Guest guest Posted May 22, 2011 Report Share Posted May 22, 2011 Hi guys, Well, I just got the official diagnosis of achalasia last week. Everything is fine for my eating, at least tolerable, but the coughing is pretty bad. I have allayed it by sleeping propped up, not eating before bedtime, and doing all the things you all have been so gracious to recommend to me. The question I have is, if I am eating ok, but inhaling liquid, does that mean some sort of surgery is really going to help? My sphincter muscles is tight but not extremely tight. However it is tight all the time. I cough when I eat, drink, wake up, go to sleep, walk around, and during the night. The eating and drinking cough is prevalent even when the food is not backed up. I don't understand why I cough so much in the morning, unless it is because maybe the saliva has basically been sitting there all night. Is that really because things are backed up, or is it more of a nerve issue with the upper part of the esophagus? I was going to send my test results to Dr. Rice and Dr. Luketich, but wanted to check with other people first. I want to avoid surgery. Basically, is it possible that the flap between the esophagus and trachea has issues, and what can one do about that? Also, what causes the sphincter muscle to be tight? I can understand that there is no motility, but don't understand why that results in a tight sphincter. Just curious if anyone else has this problem. Also if anyone can recommend a place to get a wedge pillow I would appreciate it. Thanks, Gunn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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