Guest guest Posted November 19, 1999 Report Share Posted November 19, 1999 , Sounds right to me. My biopsy report shows cirrhosis stage IV on a scale of I to IV, but I wonder if stage V means total liver failure? I don't know for sure, but obviously, I didn't have total liver failure because I'm still here. Still, from the medical attention I got at the time, I don't think they thought I could make it. I read something somewhere that said that we can survive up to 80% loss of liver function but after that, it's either a transplant or that's all she wrote. That seems to tie in with the stage V concept. Take care, Geri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2003 Report Share Posted February 9, 2003 thanks terry, love and healing from anita > > From: " autohep <dohr@...> " <dohr@...> > Date: Sun 09/Feb/2003 21:49 GMT > > Subject: [ ] Stages > > Hi! Need help in understanding the stages. I know there are 3 > types of hep. but how do you get to the different stages. Is it the > higher your alt goes, and does anyone know where the lines are drawn. > > Jerry - thank you from recommending the book by Worman, I've just > gotten it and it's very informative. > > Anita - I couldn't take Imuran because it made me very sick to my > stomach and vomitted. Your " friends " don't understand autoimmune > they just hear hep. I've had the same problems and try to explain to > them I only hurt myself. Then I tell them that I'm unique and not to > worry I won't share even if I could. > > Tony - Have a good rest and may your pain lesson. God Bless. > > Thanks everyone for being here, your in my prayers. terri > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2003 Report Share Posted February 9, 2003 thanks terry, love and healing from anita > > From: " autohep <dohr@...> " <dohr@...> > Date: Sun 09/Feb/2003 21:49 GMT > > Subject: [ ] Stages > > Hi! Need help in understanding the stages. I know there are 3 > types of hep. but how do you get to the different stages. Is it the > higher your alt goes, and does anyone know where the lines are drawn. > > Jerry - thank you from recommending the book by Worman, I've just > gotten it and it's very informative. > > Anita - I couldn't take Imuran because it made me very sick to my > stomach and vomitted. Your " friends " don't understand autoimmune > they just hear hep. I've had the same problems and try to explain to > them I only hurt myself. Then I tell them that I'm unique and not to > worry I won't share even if I could. > > Tony - Have a good rest and may your pain lesson. God Bless. > > Thanks everyone for being here, your in my prayers. terri > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 9, 2003 Report Share Posted February 9, 2003 thanks terry, love and healing from anita > > From: " autohep <dohr@...> " <dohr@...> > Date: Sun 09/Feb/2003 21:49 GMT > > Subject: [ ] Stages > > Hi! Need help in understanding the stages. I know there are 3 > types of hep. but how do you get to the different stages. Is it the > higher your alt goes, and does anyone know where the lines are drawn. > > Jerry - thank you from recommending the book by Worman, I've just > gotten it and it's very informative. > > Anita - I couldn't take Imuran because it made me very sick to my > stomach and vomitted. Your " friends " don't understand autoimmune > they just hear hep. I've had the same problems and try to explain to > them I only hurt myself. Then I tell them that I'm unique and not to > worry I won't share even if I could. > > Tony - Have a good rest and may your pain lesson. God Bless. > > Thanks everyone for being here, your in my prayers. terri > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2006 Report Share Posted February 8, 2006 , I was diagnosed in Dec 05 with AIH and I'm still in the learning process. I've seen several people discuss stages. What do stages refer to and what does each level mean? Any insight you could pass along is very appreciated. Thanks. > > Hello and welcome. > My name is and I was diagnosed in 1996 with AIH. I have just been told > I am in stage 3-4. Do you know what stage you are in yet. Were you diagnosed > by biopsy? I have had 3 of these. They aren't to bad. I was started on > Prednisone, Imuran and Actigal but am now just on Imuran. > Ask any questions you have and we will be glad to answer them. > I am in WV, 43 and have 2 sons. Been married 25yrs. > Look forward to hearing from you soon > the WV hillbilly > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 10, 2006 Report Share Posted March 10, 2006 Hi I am Diagnosed in December 2004. I am a Stage 2 Level 2. I read everything I could get my hands on when I found out I had AIH. I was first diagnosed with Stage 4 level 3 but after one year on imuran and prednisone and a 2nd biopsy I became a stage 2 level 2. Yes stage 4 is the worst level. Just hang in there and ask questions, its your right to know. [ ] Stages I was diagnosed in Dec. 05. My Dr. hasn't been very forthcoming with information, I have to pry things out of him and even then he is reluctant to say very much. Through my own research I found there are 3 types of AIH. My Dr. hasn't mentioned this to me so I called and asked his nurse who in turn asked him. He said they didn't " type " my AIH when they did a biopsy but that I'm Grade 2-3, Stage 3. Can someone please be straight with me? Don't they recommend a transplant at Stage 4 or am I over reacting? What ever the answer is I can take it, I hate being kept in the dark. Can anyone offer some guidance? Please? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 1, 2007 Report Share Posted July 1, 2007 Notan: Glad you're back! And thanks so much for the information and links re: stages... Lee in NJSee what's free at AOL.com. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 8, 2007 Report Share Posted December 8, 2007 THE 5 STAGES OF A FEMALE'S LIFE 1. To Grow Up 2. To Fill Out 3. To Slim Down 4 To Hold It In AND 5. To Hell with it Send this to all the women you know who need a laugh! Check out AOL Money Finance's list of the hottest products and top money wasters of 2007. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2011 Report Share Posted November 20, 2011 Not perfect, but pretty good. I think they can't number us well, 'cause we're all such *individuals* ~~ For instance, I haven't had spasms since I began spitting up. But I had them for 25 years *before*. . . . My esophagus didn't look very stretched at all on the swallow -- but I 'spect this is because I'm spitting up SO much (about 80% right now)-- nothing is staying down long enough to *stretch* the esophagus! And the progression is kind of uneven, too: it hurts, then the body finds a way to compensate so it doesn't hurt, then the compensation fails, and it hurts again. (I know friends with back problems that it works like that for, also). This is a real good try, lol! (in WV) http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7453/is_200704/ai_n32226898/ > > > > Hi all: > > > > Is there a link to a site that describes the 'stages' of achalasia > and, > > (perhaps) their symptoms? > > > > I so appreciate the education and support in this discussion group. > I > > have what my specialist calls an 'achalasia variant', and am doing > well > > after many years of manageable swallowing problems helped by a > botox > > injection last summer. I notice folks describing being > in 'endstage' > > achalasia (which I assume means no peristalsis, a non-working LES > and a > > badly stretched esophagus), and it makes me wonder if the stages of > > achalasia are delineated in writing anywhere. > > > > Thanks in advance... > > > > Lee in NJ > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2011 Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 Hi , I am new to the ACHALASIA community and I am still trying to figure it all out. Does anyone know exactly how the Esophagus gets stretched? I had 2 dilations this year and the last one went well. Before the first dilation I just couldn't get food down real easy, after wards though I regurgitated a good 90 % or better of what I ate and drank. I am terrified to go through that again and wonder what we can do if anything to prevent that. I am stage 2 already. Kim in Keno > > > > > > Hi all: > > > > > > Is there a link to a site that describes the 'stages' of achalasia > > and, > > > (perhaps) their symptoms? > > > > > > I so appreciate the education and support in this discussion group. > > I > > > have what my specialist calls an 'achalasia variant', and am doing > > well > > > after many years of manageable swallowing problems helped by a > > botox > > > injection last summer. I notice folks describing being > > in 'endstage' > > > achalasia (which I assume means no peristalsis, a non-working LES > > and a > > > badly stretched esophagus), and it makes me wonder if the stages of > > > achalasia are delineated in writing anywhere. > > > > > > Thanks in advance... > > > > > > Lee in NJ > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 23, 2011 Report Share Posted November 23, 2011 Hi Kim! I think the stretching comes on like this: The LES is mostly closed. Not much is getting through to the stomach -- therefore, we are still hungry. Therefore, we continue to eat, and *force* more food into the esophagus. Which finally gives, and makes more room. We're stuck, because if we *don't* force it, we starve. If we *do*, more gets through, but the esophagus gets stretched. After the HM or dilations, it seems to shrink a good bit again. I think all we can do is watch and be aware -- if problems start up again, after treatment, get back to your provider, stat! I read somewhere that achalasia patients are optimists. We shouldn't be, lol! We should be *pests*!! In my case, it has helped to get my son involved. They simply listen better to 47 year old males than to 71 year old