Re: Support Group or Not?

January 31, 2008

Jan,

This is a great support group! The advice has been very clear. We have all went down this road. My achalasia started 25 years ago. I first did the balloon dilatation, Then I had the tube dilatation, progressively larger rubber hoses. I was told to put off surgery as long as I could. Well, a piece of meat aspirated into my lungs. To make a long story short I came within minutes of death before they took an abscess out of my lungs the size of a softball. Four weeks later they did the myotomy. Due to the condition of my chest and lungs they ended up piecing my "e". Three days of intensive care before they got they got the infections under control. I recovered very well but if I had to do it again I would have had the myotomy immediately.

However, none of the options would have helped me eat the pie! lol.

in Pittsburgh, Let's go Pens!

In a message dated 1/31/2008 6:40:51 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, wipperwillow@... writes:

I decided to check out this group thinking I would really find support for want to know about alternatives to surgery. So far mostly I've been told that I'm an idiot for even wanting to try to find an alternative and that I had better hurry in as fast as I can to get the myotomy surgery. This is not the kind of support I had in mind. Everyone on here has bought into the surgery and have found it to be the only relief they could get. This makes my hopes for an alternative appear to be very gloomy indeed.JanMonroe, WA

Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.

January 31, 2008

Hi again Jan

Sorry you have got that impression but as far as I am aware this

is THE only group you WILL find with so many users around the World and the vast

majority have all been there and done that and the impression you may have is

that the myotomy surgery is the only option is because that’s almost true

all of the time. You basically have three options to treat Achalasia –

Botox – Dilation or surgery and it’s up to you and your surgeon to

decide which is the best for you based on your condition, age and the

experience of the surgeon. I could have gone for any of these as my consultant

offered me the choice and I chose the surgery based on the advice from this group

and two weeks since the op I am fully satisfied with the outcome. If I had gone

for the Botox it is a fact that it would need redoing at some stage as is also

the case with the dilation. The Myotomy is THE only option that has any

possibility of a long term success. This therefore does indeed not give any

hopes for an alternative and I can assure you if there was one I would have

tried it first. There are also many members on here who have had ‘A’

for a lot longer than me and none of them have found any alternatives either so

as the advice has already pointed out – you need to find an experienced

surgeon and discuss your options without delay. I assume you are aware that

leaving this too late can leave your ‘e’ in a very bad way and can

lead to Barrett’s Esophagus and even Cancer. As food is not getting

into your stomach it is basically rotting inside your ‘e’ which can

lead to the above. It really can be very serious if left untreated.

Andy

Yorkshire, England

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/barretts/

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/barretts-esophagus/HQ00312/DSECTION=2

http://www.medicinenet.com/achalasia/page5.htm

http://heartburn.about.com/od/whatcausesheartburn/a/achalasia.htm

From: achalasia

[mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of wipperwillow

Sent: 31 January 2008 23:40

achalasia

Subject: Support Group or Not?

I decided to check out this group thinking I

would really find support

for want to know about alternatives to surgery. So far mostly I've been

told that I'm an idiot for even wanting to try to find an alternative

and that I had better hurry in as fast as I can to get the myotomy

surgery. This is not the kind of support I had in mind. Everyone on

here has bought into the surgery and have found it to be the only

relief they could get. This makes my hopes for an alternative appear

to be very gloomy indeed.

Jan

Monroe, WA

January 31, 2008

Jan As far as I know and was told there are three proven ways to treat "A", Botox, stretching, and surgery. I then was sent to a surgeon by the GI doctor and later referred to Dr. Rice at Cleveland Clinic. He told me that my "e" was stretched but salvageable by surgery. I chose faith in the Lord (as he said not worry about what to eat, he will take care of me) and surgery, this was the option I chose. I was told, by my GI doctor, that botox is good for approx. 6 months and can leave scar tissue plus they do not know the long term effect that botox will have; stretching is a toss up it works for some and not for others plus the danger of damaging your "E" and having to have emergency surgery is a risk . We all have to make that decision for our selfs, we, on this site, can only make suggestions and recommendations from our experiences. I can truly say that I have learned

