Recommended Achalasia surgeons for myotomy ? Urgent need
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I was diagnosed with Achalasia two years ago and for 18 months got along fine. The condition then deteriorated and in the last 6-8 weeks has got much worse, difficulty getting food past the los, drinks taking ages to drip through, chest pain, nausea, difficulty swallowing.
A recent urgent gastroscopy showed a very tight narrow opening los. I'm on the local NHS list for myotomy but have been told waiting lists are very long. I'm getting no answer from the same surgeons' private practices.
I live in Leeds and there appears to be just the two experienced surgeons , both recommended. But I am getting nowhere, I understand Covid19 has made things difficult but am now getting desperate.
I had a telephone consultation with a very well known and highly experienced London surgeon who is hoping to restart in early August privately for which I am willing to raid my savings. I wondered if anyone knew of an experienced recommended surgeon operating soon, closer to Leeds.
Many thanks.
0 likes, 3 replies
paulsz stephen33083
Posted
I know your post was a while ago but knowing the NHS nor a lot will have happened. I had my life saving hellers myotomy at the LGI would you believe.... That was in 1998 though so he has since moved on, however, I was speaking to some 1 in the achalasia action group just today and they said there is still an achalasia specialist in Leeds but I didn't catch the name, I'll try find out... And I'm hoping to be referred again soon so I'll post the details here.
How have you been getting on?
stephen33083 paulsz
Posted
Thanks for your reply.
I did have the op done in late December. Unfortunately things are not so good, I've been on liquids since January as anything solid sticks. I finally managed to get a face to face appointment with the surgeon last Tuesday and he's not sure what is going on. A barium swallow showed a 'slight' indentation into the oesophagus. A urinary CT scan done in connection with another matter did at its upper fringes show the stomach and the bottom of the oesophagus and he's asking a radiologist his opinion.
I have a gastroscopy scheduled for early May and he really wants to see what that shows.
He was thinking aloud and possibilities he mentioned were redoing the myotomy, dilatation (which the surgeons here in Leeds don't seem too keen on); this alarmed me but it all depends on what transpires.
Best wishes.
Steve.
stephen33083
Posted
Sorry that should read redo the fundoplication.