My Mom has Achalasia

Hi there, I have just read your story and I too have watched my brother suffer with this condition.his achalasia got progressively worse and worse over a relatively short period of time until he needed to have the heller myotomy operation as a matter of urgency.he was so bad that they couldn't even fit him a feeding tube prior to the op and we watched him wasting away.he had trouble eating even the smoothest of soups that I made.over that time I perfected a very smooth tomato soup that worked and a few others combined with a diet of  complan and ensure.when I made the soups I tried to make them as highly calorific as possible by adding butter and cream to the mix.i will try and post a few that I made.

on the complete upside of those dark days prior to the op he had the operation and he is a changed man.he is able to eat again properly and I mean properly, he is back at work and he has gained a stone in weight so far.i hope this offers you some hope,but if you want any specifics let me know.

Cream of Tomato soup-

1 medium onion

2 tins tomato

1 tin of Green lentils in brine.

1 clove of garlic ( 1 segment) crushed.

Double cream

Unsalted butter

Small pinch of thyme

Salt & pepper

1 or 2 chicken knorr cubes

Splash of Worcestershire sauce

I large carrot

1. Chop onion into smallish pieces and fry gently and slowly until soft.

2. Chop carrots and throw into pot.

3. Add tins of tomatoes and add 1 can full of water with stock cube.

4. Drain the lentils and rinse under the tap in a colander or sieve,until water runs clear and throw these in the pot.

5. Pinch of salt and pepper

Splash of Worcester sauce if wanted ( no need)

6.crush the garlic and add with thyme if wanted and 3 bay leaves to pot.

7.let it all simmer until carrots feel cooked through maybe half hour 40 mins 

Doesn't really matter. 

7.add a fingers width of butter or 1 oz.

REMEMBER to take out BAYLEAF - important.x

8.turn off the gas and blitz with the hand blender.

9. Add cream about a teacup.

10. If too thick add more water or for more taste another stock cube.

Or bit more salt or pepper.also leave out the lentils if sufferers find it too grainy but they help with the nutrition. 

After many years of not being able to swallow properly, the oesophagus can get floppy, and this may well be what has happened with your mother.   I think that it is probably like a soft bag rather than a flexible tube, and the food does not progress down to the stomach in the right way.   I think that the doctor was probably right, in that had your mother had a surgical procedure many years ago it would not have reached this state, but you cannot turn the clock back and you are right to concentrate on what would help your mother now.  

If she is otherwise fit, it might be that the only option left is the removal of her oesophagus, with her stomach pulled up and joined to what remains of her oesophagus but this really is major surgery, and people typically have some digestion issues afterwards anyway, and it takles a long time to recover the previous stamina.   So it is a last resort and definitely not risk-free.

Are her taste buds OK?   Sometimes the acid reflux can affect these and affect the genral taste in the mouth, so  maintaining oral hygiene can help.   It may be that posture might help with how the food goes down.   And creative blending of soft foods with things that she likes can be very helpful.   There are some recipe ideas in 'Swallowing - Nutrition when it is difficult' that can be downloaded here: http://www.opa.org.uk/downloads.html ;

I have achalasia1. What kind does she have? I like jello, pea soup, fresh juices from jamba juice NOT their pineapple or carrot. I can eat eggs most days. I'm looking at the poem surgery. Has she considered the Botox? Good luck in your journey. You are kind for helping!

her age is her risk factor. The acid reflux was more than likely the achalasia.  It is seen in older people more often.  Just listen to her and what she says.  I know you feel lost, but perhaps not so lost if you are doing her wishes.  It's a crappy disease that is not understood and it does progress.  But food isn't everything, I don't know what she is against Ensure, lots of people use, just to add to their diet. She would then have more engery and not have to spend hers day wondering about "food" and more time enjoying your company.