Hi, I'm new....

February 4, 2005

Hi ,

Welcome to the group!!! We’re

glad you found us, too!! We have all been where you are now, and know

what its like to find others like us. You are NOT alone.

Chest pain…normal. Here, we

call them spasms, or NCCPs (non-cardiac chest pain). Some of us get them,

and some don’t.

Other than the manometry, many have the

barium swallow. You are right, the manometry is no fun.

There are a few ways of treating the

symptoms of achalasia. Whatever you decide to do, make sure your GI is

experienced in achalasia, as this is crucial to a good outcome, no matter what

treatment you have.

1)

botox: is injected

into the LES (lower esophogeal sphincter) to poison it, which causes it to

relax. This is usually temporary, and requires repeat treatment. It

can also cause scarring, which can negatively alter the outcome of surgery, if needed

later in life.

2)

dilation: (which

you had) a balloon is directed down to the LES during an endoscopy, and stretched

out to loosen or tear it open. This can also be temporary, and causes scarring.

Again, this can negatively impact surgery if needed in the future.

3)

Heller Myotomy- Laprascopic

or Open: the LES is cut open from the outside of the E (esophogus). Sometimes

a wrap is done to help prevent acid relux, or to hold open the LES. A wrap

is when they pull a part of the stomach up, and can be a partial wrap or full wrap.

This is generally the longest term option, and is considered the most permanent.

It is not in all cases.

Do A LOT of research. Check the group

web site, especially the database section. There is a tonne of info there. Also, post anything

you may have questions about. We are here to help!!

Whatever you decide to do, please make sure

your doc/surgeon is experienced. This is critical!!!

I was diagnosed in Jan of 2004, and had the

surgery in Sept. I feel back to 99%. I was regurgitating with every

meal, and had lost a decent amount of weight.

Welcome to the group again, post away!!

22

Chilliwack, BC

Hi, I'm

new....

And I can't believe I found this group. I am

so glad! I was

diagnosed with achalasia about six months ago

after symptoms that

were similar to heart trouble (tons of chest pain,

etc.)and then

real difficulty swallowing. Since then, I

have had the initial EGD

and ballooning (a little relief), and then the

hell of nasal

manometry (I made them stop because the chick

doing it knotted it up

in my throat). Now all of the very temporary

relief I had is gone

and I am having such trouble swallowing and now I

am regurgitating

constantly and throwing up easily from my gag

reflex. IS this

normal for any of you? Sorry if I sound

spastic - you don't know

how happy I am to find others who suffer from

this!!!

Many thanks!

in Virginia

February 4, 2005

-Welcome . Your enthusiasum is wonderful! I felt the same way

when I found this group. Lot's of great people here. You are not

alone which I'm sure you felt. I know I did.

Nancee in New Hampshire-- In

achalasia , " saundersclan2003 " <saundersclan2003@y...>

wrote:

>

> And I can't believe I found this group. I am so glad! I was

> diagnosed with achalasia about six months ago after symptoms that

> were similar to heart trouble (tons of chest pain, etc.)and then

> real difficulty swallowing. Since then, I have had the initial EGD

> and ballooning (a little relief), and then the hell of nasal

> manometry (I made them stop because the chick doing it knotted it

up

> in my throat). Now all of the very temporary relief I had is gone

> and I am having such trouble swallowing and now I am regurgitating

> constantly and throwing up easily from my gag reflex. IS this

> normal for any of you? Sorry if I sound spastic - you don't know

> how happy I am to find others who suffer from this!!!

> Many thanks!

>

> in Virginia

February 5, 2005

Welcome to the group. We know what you are going though and we are here to encourage you. Look over some of the old posts and that will be a great help to you.

in Suffolk

February 5, 2005

Hi susan Im new too.. This site was a surprise to me too..Its great

and the people hee are really nice.. I am about to get my manometry

done this week, now after reading your nightmare im a lil scared but

I need to get it done.. so they can diagnose me with the right

thing.. Its been hard for me, ive been having trouble swallowing my

food since may of last year and its gotten worse too.. the dilated

my E when I got the endoscopy done but it didnt help.. My doctor

isnt to great so im in the process of finding another.. Its hell at

times but what can i do... Just know your not alone we are in the

same boat with you.. Tania in california

>

> And I can't believe I found this group. I am so glad! I was

> diagnosed with achalasia about six months ago after symptoms that

> were similar to heart trouble (tons of chest pain, etc.)and then

> real difficulty swallowing. Since then, I have had the initial

EGD

> and ballooning (a little relief), and then the hell of nasal

> manometry (I made them stop because the chick doing it knotted it

up

> in my throat). Now all of the very temporary relief I had is gone

> and I am having such trouble swallowing and now I am regurgitating

> constantly and throwing up easily from my gag reflex. IS this

> normal for any of you? Sorry if I sound spastic - you don't know

> how happy I am to find others who suffer from this!!!

> Many thanks!

>

> in Virginia

February 6, 2005

Wecome to the group. There is a lot of information here to help out. There is also many caring people here to support you. I know there are several people in the UK that are in this group. I am one of them. I think we should try to have a meet up so we can support eachother. If you would like to talk let me know I will try my best to help out.

in Suffolk.

December 26, 2007

Hello everyone -

First let me start by saying Merry Christmas to everyone.

My name is Jen and I'm new here to this list. Unfortunately I had to join

this list because I found out yesterday that I tested positive for Lymes Disease

(wonderful Christmas present on Christmas Eve). I live on Long Island, which is

Lymes heaven.

I'm always so careful, and I don't remember ever finding a tick on me or that

rash that is typical with Lymes. I do have some symptoms that match, but I also

have other problems too that go along with my symptoms - such as lower back

pain, but I have herniated discs, wrist pain but I've sprained it several times

when I was a kid, headaches but I've been diagnosed with hormonal migraines.

Back in October/November I got a sinus infection (which I always get) and was

put on an antibiotic that I've never been on before. After that I noticed this

weird rash on me, my back, stomach, and upper thighs. It doesn't match any

pictures I've seen online though with Lymes so I'm not sure if that has anything

to do with it.

I'm looking for advise as this is all so new to me and I don't really know all

that much about Lymes yet. My PCP put me on Doxycycline which I read is the #1

used antibiotic for this disease. But I'm wondering what is the best type of

doctor to see for this? What else should I know or do? What else should I

watch out for?

I'm still in the learning process so any advice would be much appreciated! !

Thanks so much & hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas!!

Jen

---------------------------------

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December 28, 2007

Hello Jenie, I am new too--Chelsea. I was diagnosed in October with LD.

JenieGirl <jeniegirl27@...> wrote:

Hello everyone -

First let me start by saying Merry Christmas to everyone.

My name is Jen and I'm new here to this list. Unfortunately I had to join this

list because I found out yesterday that I tested positive for Lymes Disease