Guest guest Posted September 24, 2008 Report Share Posted September 24, 2008 Hi- I am a new member too, as of yesterday, and was going thru the messages and came across yours. Had the heller myo 4 wks. ago and can swallow much better. If you read the other messages my problem has been with continued " burping. " I am writing you however to let you know I bought a hand held blender-mixer and can blend soups, brocolli soup, potatoe soup -anything that can be blended can be had. Try ice cream smoothies, and I have even blended a chicken breast with chicken soup to give it enough to blend - not too bad - a little like baby food, but it can work and give you energy. The best hand held blender I found is Hamilton Beach & it has the heavy-duty blender and also one for shakes. Also, I use Ensure. It is not too bad at all - lots of flavors. My only problem is that one is not enough -lol! Hope this helps and lots of good luck with your myo. Ruthlee > > Hi, > > I'm a new member here. I've been really struggling with Achalasia for > a few months now, and just this week my doctor scheduled a Heller > Myotomy surgery for October. > > My questions to everybody here are: > How many people had the procedure done? What is the success rate? I > was told the procedure doesn't work for everybody... > > Some background information: I'm a 29 year-old male, that other than > Achalasia has been pretty healthy throughout my life. The symptoms > started about a year ago, but have gotten terribly worse in the last > couple of months. I can't really eat most things, so my doctor told me > that surgery is the only viable option. I live in Seattle and my > surgery is supposed to take place at Harborview Medical Center. I > never had any kind of surgery, so I'm really anxious about it, I'm > also really worried about the diet of liquids and mushy foods I'm > supposed to keep for about three months after surgery (sounds horrendous). > > Any suggestions, advice, personal experiences, etc. will be greatly > appreciated. > > Thanks. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2008 Report Share Posted September 25, 2008 You may want to try appealing again, sometimes it is the wording of the Doctors letter. I have actually called my Insurance co. and asked why it was rejected and what wording was needed. and they told me. That was just for continueing Speech Therapy for my son when we moved, not a surgery. But when I saw the note the doctor wrote, she did not even try. I actually re-wrote the note and had the doctor sign it. She was still convienced the insurance would not approve Speech( because the same Insurance denied her son). DUMB!! Yes we got the Speech, with my letter. I guess since her son wasn't getting Speech, she gave up on anyone else getting it. Anyway, I do understand Insurance, I had debated on taking my daughter to Mass General in , Boston, Ma just because I heard great things about it from family.( not network) Either way you should find relief that your surgeon has done a couple Heller's. Like I said before, our choice was between Pediatric surgeons who only did 10 Hellers in thier whole career, that's way too low. Luckily CCF was in our network. Good luck with everything, the Insurance advice is only if you feel you really want to go to CCF. I didn't want you to give up too soon if you can tough out a few months delay on surgery. we really liked our experience at CCF. Maybe , someone is familiar with your Doctor and can calm your nerves a bit. Sending you some good Karma Dana Mills in VA From: Eloisa Herberger <e.herberger@...> Subject: Re: Re: Heller Myotomy... achalasia Date: Monday, September 22, 2008, 9:14 AM Hi, Lou! I'm a fairly new member, too, and your story is somewhat similar to mine. I was just diagnosed in August. The swallowing problems began about a year ago but not until the past few months, past couple actually, that the condition has really worsened. I'm a 46 year old female in Ft. Wayne, IN with a wonderful husband of 22 years with 3 wonderful sons....ages 19, 16, and 15. I've been healthy all my life......eat healthy, exercise regularly, etc. I've never had any major surgery. I'm small framed, 5'1 " and currently weigh 103 lbs. I've not really lost weight yet with this disease but I am worried about the clear liquid diet prior to surgery and then the diet post surgery. Do most people lose weight during this time??? This group has been a tremendous help to me!!! Thank you all! Just an update on my situation... ..I tried to appeal with my insurance to go to the Cleveland Clinic (my first choice) and it was denied as they feel that the Univ of MI have capable surgeons as well. The Univ of MI is a top notch med center, too, and I do feel comfortable with Dr. Pickens.. He's not done as many as Dr.Rice but he and his partner have done 60 Hellers in the past 3 years, of which he said he's performed more than his partner. The day I saw him last week, he said he had done 3 the prior year. So I am praying that I will be in capable hands. My surgery is scheduled for Oct. 7th. Good luck to you, Lou, and to others who are still suffering from the disease, will be going through treatments, etc. I will be praying for all of you! Eloisa Heller Myotomy...