about Achalasia. It

was an answer to my prayers. Finally, someone knew what I was going through. I

researched it and found this group. Which has helped SO much!! It's not in my

head!! sigh...My question now, does anyone know if there are any good doctors in

the SC area or surrounding states that are worth going to see? I need help

bad!! Do I go to my appt on Tuesday even tho he's never heard of this? What

should I do?

>

> Thank you so much! Ya'll have already helped me so much by just letting me

know I am not alone. I thank you in advance for any suggestions, as do my

family.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

, hello and I am glad you found this group.  I am sorry that you are

having so many problems.  If you would like to call me and talk things over I

am willing to help out as best I can.  I live in the Middle Georgia area and my

surgeon is in Atlanta and he and his staff are very good.  My phone number is

(478) 919-8813 you can call any time.  A little back ground on me, I have had

many dilations and two Heller Myotomies and about three years ago I had an

esophojectomty.  I have a website www.acahalsia.us if you ant to read more

about me and Achalasia.

<font face= " comic sans ms " color= " #ff0000 " size= " 5 " > in Georgia

</font><img src= " http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/mesg/tsmileys2/04.gif " >

From: <rauchmom@...>

Subject: new to group, need help please....

achalasia

Date: Friday, June 17, 2011, 1:14 AM

 

Hi, I wanted to introduce myself. My name is . I am an " almost " 40 yo

mother of three. I have a busy life with my family, as I homeschool all three

(16,13,6) I'm not on the wrong group, I just wanted you to know I have an active

life and a family who depends on me 24/7. About 3 years ago I woke up in the

middle of the night with the most intense pain I had ever experienced, and I

birthed a 11 pound baby! It was so horrible!! My husband rushed me to the

hospital bc I just knew I was having a heart attack. The doctors said it was

stress, a panic attack. It fit, I had three kids...so I started taking meds for

panic attacks. These pains would happen usually at night. I would take the pain

meds given to me but after a few times I quit. I couldn't be knocked out for the

whole next day...my children could destroy my house in 15 min...imagine half a

day alone!! I always drank cold ice water and would take a very hot bath.

Usually a combo of the two would

knock it out. I finally threw the pills for both away. I wasn't having panic

attacks. It wasn't a heart attack. But doctors didn't know what it was.

A few months before this began, I had started to have these pains when I would

eat or drink. They didn't happen often at first, maybe once or twice a month.

But the pain was intense. I could breath, the food just would not go down. It

was like the elevator to take my food from my throat down hadn't made it there

in time. As soon as it arrived, I was better. Ofcourse, this was not pleasant

while driving a car!! I talked to my GP and didn't really have much to say.

It was a year later that I was having bowel problems and saw a GI dr. I told him

of my problems swallowing and chest pains. He noted it but didn't have much to

say. Granted, I had much larger problems to deal with...forward a year and I was

in the hospital for intense cramping...the suspect crohns. Meds given...sent

home, test...three months later again I was rushed to ER, intestinal problems

again. The cramps in my stomach was so bad. Pain was horrible. by the time I

made it to the hospital and they saw me I was throwing up everything. The chalky

white mixture they gave me to drink wouldn't go and stay down. Three days it

took them till they gave up on my drinking this and they installed the tube down

my nose....colonoscopy was done. they also had me swallow a small pill with a

camera in it, which got stuck...three more days in hospital till it

emerged...here's the thing. The last two days there I started the chest and back

pain again. Great place for

it bc the meds kicked it out fast!! I was released (they chalked it up to

stress, I was in the hospital for a week, kids begging for me and a garden

needing me) The swallowing by this time had gotten to the point where it was

every meal. swallow, pain, pain, swallow, pain, pain,throw up...but then I could

eat. I noticed whenever I took my pain med's I was able to eat that day and the

next with no problems. but meds ran out. I couldn't keep meds down (3 types of

steriods) bc of throwing up.

I switched drs bc my husband was not convinced I had crohns. My new dr was one

of best in town. I told him history...but he wasn't concerned with crohn's as

much bc I wasn't in pain. He was focusing on my swallowing. he put me on one med

after another. It's heart burn. NO, I said, only time I have heart burn is when

I don't eat and I have too much acid in my stomach. He put me on heavy duty

heart burn meds...guess what, I started throwing up acid at night! so now, I

throw up food, drink during day, acid at night. Food with it too, if I hadn't

thrown it all up by then. He ran all kinds of test. by this time my 'crohns' was

acting up but he didn't do much. told me to change my diet, after all I could

lose weight. (at this point I had lost 45 pounds already but I thought it was

from being on Weight Watchers, which I quit after I couldn't keep food down)

finally after six months this dr told me he couldn't help me and would refer me

somewhere else if I'd

like. I just 'needed to learn to deal with the pain and just eat 2-3 bites at a

time several times a day'

About this time I got extremely depressed. (could be due to fact that prozac

would not stay down) In the last five months I also had learned I have

fibromyalgia. And gotten a kidney stone from dehydration. I had no energy. I was

starving. And had no desire to cook for my family when I couldn't eat myself. I

quit going to any doctor. Finally I decided to look at a natural doctor.

