I no longer have achalasia but i still have difficulty in swallowing.

Posted , 6 users are following.

Apparently i no longer have achalasia, but i still can't swallow properly, so what can it be? I've been diagonised with gastritis and acid reflux but I'm just confused right now, the doctors are making me take alot of tests again - to find out why i can't swallow i guess. I'm 18 and I'm tired of this, really don't want to go through this again. I still get pain in my back, chest and throat after eating and slouch for a minute, it is agonizing and annoying. 

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  • Posted

    VIcky, sounds to me like Gerd.  I get this same thing when I stop good management of my achalasia.  I did not know that you could get rid of Achlashia.  Not to say one cant.  I was told it was due to DEAD nerves...never to be resurected. Happy to hear it can go away.  If I dont take my prilosec daily and sleep flat, up comes that stomach acid.....Ive had the heller myotomy with the flap etc etc etc.  Would like to understand how your achalasia went away....
    • Posted

      That's exactly what i said to the doctors! I asked them how it was possible for it go as it's curable.. they did not give me a specific reply to be honest. I said i still have trouble with swallowing so how do i not have it, the doctor then preceeded to tell me to stop talking about achalasia as i no longer have it. I did have an endoscopy and it showed that there is no narrowing of the esophagus, that everything is fine.. except there was an ulcer in my stomach but that turned out to be fine.
  • Posted

    Yes, Vicky. I would be interested to know how your achalasia 'went away'. To m y knowldege this is not possible but some people can manage the symptoms more than others.
    • Posted

      That's exactly what i said to the doctors! I asked them how it was possible for it go as it's curable.. they did not give me a specific reply to be honest. I said i still have trouble with swallowing so how do i not have it, the doctor then preceeded to tell me to stop talking about achalasia as i no longer have it. I did have an endoscopy and it showed that there is no narrowing of the esophagus, that everything is fine.. except there was an ulcer in my stomach but that turned out to be fine.
  • Posted

    There are some motility disorders, of which achalasia is one, so it may be that what the doctors are saying is that you may not have achalasia itself, but some other similar condition.   Achalasia does not generally get sured as such;  the best you hope for is treatment that allows the food to go down OK, usually by natural gravity.    The doctors are no dounbt doing the roght thing by getting more tests done.   Thes eare usually an endoscopy (miniature camera placed down your throat to test for obstructions);  barium swallow test (swallowing white liquid whilst being X-rayed); manometry (pressure measurement at various points in your oesophagus); and 24 hour acid monitoring.

    You migjht try relaxation exercises;  and even dropping on to your heels whilst standing to se eof this helps?

    • Posted

      They said I might have grown to another condition as the achalasia has magically disappeared which still makes no sense as it is not curable. I did get an endosocopy, it stated that there was no narrowing in the esophagus, but an polyp in my stomach. Im scheduled for a barium swallow test in a few weeks so we'll see the outcome of that. Thank you for your help and advice!
  • Posted

    Unfortunately without test results doctors are making their "best guess" diagnosis. And guessing isn't a good option moving toward treatment.  Simple problems are simple fixes... complicated ones... you get my drift.  Keep pressing on for answers.  If you're not seeing a GI specialist you should be. Keep copies yourself of all of your records, test results, consultation reports.  Get a second opinion.  AFTER tests are complete... a second opinion usually means starting from scratch but sometimes if the second opinion doctor is confident that the tests were done correctly and can trust the results to move forward they won't put you through them again.  I've found that to be the case about 1/2 the time.  They know what they know and they don't know what they don't know.  Both Gastritis and Reflux can cause those symptoms and neither are comfortable. You may have both.  You may actually have allergies to something/s in your diet.

    I have achalasia, had 2 dilations and two years ago had a modified heller myotomy, a procedure that has been replaced by a new one at the University of Iowa that they are recommending. I also form scar tissue so my problems may be from all of the above.  I am 40 years older than you and am still looking for a solution.  Just as with any other illness it is up to the patient to stay persuant to finding your own answers, read everything you can to inform yourself about new findings and new treatments for people suffering from Gastrointestinal issues.

    My 28 year old son has Crohn's disease, for almost 20 years now. Diagnosed when he was 9.  He's still waiting for answers.  We're constantly looking for more findings, more answers. And in the meantime... doing the things we can to help our bodies be as well as they can.  Plenty of good diet, rest, exercise.  Stress reducers, massage therapy (is a good one), medications can help. Some meditate - mind and spirit healing energy is very much connected to healing the body.  

    Above all worry about what you know to worry about not the unknown.

    "Tomorrow has worries of its own."  :D

    • Posted

      I do need to get a second opinion but I just honestly don't have the time and to be honest i wouldn't know where to get this second opinion from. I've been thinking about massage therapy and meditation, will definetly give it a try! I really appreciated your help and advice, thank you so very much!!
    • Posted

      Maybe go online and look for a Gastroenterologist near you. Check with the nearest hospital or university for a referral, your general doctor can make a recommendation. Make an appointment to see them. Have copies of your records sent to this doctor prior to your appointment. You're the only that cares enough about you to get the care and advise you need.  If it matters enough to get onto this site... it's got to matter enough to find the time to follow up with a new doctor. 
  • Posted

    Vicky,

    listen I am so sorry that you are sick but you have got to get a second opinion. Achalasia  is a rare disease that you don't get over once you get it. Now your symptoms can get better or you can be misdiagnosed but you never get over it. It usually takes several years to get a good diagnosis unless you have a doctor that is familiar with the disease. There are three test that will tell you once and for all if you have it. Barium swallow, manometry and EDG and that's it. If you are positive on the testing then you have A. Good luck.. Hope that you don't have it 

  • Posted

    Does anyone research anything? Omeprazole can damage your stomach forever!
  • Posted

    Omeprazole is a well-used medication that does far more good than harm.   Yes, if you are taking it on a long term basis it should be reviewed.   One of the main criticisms is that by reducing stomach acid it stops the absorption of calcium into the body and that has a potential effect on things like potential osteoporosis, but there are ways that you can counteract that, and one should not overblow the side effects for the great majorty of people.   Stomach acid in the wrong place - eg GORD - is likely to have far more harmful effects than taking Omeprazole.   But if you are in doubt, the best thing is to consult your doctor about your own situation, as all medication is likely to have side effects of some sort.
    • Posted

      Thank you for this post. You hit the nail on the head. Too much fear and not enough fact only causes trouble and more illness!

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