RE: Dr Park previously of Uofland?

[Guest guest]

Hi Kim,

I have never posted on here before. However, I was diagnosed with achalasia

in 2000. After having three dilations that did not work and the third one

knicking my esophagus in Fairfax, VA, I ended up at the University of

land in Baltimore.in 2001. I had previously worked there in the late

1980's in hospital administration (I am not a nurse). Long story short, my

primary problem with achalasia has always been chest spasms/pain. Guess that

is why it took more than five years before I received the right diagnosis.

The swallowing became a later problem and it was not until I began vomiting

blood that they figured out it was not my gallbladder. I did not know much

about achalasia and it seemed that most of the physicians that I was dealing

with knew a little about it but not a lot. I decided on having a Heller

myotomy thinking that it would cure the chest spasms - not true in my case -

and make swallowing much easier - very true in my case.

At the time, I spoke with some of my former friends at UMD and they

recommended Eugene Cho, M.D. He did an excellent job for me and I had a

Heller, Toupet, and pylorplasty done at one time. Dr. Cho has moved west to

Takoma, WA. I do think that Park, M.D. came after Dr. Cho left. I

began having some problems this past year and called to see if I could see

Dr. Park for a follow-up. The staff told me that he had left to go to Nova

Scotia and they were devastated by his departure. I saw a GI doc by the name

of Fantry (not a surgeon) who was also saddened by Dr. Park's

decision to go to Canada. Although I have no personal knowledge of Dr.

Park's work, I can tell you people spoke highly of him. I have no idea how

many myotomies he has performed, but I do have phone numbers of where he

worked in Baltimore and maybe they could verify number he performed there.

After finding this resourceful website, I made an appointment with Dr.

Richter in Philadelphia who will be leaving Temple in August to go to Tampa

(I believe Univ. of South Florida GI Dept). He saw me at end of June and I

can tell you that I received good news and some not so good news. I can tell

you that he said whoever did my surgery did a great job and it was done over

10 years ago, but that the chest spasms are the one thing that doctors have

difficulty knowing what causes them and what stops them. Different things

work for different people.

God bless you and I wish you the very best!

Beth Cumby

Dr Park previously of Uofland?

Does anyone have any information about Dr Park? I saw that Carolyn had

mentioned him in a post a number of years ago, but only referenced that he

spoke at a conference. I spoke with his admin assistant this morning about

getting in to see him as he is close enough to me (and now in Canada) and

I'd like to see if anyone had any personal experience with him.

Thanks,

kim in canada

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the quick reply Beth.  You sound quite similar to me actually, as

my biggest issue since my myotomy in 1998 has always been debilitating chest

pains.  I'm so glad that everyone that you spoke to speaks so highly of him.

 I'd love to find out how many he performed there, but I don't think that I'm

going to get that information from his assistant right now, sadly.  I really

got a good feeling from everything that I read about him, but his assistant just

started working for him and basically just said that I should request that my

family physician sends some of my information his way.  I do hope that he

contacts me and that I get to meet with him.

I hope that the good news you received was really awesome, and the bad news is

something that can be solved/fixed without much discomfort for you.  Maybe

someday the doctors will find out what causes the pain and we'll have a fix for

it.

kim in canada

________________________________

From: Beth Cumby <btc.mom@...>

achalasia

Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 6:10 PM

Subject: RE: Dr Park previously of Uofland?

 

Hi Kim,

I have never posted on here before. However, I was diagnosed with achalasia

in 2000. After having three dilations that did not work and the third one

knicking my esophagus in Fairfax, VA, I ended up at the University of

land in Baltimore.in 2001. I had previously worked there in the late

1980's in hospital administration (I am not a nurse). Long story short, my

primary problem with achalasia has always been chest spasms/pain. Guess that

is why it took more than five years before I received the right diagnosis.

The swallowing became a later problem and it was not until I began vomiting

blood that they figured out it was not my gallbladder. I did not know much

about achalasia and it seemed that most of the physicians that I was dealing

with knew a little about it but not a lot. I decided on having a Heller

myotomy thinking that it would cure the chest spasms - not true in my case -

and make swallowing much easier - very true in my case.

