Posted , 4 users are following.
I would like to hear from anyone who has had their esophagus removed, and stomach pulled up, for 'Achalasia', only [not cancer]. I would like to hear your experiences, advice and so forth.
0 likes, 6 replies
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GlamC donna15310
Posted
donna15310 GlamC
Posted
I have not had my esophagus removed, that is why I am asking for stories from those who 'have' had this done, and again, those with Achalasia, not cancer. I have not eaten bread, rice, cakes etc, for 2 years now. Those things would congeal at the LES muscle and block it. I eat very small portions of food, as everything has to be washed down with water. My diet is very restricted, and even with a HM surgery and 2 dilations, nothing improved. Like yourself, my esophagus is paralyzed, done, dead! I do get the occasional spasms, which last anywhere from a few minutes to hours, but they are much milder than they were in the past. I drink at least 2 supplemental, high-protein shakes [bought prepared], and try to make a protein shake with pureed peaches and prunes, spinach, unsweetened almond milk, protein powder, and a non-dairy, frozen product. And yes, it is 'green' looking when done. And yes, I get very sick of drinking those, and eating the restrictive diet I am on. I stick with what 'works' and I don't 'adventure at all. My GI told me last Fall, to be 'very, very, careful' what I put in my mouth. This was after a discussion on what 'would be' done if my esophagus ended up getting well and truly plugged. So, I try very hard to avoid that scenario. It is so difficult to eat out, which is a joke really, as I basically watch everyone else eat like normal human-beings, while I deal with a bowl of pureed soup. So, like yourself, I want to know how well people can eat after the esophagus is removed and the stomach moved up. I want to know if a person can eat a better variety of food [all be it, eating small portions, etc.]
AlanJM donna15310
Posted
Their experience of the surgery is generally less complicated than the majority because they have not had to go through chemotherapy.
There is a HealthUnlocked community for the Oesophageal Patients Association so you could put up a post there and see if people there respond?
donna15310 AlanJM
Posted
Thanks, Alan. Would I go on the 'Health Unlocked" website? or the OPA website? Do you happen to know at what point, the decision would be made for someone with Achalasia to have their esophagus removed, and the stomach pulled up, for eg.?
AlanJM donna15310
Posted
Probably the HealthUnlocked website first. I cannot put a link in here because the site does not allow it.
I think it would be at the point where the oesophagus gets very baggy and food just won't reach the stomach anyway because it sags so much.
donna15310 AlanJM
Posted