1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Oesophageal Achalasia and Spasm

Once diagnosed with achalasia, how long until you got surgery?

Posted , 5 users are following.

Finally17
Finally17

I recently got diagnosed with achalasia after my barium swallow test. I was so relieved to finally have an answer to why i couldn't swallow food or water. Most people I talked to thought I had GERD or a food allergy, including doctors. So that is what i also thought, for 4 years. Although i was pretty sure no one understood just how hard it was for me to swallow and how many times i threw up during the day. How eating out was a nightmare and how traveling made things so stressful thinking about where could i go to throw up...what if i am in a park? What if i can't find a bathroom? Etc....

But when i did that barium swallow test you could see the barium stop at the bottom of my esophagus and just keep filling up to the top. After 5 minutes, 90% of the liquid i drank was still in my esophagus. This is what i deal with every day, although i have a technique to get food and water to go down, it doesn't always work. It involves sort of hopping around and making sure i eat something dense enough to push through the barrier followed by lots of water. I don't have spasms, so i am sorry for those of you who have to deal with that.

The radiologist told me i pretty much have it at the worst stages.

Now that i finally have a diagnosis, do the specialists work quickly to resolve this matter? I currently have to wait 2 months to see a specialist so he can talk to me about my options. (I am in the US)

What happened when you finally saw a specialist? Did they recommend surgery right away or other options? How long did it take to get the surgery scheduled? I would have it tommorow if i could. I have been suffering for 4 years. I'm ready...Sigh...

0 likes, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • GlamC
    GlamC Finally17

    Posted

    I had this type of problem 30 years ago. My final barium swallow after 2 years of investigations showed a swollen oesophagus with a bird beak constrictionat the cardiac sphincter. I had a Hellers op which cut across he muscle bands at the sphincter.this has probably been superseded now. For 25 years I had few problems apart from reflux which was controlled well by Losec. Now though the problems have returned with spasms causing constriction about once or twice a week.there is no telling when this will occur so Ihave to manage by adapting my diet and being careful when eating out:  fish rather than meat etc.

    if the specialists suggest surgery I would go for it.

  • Trisherbell
    Trisherbell Finally17

    Posted

    I was operated on (Hellers Myotomy and Fundoplication) exactly 3 weeks after diagnosis. I know I was lucky ...... but I also know things had got to a point where drinking was difficult.
  • donna15310
    donna15310 Finally17

    Posted

    I was diagnosed  June after having a test where a catheter filled with sensors was pu down my throat, through the esophagus and into the stomach.  10 times the tech syringed water into my mouth and I had to wait until I was told to swallow.  The test measures the contractions/relaxation of the esophagus, inotherwords, the ability of the esophagus to move food and liquids down into the stomach.  no movement at all.  My esophagus is paralyzed.  My diagnosis was
  • donna15310
    donna15310 Finally17

    Posted

    I am having trouble posting on this site.  To continue what I was saying.  I received a 100% Achalasia type 1, diagnosis after the catheter with sensors, test.  Things have moved fairly quickly since [surgery will be on Nov. 3d].
  • donna15310
    donna15310 Finally17

    Posted

    I;m having trouble posting, so here goes again, forthe third time.  I was diagnosed in June, will be having Heller Myotomy & Fundoplication surgery on Nov. 3rd  I'm in Canada.  The 4 month wait is pretty good for the Province I live in

    • Finally17
      Finally17 donna15310

      Posted

      So do you remember how many tests you had before they suggested surgery? I have only had the barium swallow but it was a clear diagnosis. Do they still run more tests apart from that?
    • donna15310
      donna15310 Finally17

      Posted

      One test, the catheter with the sensors, that actually seems to be the definitive test;
    • Finally17
      Finally17 donna15310

      Posted

      Ahhh. So when i see the specialist they will probably want to run more tests. I guess that is the proper procedure. I was just hoping i could have surgery (relief) soon. rolleyes

    • donna15310
      donna15310 Finally17

      Posted

      I had only the one test, which no 'activity' in the esophagus...its up the specialist/surgeon as to what tests they order.  In my case, the esophagus is 'toast,' and so the only thing to do is the surgery.  There is no cure for Achalasia, just various 'options' to 'help.  In my case it is the surgery, which may have to be repeated in time. The surgeon said the surgery is to give me a better quality of life, in terms of eating. but eating will never be 'normal' again.  I am on liquids-only now...nothing even mushy, will go down

    • Finally17
      Finally17 donna15310

      Posted

      Well it sounds like they have high hopes that the surgery will help you. I hope everything goes well for you. I can get food and water to go down, but only if i have them together and it is with much effort and doesn't always work. I throw up/regurgitate about 5-6 times a day. That has been the norm for me for about 2 years. Now that i have a name for my disorder i am excited to pursue treatment. I'm pretty calm about it and don't tell very many people. I just carry water pretty much everywhere i go and excuse myself to the restroom a lot. Which i think gets interpreted as "there isn't anything wrong with me". Which sounds like a lot of people's problems in this group....doctors/family/friends who don't really understand you or know what to think of your condition. I am so excited to find this group and read so many stories i identify with. Makes me feel a lot better.

    • donna15310
      donna15310 Finally17

      Posted

      unless  a person has Achalasia, they can't 'understand' what we go through.

  • teresa_08485
    teresa_08485 Finally17

    Posted

    When I was so sick like you, i took Mayers into my own hands. The Drs didn't feel like it was that big of a deal where I live. So, I called Mayo clinic in Rochester, MN. I told the girl on the phone what was wrong and that I could not wait for an appointment. I got in 4 days later. The Drs were awesome and I had surgery 3 days after meeting them and after having more tests. The Drs felt my situation was urgent. I couldnt keep anything down and didn't make it through a manometry without throwing up. I am so much better since my HM but not completely normal. Still having troubles. I do suffer from spasams like crazy but it's my new life. Good luck to you. Be your own advocate. It's the only way.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.