However, I was not able to do what he suggested...bc pills wouldn't stay down.

Couldn't put them in a shake...cause that shake wouldn't stay down....finally it

got to the point where whenever I could eat and swallow the food would always

come back up. from right away or later that night. My friends didn't know how I

could do it and keep trying to eat. But I told them it was digested. No acid. I

never thought that it wasn't going into my stomach...Sometimes my chest would

hurt so much when I ate I would beat on my chest, I'd tell my husband, IF I

could just burp it would be ok.

Sometimes at night when I would throw up it would be foamy...reminded me of the

top of a pond with frog eggs...gross!!!!

Then I developed this horrible croak...speaking of frogs. It would be when I'd

try to sleep and it came from my throat. Not a burp, not a snore...a stinking

croak...it scared my kids!! not to mention my husband!!

I've lost 109 pounds so far. 70 of that has been just in the last six months.

(ok, that's the ONLY silver lining in this story) I now went to ton to a

diff doc to see what he says. I've been scheduled for an endoscopy twice and

they've been canceled due to me developing a cough from my night time throwing

up...then I get stopped up in my nose. My next one is scheduled for Tuesday next

week. in the mean time i've had people tell me it's all in my head. I've had

people ask my husband if I have an eating disorder. I've had to disappoint my

kids over and over bc I'm too sick or too tired to keep the plans we had. My six

year old asked me this week if I could go a day without throwing up. I did just

for her, Tuesday I took her too the zoo. I ate nothing and only sipped my lemon

aid. no throwing up...but totally worn out and starving...but so worth it!!

Now today I've thrown up watermelon I attempted to eat last night. I threw it up

last night...three times right afterwards. I coughed all night. I had nothing

but water this morning and I threw that up with a non digested watermelon! I ate

a few fries later and threw them up. But they felt like they were stuck in my

throat. I drank water. and coughed and coughed...threw up...finally fries came

up but still felt like something is in my throat.

Now I don't know what to do and need advice. (by the way, I forgot to mention my

bff saw the mystery Diagnosis show last week and told me about Achalasia. It was

an answer to my prayers. Finally, someone knew what I was going through. I

researched it and found this group. Which has helped SO much!! It's not in my

head!! sigh...My question now, does anyone know if there are any good doctors in

the SC area or surrounding states that are worth going to see? I need help bad!!

Do I go to my appt on Tuesday even tho he's never heard of this? What should I

do?

Thank you so much! Ya'll have already helped me so much by just letting me know

I am not alone. I thank you in advance for any suggestions, as do my family.

[Guest guest]

,

Your atory is a tough one. I am so sorry you have had to endure what you did

for so long. I am the mother of 3 year old twin boys and I know how much time

they demand of you. I can only imagine what it would belike if I had to take

care of them and have no energy.

I live in Atlanta and the only good thoracic surgeon that I have heard of here

is Dr. ( Meuller had his 'ectomy with him). He is

associated with Emory university (a teaching hospital). You would want a GI

doctor that works closely or in conjunction with Dr. . That would be Dr.

Christie. See her link below:

http://www.emoryhealthcare.org/find_physician/physician_detail1.jsp?physicianid=\

12317 & sessionid=19457692 & search=Search%20by%20Specialty

I am 90% positive that she is well educated on Achalasia. When I need to go back

for my annual barium and endoscopy, I am going to try to see her instead of fly

back up to Pittsburgh (where I had my myotomy).

So if you are making a list of good doctors, put her on it and then decide if

Atlanta is within your travel radius. There may be another good GI even closer,

I just don't know of any.

Best of luck to you and please keep us posted on your progress. Hang in there,

you will get this figured out and WILL be able to swallow once again!