> To: achalasia@grou ps.com> Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 7:23 PM> > > > > > > Hi,> > I'm a new member here. I've been really struggling with Achalasia for> a few months now, and just this week my doctor scheduled a Heller> Myotomy surgery for October. > > My questions to everybody here are: > How many people had the procedure done? What is the success rate? I> was told the procedure doesn't work for everybody... > > Some background information: I'm a 29 year-old male, that other than> Achalasia has been pretty healthy throughout my life. The symptoms> started about a year ago, but have gotten terribly worse in the last> couple of months. I can't really eat most things, so my doctor told me> that surgery is the only viable option. I live in Seattle and my> surgery is supposed to take place at Harborview Medical Center. I> never had any kind of surgery, so I'm really anxious about it, I'm> also really worried about the diet of liquids and mushy foods I'm> supposed to keep for about three months after surgery (soundshorrendous) .> > Any suggestions, advice, personal experiences, etc. will be greatly> appreciated. > > Thanks.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2008 Report Share Posted September 25, 2008 thanks, dana, for your note! after meeting the U of MI surgeon, i actually was a really torn. he seemed very nice, knowledgeable, etc. he's in his early 40s and dr. rice has actually heard of him (and it's because this surgeon is being recruited by Emory Univ in Georgia to head up a dept there.....). i've decided to proceed w/ the surgery at the univ of MI and pray that i've made the right decision. Heller Myotomy....> To: achalasia@grou ps.com> Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 7:23 PM> > > > > > > Hi,> > I'm a new member here. I've been really struggling with Achalasia for> a few months now, and just this week my doctor scheduled a Heller> Myotomy surgery for October. > > My questions to everybody here are: > How many people had the procedure done? What is the success rate? I> was told the procedure doesn't work for everybody... > > Some background information: I'm a 29 year-old male, that other than> Achalasia has been pretty healthy throughout my life. The symptoms> started about a year ago, but have gotten terribly worse in the last> couple of months. I can't really eat most things, so my doctor told me> that surgery is the only viable option. I live in Seattle and my> surgery is supposed to take place at Harborview Medical Center. I> never had any kind of surgery, so I'm really anxious about it, I'm> also really worried about the diet of liquids and mushy foods I'm> supposed to keep for about three months after surgery (soundshorrendous) .> > Any suggestions, advice, personal experiences, etc. will be greatly> appreciated. > > Thanks.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2008 Report Share Posted September 25, 2008 always helps to feel go about your surgeon I'm glad for you. tips for hospital: bring a pillow for the travel home ( helps on bumps or coughs)( under seatbelt, too) tote a water bottle around for 3-4 days after ( helps with coughs) eat small meals, easy to overeat, then it hurts be patient at about day 5 you should be feeling a great deal better regular meds may need pill crusher??? ask at hospital after surgery in the hospital meds are given by IV, at home you take regular meds. doctor's note for work and/or restrictions on lifting or activity level ( about 2 weeks) some need longer than ask for a note again good luck _Dana Mills in VA From: Eloisa Herberger <e.herberger> Subject: Re: Re: Heller Myotomy... achalasia@grou ps.com Date: Monday, September 22, 2008, 9:14 AM Hi, Lou! I'm a fairly new member, too, and your story is somewhat similar to mine. I was just diagnosed in August. The swallowing problems began about a year ago but not until the past few months, past couple actually, that the condition has really worsened. I'm a 46 year old female in Ft. Wayne, IN with a wonderful husband of 22 years with 3 wonderful sons....ages 19, 16, and 15. I've been healthy all my life......eat healthy, exercise regularly, etc. I've never had any major surgery. I'm small framed, 5'1 " and currently weigh 103 lbs. I've not really lost weight yet with this disease but I am worried about the clear liquid diet prior to surgery and then the diet post surgery. Do most people lose weight during this time??? This group has been a tremendous help to me!!! Thank you all! Just an update on my situation... . ..I tried to appeal with my insurance to go to the Cleveland Clinic (my first choice) and it was denied as they feel that the Univ of MI have capable surgeons as well. The Univ of MI is a top notch med center, too, and I do feel comfortable with Dr. Pickens.. He's not done as many as Dr.Rice but he and his partner have done 60 Hellers in the past 3 years, of which he said he's performed more than his partner. The day I saw him last week, he said he had done 3 the prior year. So I am praying that I will be in capable hands. My surgery is scheduled for Oct. 7th. Good luck to you, Lou, and to others who are still suffering from the disease, will be going through treatments, etc. I will be praying for all of you! Eloisa Heller Myotomy....