At the time, I spoke with some of my former friends at UMD and they

recommended Eugene Cho, M.D. He did an excellent job for me and I had a

Heller, Toupet, and pylorplasty done at one time. Dr. Cho has moved west to

Takoma, WA. I do think that Park, M.D. came after Dr. Cho left. I

began having some problems this past year and called to see if I could see

Dr. Park for a follow-up. The staff told me that he had left to go to Nova

Scotia and they were devastated by his departure. I saw a GI doc by the name

of Fantry (not a surgeon) who was also saddened by Dr. Park's

decision to go to Canada. Although I have no personal knowledge of Dr.

Park's work, I can tell you people spoke highly of him. I have no idea how

many myotomies he has performed, but I do have phone numbers of where he

worked in Baltimore and maybe they could verify number he performed there.

After finding this resourceful website, I made an appointment with Dr.

Richter in Philadelphia who will be leaving Temple in August to go to Tampa

(I believe Univ. of South Florida GI Dept). He saw me at end of June and I

can tell you that I received good news and some not so good news. I can tell

you that he said whoever did my surgery did a great job and it was done over

10 years ago, but that the chest spasms are the one thing that doctors have

difficulty knowing what causes them and what stops them. Different things

work for different people.

God bless you and I wish you the very best!

Beth Cumby

Dr Park previously of Uofland?

Does anyone have any information about Dr Park? I saw that Carolyn had

mentioned him in a post a number of years ago, but only referenced that he

spoke at a conference. I spoke with his admin assistant this morning about

getting in to see him as he is close enough to me (and now in Canada) and

I'd like to see if anyone had any personal experience with him.

Thanks,

kim in canada

[Guest guest]

hi beth. I live in philadelphia and i am debating on whether to get one botox

and if it doesnt work then im going for the surgery or just goibg straight for

the surgery. But i just read that you seen a doctor at temple and he is about to

leave in august? Do u have his number by any chance?

On Mon Jul 25th, 2011 5:10 PM EDT Beth Cumby wrote:

>Hi Kim,

>

>I have never posted on here before. However, I was diagnosed with achalasia

>in 2000. After having three dilations that did not work and the third one

>knicking my esophagus in Fairfax, VA, I ended up at the University of

>land in Baltimore.in 2001. I had previously worked there in the late

>1980's in hospital administration (I am not a nurse). Long story short, my

>primary problem with achalasia has always been chest spasms/pain. Guess that

>is why it took more than five years before I received the right diagnosis.

>

>The swallowing became a later problem and it was not until I began vomiting

>blood that they figured out it was not my gallbladder. I did not know much

>about achalasia and it seemed that most of the physicians that I was dealing

>with knew a little about it but not a lot. I decided on having a Heller

>myotomy thinking that it would cure the chest spasms - not true in my case -

>and make swallowing much easier - very true in my case.

>

>At the time, I spoke with some of my former friends at UMD and they

>recommended Eugene Cho, M.D. He did an excellent job for me and I had a

>Heller, Toupet, and pylorplasty done at one time. Dr. Cho has moved west to

>Takoma, WA. I do think that Park, M.D. came after Dr. Cho left. I

>began having some problems this past year and called to see if I could see

>Dr. Park for a follow-up. The staff told me that he had left to go to Nova

>Scotia and they were devastated by his departure. I saw a GI doc by the name

>of Fantry (not a surgeon) who was also saddened by Dr. Park's

>decision to go to Canada. Although I have no personal knowledge of Dr.

>Park's work, I can tell you people spoke highly of him. I have no idea how

>many myotomies he has performed, but I do have phone numbers of where he

>worked in Baltimore and maybe they could verify number he performed there.

>

>After finding this resourceful website, I made an appointment with Dr.

>Richter in Philadelphia who will be leaving Temple in August to go to Tampa

>(I believe Univ. of South Florida GI Dept). He saw me at end of June and I

>can tell you that I received good news and some not so good news. I can tell

>you that he said whoever did my surgery did a great job and it was done over

>10 years ago, but that the chest spasms are the one thing that doctors have

>difficulty knowing what causes them and what stops them. Different things

>work for different people.

