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Any Non Surgical Treatments Experienced or causes suggested?

Posted , 3 users are following.

Guest
Guest

Hi all

I've been recently diagnosed with Achalasia and I'm not entirely convinced that surgery is the only option. Although I share virtually all the symptoms that have been described in other posts, have lost weight and life has become a daily struggle with it I cant help think that whatever has caused this to occur could be reversed. So I'm trying everything, I have acupuncture daily, I've been tested for food intolerances. Had my thyroid function tested. Nothings showed up so far but I will continue to look.

I am due to have a Heller's Myotomy (though goodness knows when, good old NHS) which I will go ahead and have but I don't see any reason why I shouldn't continue to look for a cause and reversal of condition.

I'd be really grateful for any feedback anyone might have on successes with other forms of treatment or possible causes.

I found one study for example that suggested that in a control group of 200 sufferers, 20% of them had an under-active thyroid, this is many times over that of a 'normal' group.

Another said that 86% of sufferers had increased lower oesophageal tone following acupuncture. These results were confirmed by manometry.

Look forward to hearing any feedback.

many thanks

Will

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • William_Thornhill
    William_Thornhill

    Posted

    I tried relaxation techniques - I felt it would have helped if I could have taken stress out of my life but who can? Problems with relationships / work / health all help to ratchet up the stress levels and achalasia is worse if you are tense. Anyway, relaxation had no effect.

    I had Heller's myotomy 25 years ago and haven't regretted it.

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    I have been seeing an osteopath since August to try and help my symptoms . I think that she helped me feel better at first but since having my diagnosis of achalasia confirmed and undergoing various tests (from end of October onwards) I think that my symptoms have deteriorated. I do believe that stress plays a part in how I feel and I will continue to see my osteopath until I have medical treatment (most probably balloon dilation) in the new year.
  • Cachop
    Cachop

    Posted

    My 15 year old son is being treated for Achalasia. We have been to a McTimoney Chiropractor as I wanted to investigate whether something physical might have caused his condition. He also started taking channel blockers at about the same time. Since then his condition has definitely improved but we don't know what has caused the improvement - I suspect the channel blockers mostly as this is a recognised treatment but the chiropractor found that his spine was out of alignment and that 2 of his thoracic vertebrae are slightly out of position. I'm convinced that stress is a contributory factor - he suffers less when we are on holiday and he was worse during the recent exam season. We are due to attend the hospital for his next session in early July - not sure if it's another dilation or botulin this time.
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