> To: achalasia@grou ps.com> Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 7:23 PM> > > > > > > Hi,> > I'm a new member here. I've been really struggling with Achalasia for> a few months now, and just this week my doctor scheduled a Heller> Myotomy surgery for October. > > My questions to everybody here are: > How many people had the procedure done? What is the success rate? I> was told the procedure doesn't work for everybody... > > Some background information: I'm a 29 year-old male, that other than> Achalasia has been pretty healthy throughout my life. The symptoms> started about a year ago, but have gotten terribly worse in the last> couple of months. I can't really eat most things, so my doctor told me> that surgery is the only viable option. I live in Seattle and my> surgery is supposed to take place at Harborview Medical Center. I> never had any kind of surgery, so I'm really anxious about it, I'm> also really worried about the diet of liquids and mushy foods I'm> supposed to keep for about three months after surgery (soundshorrendous) .> > Any suggestions, advice, personal experiences, etc. will be greatly> appreciated. > > Thanks.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2008 Report Share Posted September 25, 2008 thanks for all the tips! i heard that i should ask for LIQUID pain meds for home??? doc gave me a note for 6 weeks off, but i do hope i'm better sooner (like the 2 weeks you mentioned)..... Heller Myotomy....> To: achalasia@grou ps.com> Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 7:23 PM> > > > > > > Hi,> > I'm a new member here. I've been really struggling with Achalasia for> a few months now, and just this week my doctor scheduled a Heller> Myotomy surgery for October. > > My questions to everybody here are: > How many people had the procedure done? What is the success rate? I> was told the procedure doesn't work for everybody... > > Some background information: I'm a 29 year-old male, that other than> Achalasia has been pretty healthy throughout my life. The symptoms> started about a year ago, but have gotten terribly worse in the last> couple of months. I can't really eat most things, so my doctor told me> that surgery is the only viable option. I live in Seattle and my> surgery is supposed to take place at Harborview Medical Center. I> never had any kind of surgery, so I'm really anxious about it, I'm> also really worried about the diet of liquids and mushy foods I'm> supposed to keep for about three months after surgery (soundshorrendous) .> > Any suggestions, advice, personal experiences, etc. will be greatly> appreciated. > > Thanks.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2008 Report Share Posted September 25, 2008 Hi - Dr. gave me liquid Vicodin = LORTAB after I went home. Works some much better than attempting a pill. > > From: loufimpke loufimpke@ ..>> Subject: Heller Myotomy....> achalasia@grou ps.com> Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 7:23 PM> > > > > > > Hi,> > I'm a new member here. I've been really struggling with Achalasia for> a few months now, and just this week my doctor scheduled a Heller> Myotomy surgery for October. > > My questions to everybody here are: > How many people had the procedure done? What is the success rate? I> was told the procedure doesn't work for everybody... > > Some background information: I'm a 29 year-old male, that other than> Achalasia has been pretty healthy throughout my life. The symptoms> started > about a year ago, but have gotten terribly worse in the last> couple of months. I can't really eat most things, so my doctor told me> that surgery is the only viable option. I live in Seattle and my> surgery is supposed to take place at Harborview Medical Center. I> never had any kind of surgery, so I'm really anxious about it, I'm> also really worried about the diet of liquids and mushy foods I'm> supposed to keep for about three months after surgery (soundshorrendous) .> > Any suggestions, advice, personal experiences, etc. will be greatly> appreciated. > > Thanks.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]> > > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ > It's simple! Sell your car for just $40 at CarPoint.com. au > http://a.ninemsn. com.au/b. aspx?URL= http%3A%2F% 2Fsecure% 2Dau%2Eimrworldw ide%2Ecom% 2Fcgi%2Dbin% 2Fa%2Fci% 5F450304% 2Fet%5F2% 2Fcg%5F801459% 2Fpi%5F1004813% 2Fai%5F859641 & _t=762955845 & _r=tig_OCT07 & _m=EXT > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2008 Report Share Posted September 25, 2008 I also take Lor Tabs. I have a question. Even though it has been three weeks since my surgery, I sometimes get bad pains. I ate something too spicy last night and it really started hurting. So I took a Lor Tab. Then later in bed I got some more pains and I took another Lor Tab. I am worried about this medicine. I am supposed to take it every four hours for pain, but I take it maybe once, twice, of three times a week. Am I going to get addicted to it? > > From: loufimpke loufimpke@ ..>> > Subject: Heller Myotomy....