>

>God bless you and I wish you the very best!

>

>Beth Cumby

>

>

> Dr Park previously of Uofland?

>

>

>

> Does anyone have any information about Dr Park? I saw that Carolyn had

>mentioned him in a post a number of years ago, but only referenced that he

>spoke at a conference. I spoke with his admin assistant this morning about

>getting in to see him as he is close enough to me (and now in Canada) and

>I'd like to see if anyone had any personal experience with him.

>

> Thanks,

>

> kim in canada

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

He did my HM with partial fund at umd in Baltimore 01/09 I've been good ever

since little to no symptoms. Before my HM I pretty much regurgitated whenever I

laid down to sleep. I sleep well every night now. Couldn't recommend Dr. Park

any higher.

[Guest guest]

Dr. Richter is indeed leaving as of Sept. 1st. I bet it's too late to see him

because existing patients come first. It's sad because he was my GI doc and he

is really competent. Richter is not a surgeon. He has written extensively on the

relative benefits of dilation vs. Surgery. You could go to our site via the link

on this message and search to find lots on that topic. You could also google

Richter. It will probably take you to messages here, BTW.

at 215 707 5069 schedules for Dr. Richter.

Botox gets mixed reviews, at best. I had it done at Jefferson and it helped for

a couple of months, maybe three. I was able to eat soft pretzels again, for

example. That did not last.

I don't really like Jefferson's overall factory approach to medicine, but they

have some good docs there. I intend to follow Richter's recommendations and see

Drs. Fisher or at the Temple Digestive Resource Center.

Good luck.

Dan Hoffman

Sent from Smrtphone That Lacks Spellchecker

Fiorino <katief0811@...> wrote:

>hi beth. I live in philadelphia and i am debating on whether to get one botox

and if it doesnt work then im going for the surgery or just goibg straight for

the surgery. But i just read that you seen a doctor at temple and he is about to

leave in august? Do u have his number by any chance?

>

>On Mon Jul 25th, 2011 5:10 PM EDT Beth Cumby wrote:

>

>>Hi Kim,

>>

>>I have never posted on here before. However, I was diagnosed with achalasia

>>in 2000. After having three dilations that did not work and the third one

>>knicking my esophagus in Fairfax, VA, I ended up at the University of

>>land in Baltimore.in 2001. I had previously worked there in the late

>>1980's in hospital administration (I am not a nurse). Long story short, my

>>primary problem with achalasia has always been chest spasms/pain. Guess that

>>is why it took more than five years before I received the right diagnosis.

>>

>>The swallowing became a later problem and it was not until I began vomiting

>>blood that they figured out it was not my gallbladder. I did not know much

>>about achalasia and it seemed that most of the physicians that I was dealing

>>with knew a little about it but not a lot. I decided on having a Heller

>>myotomy thinking that it would cure the chest spasms - not true in my case -

>>and make swallowing much easier - very true in my case.

>>

>>At the time, I spoke with some of my former friends at UMD and they

>>recommended Eugene Cho, M.D. He did an excellent job for me and I had a

>>Heller, Toupet, and pylorplasty done at one time. Dr. Cho has moved west to

>>Takoma, WA. I do think that Park, M.D. came after Dr. Cho left. I

>>began having some problems this past year and called to see if I could see

>>Dr. Park for a follow-up. The staff told me that he had left to go to Nova

>>Scotia and they were devastated by his departure. I saw a GI doc by the name

>>of Fantry (not a surgeon) who was also saddened by Dr. Park's

>>decision to go to Canada. Although I have no personal knowledge of Dr.

>>Park's work, I can tell you people spoke highly of him. I have no idea how

>>many myotomies he has performed, but I do have phone numbers of where he

>>worked in Baltimore and maybe they could verify number he performed there.

>>

>>After finding this resourceful website, I made an appointment with Dr.

