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Botox

Posted , 4 users are following.

hannah30321
hannah30321

I have been offered a trial with botox into the lower oesophageal sphincter to see if improves symptoms. I just wondered if anyone else has had it done and if its a simple procedure? is it done under sedation or under anaesthetiic?

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • AlanJM
    AlanJM hannah30321

    Posted

    It is a regularly used therapy, the advantage being that it may help the sphincter work properly and does not have any permanent incisions to muscles etc.   So it might 'train' your system into working better.   But you need to be realistic that the benefits may only be temporary, ie for a few months or so.   But if you get a great improvement with it, that will in itself be a good indication of what helps you best.

    The overall aim, really, is to have a procedure that has the best chance of a long term solution first time round, but this won't do you any harm.

     

    • hannah30321
      hannah30321 AlanJM

      Posted

      Thank you Alan for your response. The consultant isn't convinced my results symptoms completely fit achalasia so suggested a try with botox I said I would try anything as at end of my tether with it all.The barium swallow was showing a problem at the oesophago gastric junction i am not sure what this means? The consultant also wants to do an exploratory at the same time although I have had two endoscopies before which did not show anything.
    • AlanJM
      AlanJM hannah30321

      Posted

      The oesopahgo-gastric junction is by your diaphragm.   It is quite often the nerve system that does not work properly, causing the muscles to seize up and clamp the sphincter valve shut tight, creating the blockage for the food.   In normal life it should expand and contract to allow food through into the stomach.   The muscles along the length of the oesophagus (food tube between throat and stomach) normally work and contract in a coordinated sequential way to push food down into your stomach.   The sphincter valve (a bit like your backside) should allow food down, but stop the acid going up.
    • hannah30321
      hannah30321 AlanJM

      Posted

      Thank you thats very helpful. Hopefully the botox will have positive effect worth a try .
  • Pasha333
    Pasha333 hannah30321

    Posted

    Hubby had Botox twice with little relief. However, it is the first option and by far less invasive than dilation or surgery. Everyone responds differently and so botox may well help you. If your Consultant suggests it, he is clearly hopeful.
    • hannah30321
      hannah30321 Pasha333

      Posted

      Thank you Carol I hope your husband is recovering well from surgery? Is it done under anaesthetic or awake like with endoscopy?

       

    • Pasha333
      Pasha333 hannah30321

      Posted

      Hi, thanks. Hubby is a new man! He's rediscovered his appetite and surgery has given him a new lease of life 😊yes, you are lightly sedated during Botox and aware but not unconscious.
    • Pasha333
      Pasha333 hannah30321

      Posted

      Hope genuinely exists for this cruel condition. Never give up hope x
  • len27570
    len27570 hannah30321

    Posted

    Hi Hannah

    I have had it done twice. The first time after I was diagnosed with Achalasia and had to have an endoscopy to unblock food stuck in the esophageal. I then went a year being able to manage the condition and then got blocked again. So I went thru the same procedure and it improved my condition after about 2-3 days. That was 7 months ago and if anything I seem to be able to manage my swallowing better than I have for many years.

    From what I understand each person gets a different result from this procedure so I am somewhat lucky that it works well for me.

    It is carried out under sedation and only takes a few minutes with no pain or side effects.

    I am lucky that the Doctor that I have found is a specialist in endoscopy and all the procedures related to this.

    If I can keep going the way I am I will stick with this for now. If things get worse I would probably look at going for a POEM procedure as this is the latest developing non invasive treatment but still in its early days in the UK.

     

    • hannah30321
      hannah30321 len27570

      Posted

      Thank you for the reply that sounds promising then. are you on a liquid diet? do you find certain foods difficult to get down? 
    • len27570
      len27570 hannah30321

      Posted

      I am not on a liquid diet but I avoid certain foods that are difficult to chew into small pieces.

      No steak of white bread. Sticky rice is difficult

      I take 2 to 3 times as long to eat my meal as most people but you just get used to it eventually.

      Concentrating on how and what you are eating is important. You cannot just take for granted that it will just go down.

      I think I have adapted a lot without really analysing it.

      It was also suggested to me to take Manuka honey everyday and that may have helped.

       

  • bill87487
    bill87487 hannah30321

    Posted

    Hi Hannah   I am 83 years old. I have had Achalasia 25 years, first tried streching the sphincer, only worked for a few weeks, in 2004 I visited the Veterans Hospital in Tucson AZ, and have been treated 5 times with Botox I foundn relief lasting  for 6 to 9 months The Dr. will perform the Heller operation, but my age is an factor. the botox injection is very simple. dont remember it being done  out for a shortn time. went home for dinner. I must be luckey as I have never had any pain, when my sphincer closes I will vomit ,then sit down, and finish my meal I feel sorry for some of the stories I have read   
  • bill87487
    bill87487 hannah30321

    Posted

    Hi Hannah   I am 83 years old. I have had Achalasia 25 years, first tried streching the sphincer, only worked for a few weeks, in 2004 I visited the Veterans Hospital in Tucson AZ, and have been treated 5 times with Botox I foundn relief lasting  for 6 to 9 months The Dr. will perform the Heller operation, but my age is an factor. the botox injection is very simple. dont remember it being done  out for a short time. went home for dinner. I must be lucky as I have never had any pain, when my sphincer closes I will vomit ,then sit down, and finish my meal I feel sorry for some of the stories I have read   
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