Re: New to Group - HM Recovery

[Guest guest]

Welcome , both to this group as whole, and to us recent post-oppers, lol!

I, too, had a hiatal hernia, which they knew about pre-op but didn't seem much

concerned about. Judging from my familiarity with antacids, I'd guess I've had

it for about 15 years. But never any acid reflux: just tummy aches relieved by

acid reducers. I only had a Dor though. I'd ask why a Nissen.

HH doesn't seem all that uncommon with Achalasia. But not all that common,

either, lol!

" One further comment regarding the first case is in order. In their discussion,

Guo et al. 1 state that hiatal hernia has been reported to be extremely rare in

achalasia. Indeed, such a claim was made by my mentors at Yale a generation ago!

10 However, more recent studies have shown otherwise. My own study at Yale in

this generation showed that hernias were quite common in patients with

achalasia; they were found in one quarter of patients aged 51 years or more. 11

Hearsay has it that at least two of the authors of the older Yale study have

concurred with the later findings! "

http://journals.lww.com/jcge/fulltext/2002/04000/the_acid_achalasia_association.\

2.aspx

Your smoothie regimen may have saved your life. I ended up in the cardiac ward.

.. . . But I think I'd be pretty careful with soy: Something like 97% grown in

this country is GMO, and even if not, it has more than its share of Soy

phytoestrogens (isoflavones: genistein and daidzein). With a crockpot and

blender it's very possible to get substantial protein in a soft to soup form.

Chicken works especially well for this texture wise, as does turkey. Add butter

or coconut oil, and you're WAY ahead of the rancid oils in Ensure/Boost/etc.

I'm almost three weeks post Heller/Dor, and haven't had such a good week this

week (lots of regurging), but it seems resolved today. So will see. I certainly

hope this is end of line, but am encouraged to know if it's not, there ARE

further things to be done.

Happy healing to you!

in the Wilds (of WV)

>

> I've joined this group about a month ago as a lurker,reading posts ,gathering

information and reading stories of fellow sufferers of Achalasia. Well, I've

learned alot and wanted to tell my story. Hopefully, myself and others will

benefit from the shared information about this dreaded disease.

>

> About 3 years ago I noticed a change in my swallowing abilities. I prolonged

getting it checked because I did not have any health insurance. After a

tolerable year of waiting, a GI doctor sent me for an endoscopy. Results were

normal. The Doctor suggested a manometry but again, I procrastinated due to

lack of insurance. During that

> time, my symptoms got worse and worse until finally this past July, I managed

to get an impaction in my LES and had to have an emergency endoscopy to unclog

it. That was my turning point and finally had the manometry. The manometry

confirmed that I had zero motility in my esophagus and that my LES was not

functioning normally. It

> got so bad for me that I had to stand to eat even soft foods and had to push

my stomach out to get food to pass into my stomach. Since the initial impaction

in July, I had 2 more incidents with blockage but managed to unclog it on my own

by drinking hot liquids and regurgitating food back up for sometimes a few

days.Not eating for

> days really su..ed Eventually, some of he food managed to pass down. Totally

horrible experience for me and my wife and kids to witness. Needless to say,

I've been very distraught and unpleasant and has effected my relationship with

my family. Although, they have been very understanding. Like many of you out

there, avoiding

> social events and even spending Christmas eve home alone was very common.

After doing some extensive research, I found a surgeon who fit the bill to help

me. He has 23 years experience and is Director of minimally invasive surgery at

New York Medical College and Westchester Medical Center in New York's Hudson

Valley. His name is Dr.Ashutosh Kaul, MD. He has had hundreds of patients with

this condition.

> I met with him to discuss the options for me and it was concluded that I was

at the end stage of Achalasia. I needed the Heller Myotomy with Nissen

Fundoplication.

> Fortunately for me, I think because I had modified my diet during the

progression of the disease, my esophagus managed to stay intact and not dilate

like many others might have. If I could give any advice here to anyone, don't

try and force food down your esophagus and stick to really soft foods and

liquids such as nutritional

> shakes. I make my own shakes using EAS soy protein bodybuilding powder in milk

and add bananas, organic frozen fruit and blender it.

> I even add Benefiber to it. I have not eaten meat in well over 6 months.I also

drink the Ensures, Boost etc.