more from the people on this site than I learned from the GI doctor, surgeon or anyone else. They have walked through some tough stuff and have the voice of experience to back them up. I believe in vitamins, natural eating or as they say today organic foods. I live on a farm, raise my own beef, vegetables and can them so I eat about as healthy as you can get. I am a health food nut and have tried all of the recommended stuff prior to being diagnosed with "A" over the past 10 years for regrugtation of food and acid reflux, nothing worked for long periods of time it always came back. I even went out on the Internet and researched the natural control for "A" and came up with some hints and suggestions of stuff that works but would have to pay for the information. I went to the local health food store where I shop and talked with the lady there and she had never heard of this stuff but suggested peppermint oil to rub

on my chest to relax the muscles, which I tried and it was a no go. So after all of the above my thoughts are that if you would like to try something other than the 3 options above go for it; it might work for you but keep a close watch on your condition don't assume it is gone until the GI doctors says he can find no traces of "A". Make sure your "E" is okay. I don't know that something else wouldn't work but I could find no instances where it did, not to say it hasn't. But I do know that surgery works for some so I am trying it. So roll the dice just make sure whatever you chose you can live with it for the rest of your life. God Luck Millie in VAwipperwillow <wipperwillow@...> wrote: I decided to check out this group thinking I would really find support for want to know about alternatives to surgery. So far mostly I've been told that I'm an idiot for even wanting to try to find an alternative and that I had better hurry in as fast as I can to get the myotomy surgery. This is not the kind of support I had in mind. Everyone on here has bought into the surgery and have found it to be the only relief they could get. This makes my hopes for an alternative appear to be very gloomy indeed.JanMonroe, WA

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January 31, 2008

Dear Jan,

I appreciate your frankness, many here have tried alternative therapies. Believe me, if one had worked we would tell you. Also, logically, everything is on the web, don't you think if there WAS any other great alternative you would find it. Many have looked, even all of us here. Do you think we are hiding it somewhere or blocking your access to the information. I appreciate your belief that there is an alternative somewhere. But if none of us have found it, where do you think it is hiding? Please don't get tired of us and think we are just one-minded, there are MANY strong opinions here. For the most part, unless you have other health issues, if you want to improve your quality of life, it seems like finding the best gi and surgeon is imperative. We are not hiding anything from you. If you decide to try alternatives that is great, we may forget and remind you to watch that your esophagus could be stretching, but just remind us you have chosen your own path and we will support you in your decision.

I found this, have heard it often and you made me think of it... we are still a great support system, take what you can out of it. Perhaps, just perhaps, you are as rigid in your belief there is an alternative cure, as you think many of us in this group who find the value in surgery and medical treatment. Stay here, and we will be open to you, other input is appreciated.

Sorry, there wasn't an author note but I copied this anyway.... Enjoy....Sandy

Welcome to HollandI am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this......When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy. You buy a bunch of guide books and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo . The gondolas in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland.""Holland?!?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met.It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills....and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned." And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss.But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely things ... about Holland

January 31, 2008

That was a great story sandy. I have been told everything, from eat saurkraut, yogurt, the peppermint oil thing, different vitamins and all kinds of teas. Oddly most everything requires you put something in your stomach which as we all know is the problem. My P.A. told me something that caused me to think, he said 'chances are, you wont die FROM this disease but you probably will die WITH it, unless you have your E removed'. we call him dr joe, and I've given him a great education on achalasia. He has studied and called drs. on my behalf. I wish everybody could have a medical person like him. When I had a severe bout with depression he hugged me and held my hand. He told me this was an

incurable disease and that's the way you have to look at it. I've had A for 36 years and until very recently lived a very normal life. It can be done. Most important keep a sense of humor and surround yourselves with love. I'll pray for you Jeanie

Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

January 31, 2008

First off no one here said you were an idiot to my knowledge.I am

Sorry we were not the support group you were looking for.But... WE

ARE a support group and one of the only ones that has tons of

valuable info,resources,active members on a daily basis with a

family atmoshere.This place has been my everything through this

disease!!!What more can a support group be??????????

We all wish there were a natural cure for this horrible disease but

its not!We are not gonna lie to you and say there is when its not.

As mentioned we have all done our share of hundreds of hours and for

some more, of research before leading up to a surgery.No one wants

surgery, and for me a mom of a child I surely didnt want him to have

to go through surgery.But...when the rubber meets the road and you

cant get food down and are starving to death, you go and get done

whats available and that is surgery.So yeah " I bought into it " and

so have the other many members here! You havent got to that point

yet, but sadly the day will more than likely come and you will be

there too.Trust me-We are not just out here not researching and just

going through the hell of operations for the fun of it if we thought

there was another way.