>>Richter in Philadelphia who will be leaving Temple in August to go to Tampa

>>(I believe Univ. of South Florida GI Dept). He saw me at end of June and I

>>can tell you that I received good news and some not so good news. I can tell

>>you that he said whoever did my surgery did a great job and it was done over

>>10 years ago, but that the chest spasms are the one thing that doctors have

>>difficulty knowing what causes them and what stops them. Different things

>>work for different people.

>>

>>God bless you and I wish you the very best!

>>

>>Beth Cumby

>>

>>

>> Dr Park previously of Uofland?

>>

>>

>>

>> Does anyone have any information about Dr Park? I saw that Carolyn had

>>mentioned him in a post a number of years ago, but only referenced that he

>>spoke at a conference. I spoke with his admin assistant this morning about

>>getting in to see him as he is close enough to me (and now in Canada) and

>>I'd like to see if anyone had any personal experience with him.

>>

>> Thanks,

>>

>> kim in canada

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

>>

[Guest guest]

,

was kind enough to provide you with Dr. Richter's information and

who schedules for him, is just a gem of a person. She was so helpful

to me.

With regard to botox, I cannot answer that question. However, I will tell

you what Dr. Richter recommended for me. Since I have been experiencing

severe chest pain and spasms that can last for hours, he told me that he

wanted to try a botox injection along with a dilation (or dilitation) post

ten year myotomy. I had reservations about botox and he said although it is

not typically recommended as an initial treatment for someone with

achalasia, I had nothing to lose to see if helped with the chest spasms. One

of the side effects of botox may be scar tissue, but since I have already

had a Heller myotomy and Toupet fundoplication, there is already scar

tissue. He also did a dilation which I was so scared of because I had one

many years ago that actually knicked my esophagus, but I felt that I was in

good hands with Dr. Richter.

From what I know (and that is limited knowledge), I would really think twice

about having botox before a myotomy. Lots of information has been posted

about the side effects of botox before a myotomy.

Good luck and I asked Dr. Richter who he recommended as a GI doctor for me

in the DC/Baltimore area and I see that already listed some doctors

for you at Temple. Dr. Richter also said that I could see him in Florida if

I wanted too and an excuse for a vacation. My understanding is that he

should be up and running in Tampa some time in October. However, I do know

that he seemed knowledgeable and caring so I feel that if you call she

may be able to help you with some GI referrals and then this group here is

awesome. As they say, check out your surgeons especially well. I did not do

that in 2001 as well as I would have if I had linked into a group like this.

Fortunately, I was extremely lucky to find someone that performed a

successful surgery for me.

Good luck and I hope you find a bit of relief soon!

Beth

Dr Park previously of Uofland?

>

>

>

> Does anyone have any information about Dr Park? I saw that Carolyn had

>mentioned him in a post a number of years ago, but only referenced that

he

>spoke at a conference. I spoke with his admin assistant this morning

about

>getting in to see him as he is close enough to me (and now in Canada) and

>I'd like to see if anyone had any personal experience with him.

>

> Thanks,

>

> kim in canada

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the recommendation Wes!  I'm going to see my family doctor today

to see if he can get the referral sent to his assistant tomorrow.  I do hope

that I get the chance to meet with him

kim in canada

________________________________

From: Wes <sewtrah@...>

" achalasia " <achalasia >

Sent: Monday, July 25, 2011 7:56 PM

Subject: Re: Dr Park previously of Uofland?

 

He did my HM with partial fund at umd in Baltimore 01/09 I've been good ever

since little to no symptoms. Before my HM I pretty much regurgitated whenever I

laid down to sleep. I sleep well every night now. Couldn't recommend Dr. Park

any higher.

[Guest guest]

I too took my son to Dr. Richter for a 2nd opinion.  At one time when I told

him that my son was having trouble sleeping some days due to cough at nights

(before surgery) he did say that he could get a botox injection till his surgery

is done, since my son was able to live with the cough and it was not that bad,

we preferred to just wait for the surgery as I too heard that botox does not

last too long-3 months-1 year and can cause scar tissue. We preferred to wait

for some long term (as per most people's experience) fix which was the

surgery.  Also, if I remember correctly Dr. Richter did mention that for young

women and middle aged women dilation works but for young males surgery is

recommended.