females. . . . Pity, that. . . . Good luck! > > > > > > > > Hi all: > > > > > > > > Is there a link to a site that describes the 'stages' of achalasia > > > and, > > > > (perhaps) their symptoms? > > > > > > > > I so appreciate the education and support in this discussion group. > > > I > > > > have what my specialist calls an 'achalasia variant', and am doing > > > well > > > > after many years of manageable swallowing problems helped by a > > > botox > > > > injection last summer. I notice folks describing being > > > in 'endstage' > > > > achalasia (which I assume means no peristalsis, a non-working LES > > > and a > > > > badly stretched esophagus), and it makes me wonder if the stages of > > > > achalasia are delineated in writing anywhere. > > > > > > > > Thanks in advance... > > > > > > > > Lee in NJ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 26, 2011 Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 Hi , I figured as much. I starved long enough and probably eat things I shouldn't at times. I am trying real hard not to eat heavy solid food for fear of causing more damage. My GI only told me to stay away from pepper and spicy foods and also steak. I don't miss that too much really. How long have you had Achalasia? > > > > > > > > > > Hi all: > > > > > > > > > > Is there a link to a site that describes the 'stages' of achalasia > > > > and, > > > > > (perhaps) their symptoms? > > > > > > > > > > I so appreciate the education and support in this discussion group. > > > > I > > > > > have what my specialist calls an 'achalasia variant', and am doing > > > > well > > > > > after many years of manageable swallowing problems helped by a > > > > botox > > > > > injection last summer. I notice folks describing being > > > > in 'endstage' > > > > > achalasia (which I assume means no peristalsis, a non-working LES > > > > and a > > > > > badly stretched esophagus), and it makes me wonder if the stages of > > > > > achalasia are delineated in writing anywhere. > > > > > > > > > > Thanks in advance... > > > > > > > > > > Lee in NJ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 26, 2011 Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 Kim, my guess is a long time, lol! I started spitting up on my pillow about 6 years ago, but for several years before that, every now and again, if I ate in public, while talking, I'd get these spasms, and have to go to the bathroom, and spit it all out. Ironically, I knew then that it *wasn't* vomiting, but it didn't register that this was a whole different kind of thing. About four years ago, I'd wake an find parts of dinner from *two* days before in my mouth. Talked to my doc then, she didn't know, but said when it really bothered me, let her know and she'd set something up with a GI guy. I'd have some bad weeks when it felt like someone was grabbing my throat when I tried to swallow, and almost let her. Then it'd go away, and I didn't. This year, no more pain on swallowing, no more spasms, but a huge increase in spitting up. I wasn't relating *any* of this to the weight I was losing. Then this summer it kind of speeded up. But my GP had a baby, and I was trying to wait till she got off of maternity leave. I almost made it, lol! I ended up in ER three days before the appointment. . . . Before admission, at the barium swallow, I recognized the bird's beak, and me and the radiologist did the diagnosis together. It's taken two months to get the GI guys to admit the same. Nothing in their world seems to be an emergency, eh? They suggested Ensure and/or Boost. Gag -- rant for another place. I've pretty much been blenderizing everything. Some is not half bad. Even learned to do a passable salad. But I'm still losing most of what I eat. I weigh twice a day now, and if I lose a pound, I start adding tons of butter to my soups, lol! It's working. My GI guys are kicking me up to the UVA hospital, where I'm hoping we can get some sense of urgency. . . . (in WV) > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi all: > > > > > > > > > > > > Is there a link to a site that describes the 'stages' of achalasia > > > > > and, > > > > > > (perhaps) their symptoms? > > > > > > > > > > > > I so appreciate the education and support in this discussion group. > > > > > I > > > > > > have what my specialist calls an 'achalasia variant', and am doing > > > > > well > > > > > > after many years of manageable swallowing problems helped by a > > > > > botox > > > > > > injection last summer. I notice folks describing being > > > > > in 'endstage' > > > > > > achalasia (which I assume means no peristalsis, a non-working LES > > > > > and a > > > > > > badly stretched esophagus), and it makes me wonder if the stages of > > > > > > achalasia are delineated in writing anywhere. > > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks in advance... > > > > > > > > > > > > Lee in NJ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 