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Not sure if I have achalasia?

Posted , 2 users are following.

shana13
shana13

So a little bit of history here.

I'm a 20 year old female, I was diagnosed with GORD (acid reflux) around 3 years ago and have since had a Nissen Fundoplication. However, despite this my symptoms have persisted and worsened.

So a little about my symptoms, the main problem is regurgitation (having to explain this to doctors is a nightmare as, as much as I say REGURGITATION they assume I mean sick, but its not sick), the regurgitation is literally just undigested food coming back up, I usually just swallow this and the more I do so the more acid it tastes (I assume its due to digestion). But initially it is not acid.

More recently (since the Nissen Fundoplication) I have been suffering from heart burn etc.

It does not feel as if I'm not 'swallowing' however some times it feels like the food gets stuck in my oesophagus, I often have immense pain just below my chest bone and it feels as though theres a lump of food stuck (this happens with medication too).

I have tried omeprazole, domperidone, ranitidine, gaviscon; practically any and every medication the doctors could prescribe but none have helped in the slightest.

I'm starting to really worry as I am currently at university and it has really affected my studies to a point where I no longer know if I can continue.

Do any of you think its possible that I have achalasia?

I have an appointment with a GE specialist next week at which point I will mention it, although I am reluctant because I know how much doctors hate self diagnosis and in my experience with doctors I seem to get fobbed off a lot as I struggle speaking to new people on my own.

Any opinions please? I feel quite hopeless at the moment, I'm just so fed up of the pain, and the regurgitation affecting my life.

Thanks,

Shana

1 like, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • AlanT
    AlanT

    Posted

    Have you had an X-ray? It would be a useful starting point as it might show where the food is getting stuck and if your oesophagus is constricting. (It did with me)
  • shana13
    shana13

    Posted

    Hi Alan,

    Thanks for your message!

    I've had pretty much every test possible, including xrays, barium swallows, mri, gastroscopy's, ph tests and a manometry. All came back clear except for the manometry which apparently showed a large hiatus hernia.

    All very bizarre as this wasn't seen on any other test!

  • AlanT
    AlanT

    Posted

    It sounds rather strange but perhaps you'll just have to wait for them to follow up the hiatus hernia diagnosis. Perhaps it would be best for a non-specialist like me to refrain from adding my thoughts - it might just mislead you.
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