Re: Surgery Scheduled...God help me!

[Guest guest]

Alan -

It was almost a year ago (Nov. 15) when I had my myotomy and I remember

spending the entire month beforehand wondering if I was doing the right

thing. My nerves were shot, I was scared out of my mind, and there was no

one I could talk to nor no one who could tell me what to expect. ( I didn't

find this group until after the surgery!)

Anyhow, here's what it was like for me, and if I leave out any details or

you still have questions, write back. In the ensuing months, I've blocked a

lot out as my life has returned to near normal and I don't even think about

" those days " anymore.

There were a series of pre-op tests. In addition to the upper GI and

endoscope, I also had a colonoscopy because - hey, I was on the table anyhow

and with a family history of colon cancer, it was a test I should have done.

Upper GIs I hate; the rest I'm sedated for, so who cares? Also had tons of

blood work done, including tests to rule out scleroderma, a condition that

can produce swallowing difficulties similar to achalasia. No surprises in

any of the tests, so the way was clear for the surgery.

I went in on a Monday morning. Usual pre-op paperwork, discussions with

nurses and anesthesiologists. Unsettling to find that every nurse I spoke

to had never heard of achalasia before. I know we're rare birds but

still....

Was on the table for about an hour or so. Back to room by mid - day. No

post-op pain to speak of. Could have shots for pain rather than anything

oral. Five small incisions - one vertical one about 1 " below the navel; 4

other 1/2 " around lower abdomen. Can't remember if I had food on first day

or not. If I did, it was liquid. By next day I was on soft foods -

puddings, soups, that kind of thing.

Had antireflux procedure done with myotomy and was told four foods to avoid

to reduce gas/burning. Three of them were almost addictive for me, so this

was a bit of a shock: no caffeine (I inhaled Coca-Cola); alcohol (not a big

drinker, but still); mint (I could go my whole life never eating mint so

this was okay) and - worst of all - chocolate. I was a good girl and stayed

away from everything until the holidays when I had some chocolate. No

problems. Gradually tried the other things - also no problem. Life could

be good again.

Released from hospital on Wednesday. Told to eat soft foods for a couple of

weeks and then check back with MDs.

Recuperation was not bad. Groggy and low energy from anesthesia and

lingering upper back and shoulder pain from gas used during laparoscopy.

This was the case for a week, maybe 10 days. I work from home, so returning

to employment was on my schedule - about half-effort second week post-op,

back up to speed after that. I began eating normally about the same time -

including my beloved breads which I hadn't had in years. Doctors believed I

may have rushed this a bit, but had no problems so no harm was done in my

haste to be normal again.

Some puffiness around incisions at this point, but all within normal range.

Given prescription for antacid which I took faithfully for a couple of

months, but then found I didn't need.

Doctors told me myotomy would not correct lack of peristalsis nor would it

do away with chest spasms I experienced as part of vigorous achalasia, so if

these things occured, I was prepared. If I did continue to experience these

things, they said, it would be less frequently, less severely and, with the

spasms, of less duration that before. Was told that the main thing the

surgery did was " clear a path " for food in the esophagus to go directly to

the stomach (do not pass go, do not collect...) as long as I ate in as

vertical a position as possible so as to let gravity do its work. I would,

they said, never have to regurgitate again.

And I have to say, they were right about everything. I eat like a normal

person now - faster than I used to, and don't really think about food in

terms of " I can't have that/that won't go down " . Yes, I do sometimes feel

food " lodging " - so I slow down, sip water, walk around - all the things we

know to do to help clear the blockages. I do still get chest pains, most

often when I'm upset or overly tired. I try to avoid both but if I get an

attack, I take Levsin and I'm clear within seconds.

As we both know, my experience - and hopefully yours - is not what everyone

in this group has enjoyed. Why myotomies fail is still a mystery to me, but

I'm beginning to think the length of time one has suffered with achalasia

before surgery may have something to do with it (esophagus in worse shape?).

Also the length of the incision I believe plays a factor. As I remember, my

surgeon said something about a 3 " cut.

All I can say is, for me, it was the best thing I've ever done. Compared to

other operations I've had, recovery was a breeze. Yes, you'll still be

scared and nervous going into it, but it sounds like you have a great doctor

with plenty of experience, so there should be less to worry about on that

front. My hope is that your operation is as successful as mine.

