Don't delay surgery for Achalasia
Posted , 3 users are following.
I was diagnosed with Achalasia 3 years ago and didn't want to have the surgery due to issues I've had with anesthesia and sleep apnea. However, if I had known my esophagus could get stretched which would reduce effectiveness of treatment I would have done it sooner. Now I've had the surgery, but was told I'll have issues with food pooling in my esophagus. I'm not sure the extent or severity of the potential issues. Please post if you have feedback, and I'll update as needed.
0 likes, 5 replies
robert76159 ed95295
Posted
Hi Ed, how long ago did you have the surgery? Do they have you on meds for reflux? I take 40mg prilosec before breakfast and lunch and 40 mg of Pepcid at dinner and bedtime. I also sleep almost sitting up so I don't get food or acid pooling or coming up the esophagus. Did you regurgitate food often before the surgery?
ed95295 robert76159
Posted
I just had the surgery Monday Sep. 12, 2016. I didn't have issues with reflux so no extra meds. Swallowing seems fine but I'm limiting myself to simple fluids. Before and after the surgery I sleep mostly upright due to sleep apnea and the swallowing issue. I had issues with regurgitation when first diagnosed, but the changes I made prevented it from reoccurring. However, I was only able to eat soup so I got the surgery ASAP.
AlanJM ed95295
Posted
It might be that you can keep the 'pooling' to a minimum by eating little and often, and definitely avoid swallowing more food if the first mouthfuls have not progressed into your stomach. Position probably helps, depending on the direction in which your oesophagus tends to sag.
?Avoid food that would congeal, like white bread, rice etc. as that will just make a heavy lump in your oesophagus. Avoid food with a texture that might not pass easily through into your stomach like fruit with skins (eg tomato), stringy meat and so on. If you go on to the website of the Oesophageal Patients Associationand look under The oesophagus and then Achalasia, you should find, towards the bottom of the page, a download facility for A Patients Guide to Achalasia that sets out common experience with different sorts of food.
ed95295 AlanJM
Posted
I've already implemented some of your suggestions, thank you. I also downloaded the docment.
ed95295
Posted
I dropped my pain med to 7.5ml today, and noticed my stomach is bloated and I'm retaining water. No discomfort, but I can't fit into my jeans. Added gasx and stool softener to my med regimen and hope they will reduce or eliminate both. I'm still nervous about what and how much to eat. So far, 1 sugar free pudding, 1 protein shake, bowl of clear soup, some water, and sugar free jello.