Cara

> >

> > Hi, I wanted to introduce myself. My name is . I am an " almost " 40

yo mother of three. I have a busy life with my family, as I homeschool all

three (16,13,6) I'm not on the wrong group, I just wanted you to know I have an

active life and a family who depends on me 24/7. About 3 years ago I woke up in

the middle of the night with the most intense pain I had ever experienced, and I

birthed a 11 pound baby! It was so horrible!! My husband rushed me to the

hospital bc I just knew I was having a heart attack. The doctors said it was

stress, a panic attack. It fit, I had three kids...so I started taking meds for

panic attacks. These pains would happen usually at night. I would take the

pain meds given to me but after a few times I quit. I couldn't be knocked out

for the whole next day...my children could destroy my house in 15 min...imagine

half a day alone!! I always drank cold ice water and would take a very hot bath.

Usually a combo of the two would knock it out. I finally threw the pills for

both away. I wasn't having panic attacks. It wasn't a heart attack. But

doctors didn't know what it was.

> >

> > A few months before this began, I had started to have these pains when I

would eat or drink. They didn't happen often at first, maybe once or twice a

month. But the pain was intense. I could breath, the food just would not go

down. It was like the elevator to take my food from my throat down hadn't made

it there in time. As soon as it arrived, I was better. Ofcourse, this was not

pleasant while driving a car!! I talked to my GP and didn't really have much to

say.

> >

> > It was a year later that I was having bowel problems and saw a GI dr. I

told him of my problems swallowing and chest pains. He noted it but didn't have

much to say. Granted, I had much larger problems to deal with...forward a year

and I was in the hospital for intense cramping...the suspect crohns. Meds

given...sent home, test...three months later again I was rushed to ER,

intestinal problems again. The cramps in my stomach was so bad. Pain was

horrible. by the time I made it to the hospital and they saw me I was throwing

up everything. The chalky white mixture they gave me to drink wouldn't go and

stay down. Three days it took them till they gave up on my drinking this and

they installed the tube down my nose....colonoscopy was done. they also had me

swallow a small pill with a camera in it, which got stuck...three more days in

hospital till it emerged...here's the thing. The last two days there I started

the chest and back pain again. Great place for it bc the meds kicked it out

fast!! I was released (they chalked it up to stress, I was in the hospital for a

week, kids begging for me and a garden needing me) The swallowing by this time

had gotten to the point where it was every meal. swallow, pain, pain, swallow,

pain, pain,throw up...but then I could eat. I noticed whenever I took my pain

med's I was able to eat that day and the next with no problems. but meds ran

out. I couldn't keep meds down (3 types of steriods) bc of throwing up.

> >

> > I switched drs bc my husband was not convinced I had crohns. My new dr was

one of best in town. I told him history...but he wasn't concerned with crohn's

as much bc I wasn't in pain. He was focusing on my swallowing. he put me on

one med after another. It's heart burn. NO, I said, only time I have heart

burn is when I don't eat and I have too much acid in my stomach. He put me on

heavy duty heart burn meds...guess what, I started throwing up acid at night!

so now, I throw up food, drink during day, acid at night. Food with it too, if

I hadn't thrown it all up by then. He ran all kinds of test. by this time my

'crohns' was acting up but he didn't do much. told me to change my diet, after

all I could lose weight. (at this point I had lost 45 pounds already but I

thought it was from being on Weight Watchers, which I quit after I couldn't keep

food down) finally after six months this dr told me he couldn't help me and

would refer me somewhere else if I'd like. I just 'needed to learn to deal with

the pain and just eat 2-3 bites at a time several times a day'

> >

> > About this time I got extremely depressed. (could be due to fact that

prozac would not stay down) In the last five months I also had learned I have

fibromyalgia. And gotten a kidney stone from dehydration. I had no energy. I

was starving. And had no desire to cook for my family when I couldn't eat

myself. I quit going to any doctor. Finally I decided to look at a natural

doctor. However, I was not able to do what he suggested...bc pills wouldn't

stay down. Couldn't put them in a shake...cause that shake wouldn't stay

down....finally it got to the point where whenever I could eat and swallow the

food would always come back up. from right away or later that night. My

friends didn't know how I could do it and keep trying to eat. But I told them

it was digested. No acid. I never thought that it wasn't going into my

stomach...Sometimes my chest would hurt so much when I ate I would beat on my

chest, I'd tell my husband, IF I could just burp it would be ok. Sometimes at

night when I would throw up it would be foamy...reminded me of the top of a pond

with frog eggs...gross!!!!

> >

> >

> > Then I developed this horrible croak...speaking of frogs. It would be when

I'd try to sleep and it came from my throat. Not a burp, not a snore...a

stinking croak...it scared my kids!! not to mention my husband!!

