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  3. Oesophageal Achalasia and Spasm

Recent surgery...

Posted , 3 users are following.

Trisherbell
Trisherbell

Hi, its good to know there are people with what I have!

I was diagnosis at the beginning of May after months of tests..... Endoscopy, barium swallow, manometry and 24 hr PH test.

My surgeon said he wanted to operate urgently, I was lucky and 3 weeks later I had a Heller's Myotomy and Fundoplication.

2 days ago I saw him, 6 weeks after surgery. I am recovering well and am pleased to say that eating is so much better!!

He advised I don't vomit, or eat bread as is doughy but toast would be OK.

I have lost 10 kg in the 9 weeks since diagnosis, had already lost a bit before as so many do.

3.5 years ago I had my gallbladder removed due to polyps, but oddly I now know the pain that made me see my GP was actually oesaphageal spasm due to Achalasia!

I take Buscopan for spasms/cramp, works quite quickly. Before that I found cold water helps which I still use at first.

I'm looking forward to hearing from people in the UK who live with our rare condition!

1 like, 15 replies

15 Replies

  • Leni75
    Leni75 Trisherbell

    Posted

    Hi Trisherbell first I would to say that I'm glad that your surgery has helped and you're recovering well. 

    you mentioned you had oesophageal spasms due to achalasia and not because of your gallbladder removal. I had my GB out 10 months ago and I've been suffering with those type of spasms my doctor said. It has been really horrible chest pain and in my sternum. I think I suffer from reflux developed after the surgery. Do you think your achalasia started because of the GB removal giving you OS as  a symptom ? There might be a connection. I can still swallow but it hurts  afterwards like something it's stuck on my chest and then I get the spasms both on my chest and back. Were  your symptoms like this? Happy recovery 

  • Trisherbell
    Trisherbell

    Posted

    Thank you Leni75 .

    I was having spasms/cramp before I had my gallbladder removed, years before so Achalasia was clearly around a long time ago. It's so painful, I also sometimes get pain in my jaw on the right side. I am left feeling exhausted after a cramp attack. I can go quite a while in between attacks, a few weeks sometimes. There are times I have numerous attacks a day, for days.

    I have had a couple since surgery 6 weeks ago, I am wondering if the attacks will lessen as I heal.

    Do you have Achalasia? Do you feel better since gallbladder removal?

    • Leni75
      Leni75 Trisherbell

      Posted

      Lately I've been feeling a lot of pain in my chest area all day, it feels like my esophagus might be inflamed by so much burning it had all of these months and when I eat I get spasms in chest and back . I don't know specifically what I have, doctor mentioned bile reflux. GB surgery caused all of my daily pain. I felt better some months ago now I feel that's getting worse. I'm waiting to see another doctor but it takes months and the pain is constant. I might start having damage in the gullet at least it feels like thanks for the reply
  • Trisherbell
    Trisherbell

    Posted

    It sounds awful, I do feel for you. Can you get an urgent appointment with your doctor? You shouldn't have to feel so bad.

    Are you in the UK, or elsewhere in the world?

    • Leni75
      Leni75 Trisherbell

      Posted

      I am in the UK living for Lmost 9 years now. I'm from Portugal originally.

      This is awful like you said but is my reality everyday. I've seen my GP a couple of weeks ago and he referred to another specialist because my own surgeon didn't really know what to do. He told I was an unlucky one from thousands of ops he's done! But I'm in pain now and very frightened that it's only going to get worse. It's being having a negative impact on my personal life (husband very very tired of seeing me this way)I also had a baby just before the surgery, and it's been a challenge taking care of my daughter and feeling this way. Life sucks at the moment when it could be so much better if I have more help from the doctors. Pray for a miracle now 

  • Trisherbell
    Trisherbell

    Posted

    I was lucky with my GP, she got things moving quickly both with my gallbladder and recent events leading to my diagnosis of Achalasia.

    I hope you get answers very soon which will lead to treatment. Wishing you luck, and pain free times.

  • nikki108
    nikki108 Trisherbell

    Posted

    Hi Trisherbell

    I read that you had an Heller Myototmy with fundoplication recently im due to

    have it done next week ive read somewhere that after you have the op you can no longer have anything fizzy is this just for after the op or long term?

    Im also in the uk.

    • Trisherbell
      Trisherbell nikki108

      Posted

      I still haven't had anything fizzy nearly 13 weeks on. My choice, not been brave enough to try yet!
  • nikki108
    nikki108 Trisherbell

    Posted

    Hi Trisherbell

    I read that after having the surgry you could no longer vomit or burp ( thats why its a no to fizzy stuff )  i just wonderd if this was right?

    Anyway sounds like your doing well after your surgry i will prob be like yourself and be nervous of trying stuff.  How did you find the liquid diet

    afterwards and how long did you leave it before trying solid foods?

    I hope you dont mind me asking you stuff.

     

    • Trisherbell
      Trisherbell nikki108

      Posted

      I don't mind at all.

      I stayed on sloppy/liquid for the 3 weeks recommended by my surgeon, then gradually and tentatively introduced lumps etc.

      I asked my surgeon about the no vomiting as I had heard if it and yes it is true. We probably CAN vomit but advised not to as it could be very difficult, uncomfortable, painful etc and could rip the Fundoplication stitches! After Fundoplication we have a one way valve in to the stomach so anything coming out is going to be a problem. He didn't really know what to do about it which surprised me. I am seeing my GP on Thursday about something else and am going to ask for a prescription for anti sickness medication.

      He told me I will always find bread and doughy food difficult and it may get stuck but toast OK? I have tested this and he is right! So, bread and many cakes are out. I can eat almost everything else now hiugh. Trial and error, everyone has different things they find difficult.

      Ask anything, I don't mind!!!

  • nikki108
    nikki108 Trisherbell

    Posted

    hi

    Anti sickness tablets are prob a good idea for if you are feeling nauseous but are unable to get relief.

    Im looking forward to hopefuly having a good end result and being able to eat a full meal i know this is still along way off yet, I have to take the recovery path that alot of people have already taken or are still finding your way throw.

    I dont mind having to leave afew things off the menu like bread and stuff after the op im use to not being able to eat so manys things now anyway.

    Have you experienced any reflux having the fundoplication is surpose to pervent it?

  • nikki108
    nikki108 Trisherbell

    Posted

    Hi

    Thats good that you havnt had any acid reflux that was a concern of mine as i get it now and again and it can be very pianful my surgeon said doing the fundoplication wrap should help with that.

    My surgery is in four days time I dont know weather im more excited or nervous

    my surgeon is a lovely man im know he will do his best for me.

    • Trisherbell
      Trisherbell nikki108

      Posted

      I had both feelings - excited because it was the start of improvement, nervous because its surgery!

      I wish you well. Don't try to rush recovery, take it slow and listen to your body.

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