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Achalasia

Posted , 2 users are following.

xLMck
xLMck

Iv just turned 20 and i was diagnosed with Achalasia Almost a year ago. I had been going to the doctor for over a year with chest pains (which sometimes would get so bad i would pass out from the pain) and complaining that food was sticking and rather than going down it would come back up. The doc put me on heart burn tablets and referred me to a councilor as she thought i was annorexic, I argued with her but this was all she was willing to do. I lost so much weight going from a healthy size 8/10 down to barley a size 4 and was finding it hard to eat or drink and was constantly tired.

It wasnt until I had a barium (which I had to fight for, as the doctor said ''you'll be putting your self through all that for nothing'' ) that they noticed that something was seriously wrong and i was rushed into hospital a few days later. I was straight away hooked up to a drip and had a feeding tube put down my nose into my stomach so that i was getting some nutrients. The doctors said that if i hadnt been taken into hospital then i wouldnt of lasted longer than a few weeks.

I spent 3 weeks in hospital and had several operations trying to fix the problem so that i could eat. After leaving hospital i have managed to gain weight and now back upto my normal size 8 =) I am waiting to go back in next week as eating is getting more difficult again.

Iv heard that Achalasia is very uncommon and even more so in someone as young as me. But that isnt an excuse for the doctor to automatically brand me an annorexic! If it hadnt been for my GP I would never of had to go through such a long time thinking that it was all in my head and that there was nothing actually wrong with me.

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • xLMck
    xLMck

    Posted

    Does anyone else get really bad chest pains? Iv been given Tramadol but as this makes me really tired and woozy i try and not take them as i have to spend the rest of the day in my bed. I also have an angina spray but i feel this has no or little effect. X
  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hiya,

    Sounds like you had a pretty bad experience in getting diagnosed, but glad you're on the right road now.

    You'll find the chest pains are quite a common symptom. Mine can get quite bad and the pain usually extends into my back.

    I tried the nitrate spray but found the side effects were nearly as bad so stopped. I find ibuprofen and icy cold water about the only things that help.

    I have to say tho that I find some foods trigger it far more than others and sometimes it can be the following day when the pain kicks in. Keep a diary to see if you can spot any patterns.

    Hope this helps :-)

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    hi mc

    im an achalasia sufferer,and was given tramadol post op..it took me 2 months to wean off them...they are highly addictive and can make pain worse as it traps you in so you take more...see emilys post at tramadol withdrawal for experiences.they helped me immensely.. the devils sweets, worse than narcotics heroin etc once you are hooked.be careful.

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