Beth, what surgeon did Dr. Richter recommend to you? He had recommended Dr.

Dempsey and Dr, colleen Gawyn from the Temple University to us.  We went with

Dr. Dempsey and had a very pleasant experience, he has great bedside manners and

really respects his patients and so far (2 weeks) my son has been doing great

after his surgery.

Let me know if you have any questions about these doctors.

Priti

>Hi Kim,

>

>I have never posted on here before. However, I was diagnosed with

achalasia

>in 2000. After having three dilations that did not work and the third one

>knicking my esophagus in Fairfax, VA, I ended up at the University of

>land in Baltimore.in 2001. I had previously worked there in the late

>1980's in hospital administration (I am not a nurse). Long story short,

my

>primary problem with achalasia has always been chest spasms/pain. Guess

that

>is why it took more than five years before I received the right

diagnosis.

>

>The swallowing became a later problem and it was not until I began

vomiting

>blood that they figured out it was not my gallbladder. I did not know

much

>about achalasia and it seemed that most of the physicians that I was

dealing

>with knew a little about it but not a lot. I decided on having a Heller

>myotomy thinking that it would cure the chest spasms - not true in my

case -

>and make swallowing much easier - very true in my case.

>

>At the time, I spoke with some of my former friends at UMD and they

>recommended Eugene Cho, M.D. He did an excellent job for me and I had a

>Heller, Toupet, and pylorplasty done at one time. Dr. Cho has moved west

to

>Takoma, WA. I do think that Park, M.D. came after Dr. Cho left. I

>began having some problems this past year and called to see if I could

see

>Dr. Park for a follow-up. The staff told me that he had left to go to

Nova

>Scotia and they were devastated by his departure. I saw a GI doc by the

name

>of Fantry (not a surgeon) who was also saddened by Dr. Park's

>decision to go to Canada. Although I have no personal knowledge of Dr.

>Park's work, I can tell you people spoke highly of him. I have no idea

how

>many myotomies he has performed, but I do have phone numbers of where he

>worked in Baltimore and maybe they could verify number he performed

there.

>

>After finding this resourceful website, I made an appointment with Dr.

>Richter in Philadelphia who will be leaving Temple in August to go to

Tampa

>(I believe Univ. of South Florida GI Dept). He saw me at end of June and

I

>can tell you that I received good news and some not so good news. I can

tell

>you that he said whoever did my surgery did a great job and it was done

over

>10 years ago, but that the chest spasms are the one thing that doctors

have

>difficulty knowing what causes them and what stops them. Different things

>work for different people.

>

>God bless you and I wish you the very best!

>

>Beth Cumby

>

>

> Dr Park previously of Uofland?

>

>

>

> Does anyone have any information about Dr Park? I saw that Carolyn had

>mentioned him in a post a number of years ago, but only referenced that

he

>spoke at a conference. I spoke with his admin assistant this morning

about

>getting in to see him as he is close enough to me (and now in Canada) and

>I'd like to see if anyone had any personal experience with him.

>

> Thanks,

>

> kim in canada

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Priti,

So glad that your son is doing well and healing after his surgery. I had heard

Dr. Dempsey's name before and good things associated with him.

With regard to referrals from Dr. Richter, I did not need a referral for surgery

as my Heller is still in tact thankfully and working after ten years. I did ask

him for recommendations for a GI (gastroenterologist) doctor to monitor me as I

do have achalasia and Barrett's esophagus (may or may not be related to my

Heller). It is typical for me to have an endoscopy every one to two years to

look at my esophagus. With regard to the doctors in the DC/Balt metro area, he

recommended three gastroenterologists who specialized in esophageal motility

disorders: Stan at town, Cooke at Hopkins, and

Fantry at University of land. Other option is to be seen by Dr. Richter in

Florida.