> >

> > I've lost 109 pounds so far. 70 of that has been just in the last six

months. (ok, that's the ONLY silver lining in this story) I now went to

ton to a diff doc to see what he says. I've been scheduled for an

endoscopy twice and they've been canceled due to me developing a cough from my

night time throwing up...then I get stopped up in my nose. My next one is

scheduled for Tuesday next week. in the mean time i've had people tell me it's

all in my head. I've had people ask my husband if I have an eating disorder.

I've had to disappoint my kids over and over bc I'm too sick or too tired to

keep the plans we had. My six year old asked me this week if I could go a day

without throwing up. I did just for her, Tuesday I took her too the zoo. I ate

nothing and only sipped my lemon aid. no throwing up...but totally worn out and

starving...but so worth it!!

> >

> > Now today I've thrown up watermelon I attempted to eat last night. I threw

it up last night...three times right afterwards. I coughed all night. I had

nothing but water this morning and I threw that up with a non digested

watermelon! I ate a few fries later and threw them up. But they felt like they

were stuck in my throat. I drank water. and coughed and coughed...threw

up...finally fries came up but still felt like something is in my throat.

> >

> > Now I don't know what to do and need advice. (by the way, I forgot to

mention my bff saw the mystery Diagnosis show last week and told me about

Achalasia. It was an answer to my prayers. Finally, someone knew what I was

going through. I researched it and found this group. Which has helped SO

much!! It's not in my head!! sigh...My question now, does anyone know if there

are any good doctors in the SC area or surrounding states that are worth going

to see? I need help bad!! Do I go to my appt on Tuesday even tho he's never

heard of this? What should I do?

> >

> > Thank you so much! Ya'll have already helped me so much by just letting me

know I am not alone. I thank you in advance for any suggestions, as do my

family.

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

I meant to say Meuller (not Meuller) had his 'ectomy with Dr.

. I see that already chimed in. He is correct, the staff at Emory

are well educated on this disease. Please reach out to to talk or even to

me if you choose. 404-803-2400. I am in Atlanta.

Cara

>

> Hi, I wanted to introduce myself. My name is . I am an " almost " 40 yo

mother of three. I have a busy life with my family, as I homeschool all three

(16,13,6) I'm not on the wrong group, I just wanted you to know I have an active

life and a family who depends on me 24/7. About 3 years ago I woke up in the

middle of the night with the most intense pain I had ever experienced, and I

birthed a 11 pound baby! It was so horrible!! My husband rushed me to the

hospital bc I just knew I was having a heart attack. The doctors said it was

stress, a panic attack. It fit, I had three kids...so I started taking meds for

panic attacks. These pains would happen usually at night. I would take the

pain meds given to me but after a few times I quit. I couldn't be knocked out

for the whole next day...my children could destroy my house in 15 min...imagine

half a day alone!! I always drank cold ice water and would take a very hot bath.

Usually a combo of the two would knock it out. I finally threw the pills for

both away. I wasn't having panic attacks. It wasn't a heart attack. But

doctors didn't know what it was.

>

> A few months before this began, I had started to have these pains when I would

eat or drink. They didn't happen often at first, maybe once or twice a month.

But the pain was intense. I could breath, the food just would not go down. It

was like the elevator to take my food from my throat down hadn't made it there

in time. As soon as it arrived, I was better. Ofcourse, this was not pleasant

while driving a car!! I talked to my GP and didn't really have much to say.

>

> It was a year later that I was having bowel problems and saw a GI dr. I told

him of my problems swallowing and chest pains. He noted it but didn't have much

to say. Granted, I had much larger problems to deal with...forward a year and I

was in the hospital for intense cramping...the suspect crohns. Meds

given...sent home, test...three months later again I was rushed to ER,

intestinal problems again. The cramps in my stomach was so bad. Pain was

horrible. by the time I made it to the hospital and they saw me I was throwing

up everything. The chalky white mixture they gave me to drink wouldn't go and

stay down. Three days it took them till they gave up on my drinking this and

they installed the tube down my nose....colonoscopy was done. they also had me

swallow a small pill with a camera in it, which got stuck...three more days in

hospital till it emerged...here's the thing. The last two days there I started

the chest and back pain again. Great place for it bc the meds kicked it out

fast!! I was released (they chalked it up to stress, I was in the hospital for a

week, kids begging for me and a garden needing me) The swallowing by this time

had gotten to the point where it was every meal. swallow, pain, pain, swallow,

pain, pain,throw up...but then I could eat. I noticed whenever I took my pain

med's I was able to eat that day and the next with no problems. but meds ran

out. I couldn't keep meds down (3 types of steriods) bc of throwing up.

