Achalasia and, Barrats oesophagus

Hi , thank you for taking the time to reply. I have read information regarding what they call dumping but, my bowels have been very challenging for a few years now and, when I had the Ph/swallow test they told me that it can affect the bowel and, major bloating. It’s great to hear that the young lady you mentioned is doing very well after 10 days, well done to her 😊 I’m just worried that it will mean them cracking my chest for the 3rd time. I am a non smoker but, I also suffer with fibromyalgia and, I’m 51 now. The results of the endoscopy are really concerning me at the moment for obvious reasons. Thanks again, take care

I have to say that I very much appreciate this new discussion, Nettie & Alan.  I have had the Heller Myotomy and Fundoplication surgery [14 months ago], and this week had my second balloon-dilation [first one was 9 months ago].  At the moment, it doesn't feel like the dilation has worked.  My esophagus is paralyzed, and the esophageal sphincter muscle is not working very well .... I have very poor 'clearance.'  The surgeon will be ordering another Manometry test [first one was done 4 months before surgery], and possibly another dilation, with a larger balloon.  I guess I am sort of rambling here...what I want to say, is that this is the first time I've read a discussion about oesophagectomy for someone with Achalasia and not cancer.  This information is invaluable to me.  I also would appreciate discussion with you, Nettie, as to how things progress.

Hi Donna, I just wanted to say that my oesophagus has taken a good few hits over the years and, there is a lot of scarring. They had difficulty getting the probe through as my oesophagus was all over the place. The fundiplication that I don’t know very much about, would I be right in thinking that it’s a banding procedure? and, can they adjust it for you laprascopically. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the dilatation and, hope just that bit of extra stretch does the job for you. Please let me know how you get on 😊

N

Hi, all these years and, not once have the consultants or, my GP mentioned them. I was taking Omeprazole for many years, too long according to the recent dangers of taking them long term. I stopped taking them about 18 months ago. But, as you’ll know there is nothing to put out that fire 🔥 when it really starts.  After my Ph test they asked me why I hadn’t listed any symptoms, I didn’t feel any reflux within that 24hr period, typical I thought. They told me that looking at the readings I was a silent refluxer. Will definitely be in touch with my GP on Monday, thanks again 😊

Hi Donna, I have had Achalasia since 1986 when a lot of Drs,  consultants didn’t even know what it was or, even heard of it. My first surgery was a dogs dinner to be really honest, cardio myatomy. The surgeon was a great man and, I will never forget him as I’d been put through the emotional ringer being diagnosed with all kinds of illness, anorexia being one but, I could talk about that till the sun comes up. My oesophagus narrowed again and, I was regurging,  choking and, often food or, drink would come down my nose as is happening again now. My first surgeon basically said he was now out of his depth and, referred me to Professor Bancervits at Hope Hospital and, he had done a lot of research into Achalasia and, he performed the open Hellers and, destroyed the sphincter muscle to stop my oesophagus from narrowing again. I did have a dilation in between but, it made no difference whatsoever. After the second surgery I started to suffer with reflux/GURD and, I’ve had it that long I’ve learnt to cope with it. Unfortunately in 2013 my swallowing began to get worse again and, I had the barium swallow, manametry swallow test and, endoscopy  which showed a narrowing and, very little function left. The Surgeon explained that it would be very difficult to correct it again especially after two previous open ops because of course they have come a long way and, are now able to these procedures laparoscopically which I was told could not be an option because of scarring from previous surgery.  We discussed options if it got to the point where it was becoming impossible and, I managed for two and, a half years literally just managing it. But, I’ve reached the point again where it is affecting my quality of life and, it has affected my bowels as well this time around. I had another barium and, manametry swallow just before Christmas and, I was booked in for endoscopy last Sunday but, I had to cancel as I’d come down with a nasty cold virus, just my luck.  I have another scheduled for 11th February. There is no function whatsoever in my oesophagus now, food, water is just staying in my gullet. They tested me standing up and, even gravity is not helping. I’ve picked up a few swallowing manoeuvres over the years that I think becomes natural after so long but, I’m really struggling now. My osopheagus is described as baggy and, not where it should be so it’s holding my whole digestive system up. I’m refluxing during sleep and, can wake up choking on my own saliva. The consultant who I’m now under explained that an oesophagetomy was the way forward after looking at my results from 2013 but, obviously needed them repeated and, the results are much worse. I’m very anxious about the results of the endoscopy as I’m aware that there is a higher risk of cancer in my case and, they have gone from 0-60 in a matter of weeks which scares me 😱 a little, well a lot of I’m honest. Just waiting on the 11th Feb now, if it was just a case of a little difficulty I wouldn’t consider it an option but, when it starts to interfere with your other digestive bits and, bobs and, improve my lifestyle then it will be worth it I’m sure, no more looking for the bathroom before I sit down in a restaurant, no embarrassing moments. I know there will be some issues I’m sure but, it has to be better I hope.

Take care, nice to talk to others

Janet