I tried three dilitations over a year back in 2000 and none of them worked, but

for others they are all that people need. Achalasia affects people in so many

different ways. So glad to have this group so that I can discuss achalasia or

read about it. There was a time when I felt so very isolated due to this disease

and people saying, " What did you say it was called? " and just staring at me.

Hoping that you son continues to improve.

Take care,

Beth

Dr Park previously of Uofland?

>

>

>

> Does anyone have any information about Dr Park? I saw that Carolyn had

>mentioned him in a post a number of years ago, but only referenced that

he

>spoke at a conference. I spoke with his admin assistant this morning

about

>getting in to see him as he is close enough to me (and now in Canada) and

>I'd like to see if anyone had any personal experience with him.

>

> Thanks,

>

> kim in canada

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Beth,

Did you have the 3  dilitations before you had Heller?

>Hi Kim,

>

>I have never posted on here before. However, I was diagnosed with

achalasia

>in 2000. After having three dilations that did not work and the third one

>knicking my esophagus in Fairfax, VA, I ended up at the University of

>land in Baltimore.in 2001. I had previously worked there in the late

>1980's in hospital administration (I am not a nurse). Long story short,

my

>primary problem with achalasia has always been chest spasms/pain. Guess

that

>is why it took more than five years before I received the right

diagnosis.

>

>The swallowing became a later problem and it was not until I began

vomiting

>blood that they figured out it was not my gallbladder. I did not know

much

>about achalasia and it seemed that most of the physicians that I was

dealing

>with knew a little about it but not a lot. I decided on having a Heller

>myotomy thinking that it would cure the chest spasms - not true in my

case -

>and make swallowing much easier - very true in my case.

>

>At the time, I spoke with some of my former friends at UMD and they

>recommended Eugene Cho, M.D. He did an excellent job for me and I had a

>Heller, Toupet, and pylorplasty done at one time. Dr. Cho has moved west

to

>Takoma, WA. I do think that Park, M.D. came after Dr. Cho left. I

>began having some problems this past year and called to see if I could

see

>Dr. Park for a follow-up. The staff told me that he had left to go to

Nova

>Scotia and they were devastated by his departure. I saw a GI doc by the

name

>of Fantry (not a surgeon) who was also saddened by Dr. Park's

>decision to go to Canada. Although I have no personal knowledge of Dr.

>Park's work, I can tell you people spoke highly of him. I have no idea

how

>many myotomies he has performed, but I do have phone numbers of where he

>worked in Baltimore and maybe they could verify number he performed

there.

>

>After finding this resourceful website, I made an appointment with Dr.

>Richter in Philadelphia who will be leaving Temple in August to go to

Tampa

>(I believe Univ. of South Florida GI Dept). He saw me at end of June and

I

>can tell you that I received good news and some not so good news. I can

tell

>you that he said whoever did my surgery did a great job and it was done

over

>10 years ago, but that the chest spasms are the one thing that doctors

have

>difficulty knowing what causes them and what stops them. Different things

>work for different people.

>

>God bless you and I wish you the very best!

>

>Beth Cumby

>

>

> Dr Park previously of Uofland?

>

>

>

> Does anyone have any information about Dr Park? I saw that Carolyn had

>mentioned him in a post a number of years ago, but only referenced that

he

>spoke at a conference. I spoke with his admin assistant this morning

about

>getting in to see him as he is close enough to me (and now in Canada) and

>I'd like to see if anyone had any personal experience with him.

>

> Thanks,

>

> kim in canada

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Yes I did. The third one (as they kept using a larger balloon back then) knicked

my esophagus. After that, I decided to go ahead with the Heller. In addition, I

had some other problems with my stomach emptying and they decided to do a

pylorplasty also at the same time.

Dr Park previously of Uofland?

>

>

>

> Does anyone have any information about Dr Park? I saw that Carolyn had

>mentioned him in a post a number of years ago, but only referenced that

he

>spoke at a conference. I spoke with his admin assistant this morning

about

>getting in to see him as he is close enough to me (and now in Canada) and

>I'd like to see if anyone had any personal experience with him.

>

> Thanks,

>

> kim in canada

>

>

>

>

>

>

>