Isabella

[Guest guest]

Hi Isabella, [ I love your name] I know you are a bit nervous right now but I thought I'd let you know that I am jealous. I've been waiting almost 2 years for surgery, due to insurance issues and a few other things. I think I'll be able to have mine in august. I will be watching the board and having lots of good thoughts and prayers for you. Just think, You'll be able to help me thru mine. Lots of good wishes from montana, JeanieLattimore <deborah_Lattimore@...> wrote:

Hey, Isabella, I'll be sending out my best "vibes" and good wishes and I'll be thinking of youDeborah when your surgical date arrives. All Best Wishes, and a speedy recovery, too, Deborah

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[Guest guest]

Dear Jeanie,

Are you facing an -ectomy too now? Sorry, I haven't really kept up with the board lately. I've had to take some steps back and took it easy and skipped many messages, so I am not really up to date.

Jeanie I can so much understand your jealousy, if I were you I would feel exactly the same!!! I have been dealing with my achalasia for way over 15 years now too (I am 34 y. old, married, mother of 2) and had all possible treatments. The hardest path for me has been these last few years. I knew things were heading towards another surgery, but I had to fight so hard to get myself in the hands of a specialised doctor and to find out what the best way for me would be. January 2007 I finally got that second myotomy and it failed. After that I went through a long time of uncertainty: what surgery was I supposed to have (I was offered a new type of surgery in Germany), who was supposed to do it etc. etc. Finally September 6th 2007 I decided together with my surgeons to go for the -ectomy and I was put on the waiting list (infamous Dutch thing, I am from The Netherlands). Finally I was

put on the emergency list a few weeks ago and now I am finally heading towards D-Day.

Two years of waiting is a long time, Jeanie. I know this last year at some times drove me absolutely nuts, but please stay positive and strong and you'll make it too. The waiting is the hardest part and in about half a year you will be able to move on with your life too.

Love,

Isabella

Re: Re: Isabella

Hi Isabella,

[ I love your name] I know you are a bit nervous right now but I thought I'd let you know that I am jealous. I've been waiting almost 2 years for surgery, due to insurance issues and a few other things. I think I'll be able to have mine in august.

I will be watching the board and having lots of good thoughts and prayers for you. Just think, You'll be able to help me thru mine.

Lots of good wishes from montana, JeanieLattimore <deborah_Lattimore> wrote:

Hey, Isabella,

I'll be sending out my best "vibes" and good wishes and I'll be thinking of youDeborah when

your surgical date arrives.

All Best Wishes, and a speedy recovery, too,

Deborah

Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

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[Guest guest]

Astrid

That really is good news and she seems to be doing really well. Please pass on my best regards for continued improvement and we all look forward to hearing from her soon.

Andy

On 31/03/2008, Astrid Bonemeijer <astrid_bonemeijer@...> wrote:

Hi all,Well, as you all know, today was the big day for Isabella. I have just spoken to Romeo and he said the surgery went well. Last week Isabella told me that in the ideal situation, the surgery would last about three hours. It took the surgeon about 4,5 hours. They had to remove the spleen, as there was so much scar tissue. When Isabella had surgery in January last year, they also had to remove a lot of scar tissue (stomach, spleen and liver were connected by the scar tissue then) and the surgeon had already warned her that could have grown back.

The surgeon had also told her that if all would go very well, Isabella would not have to be in intensive care. The fact that she will wake up in the recovery room is therefore good news! And if she continues to do so well, she may even be moved into medium care this evening.

When I spoke to Romeo, he was on his way to see her. He will let me know when he has more news.I am sorry this is such a short message, but I am on holiday in Austria at the moment and typing this on my cell phone. Bad timing as I really would have liked to be closer to Isabella right now. It it beautiful and sunny here, but my thoughts have been with Isabella all day. I know I will not be the only one! Fortunately we are a couple of hours ahead of most of you, so you will get this info early in the day.

