Just want to have a moan to people who understand

Hi Kaz

I am also 45 , I was diagnosed with type 1 Achalasia 3 years ago , I first remember symptoms when i was around 21 years old , spent many years back and forward to doctors , being diagnosed with all sorts of nonsense .

It was not til i was literally choking every night after going to sleep that i finally decided to go private and was diagnosed within weeks . My Doctor of 20 years was extremely embarrassed .

I have since undergone several procedures , 4 balloon dilatation's and 1 robotic hellers myotomy .

All of which worked well for a period of time . The hellers stopped the chest spasms and also a lot of the choking during the night . The balloon dilations worked great but for very short periods (Days) . I always have some sort of food or liquid retention in my oesophagus , my throat gets irritated quite often which is annoying . But in general i feel ok , its a very frustrating illness but it is there and we have to make the best of a bad situation . I completely understand you pain , there are some treatments out there that do help . My consultant works at the Broomfield hospital in Chelmsford , Dr Sri Kadirkamanathan . He is one of the most experienced out there . I can send you some contact details if you would like some advice or information to help .

Its very hard for someone to understand what it is like to constantly battle with your food and drink , I have spent to long letting it get the better of me , I like to think positive now a days , I have this illness and I won't let it get the better of me . There is also a group that meets up in London at the Marriot Hotel in Park Lane . I have been to one meeting which I found really interesting . All the people who attend ( 10 max ) suffer from similar types of Achalasia .

They also meet at different hospitals here you get the opportunity to ask experienced Doctors questions about treatments etc..

You can access this group online at ( Meetup ) and look for the Achalasia Meetup group .

I hope some of this helps 

Regards

John 

Our histories are almost a match. Similar periods/ages and I  have just managed somehow as you have.

More recently though I moved onto a Calcium Channel Blocker  Tildiem on prescription. I was sceptical but after about a 10 days, things started to really improve. I have been taking them for about a year now; and they still help. I take 1 x 60mg tab every morn. The drug opens up blood vessels that in turn relaxes smooth muscle. These are very slow release unlike nitrates etc that work but dont last. I also take a high strength Magnesium tablet at the same time. Vitamin B also has helped me greatly in the past.

Just a few  things to maybe try... And I wish you the finest of healthy karma! Enjoy yr break 

N.   

Consultants Name - Mr Sri Kadirkamanathan

Main Practice - Springfield Hospital

                       Lawn Lane

                      Springfield

                      Chelmsford - CM1 7GU

Secretaries - Sue / Jackie - 01245 234410

Hope this helps

John 

Hi Kaz I have had Achalasia for about 10 years I don't count but roughly and I feel you I to have to sit up have a sick tub by my side with a screw top. My Esophugus gets so burnt by acid I get dehydrated badly. How do you force food down ? I did read about chugging drinking coke fast forcing food down but that sounds a bit dangerous. I get my buzz from eating chocolate as foods get blocked. I eat pasta you heat with kettle water with flavour and cheese and crackers. I used to blend frozon veg tuna some friut and milk with squash but I need a new blender cause it doesn't blend good anymore. Good luck and I know your pain with this awful depressing disease.