Posted , 7 users are following.
Hi all,
I first started getting the choking feeing 7ys ago. After going through the usual tests I have been diagnosed with type2 achalsia and schedualed for POEM in 3 weeks time. Can anyone reassure me? My surgeon told me noone has died on him but he has only done 80 surgeries with this method.
Im so terrified, esp of anesthetic awareness. Yes I know its not common but neither is achalsia.
Thanks in advance for any help or advise you can offer.
Una 😷
0 likes, 17 replies
AlanJM una31344
Posted
POEM is an alternative to a more orthodox operation of a myotomy (cutting the muscles) and a fundoplication wrap where the top of the stomach is stapled around part of the base of the oesophagus to re-create a lower oesphageal sphincter to act as a valve to stop reflux rising.  I do not know how POEM achieves this effect; I presume that it is a matter of judgement how many muscles are cut during the POEM procedure.  It is a question that you could ask your surgeon (ie will I suffer from reflux after this operation?)
Good hospitals have modern procedures for surgery regulated on patient safety issues.
shriharisupport una31344
Posted
 I underwent POEM around June 2013. I had so much of relief after the surgery. So you ll definitely find some relief. But there are certain things you need to follow to have your swallowing functioning smoothly. How is your swallowing now btw? Are you able to eat little by little or its very tight? Good that you're getting POEM done. You ll find much relief after the surgery for sure. Yes and as Alan says if the doctor had done 80 surgeries then he would be a very experienced person. So talk to him about it and say how you feel.Â
Here I give you some tips and advices. Any queries, feel free to ask.
Make sure you exercise regularly. Have an active life now and then. Why I say this is that, when you exercise well your appetite will improve and I have experience that your swallowing would function more better when you have good appetite to eat. make sure you split your meals well. 5 meals a day with a gap of 3 hours in between will be fine. You can have smaller quantity every meal.Â
And don't do anything while eating. Like watching tv or doing something while eating. Don't have any conversations while eating either. Instead focus on what you eat. Relish every bite you take. Chew well and swallow well before taking another bite. What most achalasia people tend to do is they try to take the food and just push it down by taking another bite. Don't do that. Instead have your consious on eating alone and chew your food, relish it and swallow well. Seperate yourself so you can focus on what you eat.
Make sure you eat more calories than you burn a day. Don't try to eat heavily when you have appetite. When you feel you had sufficient amount of food that would be well enough. Instead of going on and eating because you love the food. Try to avoid that.Â
Have a regular eating pattern. And dont worry.
cathie una31344
Posted
Please don't worry you will be fine.
una31344
Posted
I have had the POEM surgery. Must say that I expected to bounce back the following day but its now 5 days later and im still exhausted. I have little pain though which is great and I can swallow now but im very weary.
I will start a new thread discussing it further.
Thank you all for your help.
abigail66654 una31344
Posted
AlanJM abigail66654
Posted
Googles abigail66654
Posted
All the best with the op. - and look forward to hearing more positivity ;o)
Cheers,
Mick
una31344 abigail66654
Posted
Googles una31344
Posted
I'm sure you'll have little to worry about, since your surgeon is clearly expeirenced in this area of surgery. After all, once you've done something complicated 80 times, don't you feel pretty confident about doing it the 81st time...
All the best,
Mick
una31344
Posted
abigail66654 una31344
Posted
1. Clear beef broth mixed half and half with clear vegatable broth that includes onions. I heat it up in a copu and sip it.
2. Clear chicken broth done the same way.
3. Jello cups ( i always say jello does not have flavor just colors LOL)
3. Frozen clear fruit juice, apple cranberry or those cheap popsicles
4. Pedia lite oir some such similar product made for babaies comes in a weord variety of flavors like strawberry kiwi and has electrolytes in it.
If anyone else has any clear liquids suggestions opn to hearing about it. one more day after today of the clear liquids and then off to surgery...
Will post afterwards.
Thank you you again to everyone for their kind wishes and for those getting ready to go through the surgey i hope this helps.Â
una31344 abigail66654
Posted
abigail66654 una31344
Posted
I am curious how has the surgey worked out for you so far?
BTW I am in the USA
una31344 abigail66654
Posted
So far I can eat and finding the relief from choking incredible. However Im still finding my feet with it. I ate some soup(habit from having achalsia for 7 odd years now), anyway i put pepper on it and hours later I woke up with bad chest pain so avoid the likes of cauliflour, pepper and spices at all cost. Other than that everything is perfect. Theres just alot I need to learn when it comes to the new dietary requirements.
abigail66654 una31344
Posted
Take care
Best
a
una31344 abigail66654
Posted
I never had the heartburn either but i did get the spasms 😕
Anyway how are you? How did your surgery go?
I really hope your feeling ok.
abigail66654 una31344
Posted
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