We are here if we can help you if ever needed but we can only help

and be supportive in the things we know are available and that work.

If you should find a natural cure or something that works for this

horrible disease please let us know .We are always open to others

opinions and info.

Take care-Tonia

>

> I decided to check out this group thinking I would really find

support

> for want to know about alternatives to surgery. So far mostly I've

been

> told that I'm an idiot for even wanting to try to find an

alternative

> and that I had better hurry in as fast as I can to get the myotomy

> surgery. This is not the kind of support I had in mind. Everyone

on

> here has bought into the surgery and have found it to be the only

> relief they could get. This makes my hopes for an alternative

appear

> to be very gloomy indeed.

> Jan

> Monroe, WA

>

January 31, 2008

I have WANTED to try something, but haven't done it yet... at Staples they had a vibrating stress releaser (no comments please LOL) in different shapes. I've also seen them at Sharper Image and other places. The situation hasn't been right that I've felt comfortable buying one, for some reason, but I'd like to put it right on my sternum. Still, surgeried and everything, eating well, I'd like to be able to somehow comfort that spot. My kids notice them and offer, so it isn't that big a deal to buy one, but also a little heating pad that would fit there and vibrate, that would be nice. (Okay, I can't resist... or a husband that did the same.) Would someone try it and let me know?

Sandy>> > > > That was a great story sandy.> I have been told everything, from eat saurkraut, yogurt, the peppermint oil thing, different vitamins and all kinds of teas. Oddly most everything requires you put something in your stomach which as we all know is the problem.> My P.A. told me something that caused me to think, he said 'chances are, you wont die FROM this disease but you probably will die WITH it, unless you have your E removed'. we call him dr joe, and I've given him a great education on achalasia. He has studied and called drs. on my behalf. I wish everybody could have a medical person like him. When I had a severe bout with depression he hugged me and held my hand.> He told me this was an incurable disease and that's the way you have to look at it.> I've had A for 36 years and until very recently lived a very normal life. It can be done. Most important keep a sense of humor and surround yourselves with love.> I'll pray for you Jeanie > > > > > ---------------------------------> Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.>

January 31, 2008

Ok I had to respond when I READ Vibrating stress releaver! Just

caught my eye.lol

Seriuosly though-I have a hand held vibrating/ heating wand kinda

thing for like your shoulders and neck area.( I think it came from

walmart)There have been times when has held it on his chest

area when it was hurting like with a spasm and it has helped give

that area relief some. Maybe just combo of heat and vibration to

stimulate the area but if it helps a little then its worth it : )

For Christmas he got the neck massager.Works great inbetween chiro

appointments.

Tonia

> >

> > That was a great story sandy.

> > I have been told everything, from eat saurkraut, yogurt, the

> peppermint oil thing, different vitamins and all kinds of teas.

Oddly

> most everything requires you put something in your stomach which

as we

> all know is the problem.

> > My P.A. told me something that caused me to think, he

said 'chances

> are, you wont die FROM this disease but you probably will die WITH

it,

> unless you have your E removed'. we call him dr joe, and I've

given him

> a great education on achalasia. He has studied and called drs. on

my

> behalf. I wish everybody could have a medical person like him.

When I

> had a severe bout with depression he hugged me and held my hand.

> > He told me this was an incurable disease and that's the way you

have

> to look at it.

> > I've had A for 36 years and until very recently lived a very

normal

> life. It can be done. Most important keep a sense of humor and

surround

> yourselves with love.

> > I'll pray for you Jeanie

> >

> > ---------------------------------

> > Never miss a thing. Make your homepage.

> >

>

January 31, 2008

wipperwillow wrote:

> I decided to check out this group thinking I would really find support

> for want to know about alternatives to surgery.

I see you found the site for alternative achalasia treatments. Some

people don't want to hear about surgery and they have a group for those

that don't, or who want a place that is more focused on alternatives.

You can talk about alternatives here and many have, but if you want

something more focused on alternative you know where it is. Personally,

I think some people just don't want to hear about the negative views

about a treatment they are into, just positive reinforcement for what

they believe. Here we look at the pros and cons of any treatment

presented. Yes, we even look at the negative side of having surgery.