As soon as I have more news, I will post another update.Love,Astrid ____________________________________________________________________________________OMG, Sweet deal for users/friends:Get A Month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. W00t

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[Guest guest]

Thank you so much for the info.I am glad things are looking fine and

went well for Isabella.

Hope your having a great time in Austria!

I look foward to an update as soon as you can post one. Do let Romeo

know we are all thinking of her.

Tonia

>

> Hi all,

>

> Well, as you all know, today was the big day for Isabella. I have

just spoken to Romeo and he said the surgery went well. Last week

Isabella told me that in the ideal situation, the surgery would last

about three hours. It took the surgeon about 4,5 hours. They had to

remove the spleen, as there was so much scar tissue. When Isabella

had surgery in January last year, they also had to remove a lot of

scar tissue (stomach, spleen and liver were connected by the scar

tissue then) and the surgeon had already warned her that could have

grown back.

>

> The surgeon had also told her that if all would go very well,

Isabella would not have to be in intensive care. The fact that she

will wake up in the recovery room is therefore good news! And if she

continues to do so well, she may even be moved into medium care this

evening.

>

> When I spoke to Romeo, he was on his way to see her. He will let

me know when he has more news.

>

> I am sorry this is such a short message, but I am on holiday in

Austria at the moment and typing this on my cell phone. Bad timing

as I really would have liked to be closer to Isabella right now. It

it beautiful and sunny here, but my thoughts have been with Isabella

all day. I know I will not be the only one! Fortunately we are a

couple of hours ahead of most of you, so you will get this info

early in the day.

>

> As soon as I have more news, I will post another update.

>

> Love,

> Astrid

>

>

>

_____________________________________________________________________

_______________

> OMG, Sweet deal for users/friends:Get A Month of

Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. W00t

> http://tc.deals./tc/blockbuster/text2.com

>

[Guest guest]

Isabella,

So good to have you back!!

How are you doing with everything?

I'm sure you are so glad to be home.

Please take it easy, and don't overdo it. I know that's hard with the boys

around - I went through the same thing.

Love,

in NY

---- Isabella Arnold <arnoldisabella@...> wrote:

> Dear July,

>

> Sorry to hear that what you already feared came true.

>

> Don't get yourself too upset, there's an answer to each problem, even when the

answer is -ectomy. Just make sure you get the best person to treat you and give

you your second opinion.

>

> Love,

> Isabella

>

>

>

> I got my test results

>

> Well I got my test results today!!! UGH good gravy…it showed chronic and

acute inflammation (esophagitis) and I also have Barrett’s. Which I’ve read

is usually diagnosed at about 60 (I’m 37) and is usually more prevalent in men

then women..Umm not a man either…so now I’m wondering what this all means

for me. I’m thinking of calling Dr. Achkar at CCF and ask his opinion. Any

other suggestions? ?? I’m truly contemplating an ectomy, I’m just tired of

dealing with it all!!!

>

>

>

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

> Be a better friend, newshound, and

> know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Going in for your third dilatation already? How well are you eating right now, since you have to wait until June 15th? Can you manage? Are you on J-tube too?

I know once you need dilatation after an -ectomy it usually are about 3 to 5 dilatations you need. Dutch needed 4 and had them all within the first year after his -ectomy. He's now 6 years further and is doing fine and doesn't need any treatment at all anymore.

That's what's our future is too, eh?!

I recognise what you say about them not getting you under... The last Botox I got, I could feel them inject the stuff into my esophagus. I've been under for gastroscopies, dilatations and Botox so often, that the standard stuff doesn't work anymore. They have written this down in my file and Thursday I was promised to get some other stuff to put me down...

