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Eating after achalasia

Posted , 3 users are following.

Guest
Guest

I have just come across this forum.

Perhaps, someone might be able to help. Having suffered from achalasia and had dilation in 2000.

I think I am back to normal now! but still have difficulty swallowing. The problem I have experience is that I have never regained the taste for solid food. I have not eaten fruit, vegetables or meat since.

When I feel absolutely exhausted I go back to the doctor and am prescribed liquid food and after about a month am back to normal.

Does anyone have any advice or is this just a common after effect having suffered from achalasia?

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • licklerotti
    licklerotti

    Posted

    Hi there

    I had the same problem after I had my first dilation however I spoke to my consultant who suggested trying little bits of food at first and drinking either tonic water, soda water or milk with it to help it go down. I started picking at small pieces of cooked meats you buy from deli counters such as ham or turkey and having a good gulp of milk with it and now I can eat almost anything. Still can't eat fruit as it sticks and causes too much heartburn but other than that can eat most things.

    Also last time I needed dilating the consultant stretched it further than he had before to see if this would help and it did!! Haven't needed it stretching for over 2 years now and hopefully it will stay like this for some time.

    Consultant did tell me that I will never swallow \"fully\" or \"properly\" again but I am a lot better than was.

    Hope this helps!!

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Thank you for your reply, your comments were greatly appreciated.

    Having had the treatment I never saw the consultant again so was given no follow up advice. I have really tried to regain my appetite but nothing seems to work and I never feel particulary hungry. Some days I forget to eat and then realise the next day.

    Anyway, I am having some blood tests next week as my new doctor will not prescribe any liquid food. Rather a pain as I always feel better in myself after a month of the liquid food and to be honest I rather like it. Also, there are no side effects and it actually makes me feel good not like regular food which leaves me feeling sluggish and tired having eaten.

    Perhaps, I should have pressed the eating issue back in 2000 with my GP.

    Thanks once again.

  • sandraw
    sandraw

    Posted

    Hi

    I do hope you are feeling a bit better now or are managing some food.

    I am about to have my first dilation next week and am not looking forward to it. My doctor said if I don't have it done and remain on liquidised food, that eventually the oesophagus will close and will not be able to swallow anything, not even water. I think that may be a side- effect of having a liquid diet maybe? That is frightening - so am willing to try the dilation and see if it helps.

    Will let you know.

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