I just found this forum. I am a nurse from USA and have have Achalasia for greater than 15 years.

It may be caused by a virus but this has not been identified. Doesn't mean it isnt there. It may be genetic. It may be an auto immune disorder though no-one has identified auto antibodies as a singular cause. I have read it can start as a result of eating too quickly and eating or drinking foods that are too hot (guilty!!).

I couldnt begin to guess the cause but i think acid reflux and damage to lower oesophagus nerves may be a cause.

Your experiences of a wedge pillow parallel mine. I too slid down it when asleep and i just didnt find it very comfortable so i used three pillows. But the secret to a decent nights sleep is tobtry to make sure there is nothing in your oesophagus when you go to bed, not even water!!

I have just started eating a more normal, but still softer diet. Firstly previous symptoms of a saliva filled oesophagus have gone completely. I no longer suffer with reflux at night and can sleep comfortably on two pillows, no more being propped up with half a dozen pillows to sleep. I do wake up at night with stomach pain. Not every night and it feels like painful wind but i dont have any bloating. I find drinking half a glass of cold water helps. I dont experience any other pains and the small scars have healed very well (using bio-oil).

I find my appetite for more solid food is very poor. I can manage soups and slushy food but ive no appetite. This to some may be a good thing as i have lost nearly 3 stone. Ive dropped from an unhealthy 16 stone ti a much healthier 13 stone. Downside is a whole wardrobe of clothes that dont fit.

Swallowing food is ok. I still experience a little dysphagia with some slight sticking of food in the oesophagus but this is aided by chewing well and drinking plenty of water. Swallowing food past the fundoplication wrap is slightly strange and feels like it requires a little change in eating habits. Swallowing slowly and sitting up straight. I find it helps to drink a glass of water after a meal and to walk around a little.

In respect of tablets im only taking pantoprazole to stop acid in my stomach.

So really only negative is poor appetite and feeling like ive had a gastric band, but smalk price to pay for being able to swallow and no reflux at night.

When I have food stuck in my chest, I get a lot of belching/gagging and bits of food coming up. This can go on for 2/3 hours until whatever is stuck is cleared. Did you have this problem? Sometimes, I can't burp either and this feels uncomfortable. What foods did you eat before your operation?

I hope I don't need a Manometry test, because I have read that this can be quite dreadful. I don't like anything down my throat because I have a poor gag reflux.

Hope you are now feeling much better after your operation.

Merryl

The symptoms sound right for achalasia but your history ( what you say has already happened to you would cause one to Think, not.

Each of us is intelligent and like to think for independently, but if you are having signs and symptoms similar to what is being described, ask the doctor. I, nor anyone hear is qualified to diagnose. The ailments you have in your history would typically be treated in the "opposite" way

Merryl, as you described the symptoms, they could be cause by diagnoses you already have. The body has a small vocabulary. For instance, you stomach can hurt, feel full, or be nauseated . That is most of the symptoms one can have. On the other hand there are thousand of things that can be wrong.

A number of parameters. Achalasia is a condition where the nerves which control the muscles ofcthe oesophagus cease to function properly. So the normal contractions that push food down and into the stonach dont work as they should. Often the muscles controlling the gastro oesophageal sphincter do not relax propely and food tends to stack up in the oesophagus causing pain, and regurgitation. Sufferers also experience reflux of food or liquid from the oesophagus , especially when lying down asleep. Its a very disressing condition. A gastroscope simply rules out any physical obstruction such as a growth or any reflux damaged to tissues which could cause dysphagia. A barium swallow will show that the contractions of the oesophagus are disordered i.e dysphagia. The best test is the manometry test. It is not at all painful. It is a little uncomfortable when its pushed up a nostril and as it tickles the back if the throat but sipping water as it is pushed down alleviates any gagging. Believe me its not that bad. Sometimes they leave the tube in for 24 hrs to measure acid reflux. These tests will allow your clinician to determine if you have achalasia. But a hiatus hernia can also cause swallowing problems and is easily repaired with a minir op. So have the tests and hopefully your problems wont be due to achalasia, which can be a progressive condition, and willl simply be due to a hiatus hernia, easily fixed.

I bow to your choice of words , great reply

Thank you for your reply. I just hope It is not Achalasia. I have read, it can be dreadful to deal with. My Dr referred me for an urgent scan 6 weeks ago to a Speech & Language but still no appointment. Could you tell me what involves the Speech & Language?

Regards,

Merryl

I forgot to mention, I also have Hypothyroid and Lichen Planus. I am only on a small dose of Thyroxine 75mg. As far as I am aware, the LP started in January this year. The rash was getting much better, but came back 2 weeks ago. So I have enough to put up with at the moment!