>

> I switched drs bc my husband was not convinced I had crohns. My new dr was

one of best in town. I told him history...but he wasn't concerned with crohn's

as much bc I wasn't in pain. He was focusing on my swallowing. he put me on

one med after another. It's heart burn. NO, I said, only time I have heart

burn is when I don't eat and I have too much acid in my stomach. He put me on

heavy duty heart burn meds...guess what, I started throwing up acid at night!

so now, I throw up food, drink during day, acid at night. Food with it too, if

I hadn't thrown it all up by then. He ran all kinds of test. by this time my

'crohns' was acting up but he didn't do much. told me to change my diet, after

all I could lose weight. (at this point I had lost 45 pounds already but I

thought it was from being on Weight Watchers, which I quit after I couldn't keep

food down) finally after six months this dr told me he couldn't help me and

would refer me somewhere else if I'd like. I just 'needed to learn to deal with

the pain and just eat 2-3 bites at a time several times a day'

>

> About this time I got extremely depressed. (could be due to fact that prozac

would not stay down) In the last five months I also had learned I have

fibromyalgia. And gotten a kidney stone from dehydration. I had no energy. I

was starving. And had no desire to cook for my family when I couldn't eat

myself. I quit going to any doctor. Finally I decided to look at a natural

doctor. However, I was not able to do what he suggested...bc pills wouldn't

stay down. Couldn't put them in a shake...cause that shake wouldn't stay

down....finally it got to the point where whenever I could eat and swallow the

food would always come back up. from right away or later that night. My

friends didn't know how I could do it and keep trying to eat. But I told them

it was digested. No acid. I never thought that it wasn't going into my

stomach...Sometimes my chest would hurt so much when I ate I would beat on my

chest, I'd tell my husband, IF I could just burp it would be ok. Sometimes at

night when I would throw up it would be foamy...reminded me of the top of a pond

with frog eggs...gross!!!!

>

>

> Then I developed this horrible croak...speaking of frogs. It would be when

I'd try to sleep and it came from my throat. Not a burp, not a snore...a

stinking croak...it scared my kids!! not to mention my husband!!

>

> I've lost 109 pounds so far. 70 of that has been just in the last six months.

(ok, that's the ONLY silver lining in this story) I now went to ton to a

diff doc to see what he says. I've been scheduled for an endoscopy twice and

they've been canceled due to me developing a cough from my night time throwing

up...then I get stopped up in my nose. My next one is scheduled for Tuesday

next week. in the mean time i've had people tell me it's all in my head. I've

had people ask my husband if I have an eating disorder. I've had to disappoint

my kids over and over bc I'm too sick or too tired to keep the plans we had. My

six year old asked me this week if I could go a day without throwing up. I did

just for her, Tuesday I took her too the zoo. I ate nothing and only sipped my

lemon aid. no throwing up...but totally worn out and starving...but so worth

it!!

>

> Now today I've thrown up watermelon I attempted to eat last night. I threw it

up last night...three times right afterwards. I coughed all night. I had

nothing but water this morning and I threw that up with a non digested

watermelon! I ate a few fries later and threw them up. But they felt like they

were stuck in my throat. I drank water. and coughed and coughed...threw

up...finally fries came up but still felt like something is in my throat.

>

> Now I don't know what to do and need advice. (by the way, I forgot to mention

my bff saw the mystery Diagnosis show last week and told me about Achalasia. It

was an answer to my prayers. Finally, someone knew what I was going through. I

researched it and found this group. Which has helped SO much!! It's not in my

head!! sigh...My question now, does anyone know if there are any good doctors in

the SC area or surrounding states that are worth going to see? I need help

bad!! Do I go to my appt on Tuesday even tho he's never heard of this? What

should I do?

>

> Thank you so much! Ya'll have already helped me so much by just letting me

know I am not alone. I thank you in advance for any suggestions, as do my

family.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

, I too am 40 and you need to do something asap. Find a doc that knows

about Achalasia, and then find a surgeon that has delt with the procedures you

will be able to chose from.

I developed symptoms when I was 34, and I was lucky to be diagnosed within 6

months and had a Heller Myotomy two months later. I was where you were when I

was at my worst. No food or drink could stay down, and I lost 80 pounds.

Within 12 hours of being out of surgery I was eating and drinking and was home

in less than 20 hours.

There is no cure for A, but my procedure has allowed me normalcy. I still need

some water to push food down, bit I eat and drink anything, with more thorough

chewing.

Be annoying and be proactive. Do not accept anything except a plan to get

better.

