Re: Not sure if I have Achalasia

[Guest guest]

Hi Ron,

Welcome to the Achalasia site. Hopefully this will be the last time you come here. You are obviously smart enough to know that you cannot receive pure medical advice from us. I can tell you that no two Achalasia patients are exactly the same as to symptoms and to methods of dealing with this disease. There are a number of esophageal disorders that resemble each other as far as symptoms (i.e. food getting stuck) and may be confused with each other.

If you have researched achalasia you would be aware that there are two main functional disorders with achalasia that can be tested for, both primarily by having a manometry test performed (that you did not say your GI doctor tested for.) Lack of peristalsis, and the LES (lower esophageal sphincter) muscle contracting to the point that food and liquids cannot pass through easily to the stomach.

When most people experience the first symptoms of achalasia, it is not usually the case that 12 years goes by before the symptoms start to become more frequent. But, you never know.

Bottom line, you need to know what is going on, why you are having this problem. In order to do so, you might have to play the "process of elimination 'game'." The GI doctor you visited three years ago either did not think you had achalasia to schedule a manometry test, or he never came across achalasia before. I'd like to believe that he did not think you had achalasia. The tests should not have stopped at that point.

We are all ultimately responsible for our own health care, not the doctor. At this point, where the symptoms have become more frequent and serious, you must see the top GI doctor in your area, or even out of your area, and continue to have tests to determine just what is going on.

I don't know if my advice will help you, but in coming here you will get any number of suggestions from quite a number of knowledgeable and caring people. Good luck Ron.

In a message dated 9/4/2006 11:00:44 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, sledje@... writes:

Hello,My name is Ron and I am 39 and from Connecticut here in the US. I am not sure if I have Achalasia. I've searched this user group, and other sites, but still have questions. Perhaps folks from this group could give thoughts or an opinion (yes, I realize this is not medical advice).Here's a brief history: First "episode" was back in 1994, where it felt like the food was stuck just above my stomach (no trouble breathing). Since then, I've had these episodes once or twice per month, but it seems to be getting more frequent. My episodes usually are just after a few bites at dinner (rarely at lunch, and only once at breakfast recently), and frequently are related to dryer foods or red sauces. The food gets stuck and of course I need to stop eating or drinking anything. Saliva builds up in my mouth, and I need to excuse myself to the rest room to spit this out, along with some of the stuff I've already swallowed. I've tried breathing deeply, standing tall, reaching my arms over my head, trying to bring stuff up...all to no avail. It lasts anywhere from 5 minutes to about an hour, and probably averages 30 minutes (one time it lasted about 3 hours!). Following this, all of a sudden, I just feel "it" relax, and the food goes down. Then I can eat or drink again.I visited a GI doctor about 3 years ago, and he put me under and did an upper GI to look at things. He found nothing. He also did another test where I swallowed a big pill and they looked at it on the Xray as it went down. Again, no abnomality found. This made sense to me as the problem was only evident when I was having an episode. He wanted to put me on Nexium, but I declined. So now it seems to be getting more frequent (3 times this past week). Thank you for any thoughts or advice.

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[Guest guest]

Ron,

It seems you have Achalasia ..

Plz get barium test done..to confirm this..

Mukesh

Not sure if I have Achalasia

Hello,

My name is Ron and I am 39 and from Connecticut here in the US. I

am not sure if I have Achalasia. I've searched this user group, and

other sites, but still have questions. Perhaps folks from this

group could give thoughts or an opinion (yes, I realize this is not

medical advice).

Here's a brief history: First " episode " was back in 1994, where it

felt like the food was stuck just above my stomach (no trouble

breathing). Since then, I've had these episodes once or twice per

month, but it seems to be getting more frequent.

My episodes usually are just after a few bites at dinner (rarely at

lunch, and only once at breakfast recently), and frequently are

related to dryer foods or red sauces. The food gets stuck and of

course I need to stop eating or drinking anything. Saliva builds up

in my mouth, and I need to excuse myself to the rest room to spit

this out, along with some of the stuff I've already swallowed.

I've tried breathing deeply, standing tall, reaching my arms over my

head, trying to bring stuff up...all to no avail. It lasts anywhere

from 5 minutes to about an hour, and probably averages 30 minutes

(one time it lasted about 3 hours!). Following this, all of a

sudden, I just feel " it " relax, and the food goes down. Then I can

eat or drink again.

I visited a GI doctor about 3 years ago, and he put me under and did

an upper GI to look at things. He found nothing. He also did

another test where I swallowed a big pill and they looked at it on

the Xray as it went down. Again, no abnomality found. This made

sense to me as the problem was only evident when I was having an

episode. He wanted to put me on Nexium, but I declined.

So now it seems to be getting more frequent (3 times this past

week).

Thank you for any thoughts or advice.

[Guest guest]

wrote:

When

most people experience the first symptoms of achalasia, it is not

usually the case that 12 years goes by before the symptoms start to

become more frequent. But, you never know.

I agree. I am one of the oddball ones that did goes years before the

symptoms became frequent. I knew something was not working 30 years

ago, but it was over the second decade later that the most noticeable

increase in symptoms took place. It was after about 25 years that I

finally told my doctor and 6 years after that I decided to have

surgery. Being that I was not tested for 25 years it can not be known

for sure if it was achalasia all that time, or if it evolved into it

over time. I will be the first to say that my case is not typical.

notan

[Guest guest]

>Ron,

Welcome,

I am happy to see someone on this site also from Connecticut. I am

in Bristol...where are you located?