> achalasia@grou ps.com> > Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 7:23 PM> > > > > > > Hi,> > I'm a > new member here. I've been really struggling with Achalasia for> a few > months now, and just this week my doctor scheduled a Heller> Myotomy > surgery for October. > > My questions to everybody here are: > How many > people had the procedure done? What is the success rate? I> was told the > procedure doesn't work for everybody... > > Some background information: > I'm a 29 year-old male, that other than> Achalasia has been pretty > healthy throughout my life. The symptoms> started > > about a year ago, but have gotten terribly worse in the last> couple > of months. I can't really eat most things, so my doctor told me> that > surgery is the only viable option. I live in Seattle and my> surgery is > supposed to take place at Harborview Medical Center. I> never had any > kind of surgery, so I'm really anxious about it, I'm> also really > worried about the diet of liquids and mushy foods I'm> supposed to keep > for about three months after surgery (soundshorrendous) .> > Any > suggestions, advice, personal experiences, etc. will be greatly> > appreciated. > > Thanks.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non- text > portions of this message have been removed]> > > > > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ > > It's simple! Sell your car for just $40 at CarPoint.com. au > > http://a.ninemsn. com.au/b. aspx?URL= http%3A%2F% 2Fsecure% > 2Dau%2Eimrworldw ide%2Ecom% 2Fcgi%2Dbin% 2Fa%2Fci% 5F450304% 2Fet% 5F2% > 2Fcg%5F801459% 2Fpi%5F1004813% 2Fai%5F859641 & _t=762955845 & > _r=tig_OCT07 & _m=EXT > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2008 Report Share Posted September 25, 2008 , I don't think you will get addicted taking it three times a week but have you tried to see if something non-narcotic will control your pain? It might be worth trying some tylenol or whatever your doctor recommends for you. I took Children's liquid motrin right from the get go and only used liquid percocet a few times at night so that I could get off to sleep without waking up from the discomfort I got when I wound up on my side. When a prescription says take every four hours for pain- what they mean is AS NEEDED. You certainly don't have to take it at all if something non narcotic will do the trick. Best of luck and hope you are pain free soon!! Dawn Heller Myotomy....> achalasia@grou ps.com> > Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 7:23 PM> > > > > > > Hi,> > I'm a > new member here. I've been really struggling with Achalasia for> a few > months now, and just this week my doctor scheduled a Heller> Myotomy > surgery for October. > > My questions to everybody here are: > How many > people had the procedure done? What is the success rate? I> was told the > procedure doesn't work for everybody... > > Some background information: > I'm a 29 year-old male, that other than> Achalasia has been pretty > healthy throughout my life. The symptoms> started > > about a year ago, but have gotten terribly worse in the last> couple > of months. I can't really eat most things, so my doctor told me> that > surgery is the only viable option. I live in Seattle and my> surgery is > supposed to take place at Harborview Medical Center. I> never had any > kind of surgery, so I'm really anxious about it, I'm> also really > worried about the diet of liquids and mushy foods I'm> supposed to keep > for about three months after surgery (soundshorrendous) .> > Any > suggestions, advice, personal experiences, etc. will be greatly> > appreciated. > > Thanks.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non- text > portions of this message have been removed]> > > > > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ > > It's simple! Sell your car for just $40 at CarPoint.com. au > > http://a.ninemsn.<http://a.ninemsn./> com.au/b. aspx?URL= http%3A%2F% 2Fsecure% > 2Dau%2Eimrworldw ide%2Ecom% 2Fcgi%2Dbin% 2Fa%2Fci% 5F450304% 2Fet% 5F2% > 2Fcg%5F801459% 2Fpi%5F1004813% 2Fai%5F859641 & _t=762955845 & > _r=tig_OCT07 & _m=EXT > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2008 Report Share Posted September 25, 2008 I take the liquid Lortab for pain & Dr. advised that so long as you have pain, there is no worry about addiction. Of course, every case is different. Advise you ask your physician. The Liquid Lortab sure beats trying to get a pill down for me. > > From: loufimpke loufimpke@ ..>> > > Subject: Heller Myotomy....> achalasia@grou > ps.com> > > Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 7:23 PM> > > > > > > Hi,> > I'm > a > > new member here. I've been really struggling with Achalasia for> a > few > > months now, and just this week my doctor scheduled a Heller> Myotomy > > surgery for October. > > My questions to everybody here are: > How > many > > people had the procedure done? What is the success rate? I> was > told the > > procedure doesn't work for everybody... > > Some background > information: > > I'm a 29 year-old male, that other than> Achalasia has been pretty > > healthy throughout my life. The symptoms> started > > > about a year ago, but have gotten terribly worse in the last> > couple > > of months. I can't really eat most things, so my doctor told me> > that > > surgery is the only viable option. I live in Seattle and my> > surgery is > > supposed to take place at Harborview Medical Center. I> never had > any > > kind of surgery, so I'm really anxious about it, I'm> also really > > worried about the diet of liquids and mushy foods I'm> supposed to > keep > > for about three months after surgery (soundshorrendous) .> > Any > > suggestions, advice, personal experiences, etc. will be greatly> > > appreciated. > > Thanks.