Guest guest Posted March 29, 2002 Report Share Posted March 29, 2002 Hello to all, .. Our lives became involved with c-toms's around Christmas, Jacqui had an ear that was bleeding, went to our family GP and was prescribed antibiotics for what was diagnosed as an ear infection. The GP recommended that the antibiotics treatment continue for 3 to5 months, because middle ear infection can take that long to heal. , After 6 weeks and 5 courses antibiotics, and no improvement Jacqui asked for a referral to the public hospital here in Brisbane. A through examination by a specialist with a microscope of the tempanic membrane was enough to convince the doctor to send Jacqui for a CAT scan. A date was made to remove a polyp from the inner ear, as this is the reason for the bleeding. A week later we went back to the hospital for a follow up appointment to talk about the results of the previous surgery, What the Registrar said to us went something like this – You have a cholesteatoma, which is an inward growing kind of tumor, that will within ten to twelve years, has a fifty fifty chance of causing your death by a brain tumor. However the good news is that if you have the surgery there is a possibility of other problems, such as damage to your facial nerve causing your face to drop, also you could lose all the hearing in that ear (a dead ear), and that in his opinion he would perform a radical mastoidectomy resulting in an enlarged ear canal (you will be able to put your thumb in it) that would make future maintenance of this problem a breeze. & #61516; & #61516; Yes, we were a little stunned as we left his office to make a further appointment at the desk. Fortunately the doctor came to the desk, we seized that moment and asked him, how do you spell this condition, he took his pen and wrote down cholesteatoma, (we did not know it then, but it was our salvation from ignorance) knowing this we came home and immediately went surfing the internet for information. The web sites other related sources on the Internet about this condition were great, finding out the cause and effect of this growth was a big step forward. Then we found this particular site. As the most helpful of all places's, and certainly the best forum, as we read of personal experiences (the good and the not so good), asking our own question, about our fears and doubts. The following week Jacqui had an appointment with the head surgeon, with whom we were able to discuss the different procedures used for cholesteatoma. It was there we said a definite no to canal wall down surgery, and the surgeon agreed it was not necessary for such radical procedure in this particular case. Then the unexpected phone call,from the hospital to tell us to come in for the operation, so soon, only a week after the last appointment. Were we happy with all aspects of this situation, one blessing was there would be no more waiting and worrying. Jacqui had a successful modified mastoidectomy.operation by a skillful surgeon The incision for entry was made in font and towards the top of the ear, the canal was left in tact and the growth was small, with no other damage. Our sincere thanks to Michele and members. Jacqui and Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 Hi Welcome ! Does your heart condition prevent you from having surgery ?? Please read more about botox before you have it. Go to the website and read some of the past posts, and do a Google search on achalasia. If you look at the Cleveland Clinic paper you will read more about the options for treatment of achalasia and the reasons why other treatments are preferred to having botox. Please ask many questions ! Joan Thanks for being here Hi All:Thank you all for being here. I was diagnosed six weeks ago, but have been suffering with this for probably 7 years or so. I have a heart condition so everyone thought my pain was associated with that. My doctor is scheduling a botox injection, after trying numerous calcium channel blockers that have been completely uneffective. He says I'm not a candidate for dialation.It's nice to know I'm not alone. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 29, 2004 Report Share Posted October 29, 2004 Maybe I shouldn't say this But think and think again about Botox ............ from cold dreary NJ.,,,, Who had a miserable night I had 1 small chicken cutlet last night That was my supper no veggie no potatoes And it was in the "E" all night my chest hurts I have been in the bathroom trying to get it up or better yet down Ugh -- Re: Thanks for being here Hi Welcome ! Does your heart condition prevent you from having surgery ?? Please read more about botox before you have it. Go to the website and read some of the past posts, and do a Google search on achalasia. If you look at the Cleveland Clinic paper you will read more about the options for treatment of achalasia and the reasons why other treatments are preferred to having botox. Please ask many questions ! Joan Thanks for being here Hi All:Thank you all for being here. I was diagnosed six weeks ago, but have been suffering with this for probably 7 years or so. I have a heart condition so everyone thought my pain was associated with that. My doctor is scheduling a botox injection, after trying numerous calcium channel blockers that have been completely uneffective. He says I'm not a candidate for dialation.It's nice to know I'm not alone. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 30, 2004 Report Share Posted October 30, 2004 No doctor has said that surgery can't be done because of my heart. My doctors consider it a last resort. My gastro says that since I don't have a lot of trouble swallowing as yet, he does not think that dialation is appropriate. I have been reading everything I can find about achalasia and have spent considerable time going through past posts. Lots of good information there. > Hi Welcome ! > Does your heart condition prevent you from having surgery ?? > Please read more about botox before you have it. > Go to the website and read some of the past posts, and do a Google search on achalasia. If you look at the Cleveland Clinic paper you will read more about the options for treatment of achalasia and the reasons why other treatments are preferred to having botox. > Please ask many questions ! > Joan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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