You might want to try putting vitamin supplements in yogurt. It went down slow

for me, but it did go down. It allowed me some source of nutrition when I could

not eat anything.

Good luck and let me know if you have any other questions.

Sent from my iPhone

On Jun 17, 2011, at 1:14 AM, " " <rauchmom@...> wrote:

> Hi, I wanted to introduce myself. My name is . I am an " almost " 40 yo

mother of three. I have a busy life with my family, as I homeschool all three

(16,13,6) I'm not on the wrong group, I just wanted you to know I have an active

life and a family who depends on me 24/7. About 3 years ago I woke up in the

middle of the night with the most intense pain I had ever experienced, and I

birthed a 11 pound baby! It was so horrible!! My husband rushed me to the

hospital bc I just knew I was having a heart attack. The doctors said it was

stress, a panic attack. It fit, I had three kids...so I started taking meds for

panic attacks. These pains would happen usually at night. I would take the pain

meds given to me but after a few times I quit. I couldn't be knocked out for the

whole next day...my children could destroy my house in 15 min...imagine half a

day alone!! I always drank cold ice water and would take a very hot bath.

Usually a combo of the two would knock it out. I finally threw the pills for

both away. I wasn't having panic attacks. It wasn't a heart attack. But doctors

didn't know what it was.

>

> A few months before this began, I had started to have these pains when I would

eat or drink. They didn't happen often at first, maybe once or twice a month.

But the pain was intense. I could breath, the food just would not go down. It

was like the elevator to take my food from my throat down hadn't made it there

in time. As soon as it arrived, I was better. Ofcourse, this was not pleasant

while driving a car!! I talked to my GP and didn't really have much to say.

>

> It was a year later that I was having bowel problems and saw a GI dr. I told

him of my problems swallowing and chest pains. He noted it but didn't have much

to say. Granted, I had much larger problems to deal with...forward a year and I

was in the hospital for intense cramping...the suspect crohns. Meds given...sent

home, test...three months later again I was rushed to ER, intestinal problems

again. The cramps in my stomach was so bad. Pain was horrible. by the time I

made it to the hospital and they saw me I was throwing up everything. The chalky

white mixture they gave me to drink wouldn't go and stay down. Three days it

took them till they gave up on my drinking this and they installed the tube down

my nose....colonoscopy was done. they also had me swallow a small pill with a

camera in it, which got stuck...three more days in hospital till it

emerged...here's the thing. The last two days there I started the chest and back

pain again. Great place for it bc the meds kicked it out fast!! I was released

(they chalked it up to stress, I was in the hospital for a week, kids begging

for me and a garden needing me) The swallowing by this time had gotten to the

point where it was every meal. swallow, pain, pain, swallow, pain, pain,throw

up...but then I could eat. I noticed whenever I took my pain med's I was able to

eat that day and the next with no problems. but meds ran out. I couldn't keep

meds down (3 types of steriods) bc of throwing up.

>

> I switched drs bc my husband was not convinced I had crohns. My new dr was one

of best in town. I told him history...but he wasn't concerned with crohn's as

much bc I wasn't in pain. He was focusing on my swallowing. he put me on one med

after another. It's heart burn. NO, I said, only time I have heart burn is when

I don't eat and I have too much acid in my stomach. He put me on heavy duty

heart burn meds...guess what, I started throwing up acid at night! so now, I

throw up food, drink during day, acid at night. Food with it too, if I hadn't

thrown it all up by then. He ran all kinds of test. by this time my 'crohns' was

acting up but he didn't do much. told me to change my diet, after all I could

lose weight. (at this point I had lost 45 pounds already but I thought it was

from being on Weight Watchers, which I quit after I couldn't keep food down)

finally after six months this dr told me he couldn't help me and would refer me

somewhere else if I'd like. I just 'needed to learn to deal with the pain and

just eat 2-3 bites at a time several times a day'

>

> About this time I got extremely depressed. (could be due to fact that prozac

would not stay down) In the last five months I also had learned I have

fibromyalgia. And gotten a kidney stone from dehydration. I had no energy. I

was starving. And had no desire to cook for my family when I couldn't eat

myself. I quit going to any doctor. Finally I decided to look at a natural

doctor. However, I was not able to do what he suggested...bc pills wouldn't stay

down. Couldn't put them in a shake...cause that shake wouldn't stay

down....finally it got to the point where whenever I could eat and swallow the

food would always come back up. from right away or later that night. My friends

didn't know how I could do it and keep trying to eat. But I told them it was

digested. No acid. I never thought that it wasn't going into my

stomach...Sometimes my chest would hurt so much when I ate I would beat on my

chest, I'd tell my husband, IF I could just burp it would be ok. Sometimes at

night when I would throw up it would be foamy...reminded me of the top of a pond

with frog eggs...gross!!!!