While many are happy to have the surgery no one is happy they need it,

or that they didn't find something better. We keep looking for something

better, even those of us who are doing very well after surgery. We even

ask those that decide to try alternatives to be sure and let us know

when they find something that works long-term. Also, we don't, or at

least many of us, don't say that surgery is right for everyone. I think

many people would do just fine with dilatation. Some with Botox. If

somebody wants to try something I doubt will work, it is no skin off of

my nose. Maybe they will find something. I have no problem voicing my

doubt though.

> So far mostly I've been

> told that I'm an idiot for even wanting to try to find an alternative

>

You didn't hear it in this group.

> and that I had better hurry in as fast as I can to get the myotomy

> surgery.

There is a logic to it, whether it is correct in your case we don't

know, but statistically there is a case to be made.

> This is not the kind of support I had in mind. Everyone on

> here has bought into the surgery and have found it to be the only

> relief they could get.

Not every one. I did but in my case it took a long time. I went for

twenty years before even telling my doctor I was having troubles. After

I was diagnosed and told right away that I should have surgery I waited

another six years before getting the surgery. In those six years I tried

a number of things and studied to make sense of it all. One of the first

things I tired was a stupid jumping exercise that someone though would

work for hiatal hernia which one writer thought achalasia was a type of.

I never told anyone about that until now. It was probably a very bad

idea for someone with achalasia. I even tried fish oil. Though it was

helping for a while. Maybe it did. Maybe it didn't. My achalasia would

get better and worse for no reason at all, so it was hard to tell if it

was working. In time, after doing very well, things were getting bad and

I didn't want to find out how bad it would get that time. Over years

good time were good but bad was getting to be worse and worse. I decided

to talk to a surgeon at Mayo. I asked her if she recommended surgery.

She said her recommendations was that if I wanted it I should have it

and if I didn't then I shouldn't. We discussed risks of having the

surgery and the risks of not have the surgery. Then she said to not

worry about the risks because they were small in comparison to the

chance of a great improvement. So, all I had to decide was if I

preferred to live with the achalasia without the surgery or have the

surgery and be much better. The logic of it was easy to accept. Why

should I keep struggling and hoping that every little improvement was

something big, only to be let down, when I had a chance for something

much better. So, after six years of avoiding it I gave in and over two

years later I think it was one of the best choices I ever made. You can

be unhappy for me if you want too. I am happy enough all by my self, and

of course I have other here happy too.

> This makes my hopes for an alternative appear

> to be very gloomy indeed.

>

What is more important, staying true to some hope of alternatives or

getting significant relief through surgery or dilatation? It is what it is.

notan

February 1, 2008

Hi Jan,

I am sorry you feel this way about our group. I don't recall having read a message in which anybody called you an idiot. It really doesn't sound like this group either. Personally, I think they treat everybody very respectful, no matter what their view is.

As a matter of fact, there are messages about alternatives to surgery on this board. Posts from people asking the group about their experiences. And yes, unfortunately, there have not been a lot of success stories about alternative treatments.

I have had a dilation, which did not help at all. I did not want to have surgery and all the doctor could offer was a new dilation. I decided to try something else and went to see a doctor in traditional Chinese medicine. He used a combination of accupuncture, a kind of "retuning" of my interal organs and a strict diet. The latter was impossible to do, as I could hardely get anything in. And especially not the things I had to eat according to the diet.

Unfortunately, my health only got worse. Since the dilation, I had spasms 4-5 times a day and believe me, they wear you out competely. After having a spasm, I felt like I had ran a marathon. I also had the spasms at night, so didn't sleep very well. I was afraid to go to sleep as I frequently woke up grasping for air, as my stomach contents ended up in my lungs. I had lost 1/3 of my body weight as I could hardly get anything in and had to work long an hard hours, as the company I worked for was in a divestment process and jobs were at risk.

Then I got to a point where I simply couldn´t go on anymore. I had simply run out of options if I wanted to live a life. Something just had to be done. I then spent two weeks behind my computer (day and night), searching every possible option. It made me find this group and an excellent and very experienced surgeon. Six weeks later I had the myotomy and not long after that, I could eat again.

As I have used up too many of my reserves, recovery took me a lot longer. Unfortunately, I am having issues again. I am no longer going to wait. I am going to act and have made an appointment for an endoscope, which is scheduled for Wednesday.