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non- > text > > portions of this message have been removed]> > > > > > > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ > > > It's simple! Sell your car for just $40 at CarPoint.com. au > > > http://a.ninemsn. com.au/b. aspx?URL= http%3A%2F% 2Fsecure% > > 2Dau%2Eimrworldw ide%2Ecom% 2Fcgi%2Dbin% 2Fa%2Fci% 5F450304% 2Fet% > 5F2% > > 2Fcg%5F801459% 2Fpi%5F1004813% 2Fai%5F859641 & _t=762955845 & > > _r=tig_OCT07 & _m=EXT > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 25, 2008 Report Share Posted September 25, 2008 Liquid motrin. Never heard of it. Where do you get it? That just might do the job. > > From: loufimpke loufimpke@ ..>> > > Subject: Heller Myotomy....> To: achalasia@grou > ps.com> > > Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 7:23 PM> > > > > > > Hi,> > I'm > a > > new member here. I've been really struggling with Achalasia for> a > few > > months now, and just this week my doctor scheduled a Heller> Myotomy > > surgery for October. > > My questions to everybody here are: > How > many > > people had the procedure done? What is the success rate? I> was > told the > > procedure doesn't work for everybody... > > Some background > information: > > I'm a 29 year-old male, that other than> Achalasia has been pretty > > healthy throughout my life. The symptoms> started > > > about a year ago, but have gotten terribly worse in the last> > couple > > of months. I can't really eat most things, so my doctor told me> > that > > surgery is the only viable option. I live in Seattle and my> > surgery is > > supposed to take place at Harborview Medical Center. I> never had > any > > kind of surgery, so I'm really anxious about it, I'm> also really > > worried about the diet of liquids and mushy foods I'm> supposed to > keep > > for about three months after surgery (soundshorrendous) .> > Any > > suggestions, advice, personal experiences, etc. will be greatly> > > appreciated. > > Thanks.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non- > text > > portions of this message have been removed]> > > > > > > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ > > > It's simple! Sell your car for just $40 at CarPoint.com. au > > > http://a.ninemsn.<http://a.ninemsn./> com.au/b. aspx?URL= http%3A%2F% 2Fsecure% > > 2Dau%2Eimrworldw ide%2Ecom% 2Fcgi%2Dbin% 2Fa%2Fci% 5F450304% 2Fet% > 5F2% > > 2Fcg%5F801459% 2Fpi%5F1004813% 2Fai%5F859641 & _t=762955845 & > > _r=tig_OCT07 & _m=EXT > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 26, 2008 Report Share Posted September 26, 2008 well, you can get over the counter meds tylenol motrin in the childrens section, as liquid or chewables ( that's all my daughter needed) some adults got liquid pain meds, but didn't need them Other meds can be crushed and mixed with applesauce or pudding BUT BE CAREFUL< SOME MEDS IF YOU CRUSH YOU GET AN OVERDOSE EFFECT< MAKE SURE TO ASK YOUR DOCTOR & PHARMACY IF IT IS ALRIGHT TO CRUSH< FIRST!!!! It wouldn't hurt to get liquid pain meds, if you don't use them, no big deal. I would have the tylenol & motrin handy before the surgery, that way you will have them when you need them. but by Sunday ( surgery on Wednesday) my child was off all meds. -Dana Mills in VA From: Eloisa Herberger <e.herberger> Subject: Re: Re: Heller Myotomy... achalasia@grou ps.com Date: Monday, September 22, 2008, 9:14 AM Hi, Lou! I'm a fairly new member, too, and your story is somewhat similar to mine. I was just diagnosed in August. The swallowing problems began about a year ago but not until the past few months, past couple actually, that the condition has really worsened. I'm a 46 year old female in Ft. Wayne, IN with a wonderful husband of 22 years with 3 wonderful sons....ages 19, 16, and 15. I've been healthy all my life......eat healthy, exercise regularly, etc. I've never had any major surgery. I'm small framed, 5'1 " and currently weigh 103 lbs. I've not really lost weight yet with this disease but I am worried about the clear liquid diet prior to surgery and then the diet post surgery. Do most people lose weight during this time??? This group has been a tremendous help to me!!! Thank you all! Just an update on my situation... . ..I tried to appeal with my insurance to go to the Cleveland Clinic (my first choice) and it was denied as they feel that the Univ of MI have capable surgeons as well. The Univ of MI is a top notch med center, too, and I do feel comfortable with Dr. Pickens.. He's not done as many as Dr.Rice but he and his partner have done 60 Hellers in the past 3 years, of which he said he's performed more than his partner. The day I saw him last week, he said he had done 3 the prior year. So I am praying that I will be in capable hands. My surgery is scheduled for Oct. 7th. Good luck to you, Lou, and to others who are still suffering from the disease, will be going through treatments, etc. I will be praying for all of you! Eloisa Heller Myotomy....