>

> Then I developed this horrible croak...speaking of frogs. It would be when I'd

try to sleep and it came from my throat. Not a burp, not a snore...a stinking

croak...it scared my kids!! not to mention my husband!!

>

> I've lost 109 pounds so far. 70 of that has been just in the last six months.

(ok, that's the ONLY silver lining in this story) I now went to ton to a

diff doc to see what he says. I've been scheduled for an endoscopy twice and

they've been canceled due to me developing a cough from my night time throwing

up...then I get stopped up in my nose. My next one is scheduled for Tuesday next

week. in the mean time i've had people tell me it's all in my head. I've had

people ask my husband if I have an eating disorder. I've had to disappoint my

kids over and over bc I'm too sick or too tired to keep the plans we had. My six

year old asked me this week if I could go a day without throwing up. I did just

for her, Tuesday I took her too the zoo. I ate nothing and only sipped my lemon

aid. no throwing up...but totally worn out and starving...but so worth it!!

>

> Now today I've thrown up watermelon I attempted to eat last night. I threw it

up last night...three times right afterwards. I coughed all night. I had nothing

but water this morning and I threw that up with a non digested watermelon! I ate

a few fries later and threw them up. But they felt like they were stuck in my

throat. I drank water. and coughed and coughed...threw up...finally fries came

up but still felt like something is in my throat.

>

> Now I don't know what to do and need advice. (by the way, I forgot to mention

my bff saw the mystery Diagnosis show last week and told me about Achalasia. It

was an answer to my prayers. Finally, someone knew what I was going through. I

researched it and found this group. Which has helped SO much!! It's not in my

head!! sigh...My question now, does anyone know if there are any good doctors in

the SC area or surrounding states that are worth going to see? I need help bad!!

Do I go to my appt on Tuesday even tho he's never heard of this? What should I

do?

>

> Thank you so much! Ya'll have already helped me so much by just letting me

know I am not alone. I thank you in advance for any suggestions, as do my

family.

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My heart gos out to you and what you're going through right now. I'm glad you

found the group! I only did a week ago and the people are very supportive as you

can tell. As far as doctors; When I was looking I came across Dr.

Castell. He's at the medical university of south carolina. He's supposed to be

an expert in esophageal motility. I saw his name referenced by notan a couple of

years ago, mentioning he co authored 500+ articles. I'm not sure how many in

this group have actually seen him.

Joe

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

<rauchmom@...> wrote:

>Hi, I wanted to introduce myself. My name is . I am an " almost " 40 yo

mother of three. I have a busy life with my family, as I homeschool all three

(16,13,6) I'm not on the wrong group, I just wanted you to know I have an active

life and a family who depends on me 24/7. About 3 years ago I woke up in the

middle of the night with the most intense pain I had ever experienced, and I

birthed a 11 pound baby! It was so horrible!! My husband rushed me to the

hospital bc I just knew I was having a heart attack. The doctors said it was

stress, a panic attack. It fit, I had three kids...so I started taking meds for

panic attacks. These pains would happen usually at night. I would take the

pain meds given to me but after a few times I quit. I couldn't be knocked out

for the whole next day...my children could destroy my house in 15 min...imagine

half a day alone!! I always drank cold ice water and would take a very hot bath.

Usually a combo of the two would knock it out. I finally threw the pills for

both away. I wasn't having panic attacks. It wasn't a heart attack. But

doctors didn't know what it was.

>

>A few months before this began, I had started to have these pains when I would

eat or drink. They didn't happen often at first, maybe once or twice a month.

But the pain was intense. I could breath, the food just would not go down. It

was like the elevator to take my food from my throat down hadn't made it there

in time. As soon as it arrived, I was better. Ofcourse, this was not pleasant

while driving a car!! I talked to my GP and didn't really have much to say.