It all comes down to the effect Achalasia has on your live. If it is manageable, it is worth trying alternative treatments. But do keep an eye on your E, as it may get worse without you noticing it and you may end up needing much more drastic surgery (worst case scenario). When Achalasia took over my live, it didn't matter to me what they did, as long as they would fix it!!

If you find anything that helps you, please let us know. I am sure everyone in this group is very interested to try it! We are open to anything. Good luck with your search.

Warm regards from HollandAstrid

Support Group or Not?

I decided to check out this group thinking I would really find support for want to know about alternatives to surgery. So far mostly I've been told that I'm an idiot for even wanting to try to find an alternative and that I had better hurry in as fast as I can to get the myotomy surgery. This is not the kind of support I had in mind. Everyone on here has bought into the surgery and have found it to be the only relief they could get. This makes my hopes for an alternative appear to be very gloomy indeed.JanMonroe, WA

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February 2, 2008

My dear Jan, I'm so sorry you didn't find the type of support here

you were looking for. I know with all the emails regarding surgery

and dilatations, you felt like we thought you were crazy for wanting

to try something different. Far from it! We too would have liked to

have found something else

I have never had the surgery, and I am still fighting that battle.

Please don't leave the group. Come back and give us another

chance. It's just that since this group was established 8 or 9

years ago, many have looked for an alternative, but have found

nothing yet that works for any length of time short of surgery

and dilatations.

We certainly don't think you're crazy for trying and wish you

luck. At the same time we care enough not to want your

esophagus to be damaged by delays. So please get checked

by experienced doctors while you look.

Best wishes,

Maggie

Alabama

February 2, 2008

Hello,

On Jan 6 I shattered my right shoulder and now have 2 plates and 9

screws in my shoulder, so I am typing one handed but I could not let

this post go by. I have been in this group since 2000 and I have

never been called anything but a friend.

People like Notan, Tonia, Wood, Maggi and a whole host of others

have helped me through all kinds of challenges and listened to me vent

on all sorts of things. I was so happy when I found this group, it

meant I was not on my own, soooo yes this is a support group and I

don't think any of us would call someone struggling with the same

decisions and life changes we have struggles through an idiot.

We are here to help and listen if you need it.

I however am still just reading because typing is hard one handed...LOL

Blessings,

JC

> > I decided to check out this group thinking I would really find

support

> > for want to know about alternatives to surgery.

>

> I see you found the site for alternative achalasia treatments. Some

> people don't want to hear about surgery and they have a group for those

> that don't, or who want a place that is more focused on alternatives.

> You can talk about alternatives here and many have, but if you want

> something more focused on alternative you know where it is. Personally,

> I think some people just don't want to hear about the negative views

> about a treatment they are into, just positive reinforcement for what

> they believe. Here we look at the pros and cons of any treatment

> presented. Yes, we even look at the negative side of having surgery.

> While many are happy to have the surgery no one is happy they need it,

> or that they didn't find something better. We keep looking for

something

> better, even those of us who are doing very well after surgery. We even

> ask those that decide to try alternatives to be sure and let us know

> when they find something that works long-term. Also, we don't, or at

> least many of us, don't say that surgery is right for everyone. I think

> many people would do just fine with dilatation. Some with Botox. If

> somebody wants to try something I doubt will work, it is no skin off of

> my nose. Maybe they will find something. I have no problem voicing my

> doubt though.

>

> > So far mostly I've been

> > told that I'm an idiot for even wanting to try to find an alternative

> >

>

> You didn't hear it in this group.

>

> > and that I had better hurry in as fast as I can to get the myotomy

> > surgery.

>

> There is a logic to it, whether it is correct in your case we don't

> know, but statistically there is a case to be made.

>

> > This is not the kind of support I had in mind. Everyone on

> > here has bought into the surgery and have found it to be the only

> > relief they could get.

>

> Not every one. I did but in my case it took a long time. I went for

> twenty years before even telling my doctor I was having troubles. After

> I was diagnosed and told right away that I should have surgery I waited

> another six years before getting the surgery. In those six years I

tried

> a number of things and studied to make sense of it all. One of the

first

> things I tired was a stupid jumping exercise that someone though would

> work for hiatal hernia which one writer thought achalasia was a type

of.

