Achalasia Meeting

I would like to go to the meeting but live too far away. I don't know if I have Achalasia, yet, because I am waiting for a Barium Swallow. Could you tell me how was your Achalasia diagnosed (if you don't mind) and what was your symptoms.

Best Wishes

I won't be able to attend as I live in Australia!

I would like to know what surgical options are available?

Apart from the Myotomy.

Cutting the Cardiac Sphincter. The opening of the stomach.

then doing a relux repair.

And a Oesophagomyotomy. Which I want to avoid at all cost.

I also have Gastroparesis so my stomach doesn't work. So with this surgery, they remove the whole oesphagus & pull the stomach up.

Won't work & my stomach doesn't work.

I'm a real problem.

But I really would like to hear anything this guy has to say.

The computer decided there was a 'Spybot' in the system & played up with the page & put my reply twice.

Sorry.

MERRYL I will answer your question about how they found out I had Achalasia in the other section. Ok?

Hi, Redrecks

That will be okay, Thank you.

Dear Redrecks

We will try our best!We'll try and put out a useful summary, but it will be in very general terms because each patient is different.

My brother is suffering from this condition and I would like to persuade him it come along.he is struggling with this condition and I feel this informal way of discussing his options would be of benefit to him.

He can bring you along as well if you wish. He can sit there and simply listen, or become more involved if he likes.

Hello,

I would like to attend your meeting; I have suffered with Achalasia for about 4 years now. I underwent the Laparoscopic Heller myotomy with Fundoplication procedure in July 2013 and this hasn’t cured the symptoms.

You will be most welcome!

I think we will have a great mixture of patients who have had various treatments and perhaps none.

To BrianP

Could you tell me if you had dry retching/gagging on an empty stomach or after eating, before you had your operation. I have not been diagnosed yet and still waiting for a Barium Swallow. My Dr referred me nearly 7 weeks ago as urgent but still no appointment.

Sorry to hear your operation was not worked. This must be so frustrating.

I think if you have not had any date for your appointment yet, try and chase things up via your GP.

Achalasia is something that specialist Upper GI (ie gastro-intestinal tract) surgeons become involved with

as a relatively small percentage of their caseload, and I am wondering whether your GP could refer you direct? The Upper GI surgeons are usually based in and around the specialist cancer centres because it happens to be cancer that provides the most common reason for the operations that they do; but there is also this element of complex, benign surgery that they do. A surgeon's job is often finding other means of curing the problem rather than simply going for surgery as a first resort; you really need to see somebody with the experience of seeing the whole range of patients.

Thank you for replying AlanM (I think you meant me)

I had an Endoscopy 4 months ago and nothing bad was found. My Dr referred me to Speech and Language and I was told by my Dr, I will be having a Barium Swallow.

I asked my local surgery for the phone number of the clinic, but when I phoned on Friday afternoon, a message came up saying they were closed. I am going to phone on Monday morning and hope to find out when my appointment is due. My Dr have chased them up twice now but still nothing.

Dear Merryl

Yes, Sorry! It ended up in a funny place! Hope you get it sorted OK!

Alan

Hi, I have been diagnosed with oesophageal motility disorder and would like to come to this meeting. I have been searching for people with my disorder for a while

You will be most welcome!

Alan

We have set up a meeting for anybody affected by achalasia in order to discuss issues surrounding the condition. It will be held on Thursday 12 December 2013 from 5pm - 7pm at

3rd Floor, Brampton House

Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth

60 Grove End Road

London

NW8 9NH

Majid Hashemi, an Upper GI surgeon will be there to answer questions and explain things. It will also be an opportunity for people to discuss their condition with others who suffer from the same thing. It is the first time we have done this, and we do not know how it will go, but we are hoping for an informal approach so that people can be at ease. And we will be guided by those present about any future meetings.