I also felt like I had a problem with food sticking for a long time

before I was diagnosed (as to how long I can't tell you, I was

always a slow eater). When I feel like I have food stuck in my

Esphogus I will do breathing excersizes...slow deep breaths in, and

out, which I also do for spasms. I only feel better when I get that

feeling that the pressure has subsided in the middle of my chest.

Sometimes this takes a couple minutes for the pressure to go away or

it can take hours, if it happens at all. I learned to not lay down

after eating if I felt that pressure in the chest. If I feel as if I

have to get rid of it...I let nature take its course, fighting the

feeling doesn't get me anywhere, nature wins each time hands down,

and I know I feel better afterwards. I also learned, I can't force

nautre either (unfortunately sometimes due to the discomfort/pain)

As the other members have stated...go have more tests done, the

earlier you find out whether it is Achalasia or not the earlier you

can find options to help yourself feel better. Personally speaking,

I hope you do not have Achalasia...best of luck, keep in touch and

keep us updated...

> Hello,

> My name is Ron and I am 39 and from Connecticut here in the US. I

> am not sure if I have Achalasia. I've searched this user group,

and

> other sites, but still have questions. Perhaps folks from this

> group could give thoughts or an opinion (yes, I realize this is

not

> medical advice).

>

> Here's a brief history: First " episode " was back in 1994, where

it

> felt like the food was stuck just above my stomach (no trouble

> breathing). Since then, I've had these episodes once or twice per

> month, but it seems to be getting more frequent.

>

> My episodes usually are just after a few bites at dinner (rarely

at

> lunch, and only once at breakfast recently), and frequently are

> related to dryer foods or red sauces. The food gets stuck and of

> course I need to stop eating or drinking anything. Saliva builds

up

> in my mouth, and I need to excuse myself to the rest room to spit

> this out, along with some of the stuff I've already swallowed.

>

> I've tried breathing deeply, standing tall, reaching my arms over

my

> head, trying to bring stuff up...all to no avail. It lasts

anywhere

> from 5 minutes to about an hour, and probably averages 30 minutes

> (one time it lasted about 3 hours!). Following this, all of a

> sudden, I just feel " it " relax, and the food goes down. Then I

can

> eat or drink again.

>

> I visited a GI doctor about 3 years ago, and he put me under and

did

> an upper GI to look at things. He found nothing. He also did

> another test where I swallowed a big pill and they looked at it on

> the Xray as it went down. Again, no abnomality found. This made

> sense to me as the problem was only evident when I was having an

> episode. He wanted to put me on Nexium, but I declined.

>

> So now it seems to be getting more frequent (3 times this past

> week).

>

> Thank you for any thoughts or advice.

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Ron My name is Pippa and like you I started having problems

eating to begin with it wasn't all the time just now and again and

then its started getting to be a dinner time every day and then it

got to everything I ate and was drinking.

I had an endoscpy done in July of this year and the consultant

thought that I had Achalasia and sent me for a barium X-Ray in which

they have found a Hiatus hernia(My stomach has gone up through my

diaphram and up in my chest past my lungs) Today I have been for a

CT scan to give the surgeons more details as to what is going on and

am due to have corrective surgery in the next few weeks.)

So you may have Achalaisa but you may have the same condition as me

I would suggest a vist back to your doctor for further investigation

I like you started with problems now and again and wish I had done

something earlier I have lost a lot of weight now and can't keep

anything down and am on perscription only nutritional drinks to keep

me going until the surgery.

Hope this helps.

Pippa

>

> Hello,

> My name is Ron and I am 39 and from Connecticut here in the US. I

> am not sure if I have Achalasia. I've searched this user group,

and

> other sites, but still have questions. Perhaps folks from this

> group could give thoughts or an opinion (yes, I realize this is

not

> medical advice).

>

> Here's a brief history: First " episode " was back in 1994, where

it

> felt like the food was stuck just above my stomach (no trouble

> breathing). Since then, I've had these episodes once or twice per

> month, but it seems to be getting more frequent.

>

> My episodes usually are just after a few bites at dinner (rarely

at

> lunch, and only once at breakfast recently), and frequently are

> related to dryer foods or red sauces. The food gets stuck and of

> course I need to stop eating or drinking anything. Saliva builds

up

> in my mouth, and I need to excuse myself to the rest room to spit

> this out, along with some of the stuff I've already swallowed.

>

> I've tried breathing deeply, standing tall, reaching my arms over

my

> head, trying to bring stuff up...all to no avail. It lasts

anywhere

> from 5 minutes to about an hour, and probably averages 30 minutes

> (one time it lasted about 3 hours!). Following this, all of a

> sudden, I just feel " it " relax, and the food goes down. Then I

can

> eat or drink again.

>

> I visited a GI doctor about 3 years ago, and he put me under and

did

> an upper GI to look at things. He found nothing. He also did

> another test where I swallowed a big pill and they looked at it on

> the Xray as it went down. Again, no abnomality found. This made

> sense to me as the problem was only evident when I was having an

> episode. He wanted to put me on Nexium, but I declined.

>

> So now it seems to be getting more frequent (3 times this past

> week).

>

> Thank you for any thoughts or advice.

>