Achalasia is almost unbearable

My story.

It started around 15 years ago with this sudden pain in my chest when i was at the dining table eating my dinner with my family. I was panic stricken and ran to the bathroom where I threw up.

this became more regular so I went to the doctor . She sent me for a endoscopic procedure and I was diagnosed with reflux disease. Medication was prescribed. It didnt work. I tried different ones over many years and nothing worked. I had these "attacks" as I called them for many years that would occur every few months. swallowing became difficult too. The pain was so excruciating at times I just wanted to die. I changed my diet and stopped eating many different foods bread, tomatoes, citrus fruits, meat and eventually realized I was on a very limited soft diet. My weight dropped, I was tired a lot of the time and I feared the next attack.

This year I decided it was time to reinvestigate so I contacted my GP. I was referred for an endoscopy again and I was so afraid. The procedure failed as I could not relax or have any anaesthetic due to low blood pressure. I was sent the following week for a barium meal which went ok but I immediately threw up afterwards. I was in a lot of pain in my chest nothing would stay down.

I was admitted to hospital two days later with severe dehydration. I was totally out of it and could barely walk.

The doctors fully investigated and diagnosed Achalasia. I couldnt believe it. After years of being turned away being told its indegestion and reflux it had come to this!

I was in hospital for almost two weeks awaiting a decision on treatment but told it could be a while.

Iasked if I could wait at home as I could not stand the isolation of the hospital. It was a slow recovery due to the severe malnutrition and dehydration.

That was April its now August and still no procedure. Im told it should be in two weeks so I continue to suffer and havent been to work in almost four months. Im on a liquid diet of ensures, custard, homemade broth, soya deserts and cups of tea, I basically have very little energy and barely leave my apartment.

There is a lot more to my story and this is just a summary!

I was not given any help on how to deal with this disease. My mental health is very poor. I am anxious, depressed and feel like such a burden to my wonderful boyfriend(we dont live together) I feel I should end the relationship but he will not hear of it.

Im so exhausted by it I just want to be normal .

0 likes, 1 reply