26, 2011 Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 Wow - you have had this a long time. Have you been dilated yet? The first one they did was before any other tests were performed and it did not go well at all. My food kept getting stuck and it was real hard to get it down. After the 1st dilation, as soon as I woke up I started vomiting and then from there on out I regurgitated everything I tried to eat or drink. Little if any would stay down. The I did the esophagram and I seen the bird's beak too, but the hospital I had been going to for the past 12 years couldn't treat me so they referred me to Froedert Hospital, which is a great hospital. But they only treat 2-3 patients there a year with Achalasia. One of the nurses at Froedert did tell me something kind of scary though. She said that if you get food stuck in your Esophagus for anywhere between 6-24 hours, necropsis sets in and then the tissue where the food is stuck dies. And once it is dead you can't get it back. If this is true I am sure we all have that problem and don't even know it. I sure hope you get some relief soon. Kim in kenosha ________________________________ From: puddleriver13 <puddleriver13@...> achalasia Sent: Saturday, November 26, 2011 11:27 AM Subject: Re: Stages  Kim, my guess is a long time, lol! I started spitting up on my pillow about 6 years ago, but for several years before that, every now and again, if I ate in public, while talking, I'd get these spasms, and have to go to the bathroom, and spit it all out. Ironically, I knew then that it *wasn't* vomiting, but it didn't register that this was a whole different kind of thing. About four years ago, I'd wake an find parts of dinner from *two* days before in my mouth. Talked to my doc then, she didn't know, but said when it really bothered me, let her know and she'd set something up with a GI guy. I'd have some bad weeks when it felt like someone was grabbing my throat when I tried to swallow, and almost let her. Then it'd go away, and I didn't. This year, no more pain on swallowing, no more spasms, but a huge increase in spitting up. I wasn't relating *any* of this to the weight I was losing. Then this summer it kind of speeded up. But my GP had a baby, and I was trying to wait till she got off of maternity leave. I almost made it, lol! I ended up in ER three days before the appointment. . . . Before admission, at the barium swallow, I recognized the bird's beak, and me and the radiologist did the diagnosis together. It's taken two months to get the GI guys to admit the same. Nothing in their world seems to be an emergency, eh? They suggested Ensure and/or Boost. Gag -- rant for another place. I've pretty much been blenderizing everything. Some is not half bad. Even learned to do a passable salad. But I'm still losing most of what I eat. I weigh twice a day now, and if I lose a pound, I start adding tons of butter to my soups, lol! It's working. My GI guys are kicking me up to the UVA hospital, where I'm hoping we can get some sense of urgency. . . . (in WV) > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi all: > > > > > > > > > > > > Is there a link to a site that describes the 'stages' of achalasia > > > > > and, > > > > > > (perhaps) their symptoms? > > > > > > > > > > > > I so appreciate the education and support in this discussion group. > > > > > I > > > > > > have what my specialist calls an 'achalasia variant', and am doing > > > > > well > > > > > > after many years of manageable swallowing problems helped by a > > > > > botox > > > > > > injection last summer. I notice folks describing being > > > > > in 'endstage' > > > > > > achalasia (which I assume means no peristalsis, a non-working LES > > > > > and a > > > > > > badly stretched esophagus), and it makes me wonder if the stages of > > > > > > achalasia are delineated in writing anywhere. > > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks in advance... > > > > > > > > > > > > Lee in NJ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 26, 2011 Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 Wow, I am surprised that Froedtert only treats a few a year -- I thought they specialized in ... well EVERYTHING. My mom had surgery for a brain aneurysm there last year, they were so wonderful. I have no idea what necropsis is, but it sounds scary! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi all: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Is there a link to a site that describes the 'stages' of achalasia > > > > > > and, > > > > > > > (perhaps) their symptoms? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I so appreciate the education and support in this discussion group. > > > > > > I > > > > > > > have what my specialist calls an 'achalasia variant', and am doing > > > > > > well > > > > > > > after many years of manageable swallowing problems helped by a > > > > > > botox > > > > > > > injection last summer. I notice folks describing being > > > > > > in 'endstage' > > > > > > > achalasia (which I assume means no peristalsis, a non-working LES > > > > > > and a > > > > > > > badly stretched esophagus), and it makes me wonder if the stages of > > > > > > > achalasia are delineated in writing anywhere. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks in advance... > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Lee in NJ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 26, 2011 Report Share Posted November 26, 2011 Kim wrote: > > One of the nurses at Froedert did tell me something kind of scary > though. She said that if you get food stuck in your Esophagus for > anywhere between 6-24 hours, necropsis sets in and then the tissue > where the food is stuck dies. And once it is dead you can't get it > back. If this is true I am sure we all have that problem and don't > even know it. > She does not know what she is talking about (necrosis- cell death from such things as lack of oxygen and infection) or is overstating the situation. We often have food stuck and some have had food still in the esophagus when scoped and the esophagus was not dead there. Sometimes we do get infections in the esophagus and things like some types of pills getting stuck can burn the esophagus where they touch it. Even so, the lining of the esophagus is a lot like skin and in time it heals. Is some cases it will scar. Not good but not as scary as she makes it sound. notan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 27, 2011 Report Share Posted November 27, 2011 , That is what I thought too but for treatment in this area, it is still the best option. I can't say enough goods things about Froedert. I was pretty miserable when I finally got there and they treated me so well. Do you go there too? Kim ________________________________ From: milwaukeemommy <milwaukeemommy@...> achalasia Sent: Saturday, November 26, 2011 11:57 AM Subject: Re: Stages  Wow, I am surprised that Froedtert only treats a few a year -- I thought they specialized in ... well EVERYTHING. My mom had surgery for a brain aneurysm there last year, they were so wonderful. I have no idea what necropsis is, but it sounds scary! > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi all: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Is there a link to a site that describes the 'stages' of achalasia > > > > > > and, > > > > > > > (perhaps) their symptoms? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I so appreciate the education and support in this discussion group. > > > > > > I > > > > > > > have what my specialist calls an 'achalasia variant', and am doing > > > > > > well > > > > > > > after many years of manageable swallowing problems helped by a > > > > > > botox > > > > > > > injection last summer. I notice folks describing being > > > > > > in 'endstage' > > > > > > > achalasia (which I assume means no peristalsis, a non-working LES > > > > > > and a > > > > > > > badly stretched esophagus), and it makes me wonder if the stages of > > > > > > > achalasia are delineated in writing anywhere. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks in advance... > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Lee in NJ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 27, 2011 Report Share Posted November 27, 2011 Kim - I don't have achalasia, my husband does. He had his Heller at Waukesha Memorial 3 years ago -- he's in a bad place right now so I'm not sure what's next for him. I love Froedtert too -- we've been there for other things & they've always been great. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Hi all: > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Is there a link to a site that describes the 'stages' of achalasia > > > > > > > and, > > > > > > > > (perhaps) their symptoms? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > I so appreciate the education and support in this discussion group. > > > > > > > I > > > > > > > > have what my specialist calls an 'achalasia variant', and am doing > > > > > > > well > > > > > > > > after many years of manageable swallowing problems helped by a > > > > > > > botox > > > > > > > > injection last summer. I notice folks describing being > > > > > > > in 'endstage' > > > > > > > > achalasia (which I assume means no peristalsis, a non-working LES > > > > > > > and a > > > > > > > > badly stretched esophagus), and it makes me wonder if the stages of > > > > > > > > achalasia are delineated in writing anywhere. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Thanks in advance... > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Lee in NJ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 Hi ,  Not sure if I responded back to this but there is definitely conflicting information out there regarding A. I am not even sure how much the experts really know either. We are damned if we do and damned if we don't right????  