Love,

Isabella

Isabella

Hey I - I'm going on my 3rd dilation now and each one has gotten easier, lasted longer and worked better. I'm hoping this will be my last for awhile. The surgeon told me how important it is to have them done early in the recovery process so that the 'new e' can heal in the correct shape, kind of like they are molding it to the correct diameter. You'll feel better immediately - although maybe a little sore because they do 'scrape' some of the scar tissue. I stuck to VERY soft foods for about 2 days and then I was back to being better.Kristy asked about my last one...unfortunatly, I just need to have them schedule with an anesthesiologist every time. The doc couldn't get me under enough to stop fighting them. He told that he gave me more drugs than everyone else combined that day and I was still struggling!! Even though I'm down to about 115 lbs. I still have tremendous tolerance

apparently. So I'm scheduled for my next (hopefully last) on June 15th. I'm eating well just not swallowing pills.Hey , and the others - when did you weight stabilize? I'm down to 115 lbs. which is OK for being 5'3" but I don't want to lose anymore, I'm looking kind of scrawny now. The loss has slowed but unfortunately has not stopped yet. The boost and ensure give me nasty gas and dumping so I've been eating ice cream every day (lol). Did you get to the point where you stayed the same weight?Keep us posted Isabella and good luck with your dilation!- in NC

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[Guest guest]

Hey Isabella - I'm still eating pretty well. I just chew very well

and swallow small bites. I pulled my J-tube months ago, after my 2nd

dilation went so well. the sutures around it had started to get red

and sore and I didn't want to deal with an infection, besides, I had

started eating much better so I was confident.

I am confident that this one should carry me for quite a while

longer. Each one gets better and lasts longer so I don't necessarily

think it will be the last but I don't expect another for awhile.

June 15th is actually a perfect date because we are leaving for a

week long cruise starting July 6th so I should be able to eat and

drink very well and be fully recovered from my dilation.

The last cruise we went on, I spent a good part of one of the days

laying on a lounge chair on the beach having spasms so I'm looking

forward to no unpleasant interruptions this time!!

Glad to hear you're doing so well. I'll be curious to see how we all

do in the long term based on our different types of surgeries. It's

also interesting to note that I was told very specifically NOT to

push myself and to plan on 6 meals a day for the rest of my life

(really not a big deal for me) so that I didn't overly stretch my

upper GI system out. You were told the opposite. Interesting.

We'll have to keep in touch for the next, oh, 20-30 years and see

what works in the long run. There we are - being the pioneers again

(lol). All future esophageal cancer patients will owe us a debt of

gratitude for paving the way for the doctors to understand the long

term effects of esopohagectomies!!

Apparently I'm feeling very full of myself today.

Gotta go run some errands.

Love ya!

- in NC

achalasia free since Jan. 11th

>

> Hi ,

> Going in for your third dilatation already? How well are you eating

right now, since you have to wait until June 15th? Can you manage?

Are you on J-tube too?

> I know once you need dilatation after an -ectomy it usually are

about 3 to 5 dilatations you need. Dutch needed 4 and had them

all within the first year after his -ectomy. He's now 6 years further

and is doing fine and doesn't need any treatment at all anymore.

> That's what's our future is too, eh?!

> I recognise what you say about them not getting you under... The

last Botox I got, I could feel them inject the stuff into my

esophagus. I've been under for gastroscopies, dilatations and Botox

so often, that the standard stuff doesn't work anymore. They have

written this down in my file and Thursday I was promised to get some

other stuff to put me down...

> Love,

> Isabella

>

>

>

> Isabella

>

>

> Hey I - I'm going on my 3rd dilation now and each one has gotten

> easier, lasted longer and worked better. I'm hoping this will be my

> last for awhile. The surgeon told me how important it is to have

them

> done early in the recovery process so that the 'new e' can heal in

> the correct shape, kind of like they are molding it to the correct

> diameter.

> You'll feel better immediately - although maybe a little sore

because

> they do 'scrape' some of the scar tissue. I stuck to VERY soft

foods

> for about 2 days and then I was back to being better.

