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symptoms after dilation

Posted , 3 users are following.

adam11
adam11

Hi all,

I've had achalasia since I was 16 and I've just had my second balloon dilation.

The first came two years after symptoms first presented, it took a very long time and a lot of doctor/hopsital visits to get it diagnosed correctly. The first dilation made a massive improvement. I went from only being able to eat liquid foods to being able to eat any solids as long as I had plenty of water to drink and help knock the food down.

After 4 years or so the food blockage was more difficult to deal with and I was experiencing more random pain of what I assumed was acid reflux or something similar, so I went back into the hospital system... I had another berium meal, endoscopy and then was put forward for another dialation.

I had that last week and so far it has seemed to work great. I have been able to have a few different meals and all the food has gone down on its own.

However each night since the dialation I have experienced severe chest/throat pain for extended periods of time. I have tried regular indigestion/heartburn medicine (which used to work before), strong painkillers and also Lapazerole... none have had any effect. I have now got some Omazperole from the doctor and will be trying this today...

I wondered if there was any one else out there who has experienced this pain following the dilation and if there was any medicine you took or any steps you took in your diet to avoid the pain?

0 likes, 3 replies

3 Replies

  • Guest
    Guest

    Posted

    Hi Adam,

    I had the Hellers op rather than dilation, but I too get the chest/throat pain on a night.

    I believe this is a common symptom of achalasia.

    The op and dilation, as I understand it, are purely to relieve the problems of food moving down. They don't at all address the pain and discomfort.

    That's how I see it.

    Now, I have certainly identified triggers of the pain and can avoid 90% of the pain by avoiding the triggers. I'm sure it will be different for everyone, my main trigger is potato. If I totally avoid potato then I get the night attacks maybe once every couple of months. Indulge in potato at all and I can guarantee I'll suffer within the next few nights.

    How I identified it was to keep a very detailed diary of exactly what I ate and drank and when. I also recorded details of the problems I was having. It took a while to spot the pattern, because, strangely, the pain sometimes takes a day or 2 to appear.

    Hope this helps.

  • david777
    david777

    Posted

    I had a balloon dialation 5 weeks ago and it went well for 3 weeks and now i having problems with fluids passing through again .My spincter has almost closed up again.I had to stay in hospital for 5 weeks it was a nightmare as i got pets and live on my own anyway this time i more organised my sergeon has told me this time to go to A&E and i will be seen from there he also said i will be having another dialation hopefuly it will last longer this time.The last time my spincter was closed up completely and it took 4 dialations to get it to a reanable size for sloppy food to pass.I been with out fluids for a couple of days and feel really weak.Ihope to go in sunday night have it done monday and hopefuly home the same day fingers crossed.I been reading your blogs (i think there called blogs arnt they)/?and i know what you all been going through its awful.What a lfe changing experience.Wish you all the best. sad
  • david777
    david777

    Posted

    Well i had another balloon dialation last week i had to have the same size balloon because of fear of perferation.Still having probs but at least water and some food is going down at the moment i think its acid thats making me want to sick the food back up i take omeprazole in the morning which seems to work but i think i will start taking one in the afternoon as well see if that works,Because my spinter closed rite up i had to have quite a few balloons to slowly tease it open and not to perferate.I hate having it done if i go in again i am asking for some sort of operation.EAST96 recons its done wonders for her.good luck everyone smile
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