Really, all we can do is hope for the best and just hope our symptoms don't get worse!  Take care  Kim in Keno ________________________________ From: puddleriver13 <puddleriver13@...> achalasia Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 10:48 AM Subject: Re: Stages  Hi Kim! I think the stretching comes on like this: The LES is mostly closed. Not much is getting through to the stomach -- therefore, we are still hungry. Therefore, we continue to eat, and *force* more food into the esophagus. Which finally gives, and makes more room. We're stuck, because if we *don't* force it, we starve. If we *do*, more gets through, but the esophagus gets stretched. After the HM or dilations, it seems to shrink a good bit again. I think all we can do is watch and be aware -- if problems start up again, after treatment, get back to your provider, stat! I read somewhere that achalasia patients are optimists. We shouldn't be, lol! We should be *pests*!! In my case, it has helped to get my son involved. They simply listen better to 47 year old males than to 71 year old females. . . . Pity, that. . . . Good luck! > > > > > > > > Hi all: > > > > > > > > Is there a link to a site that describes the 'stages' of achalasia > > > and, > > > > (perhaps) their symptoms? > > > > > > > > I so appreciate the education and support in this discussion group. > > > I > > > > have what my specialist calls an 'achalasia variant', and am doing > > > well > > > > after many years of manageable swallowing problems helped by a > > > botox > > > > injection last summer. I notice folks describing being > > > in 'endstage' > > > > achalasia (which I assume means no peristalsis, a non-working LES > > > and a > > > > badly stretched esophagus), and it makes me wonder if the stages of > > > > achalasia are delineated in writing anywhere. > > > > > > > > Thanks in advance... > > > > > > > > Lee in NJ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 28, 2011 Report Share Posted November 28, 2011 It is the stasis of the food in the esophagus which eventually leads onto dliatation or stretching of the esophagus as the sphincter does not open up easily. As far a s dilataion is concerned nearly one third do require subsequent dilataions but as far as long term outcome is concerned, there is no difference between HM and dilatation. A proportion of HM cases do develop the problem again and the the question is what next. There is not enough experience with redo HM. The important thing is to go to the best GI or the surgeon in the first instance as the incidence of complication is low and success better. anil achalasia From: xploring37@... Date: Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:09:43 -0800 Subject: Re: Re: Stages Hi , Not sure if I responded back to this but there is definitely conflicting information out there regarding A. I am not even sure how much the experts really know either. We are damned if we do and damned if we don't right???? Really, all we can do is hope for the best and just hope our symptoms don't get worse! Take care Kim in Keno ________________________________ From: puddleriver13 <puddleriver13@...> achalasia Sent: Wednesday, November 23, 2011 10:48 AM Subject: Re: Stages Hi Kim! I think the stretching comes on like this: The LES is mostly closed. Not much is getting through to the stomach -- therefore, we are still hungry. Therefore, we continue to eat, and *force* more food into the esophagus. Which finally gives, and makes more room. We're stuck, because if we *don't* force it, we starve. If we *do*, more gets through, but the esophagus gets stretched. After the HM or dilations, it seems to shrink a good bit again. I think all we can do is watch and be aware -- if problems start up again, after treatment, get back to your provider, stat! I read somewhere that achalasia patients are optimists. We shouldn't be, lol! We should be *pests*!! In my case, it has helped to get my son involved. They simply listen better to 47 year old males than to 71 year old females. . . . Pity, that. . . . Good luck! > > > > > > > > Hi all: > > > > > > > > Is there a link to a site that describes the 'stages' of achalasia > > > and, > > > > (perhaps) their symptoms? > > > > > > > > I so appreciate the education and support in this discussion group. > > > I > > > > have what my specialist calls an 'achalasia variant', and am doing > > > well > > > > after many years of manageable swallowing problems helped by a > > > botox > > > > injection last summer. I notice folks describing being > > > in 'endstage' > > > > achalasia (which I assume means no peristalsis, a non-working LES > > > and a > > > > badly stretched esophagus), and it makes me wonder if the stages of > > > > achalasia are delineated in writing anywhere. > > > > > > > > Thanks in advance... > > > > > > > > Lee in NJ > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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