>

> Kristy asked about my last one...unfortunatly, I just need to have

> them schedule with an anesthesiologist every time. The doc couldn't

> get me under enough to stop fighting them. He told that he

gave

> me more drugs than everyone else combined that day and I was still

> struggling!! Even though I'm down to about 115 lbs. I still have

> tremendous tolerance apparently. So I'm scheduled for my next

> (hopefully last) on June 15th. I'm eating well just not swallowing

> pills.

>

> Hey , and the others - when did you weight stabilize?

I'm

> down to 115 lbs. which is OK for being 5'3 " but I don't want to

lose

> anymore, I'm looking kind of scrawny now. The loss has slowed but

> unfortunately has not stopped yet. The boost and ensure give me

nasty

> gas and dumping so I've been eating ice cream every day (lol). Did

> you get to the point where you stayed the same weight?

>

> Keep us posted Isabella and good luck with your dilation!

>

> - in NC

>

>

>

>

>

______________________________________________________________________

______________

> Be a better friend, newshound, and

> know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now.

http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ

>

[Guest guest]

Hey Isabella - no, I haven't been going to Pittsburgh. I'm going to

someone more local now for follow up dilations. I figure I'll go to

Pittsburgh about yearly or so to follow up with Dr. Luketich but

otherwise try to stay closer to home. The reason it's taking so long

is because I need to have anesthesia because it's so hard to knock me

out and then the scheduling nurse has to coordinate openings with the

GI doc and the anesthesiologist. In order to speed the process, I'm

going to schedule my next scope with possible dilation right after my

next visit (in less than 2 weeks for a dilation) and have the

appointment waiting for me instead of waiting until my swallowing

gets tough again and THEN trying to get in quickly (does that make

sense?)

Otherwise I am doing really well. I've stopped losing weight, I'm

eating pretty much everything - just smaller portions - not a bad

thing as we americans tend to overeat EVERYTHING. I'm not constantly

hungry anymore although I do snack alot. It's funny because now that

I've been unemployed and staying home, I think about food all day

long. While I'm eating my breakfast, I'm already planning my mid-

morning snack. I feel good, I think I look healthier and my energy is

good. I'm looking forward to my next dilation and then about 3 weeks

later I'm going on a week-long cruise to the Virgin Islands!! WOO HOO

Eat what I want, wine with dinner every night, frozen drinks at the

pool all day and NO SPASMS!! This is going to be the best vacation

ever.

When are you going on your holiday? Don't you have something planned

soon? Glad to hear you're able to limit the tube feedings to just

night time.Pretty soon you'll get that j-tube out and have some real

freedom.

Take care,

- in NC

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Pfew, I was already wondering how you would manage to go over to Pittsburgh that often!

So your body is as stubborn as mine, not getting knocked out! I was told that because of the many gastroscopies (incl. dilatations, botoxes etc.) I had in the past I got somewhat immune to the normal stuff to knock one out. So indeed it now takes anesthesia for me as well with every gastroscopy. Yet, my gastro-enterologists decides when I need to be scheduled for the next dilatation. When the secretary mentioned last week that the preferred date wasn't free anymore (only Wednesdays, as that's the only day they do it with anesthesia in my hospital) my doctor was very firm and said: "No problem, we're going to work late that day, we need to have it done that day and no other"...

You are very right to have your next scopy with eventual dilatation scheduled right after your upcoming!

At the moment I am doing really good, better with each day that passes! The dilatations really do me a world of good. Hopefully I will manage to be completely off the tube before our summer holidays. We leave for our summer holidays in Italy (near Venice at the Adriatic coast) 28 July next. I am so much looking forward to these holidays! Yummie pizza's and yummie wine (I have even drank some wine earlier this week, no problems at all doing so!).

First of all good luck with your upcoming dilatation and than... you enjoy your cruise, eh?! It's so well deserved!!!