> I never told anyone about that until now. It was probably a very bad

> idea for someone with achalasia. I even tried fish oil. Though it was

> helping for a while. Maybe it did. Maybe it didn't. My achalasia would

> get better and worse for no reason at all, so it was hard to tell if it

> was working. In time, after doing very well, things were getting bad

and

> I didn't want to find out how bad it would get that time. Over years

> good time were good but bad was getting to be worse and worse. I

decided

> to talk to a surgeon at Mayo. I asked her if she recommended surgery.

> She said her recommendations was that if I wanted it I should have it

> and if I didn't then I shouldn't. We discussed risks of having the

> surgery and the risks of not have the surgery. Then she said to not

> worry about the risks because they were small in comparison to the

> chance of a great improvement. So, all I had to decide was if I

> preferred to live with the achalasia without the surgery or have the

> surgery and be much better. The logic of it was easy to accept. Why

> should I keep struggling and hoping that every little improvement was

> something big, only to be let down, when I had a chance for something

> much better. So, after six years of avoiding it I gave in and over two

> years later I think it was one of the best choices I ever made. You can

> be unhappy for me if you want too. I am happy enough all by my self,

and

> of course I have other here happy too.

>

> > This makes my hopes for an alternative appear

> > to be very gloomy indeed.

> >

>

> What is more important, staying true to some hope of alternatives or

> getting significant relief through surgery or dilatation? It is what

it is.

>

> notan

>

February 2, 2008

Dear Jan, Please let me clear something up. I was the person who used the word "idiot". But if you re-read my reply you will understand that I was referring to myself ("What an idiot"). I have stated a few times to new members that I do not want anyone to make the stupid mistake that I myself made by trying to cope by other means for many years. Because of doing this, I have ended up with an oesophagus in poor shape. Although I am eating very well at the moment I realise that I may have done myself a grave dis-service when it comes to future years. I would NEVER speak unkindly to anyone in this Group. Please re-read the post and please tell me that you misread it the first time. I

feel awful about this. Wishing you the best, from Ann in England. wipperwillow <wipperwillow@...> wrote: I decided to check out this group thinking I would really find support for want to know about alternatives to surgery. So far mostly I've been told that I'm an idiot for even wanting to try to find an alternative and that I had better hurry in as fast as I can to get the myotomy surgery. This

is not the kind of support I had in mind. Everyone on here has bought into the surgery and have found it to be the only relief they could get. This makes my hopes for an alternative appear to be very gloomy indeed.JanMonroe, WA

Sent from - a smarter inbox.

February 2, 2008

Ann

I can agree with you 100% as I have reread your post and can’t

see any problem. I did wonder who had called Jan an idiot as it had not registered

with me and that’s because nobody did.

Just to clear it up your post is below so it’s clear what

was said in case anybody has lost it – wouldn’t want anybody thinking

you went round calling people idiots.

Jan

Please read again the post and you will see that you misread it

which could have been caused by anger that you were looking for something and couldn’t

find it on this group. You will have now read all the replies confirming that

basically there are NO alternatives to what we have all suggested – Botox

– dilation or surgery (not in any specific order). Please also be aware

that when I went in Hospital recently there were two get well cards waiting for

me and one of them was from Ann – I only know Ann through this group and wouldn’t

know her he if she walked up to me in the street. Ann is not the type of person

to call anybody an idiot, in fact nobody would on this group. There may be many

that may disagree with somebody’s point of view but that’s human

nature but they would keep it to themselves. You will only find support on this

group in whatever way you want – if you want to moan then go ahead we are

all listening and will help where we can but please don’t say that people

call you an idiot as that is simply not true.

Andy

Yorkshire, England

“Dear

Jan,

I

have been following your posts and the advice and comments that have already

been made and would like to add my own to them.

I

know EXACTLY where you are coming from, because I had that mindset for many

years. I have had achalasia since 1990 and decided that I would cope with

it myself. I have learned my lesson the hard way, because what I did not

realise was that all the time I thought I was coping, my oesophagus was getting

more and more out of shape. I am not an expert in achalasia either, but

believe me, I became an expert in coping. I knew all the tricks, including

running up and down the stairs like a mad woman, anything to get the food

to move down. I used to go for weeks without regurging and thought that I

had stopped it getting any worse. WHAT AN IDIOT - When I eventually had

the sense to have the myotomy in May 2006 the Surgeon could only describe my

oesophagus as a " mess " .

Don't

make my mistake, learn from it and DO SOMETHING.

From

Ann in England.”