Guest guest Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Kudos to you for staying fit and active! I'm certain this will help you with a speedy recovery when you do have your surgery. With regard to the progression, from the posts I've read it varies to the individual. In my case I started with severe spasms 10 yrs ago that progressed to difficulty swallowing and all that comes with that. Still have the spasms, but it's mostly getting food down that challenges me for the last 3-4 yrs. It seems though somewhat like a rollercoaster - periods of not being able to eat or drink. Then a few days of food passing, then nothing again. From what I've read of the posts though, I'm lucky in that my weight seems to fluctuate between 94lb (too thin - no energy) and 102 at my best (a good weight for my frame). I've recently gone from a low of 94 to now 102 and eating most of the last 3 weeks! Go figure. I know it likely won't last, but one can always hope. Found Dove bars relatively easy to get down - and very good at putting the weight on. Will likely schedule surgery before year end. What I've noticed over the last couple of years though, is that it's difficult to maintain a good workout schedule. There is such a heaviness in my chest most days, it's uncomfortable to exercise. I've also had occasions where physical exertion involving the " core " somehow stimulates a spasm to occur. I've had to leave the gym and curl up in the locker room until it passes. Needless to say, muscle tone and stamina are not a strong point anymore. I hope you're able to have your surgery before you experience any of this...if you do. Enjoy your rowing - having such strength and stamina going into this will be a huge asset! Kim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Fitness is not high on my agenda...I don't have enough energy to use on fitness. I am 50 and recently diagnosed after many years of spasms and 'reflux'. I am like you and am shedding a few pounds each month. I can still eat some very small portions of food such as soft vegetables and pasta, but have to wash it down with lots of soft drink. I usually just have soup for dinner because it's easier to swallow. Make sure you drink lots of soft drink after food...it works miracles by flushing any food into the stomach. 4 months ago I was eating normally other than with certain foods like breads/pastry/fried foods getting 'stuck'. Things seemed to get worse about 2 months ago, and since then I notice changes every week. Something I could eat one week, I couldn't swallow the next week. Hope you get all the information and care you need. from Australia > > Are any of you managing to carry on with fitness activities to any high level with achalasia. > I am 43 and row competitively (in a boat not argue), my current attrition rate is about 6lbs per month, but to get the calories in i attempt to eat and drink nearly all the time, work allowing. I am a business owner and spend a lot of time driving between meetings so can pick up starbucks etc to try to keep the calories going in. I started off at 220lbs and am now at under 200. I know this sounds good compared to some of you but the hospital near to me will not deal with me until the next financial year due to the cost of operation and the me not being a priority case yet. By the time i get to an operation though i will have lost a third of my bodyweight > > My swallow function has been impaired for some time but has only got to the point of regurgitation in august. It has obviously built up over some time but had been misdiagnosed prior to me having the barium swallow. Also my gp has never dealt with a case of achalasia before, he finds me fascinating but i am educating him. > > How long did it take to get really bad for you if it has? > I have now reached a point where about one day per week i can get nothing in at all. Is this a sign of things progressing? Have any of you just got to the same sort of point and then plateaud with it just staying the same? > > Help me obi wan, you are my only hope. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 25, 2011 Report Share Posted October 25, 2011 Dear Princess Leia... ok pun intended... Please tell us where you are located, if you have had a manometry, endoscopy, seen a specialist, etc.... My guesses here are that you are in the UK.. My son shoots competitively, mind you he is not competing anywhere near as much as you are, but still... Before surgery, competition was next to impossible. He was loosing too much body mass and could not get the calories into his system. After manometry... he is A -OK.. Carolyn mom to Cameron in Sunny, lovely California. From: stueymcc <stuart@...> Subject: Achalasia and sport achalasia Date: Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 2:29 PM  Are any of you managing to carry on with fitness activities to any high level with achalasia. I am 43 and row competitively (in a boat not argue), my current attrition rate is about 6lbs per month, but to get the calories in i attempt to eat and drink nearly all the time, work allowing. I am a business owner and spend a lot of time driving between meetings so can pick up starbucks etc to try to keep the calories going in. I started off at 220lbs and am now at under 200. I know this sounds good compared to some of you but the hospital near to me will not deal with me until the next financial year due to the cost of operation and the me not being a priority case yet. By the time i get to an operation though i will have lost a third of my bodyweight My swallow function has been impaired for some time but has only got to the point of regurgitation in august. It has obviously built up over some time but had been misdiagnosed prior to me having the barium swallow. Also my gp has never dealt with a case of achalasia before, he finds me fascinating but i am educating him. How long did it take to get really bad for you if it has? I have now reached a point where about one day per week i can get nothing in at all. Is this a sign of things progressing? Have any of you just got to the same sort of point and then plateaud with it just staying the same? Help me obi wan, you are my only hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 26, 2011 Report Share Posted October 26, 2011 It took about 3 years for mine to get from " an occasional problem " to " I can't eat anything for days at a time " and I had the surgery last winter. > > Are any of you managing to carry on with fitness activities to any high level with achalasia. > I am 43 and row competitively (in a boat not argue), my current attrition rate is about 6lbs per month, but to get the calories in i attempt to eat and drink nearly all the time, work allowing. I am a business owner and spend a lot of time driving between meetings so can pick up starbucks etc to try to keep the calories going in. I started off at 220lbs and am now at under 200. I know this sounds good compared to some of you but the hospital near to me will not deal with me until the next financial year due to the cost of operation and the me not being a priority case yet. By the time i get to an operation though i will have lost a third of my bodyweight > > My swallow function has been impaired for some time but has only got to the point of regurgitation in august. It has obviously built up over some time but had been misdiagnosed prior to me having the barium swallow. Also my gp has never dealt with a case of achalasia before, he finds me fascinating but i am educating him. > > How long did it take to get really bad for you if it has? > I have now reached a point where about one day per week i can get nothing in at all. Is this a sign of things progressing? Have any of you just got to the same sort of point and then plateaud with it just staying the same? > > Help me obi wan, you are my only hope. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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