Lots of love,

Isabella

Isabella

Hey Isabella - no, I haven't been going to Pittsburgh. I'm going to someone more local now for follow up dilations. I figure I'll go to Pittsburgh about yearly or so to follow up with Dr. Luketich but otherwise try to stay closer to home. The reason it's taking so long is because I need to have anesthesia because it's so hard to knock me out and then the scheduling nurse has to coordinate openings with the GI doc and the anesthesiologist. In order to speed the process, I'm going to schedule my next scope with possible dilation right after my next visit (in less than 2 weeks for a dilation) and have the appointment waiting for me instead of waiting until my swallowing gets tough again and THEN trying to get in quickly (does that make sense?)Otherwise I am doing really well. I've stopped losing weight, I'm eating pretty much everything - just smaller portions - not a bad thing as we americans tend

to overeat EVERYTHING. I'm not constantly hungry anymore although I do snack alot. It's funny because now that I've been unemployed and staying home, I think about food all day long. While I'm eating my breakfast, I'm already planning my mid-morning snack. I feel good, I think I look healthier and my energy is good. I'm looking forward to my next dilation and then about 3 weeks later I'm going on a week-long cruise to the Virgin Islands!! WOO HOOEat what I want, wine with dinner every night, frozen drinks at the pool all day and NO SPASMS!! This is going to be the best vacation ever.When are you going on your holiday? Don't you have something planned soon? Glad to hear you're able to limit the tube feedings to just night time.Pretty soon you'll get that j-tube out and have some real freedom.Take care,- in NC

[Guest guest]

>

> Sorry to hear that you were having problems still on your vacation.

> If it's any consolation to you, I just had my 5th or 6th post-

ectomy

> dilation yesterday and they are getting better each time. I had

been

> going monthly but now he wants to see me in 6 weeks. I do think

that

> what you are going through is a normal complication - not that it

> helps when your not eating well. Glad you kept your feeding tube, I

> pulled mine and I'm still losing weight - about a pound a month

now.

> I'm down to 112lbs which is less than I'd like. I'd like to get to

> about 116-120 and stay there so I'm trying milk shakes every day to

> pack on some calories. Otherwise, I feel better with every passing

> month.

> What I have recently discovered - maybe this will help you - is

that

> if I drink 1 glass of wine with my dinner, I seem to be able to eat

> more in a sitting. I swallow better but also I can get more down.

> Especially with your anxiety right now, maybe that will help?

> Have you asked your doctor for a mild anti-depressant? I had been

> taking amitryptaline before my surgery for my spasms and stopped

> immediately post op but started again after about 6 weeks because I

> was having alot of issues. Within a few weeks, I did feel much

better

> and ate much better too. I take the lowest dose possible (10 mg)

and

> thankfully have no side effects. Actually, one of the side effects

is

> weight gain - it stimulates appetite so I think that's helped me

also.

> Don't know if any of this will help but I am thinking of you and

> praying for you.

> Hugs from your -ectomy sister!!

>

> - in NC

Hi

What is a " -ectomy " , I could not find a description I could

understand? Not sure just what you have had done.

What size of the dialation do you get in mm? My first two were 16mm

but a full dialation is about 30 mm. According to Mayo Clinic you may

get some tearing. Have you had an tearing since you have had 6

dialations.

I am trying to understand all the problems as I may need a full

dialation in the future.

Ray

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Ray,

refers to her esophagectomy in this post. There are several posts and

on-line info! I had mine last October.