Hope all this verbal diarrhea has helped, Alan. As always, write with

questions.

Take care -

Carol

Surgery Scheduled...God help me!

> Well, I have taken the plunge and will have the surgery Nov. 6th at

> Harper hospital in Detroit. Dr. Weaver has been doing the

> laparoscopic myotomy for over 5 years and did the open chest version

> for years before the non-invasive type was introduced. He says he has

> done 25 to 30 of these procedures without ever having to open the

> chest yet. I hope so, this scares the daylights out of me. If anyone

> can relate their experiences with the myotomy, it would be greatly

> appreciate. Is there a long recovery before returning to work? Good

> or bad long term relief? I hope this works because, like many here,

> this disease has taken over my life. Good luck to Ken and and

> . Hopefully the day will come when we can shut this group down

> because no one has Achalasia anymore!

>

> Alan

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[Guest guest]

Alan,

Congratulations on your decision. I know the feeling of being

scared but rest assured everything will turn out fine. It takes a

short period of time to recover, it's a rather minimally invasive

surgery.

Carol, explained everything very well, incisions etc.

I went home two days after my surgery and was able to take care of a

5month old and 27 month old. Although, I went home with a Blake

drain which continually drained fluid (helps prevent infection),

that was the only source of pain I experienced, but the doctor

prescribed Demerol for pain, something of which I have no problem

taking. The drain was removed after one week.

I have had much success with my myotomy, thats why it makes it easy

for me to encourage others to " take the plunge " . Good luck to you

Alan, were all cheering you on!

Sincerely

Cheryl

> Well, I have taken the plunge and will have the surgery Nov. 6th at

> Harper hospital in Detroit. Dr. Weaver has been doing the

> laparoscopic myotomy for over 5 years and did the open chest

version

> for years before the non-invasive type was introduced. He says he

has

> done 25 to 30 of these procedures without ever having to open the

> chest yet. I hope so, this scares the daylights out of me. If

anyone

> can relate their experiences with the myotomy, it would be greatly

> appreciate. Is there a long recovery before returning to work? Good

> or bad long term relief? I hope this works because, like many here,

> this disease has taken over my life. Good luck to Ken and and

> . Hopefully the day will come when we can shut this group

down

> because no one has Achalasia anymore!

>

> Alan

[Guest guest]

Carol, you are an angel! I am sorry to say it, but I am a complete

wimp. I, too, am constantly questioning my decision. At this point,

however, there appears to be no other choice. Like most in this

group, the disease has taken control of my life. Even a simple thing

like going out for a dinner date becomes impossible. Unless, of

course, the woman is very understanding when I leave the table to

regurgitate every 5 minutes. Hopefully my surgery will mirror

yours and I can get on with life. Thanks for all the info, you and

this group have both been a considerable help.

Alan

[Guest guest]

Hi Alan,

I just want to wish you luck on your surgery!

And I see you are in Michigan - if you ever get to Wisconsin and need

a sympathetic dinner date, let me know! We can do all those fun

things together - like standing up from the table and raising our

arms over our heads, call the waiters over 15 times for water refills,

head for the restrooms every few minutes... ;-)

Again, good luck - my thoughts are with you! Please post your

experience and results.

> Carol, you are an angel! I am sorry to say it, but I am a complete

> wimp. I, too, am constantly questioning my decision. At this point,

> however, there appears to be no other choice. Like most in this

> group, the disease has taken control of my life. Even a simple

thing

> like going out for a dinner date becomes impossible. Unless, of

> course, the woman is very understanding when I leave the table to

> regurgitate every 5 minutes. Hopefully my surgery will mirror

> yours and I can get on with life. Thanks for all the info, you and

> this group have both been a considerable help.

>

> Alan

[Guest guest]

Thanks Carol! Even though we have never met, it makes me feel much

better having your thoughts with me. You hit the nail on the head

about the aging aspects of this disease. My family and friends notice

the weight loss, but also the run down appearance. Hopefully, fresh

fruit and vegetables will be on the menu soon!

Alan

[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for your thoughts! Your dead on accurate

description of a typical meal actually made me laugh out loud.

Sometimes it is easy to get depressed and forget that it is good to

laugh at yourself. If I ever get to Wisconsin, I will look you up.

Alan