> To: achalasia@grou ps.com> Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 7:23 PM> > > > > > > Hi,> > I'm a new member here. I've been really struggling with Achalasia for> a few months now, and just this week my doctor scheduled a Heller> Myotomy surgery for October. > > My questions to everybody here are: > How many people had the procedure done? What is the success rate? I> was told the procedure doesn't work for everybody... > > Some background information: I'm a 29 year-old male, that other than> Achalasia has been pretty healthy throughout my life. The symptoms> started about a year ago, but have gotten terribly worse in the last> couple of months. I can't really eat most things, so my doctor told me> that surgery is the only viable option. I live in Seattle and my> surgery is supposed to take place at Harborview Medical Center. I> never had any kind of surgery, so I'm really anxious about it, I'm> also really worried about the diet of liquids and mushy foods I'm> supposed to keep for about three months after surgery (soundshorrendous) .> > Any suggestions, advice, personal experiences, etc. will be greatly> appreciated. > > Thanks.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 26, 2008 Report Share Posted September 26, 2008 LOOK IN THE CHILDRENS SECTION THERE ARE THE SAME DRUGS tylenol motrin bendryl cold and cough just don't get infants size usually has a dropper, you would need the whole bottle, costs too much. labels say " ages 2-11 " or " ages 6-11 " sometimes most children doses ages 12 are the same as adult. you can read the regular tylenol bottle side by side with the children to figure out the miligrams you usually use. dosage is in ml or tsp. but under the directions it will tell you how much per tsp or dose. also you can get your chewable vitimins lots of luck -Dana Mills in VA From: Fynn <hflynn3@...> Subject: Re: Heller Myotomy... achalasia Date: Thursday, September 25, 2008, 5:47 PM Liquid motrin. Never heard of it. Where do you get it? That just might do the job. > > From: loufimpke loufimpke@ ..>> > > Subject: Heller Myotomy....> To: achalasia@grou > ps.com> > > Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 7:23 PM> > > > > > > Hi,> > I'm > a > > new member here. I've been really struggling with Achalasia for> a > few > > months now, and just this week my doctor scheduled a Heller> Myotomy > > surgery for October. > > My questions to everybody here are: > How > many > > people had the procedure done? What is the success rate? I> was > told the > > procedure doesn't work for everybody... > > Some background > information: > > I'm a 29 year-old male, that other than> Achalasia has been pretty > > healthy throughout my life. The symptoms> started > > > about a year ago, but have gotten terribly worse in the last> > couple > > of months. I can't really eat most things, so my doctor told me> > that > > surgery is the only viable option. I live in Seattle and my> > surgery is > > supposed to take place at Harborview Medical Center. I> never had > any > > kind of surgery, so I'm really anxious about it, I'm> also really > > worried about the diet of liquids and mushy foods I'm> supposed to > keep > > for about three months after surgery (soundshorrendous) .> > Any > > suggestions, advice, personal experiences, etc. will be greatly> > > appreciated. > > Thanks.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > [Non- > text > > portions of this message have been removed]> > > > > > > ____________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _________ _ > > > It's simple! Sell your car for just $40 at CarPoint.com. au > > > http://a.ninemsn.<http://a.ninemsn. /> com.au/b. aspx?URL= http%3A%2F% 2Fsecure% > > 2Dau%2Eimrworldw ide%2Ecom% 2Fcgi%2Dbin% 2Fa%2Fci% 5F450304% 2Fet% > 5F2% > > 2Fcg%5F801459% 2Fpi%5F1004813% 2Fai%5F859641 & _t=762955845 & > > _r=tig_OCT07 & _m=EXT > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted September 30, 2008 Report Share Posted September 30, 2008 Yay another Seattleite! Hi and welcome to the group. I live in the Seattle area (Mukilteo) and had my myotomy done at the UW last June. " What is the success rate? I was told the procedure doesn't work for everybody... " Who is your surgeon? Mine was done by Pellegrini. According to him, he has had no failures with this particular surgery so far so I should be good for about 20 years at least. Ask your surgeon what his success rates are. Pellegrini publishes a lot and keeps track of his patients forever afterward for statistical purposes. He knows what's going on with his very first patient to have his procedure. " I'm also really worried about the diet of liquids and mushy foods I'm supposed to keep for about three months after surgery (sounds horrendous). " Where did you hear this? From your surgeon? Are you having more than a myotomy and partial fundoplication? Most people who have a Heller expect to be eating solid food right away. I was told to eat soft foods for the first few days because the area inside was a bit swollen. No restrictions afterward. To be honest I was scared to eat. Sounds silly but I as sort of freaked out by how my innards were rearranged. About five days post surgery hubby came home with a pizza for himself. Without thinking I grabbed a piece on my way upstairs and had it half eaten before I realized what I was doing. That got me over my fear of eating. " I never had any kind of surgery, so I'm really anxious about it, " First time you have surgery it is always scary. The surgery is laparoscopic so post surgery pain is kept to a minimum. My experience: Preparation for surgery is usually done in a large room that has little " cubicals " separated by curtains. You can have someone with you at this point. You sit in a lazyboy