achalasia@...: ray_me_99@...: Sat, 16 Aug 2008

17:52:01 +0000Subject: Re: Isabella

>> Sorry

to hear that you were having problems still on your vacation. > If it's any

consolation to you, I just had my 5th or 6th post-ectomy > dilation yesterday

and they are getting better each time. I had been > going monthly but now he

wants to see me in 6 weeks. I do think that > what you are going through is a

normal complication - not that it > helps when your not eating well. Glad you

kept your feeding tube, I > pulled mine and I'm still losing weight - about a

pound a month now. > I'm down to 112lbs which is less than I'd like. I'd like to

get to > about 116-120 and stay there so I'm trying milk shakes every day to >

pack on some calories. Otherwise, I feel better with every passing > month.>

What I have recently discovered - maybe this will help you - is that > if I

drink 1 glass of wine with my dinner, I seem to be able to eat > more in a

sitting. I swallow better but also I can get more down. > Especially with your

anxiety right now, maybe that will help? > Have you asked your doctor for a mild

anti-depressant? I had been > taking amitryptaline before my surgery for my

spasms and stopped > immediately post op but started again after about 6 weeks

because I > was having alot of issues. Within a few weeks, I did feel much

better > and ate much better too. I take the lowest dose possible (10 mg) and >

thankfully have no side effects. Actually, one of the side effects is > weight

gain - it stimulates appetite so I think that's helped me also.> Don't know if

any of this will help but I am thinking of you and > praying for you.> Hugs from

your -ectomy sister!!> > - in NCHi What is a " -ectomy " , I could

not find a description I could understand? Not sure just what you have had

done.What size of the dialation do you get in mm? My first two were 16mm but a

full dialation is about 30 mm. According to Mayo Clinic you may get some

tearing. Have you had an tearing since you have had 6 dialations.I am trying to

understand all the problems as I may need a full dialation in the future.Ray>

_________________________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Dear Ray,

'Ectomy is REMOVAL of the whole or much of the esophagus. It is not

a myotomy at all. Myotomy is when the surgeons cut the muscles to

relieve the pressure at the sphincter that joins the esophagus to the

stomach, where our problem is.

Each removal or 'ectomy (esophagectomy is the complete word) patient

is very different and has unique problems. Usually the removal isn't

done until ALL other attempts have been made. Those attempts may

include several myotomies, dialations, even botox. It is the last

resort for treating achalasia. By the time the 'ectomy is determined

to be the best option, many other complications may have arisen,

making each patient and their recovery very unique.

In general, most doctors and most of the members in this group feel

doing all you can BEFORE your esophagus needs to be removed is MUCH

better than letting things go until you face the possibility of

removal.

Most patients that have removal have been LONG time sufferers of

achalasia, many 10's of years, usually. Often misdiagnosed for many

years or untreated for many years for a variety of reasons. As you

may read here, an 'ectomy is difficult. Any of the other procedures

are a piece of cake compared to removing the esophagus. That is why

most of us strongly advocate aggressive treatment ASAP at the

absolute best facility and EXPERIENCED doctors for achalasia you can

find. Usually just doing the minimum and hoping achalasia goes away

is generally felt to increase the odds that an 'ectomy may be in the

patient's future. By then we are older, have other complications and

be a higher risk for surgery.

> >

> > Sorry to hear that you were having problems still on your

vacation.

> > If it's any consolation to you, I just had my 5th or 6th post-

> ectomy

> > dilation yesterday and they are getting better each time. I had

> been

> > going monthly but now he wants to see me in 6 weeks. I do think

> that

> > what you are going through is a normal complication - not that it

> > helps when your not eating well. Glad you kept your feeding tube,

I

> > pulled mine and I'm still losing weight - about a pound a month

> now.

> > I'm down to 112lbs which is less than I'd like. I'd like to get

to

> > about 116-120 and stay there so I'm trying milk shakes every day

to

> > pack on some calories. Otherwise, I feel better with every

passing

> > month.

> > What I have recently discovered - maybe this will help you - is

> that

> > if I drink 1 glass of wine with my dinner, I seem to be able to

eat

> > more in a sitting. I swallow better but also I can get more down.

> > Especially with your anxiety right now, maybe that will help?