>

>It was a year later that I was having bowel problems and saw a GI dr. I told

him of my problems swallowing and chest pains. He noted it but didn't have much

to say. Granted, I had much larger problems to deal with...forward a year and I

was in the hospital for intense cramping...the suspect crohns. Meds

given...sent home, test...three months later again I was rushed to ER,

intestinal problems again. The cramps in my stomach was so bad. Pain was

horrible. by the time I made it to the hospital and they saw me I was throwing

up everything. The chalky white mixture they gave me to drink wouldn't go and

stay down. Three days it took them till they gave up on my drinking this and

they installed the tube down my nose....colonoscopy was done. they also had me

swallow a small pill with a camera in it, which got stuck...three more days in

hospital till it emerged...here's the thing. The last two days there I started

the chest and back pain again. Great place for it bc the meds kicked it out

fast!! I was released (they chalked it up to stress, I was in the hospital for a

week, kids begging for me and a garden needing me) The swallowing by this time

had gotten to the point where it was every meal. swallow, pain, pain, swallow,

pain, pain,throw up...but then I could eat. I noticed whenever I took my pain

med's I was able to eat that day and the next with no problems. but meds ran

out. I couldn't keep meds down (3 types of steriods) bc of throwing up.

>

>I switched drs bc my husband was not convinced I had crohns. My new dr was one

of best in town. I told him history...but he wasn't concerned with crohn's as

much bc I wasn't in pain. He was focusing on my swallowing. he put me on one

med after another. It's heart burn. NO, I said, only time I have heart burn is

when I don't eat and I have too much acid in my stomach. He put me on heavy

duty heart burn meds...guess what, I started throwing up acid at night! so now,

I throw up food, drink during day, acid at night. Food with it too, if I hadn't

thrown it all up by then. He ran all kinds of test. by this time my 'crohns'

was acting up but he didn't do much. told me to change my diet, after all I

could lose weight. (at this point I had lost 45 pounds already but I thought it

was from being on Weight Watchers, which I quit after I couldn't keep food down)

finally after six months this dr told me he couldn't help me and would refer me

somewhere else if I'd like. I just 'needed to learn to deal with the pain and

just eat 2-3 bites at a time several times a day'

>

>About this time I got extremely depressed. (could be due to fact that prozac

would not stay down) In the last five months I also had learned I have

fibromyalgia. And gotten a kidney stone from dehydration. I had no energy. I

was starving. And had no desire to cook for my family when I couldn't eat

myself. I quit going to any doctor. Finally I decided to look at a natural

doctor. However, I was not able to do what he suggested...bc pills wouldn't

stay down. Couldn't put them in a shake...cause that shake wouldn't stay

down....finally it got to the point where whenever I could eat and swallow the

food would always come back up. from right away or later that night. My

friends didn't know how I could do it and keep trying to eat. But I told them

it was digested. No acid. I never thought that it wasn't going into my

stomach...Sometimes my chest would hurt so much when I ate I would beat on my

chest, I'd tell my husband, IF I could just burp it would be ok. Sometimes at

night when I would throw up it would be foamy...reminded me of the top of a pond

with frog eggs...gross!!!!

>

>

>Then I developed this horrible croak...speaking of frogs. It would be when I'd

try to sleep and it came from my throat. Not a burp, not a snore...a stinking

croak...it scared my kids!! not to mention my husband!!

>

>I've lost 109 pounds so far. 70 of that has been just in the last six months.

(ok, that's the ONLY silver lining in this story) I now went to ton to a

diff doc to see what he says. I've been scheduled for an endoscopy twice and

they've been canceled due to me developing a cough from my night time throwing

up...then I get stopped up in my nose. My next one is scheduled for Tuesday

next week. in the mean time i've had people tell me it's all in my head. I've

had people ask my husband if I have an eating disorder. I've had to disappoint

my kids over and over bc I'm too sick or too tired to keep the plans we had. My

six year old asked me this week if I could go a day without throwing up. I did

just for her, Tuesday I took her too the zoo. I ate nothing and only sipped my

lemon aid. no throwing up...but totally worn out and starving...but so worth

it!!

>

>Now today I've thrown up watermelon I attempted to eat last night. I threw it

up last night...three times right afterwards. I coughed all night. I had

nothing but water this morning and I threw that up with a non digested

watermelon! I ate a few fries later and threw them up. But they felt like they

were stuck in my throat. I drank water. and coughed and coughed...threw

up...finally fries came up but still felt like something is in my throat.

>

>Now I don't know what to do and need advice. (by the way, I forgot to mention

my bff saw the mystery Diagnosis show last week and told me about Achalasia. It

was an answer to my prayers. Finally, someone knew what I was going through. I

researched it and found this group. Which has helped SO much!! It's not in my

head!! sigh...My question now, does anyone know if there are any good doctors in

the SC area or surrounding states that are worth going to see? I need help

bad!! Do I go to my appt on Tuesday even tho he's never heard of this? What

should I do?

>

>Thank you so much! Ya'll have already helped me so much by just letting me

know I am not alone. I thank you in advance for any suggestions, as do my

family.

>

>

>