recliner type " chair " while the IV is started and any other unpleasant tasks are done (these increase as you get older LOL). The nurse numbed my vein before putting in the IV so I only felt a bit of sting for that whole process. Usually it goes in the back of the hand. The part of the IV that stays in your vein is a small flexible plastic tube so don't worry about moving your hand around (once in you will forget it is there). You will meet with the anesthetist and hopefully he/she will put that " something to relax you " into your IV. Almost everything goes into your IV from this point onward. I was given heparin injections in the abdomen until I was walking around the next day. That got me out of bed in a hurry. No one told me about this until the nurse came at me with the needle. I'm needle phobic. The needle is so short and so thin I literally did not feel it but I'm still needle phobic. Then you say goodbye to whoever and glide off to the OR. BTW my lazyboy recliner magically became a stretcher at some point. Not sure how that happened. I had this big inflatable blanket to keep me warm during surgery. It had its own blower to keep it inflated. I looked like I was in a life raft on my way to surgery in my magic lazyboy LOL. Once in the OR the very nice nurse gave me a " tour " of the room explaining what was what and while she was doing that I realized I was feeling a lot of pain in my abdomen. I blinked and found I was in the recovery room and had to pee really bad. The surgery was 4 1/2 hours. Yours will probably be shorter. In my case they had to whack through a forest of adhesions left over from open gallbladder surgery. I should emphasize it is your abdomen that will hurt and that's where the incisions are made. They are not made near the stomach itself nor did I feel any pain in that area. You probably will not have stitches, I didn't. Just five, one inch long incisions closed with tape. Two incisions below your navel on either side, one in or near the navel, and two above just below the ribs. A few people in this group have put pictures of their abdomens in the photo section. Take a look. The one on the left side will hurt the most and be the last to heal. That's the trocar they move the most. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trocar I have a serious medical condition that makes anesthesia risky, another condition that greatly lowers my pain threshold, and I'm a lot older than you (I'm 58). I was home the next evening. The only bad part was the first 18 hours and that was due to the migraines the surgery triggered. If you don't get migraines, surgery will be a piece of cake (and you'll be able to eat the cake afterward!) You might or might not have shoulder pain from the gas injected into your abdominal cavity during the procedure. This was my third laparoscopic surgery. No shoulder pain with the first two but I had it with this one. Luckily I brought a couple of those instant heat neck pads (TheraCare?) with me. Not the chemical kind that makes your skin just feel hot but the kind that heats up when exposed to the air. The first few days it will hurt to move/be moved or to twist around. Ask them for a pillow in the recovery room and hold it to your abdomen tightly when you go from recovery room to stretcher to bed. That really helps reduce pain when you are moved. Then they have this plastic gismo you are suppose to blow into to raise this little ball up in a tube. Really hard to do after surgery when you are in bed and your abdomen is very sore. It will make you cough which is really important because you haven't been coughing and mucus collects in your lung when you don't cough. That mucus has to come up. Hold the pillow to your abdomen when you blow through this thing (whose name I should know) and when you cough. I was on oxygen so the area behind my nose in my throat got very very dry which in itself made coughing hard. You might want to bring a saline nose spray (not the decongestant stuff) and use that to moisturize the back of your throat. That was a major source of discomfort the night after surgery and the salt water was life saver. Another major source of discomfort was that bed. I should have put it flat and sat up with a couple of pillows at my back like I do at home. The first time I got out of bed to walk-the pain totally went away when I stood up. So some of the pain you feel may be due to your position in bed. When I say there is pain and discomfort remember those are relative terms. When I was 30 I had an open hysterectomy and had no pain just soreness. I'm also opioid tolerant because of a chronic pain condition so the oxycontin did not work as well. You will very likely not need all they send you home with. There is no need for you to feel outright pain. If you need pain meds, request them. In my case I could get Oxycodone every 3 hours but you had to request it, it was not automatically given. I was also given Oxycotin (long acting pain med) every 8 hours. The nurses were great getting the pain meds in to me right away. My worse pain was my migraine. Just remember if the nurse has to request something from the pharmacy, it takes forever to get it so bring little things like heat pads, salt water nasal spray and any migraine meds with you. Bring a cheap novel with gratuitous everything to pass the