> > Have you asked your doctor for a mild anti-depressant? I had been

> > taking amitryptaline before my surgery for my spasms and stopped

> > immediately post op but started again after about 6 weeks because

I

> > was having alot of issues. Within a few weeks, I did feel much

> better

> > and ate much better too. I take the lowest dose possible (10 mg)

> and

> > thankfully have no side effects. Actually, one of the side

effects

> is

> > weight gain - it stimulates appetite so I think that's helped me

> also.

> > Don't know if any of this will help but I am thinking of you and

> > praying for you.

> > Hugs from your -ectomy sister!!

> >

> > - in NC

>

> Hi

> What is a " -ectomy " , I could not find a description I could

> understand? Not sure just what you have had done.

>

> What size of the dialation do you get in mm? My first two were 16mm

> but a full dialation is about 30 mm. According to Mayo Clinic you

may

> get some tearing. Have you had an tearing since you have had 6

> dialations.

>

> I am trying to understand all the problems as I may need a full

> dialation in the future.

>

> Ray

>

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Ray,

-Ectomy is short for esophagectomy. I had mine March 31st this year. They

removed my esophagus and half my stomach. The other half of my stomach was

pulled up into the neck, formed into a tube as to function as esophagus (without

peristaltic that is of course). There are several ways to have an -ectomy done,

mine is called a transhiatal esophagectomy with gastric pull-up.

After this -ectomy you can develop scar tissue at the adhesion of the stomach to

the tiny little bit of esophagus that's left in the neck area. One can need many

dilatations to fix this, but these dilatations differ a lot from the ones we got

for the original achalasia. In my case they use the most safe method: Savary

dilatation (using bougies instead of a balloon). They cannot go further than 19

mm but as I said before, it's not dilatation for achalasia anymore, it's

dilatation for scar tissue.

Hopefully I made things a bit clearer for you.

Isabella

Re: Isabella

>

> Sorry to hear that you were having problems still on your vacation.

> If it's any consolation to you, I just had my 5th or 6th post-

ectomy

> dilation yesterday and they are getting better each time. I had

been

> going monthly but now he wants to see me in 6 weeks. I do think

that

> what you are going through is a normal complication - not that it

> helps when your not eating well. Glad you kept your feeding tube, I

> pulled mine and I'm still losing weight - about a pound a month

now.

> I'm down to 112lbs which is less than I'd like. I'd like to get to

> about 116-120 and stay there so I'm trying milk shakes every day to

> pack on some calories. Otherwise, I feel better with every passing

> month.

> What I have recently discovered - maybe this will help you - is

that

> if I drink 1 glass of wine with my dinner, I seem to be able to eat

> more in a sitting. I swallow better but also I can get more down.

> Especially with your anxiety right now, maybe that will help?

> Have you asked your doctor for a mild anti-depressant? I had been

> taking amitryptaline before my surgery for my spasms and stopped

> immediately post op but started again after about 6 weeks because I

> was having alot of issues. Within a few weeks, I did feel much

better

> and ate much better too. I take the lowest dose possible (10 mg)

and

> thankfully have no side effects. Actually, one of the side effects

is

> weight gain - it stimulates appetite so I think that's helped me

also.

> Don't know if any of this will help but I am thinking of you and

> praying for you.

> Hugs from your -ectomy sister!!

>

> - in NC

Hi

What is a " -ectomy " , I could not find a description I could

understand? Not sure just what you have had done.

What size of the dialation do you get in mm? My first two were 16mm

but a full dialation is about 30 mm. According to Mayo Clinic you may

get some tearing. Have you had an tearing since you have had 6

dialations.

I am trying to understand all the problems as I may need a full

dialation in the future.

Ray

>

[Guest guest]

Esophagectomy (surgical removal of the esophagus) is typically ONLY

recommended as a treatment for high-grade dysplasia or cancer in

Barrett's esophagus. ...

What causes this? Is Achalasia part of it?

Still do not understand " -ectomy " what this is?

