what to do?
Posted , 3 users are following.
hello i am a 34 year old male from Newport south wales. I have had achalasia for some twenty odd years i recently had dilation and everything was fine for a few weeks .I now have been given the choice of a second dilation or keyhole surgery what would you do?
0 likes, 6 replies
Guest
Posted
Guest
Posted
Good luck.
Guest
Posted
after two visits to an ENT doctor i was submitted for a barium swallow. the fact i had a chance to actually see what was going on inside me kind of relaxed me. i was told that although achalasia is a condition i wouldn't wish on anyone (well maybe not everyone!) it was certainly nothing sinister and can be treated as a result.
the barium swallow meant i could then be referred to another gastro specialist who was 95% sure achalasia was the problem. after a lengthy chat about my symptoms and the possible remedies i was able to have i was then put forward for having a manometry (that was today).
the manometry itself was a rather unpleasant experience but i'm thankful nothing was 'perforated' during the procedure. this was the real confirmation that i had achalasia and now a letter will be sent back to my gastro surgeon/doctor for analysis and decisions on where to go next.
the gentleman who carried out the manometry was a decent man who gave me plenty of information about the possible 'cures.'
with this, he was sure i'd need a dilatation. i was thinking \"yeah, great. let's just finally get all this over with.\" he said that although i'm only 27, only one dilatation should be necessary for my entire lifetime. herein lies the problem... i was told by the gastro doctor that if i was to go the balloon route, i'd more than likely need at least one dilatation.
so here i have two conflicting views and after spending the last half an hour reading fellow sufferers reports on ballooning, i just don't know what to think or who to believe. if i'm going to have hospital treatment, then i'd rather it be just the once and if that means keyhole surgery then that's what i'd prefer.
there is something else i wanted to discuss here. most of you seem to suffer with a lot of chest pain. i personally don't get this. my symptoms are simple: difficult to swallow (sometimes water) for over 2 years now, will need to bring up some food after the meal and then again later on. i used to be sick during the night but this has since stopped. i'm not currently taking any medication although i have a months supply of losec omeprazole sitting at home.
anyway, it's great that i've found this site/forum and can share my thoughts and read those of others. i'd really like to meet up with any fellow sufferers as i've yet to encounter one socially. just being able to talk frankly about our condition is quite a weight removed from the shoulders.
perhaps we could all meet up for an annual dinner somewhere in the country. on second thoughts, maybe just a glass of water
Guest
Posted
The best advise I can pass on is that after whichever procedure you opt for be careful what and how much you eat! I wish somebody had said this to me because my weight ballooned and because my metabolism was so messed up from the achalasia 4 years on I'm still struggling to shift the weight!
northeast96
Posted
after two visits to an ENT doctor i was submitted for a barium swallow. the fact i had a chance to actually see what was going on inside me kind of relaxed me. i was told that although achalasia is a condition i wouldn't wish on anyone (well maybe not everyone!) it was certainly nothing sinister and can be treated as a result.
the barium swallow meant i could then be referred to another gastro specialist who was 95% sure achalasia was the problem. after a lengthy chat about my symptoms and the possible remedies i was able to have i was then put forward for having a manometry (that was today).
the manometry itself was a rather unpleasant experience but i'm thankful nothing was 'perforated' during the procedure. this was the real confirmation that i had achalasia and now a letter will be sent back to my gastro surgeon/doctor for analysis and decisions on where to go next.
the gentleman who carried out the manometry was a decent man who gave me plenty of information about the possible 'cures.'
with this, he was sure i'd need a dilatation. i was thinking \"yeah, great. let's just finally get all this over with.\" he said that although i'm only 27, only one dilatation should be necessary for my entire lifetime. herein lies the problem... i was told by the gastro doctor that if i was to go the balloon route, i'd more than likely need at least one dilatation.
so here i have two conflicting views and after spending the last half an hour reading fellow sufferers reports on ballooning, i just don't know what to think or who to believe. if i'm going to have hospital treatment, then i'd rather it be just the once and if that means keyhole surgery then that's what i'd prefer.
there is something else i wanted to discuss here. most of you seem to suffer with a lot of chest pain. i personally don't get this. my symptoms are simple: difficult to swallow (sometimes water) for over 2 years now, will need to bring up some food after the meal and then again later on. i used to be sick during the night but this has since stopped. i'm not currently taking any medication although i have a months supply of losec omeprazole sitting at home.
anyway, it's great that i've found this site/forum and can share my thoughts and read those of others. i'd really like to meet up with any fellow sufferers as i've yet to encounter one socially. just being able to talk frankly about our condition is quite a weight removed from the shoulders.
perhaps we could all meet up for an annual dinner somewhere in the country. on second thoughts, maybe just a glass of water
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Since July of this year, I have had classic symptoms of achalasia, including a dry cough and inability to swallow food and difficulty with liquids. However, no vomiting.
I have already had endoscopy and barium swallow, both negative and next week a scan. I am now getting concerned that there will be no definite diagnosis and wonder where I go from there. Has anyone had this same experience? I feel so alone with this.
Guest
Posted
good luck with whatever you decide.