time. After Surgery: You will still have achalasia after surgery. For me this means I have to chew food thoroughly and wash it down with ice tea. I have to be horizontal (no bending over) when I swallow and stay that way for a few seconds afterward. The LES will be open now but you still have to get food down to it. You can't eat standing on your head and all space flight is prohibited until they invent artificial gravity. I had heartburn (very intense pain) afterward. It has been 3 weeks since I've had it lately but I got it a couple a time a week just after surgery. By chance I discovered that I could totally eliminate the pain by eating a chocolate pudding cup. No kidding. I'm off the H2 blockers I took for GERD. I don't have to carry around a bottle of Tums with me everywhere I go. That awful pain I would get sometimes when I swallowed is totally gone. All swallowing difficulties are gone. I don't even think about achalasia or my surgery anymore. My stomach is finally back to normal even if it is wrapped around my esophagus! Whew! That was a long post. If you (or your parents) have any questions you would like to ask, send them to my email address: maureenkeane@.... I can also send you my phone number if you would like to talk. My son is 31 so I know your parents are worried about you too. I'm a new member here. I've been really struggling with Achalasia for a few months now, and just this week my doctor scheduled a Heller Myotomy surgery for October. > My questions to everybody here are: How many people had the procedure done? What is the success rate? I was told the procedure doesn't work for everybody... Some background information: I'm a 29 year-old male, that other than Achalasia has been pretty healthy throughout my life. The symptoms started about a year ago, but have gotten terribly worse in the last couple of months. I can't really eat most things, so my doctor told me that surgery is the only viable option. I live in Seattle and my surgery is supposed to take place at Harborview Medical Center. I never had any kind of surgery, so I'm really anxious about it, I'm also really worried about the diet of liquids and mushy foods I'm supposed to keep for about three months after surgery (sounds horrendous). > Any suggestions, advice, personal experiences, etc. will be greatly > appreciated. > > Thanks. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2009 Report Share Posted July 21, 2009 Did any of you just have the Heller and not the wrap? > > From: loufimpke <loufimpke@ ..>> Subject: Heller Myotomy...> To: achalasia@grou ps.com> Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 7:23 PM> > > > > > > Hi,> > I'm a new member here. I've been really struggling with Achalasia for> a few months now, and just this week my doctor scheduled a Heller> Myotomy surgery for October. > > My questions to everybody here are: > How many people had the procedure done? What is the success rate? I> was told the procedure doesn't work for everybody... > > Some background information: I'm a 29 year-old male, that other than> Achalasia has been pretty healthy throughout my life. The symptoms> started > about a year ago, but have gotten terribly worse in the last> couple of months. I can't really eat most things, so my doctor told me> that surgery is the only viable option. I live in Seattle and my> surgery is supposed to take place at Harborview Medical Center. I> never had any kind of surgery, so I'm really anxious about it, I'm> also really worried about the diet of liquids and mushy foods I'm> supposed to keep for about three months after surgery (soundshorrendous) .> > Any suggestions, advice, personal experiences, etc. will be greatly> appreciated. > > Thanks.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 21, 2009 Report Share Posted July 21, 2009 i had the heller and no wrap last august, and i got severe acid reflux and just had a nissens wrap. but its made not much different to my swallowing as the hellers didnt help anyway lol. hope it goes well for cullen xxx > > From: loufimpke <loufimpke@ ..>> Subject: Heller Myotomy...> To: achalasia@grou ps.com> Date: Saturday, September 20, 2008, 7:23 PM> > > > > > > Hi,> > I'm a new member here. I've been really struggling with Achalasia for> a few months now, and just this week my doctor scheduled a Heller> Myotomy surgery for October. > > My questions to everybody here are: > How many people had the procedure done? What is the success rate? I> was told the procedure doesn't work for everybody... > > Some background information: I'm a 29 year-old male, that other than> Achalasia has been pretty healthy throughout my life. The symptoms> started > > about a year ago, but have gotten terribly worse in the last> couple of months. I can't really eat most things, so my doctor told me> that surgery is the only viable option. I live in Seattle and my> surgery is supposed to take place at Harborview Medical Center. I> never had any kind of surgery, so I'm really anxious about it, I'm> also really worried about the diet of liquids and mushy foods I'm> supposed to keep for about three months after surgery (soundshorrendous) .> > Any suggestions, advice, personal experiences, etc. will be greatly> appreciated. > > Thanks.> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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