Ray

>> Sorry to hear that you were having problems still on your

vacation. > If it's any consolation to you, I just had my 5th or 6th

post-ectomy > dilation yesterday and they are getting better each

time. I had been > going monthly but now he wants to see me in 6

weeks. I do think that > what you are going through is a normal

complication - not that it > helps when your not eating well. Glad

you kept your feeding tube, I > pulled mine and I'm still losing

weight - about a pound a month now. > I'm down to 112lbs which is

less than I'd like. I'd like to get to > about 116-120 and stay there

so I'm trying milk shakes every day to > pack on some calories.

Otherwise, I feel better with every passing > month.> What I have

recently discovered - maybe this will help you - is that > if I drink

1 glass of wine with my dinner, I seem to be able to eat > more in a

sitting. I swallow better but also I can get more down. > Especially

with your anxiety right now, maybe that will help? > Have you asked

your doctor for a mild anti-depressant? I had been > taking

amitryptaline before my surgery for my spasms and stopped >

immediately post op but started again after about 6 weeks because I >

was having alot of issues. Within a few weeks, I did feel much better

> and ate much better too. I take the lowest dose possible (10 mg)

and > thankfully have no side effects. Actually, one of the side

effects is > weight gain - it stimulates appetite so I think that's

helped me also.> Don't know if any of this will help but I am

thinking of you and > praying for you.> Hugs from your -ectomy

sister!!> > - in NCHi What is a " -ectomy " , I could

not find a description I could understand? Not sure just what you

have had done.What size of the dialation do you get in mm? My first

two were 16mm but a full dialation is about 30 mm. According to Mayo

Clinic you may get some tearing. Have you had an tearing since you

have had 6 dialations.I am trying to understand all the problems as I

may need a full dialation in the future.Ray>

>

>

>

>

>

> _________________________________________________________________

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks to everbody, now I understand. What a terrible disease we all

have! At the moment a can of Coke before and with each meal solves my

problem, but having a hard time gaining weight.

Ray

> >

> > Sorry to hear that you were having problems still on your

vacation.

> > If it's any consolation to you, I just had my 5th or 6th post-

> ectomy

> > dilation yesterday and they are getting better each time. I had

> been

> > going monthly but now he wants to see me in 6 weeks. I do think

> that

> > what you are going through is a normal complication - not that it

> > helps when your not eating well. Glad you kept your feeding tube,

I

> > pulled mine and I'm still losing weight - about a pound a month

> now.

> > I'm down to 112lbs which is less than I'd like. I'd like to get

to

> > about 116-120 and stay there so I'm trying milk shakes every day

to

> > pack on some calories. Otherwise, I feel better with every

passing

> > month.

> > What I have recently discovered - maybe this will help you - is

> that

> > if I drink 1 glass of wine with my dinner, I seem to be able to

eat

> > more in a sitting. I swallow better but also I can get more down.

> > Especially with your anxiety right now, maybe that will help?

> > Have you asked your doctor for a mild anti-depressant? I had been

> > taking amitryptaline before my surgery for my spasms and stopped

> > immediately post op but started again after about 6 weeks because

I

> > was having alot of issues. Within a few weeks, I did feel much

> better

> > and ate much better too. I take the lowest dose possible (10 mg)

> and

> > thankfully have no side effects. Actually, one of the side

effects

> is

> > weight gain - it stimulates appetite so I think that's helped me

> also.

> > Don't know if any of this will help but I am thinking of you and

> > praying for you.

> > Hugs from your -ectomy sister!!

> >

> > - in NC

>

> Hi

> What is a " -ectomy " , I could not find a description I could

> understand? Not sure just what you have had done.

>

> What size of the dialation do you get in mm? My first two were 16mm

> but a full dialation is about 30 mm. According to Mayo Clinic you

may

> get some tearing. Have you had an tearing since you have had 6

> dialations.

>

> I am trying to understand all the problems as I may need a full

> dialation in the future.

>

> Ray

>

> >

>

>

>

>

>

>

>