Re: The Ongoing Polls

[Guest guest]

Dear ,

It is kind of a simple answer for me... burned out trying to figure out why. When first diagnosis most everyone goes through that stage. Blaming, questioning, what iffing, all that. Nothing is apparent, we ask our doctors at our first appointments and they don't know. Maybe it is similar to the stages of grief, funny you mention zen-like. We accept it, without figuring out the cause, and move to treatment and living with it.

I'm tired of my own posts and for many older members, we have seen the same questions asked and it seems to be a stage everyone goes through so many of us don't respond to questions about cause. Not ignoring or disrespect, but just let the newer members work through it. It really seems to be a stage. Although there isn't an incredible amount of research on achalasia, there is a lot of research on GERD and other gastric disorders. There are no indications there is anything any of us could have done to prevent it. Perhaps we hope that research will help as a byproduct of other issues being researched.

We just learn to live with it, achalasia becomes a part of us and we adapt, doesn't matter how it happened. Life goes on and other issues come into play and if we have ongoing achalasia problems we treat them, the same as if arthritis, or heart conditions or even cancer. In the scheme of things achalasia isn't life threatening usually.

Sandy>> Hi to everyone> > I've been checking in to this amazing group since my partner () > was diagnosed with A last year. His onset was sudden and I still > don't understand why he had no symptoms until he was in the later > stages of Achalasia. When he went into hospital he had lost 7stones > in weight. He had a lap heller myotomy in October and is absolutely > great now.> > The point I want to make is: I've only just realised that there are > ongoing surveys on this site, about possible pre-disposing factors > etc.> It seems to me that the sort of questions asked here may make a > contribution to any new research being done into A. I noticed that > respondents are few, considering how many people log in.> > The support here is absolutely phenomenal, kind, loving and selfless. > Seems almost Buddhist. I would never mean to knock it.> > I know ( and have experience) that new members> (and old) primarily need support and practical advice. That is > absolutely paramount and I think, the reason for being here. But > surely, we are also looking for possible causal factors? Any > suggestions?> > >

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> ... we are also looking for possible causal factors? ...

I agree with Sandy, looking for the cause is part of the process for

many of us, and I think those that feel a need should look into it. In

the end it is likely that they will just learn to accept that they don't

know.

One thing to remember about achalasia is that it is rare but most of the

causes that people look at are not. Say you look at mouth wash, though I

don't see a reason to. Even if we find most of us have used it at some

time there are millions of people who also use it and don't get

achalasia. Even if it turned out that there was a connection to mouth

wash it would be hard to see. If we had all drank out of the same bottle

that would be something. Consider Jack in the Box hamburgers. They had

sold billions of hamburgers before anyone died from eating one. It

wasn't that hamburgers were bad it was that contaminated hamburgers were

bad. So in a mouth wash poll you would maybe need to find out if anyone

used contaminated mouth wash, but who is going to know that.

Just remember there is no reason to believe it was anyone's fault or

that anyone could have done something to prevent it. Until proven

otherwise I am just going to consider it our lot in life.

notan

[Guest guest]

I have a totally wild guess at what could have caused my A problems. My problems started the day after putting insulation in my attic. I think something about cellulose insulation caused either a virus to enter my body or it caused enough inflammation to cause an autoimmune response. The day after I could not even swallow chicken broth. It just got worse from there. I'm wondering if insulation folks have a higher rate of A.

Thanks to Notan for all the great info...always insightful and helpfull. Another person who is a blessing to this world.

Peace,

JQ

Re: The Ongoing Polls

wrote:> ... we are also looking for possible causal factors? ...I agree with Sandy, looking for the cause is part of the process for many of us, and I think those that feel a need should look into it. In the end it is likely that they will just learn to accept that they don't know.One thing to remember about achalasia is that it is rare but most of the causes that people look at are not. Say you look at mouth wash, though I don't see a reason to. Even if we find most of us have used it at some time there are millions of people who also use it and don't get achalasia. Even if it turned out that there was a connection to mouth wash it would be hard to see. If we had all drank out of the same bottle that would be something. Consider Jack in the Box hamburgers. They had sold billions of hamburgers before anyone died from eating one. It wasn't that hamburgers were bad it was that

contaminated hamburgers were bad. So in a mouth wash poll you would maybe need to find out if anyone used contaminated mouth wash, but who is going to know that.Just remember there is no reason to believe it was anyone's fault or that anyone could have done something to prevent it. Until proven otherwise I am just going to consider it our lot in life.notan