>

> Fast forward to 3 days ago 1/12/12, I had the surgery at Westchester Medical

Center, Valhalla, NY. The morning after the surgery, I was informed that they

also discovered I had a hiatal hernia which Dr. kaul repaired. For those of you

who are not familiar with hiatal hernias such as myself, it is when the stomach

slides up

> into the thoracic cavity past the diaphram. After being informed of this, I

immediately got on my Kindle and went online to learn more about hiatal hernias.

The more I think about it,I think that I may have given myself the hernia by

trying to unclog my blockage. Hmmm.?

> Ironically, the surgical procedure used to repair a hiatal hernia is either a

Nissen or Dor Fundoplication. Interestingly, I also read on Wikipedia that on

rare occasions, complications from Hiatal hernias could be Achalasia. Although

there are no known causes for Achalasia, for myself, I always wondered what

could have triggered my condition and concluded that it was probably stress. I

asked my surgeon about any correlation between the HH's and Ach.. and he said

no. I have to

> disagree with that but at this stage, it does not matter but it is something

to consider.

>

> Well, here I am at home, 3 days after surgery writing this and not feeling too

bad at all.Doctor said that after the 2nd day, when the anesthesia completely

fades, the pain will be worse. Needless to say lots of discomfort and pain in my

upper body but the meds help. I've had numerous instances of heartburn but was

told it is common,

>

> They gave me Pepcid 2x daily and Maalox when needed in addition. All liquid

diet for 6 days, then a strict soft diet for 2 months. My surgeon told me that

after about 10 days I won't even know that I had surgery (I pray for that). If I

miss anything I'll keep updating and I hope that I may have helped someone in

this group.

>

> Best wishes and health to everyone,

>

>

> Wappingers Falls,

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I too had a HH! I think it seems very common among us!

Welcome to the group. I love being able to discuss issues with people who know

what I am going through. I still don't think my friends and family really know

what I am going through, and it frustrates me when they offer my food they think

I should be able to eat.

I also had a HM 9 weeks ago, and I don't think it has worked. I have had some

of my darkest days this week.

Good luck with your HM result, hope you will be one of the lucky ones in the 90

to 95% where it works.

(Australia)

> >

> > I've joined this group about a month ago as a lurker,reading posts

,gathering information and reading stories of fellow sufferers of Achalasia.

Well, I've learned alot and wanted to tell my story. Hopefully, myself and

others will benefit from the shared information about this dreaded disease.

> >

> > About 3 years ago I noticed a change in my swallowing abilities. I prolonged

getting it checked because I did not have any health insurance. After a

tolerable year of waiting, a GI doctor sent me for an endoscopy. Results were

normal. The Doctor suggested a manometry but again, I procrastinated due to

lack of insurance. During that

> > time, my symptoms got worse and worse until finally this past July, I

managed to get an impaction in my LES and had to have an emergency endoscopy to

unclog it. That was my turning point and finally had the manometry. The

manometry confirmed that I had zero motility in my esophagus and that my LES was

not functioning normally. It

> > got so bad for me that I had to stand to eat even soft foods and had to push

my stomach out to get food to pass into my stomach. Since the initial impaction

in July, I had 2 more incidents with blockage but managed to unclog it on my own

by drinking hot liquids and regurgitating food back up for sometimes a few

days.Not eating for

> > days really su..ed Eventually, some of he food managed to pass down. Totally

horrible experience for me and my wife and kids to witness. Needless to say,

I've been very distraught and unpleasant and has effected my relationship with

my family. Although, they have been very understanding. Like many of you out

there, avoiding

> > social events and even spending Christmas eve home alone was very common.

After doing some extensive research, I found a surgeon who fit the bill to help

me. He has 23 years experience and is Director of minimally invasive surgery at

New York Medical College and Westchester Medical Center in New York's Hudson

Valley. His name is Dr.Ashutosh Kaul, MD. He has had hundreds of patients with

this condition.

> > I met with him to discuss the options for me and it was concluded that I was

at the end stage of Achalasia. I needed the Heller Myotomy with Nissen

Fundoplication.

> > Fortunately for me, I think because I had modified my diet during the

progression of the disease, my esophagus managed to stay intact and not dilate

like many others might have. If I could give any advice here to anyone, don't

try and force food down your esophagus and stick to really soft foods and

liquids such as nutritional

> > shakes. I make my own shakes using EAS soy protein bodybuilding powder in

milk and add bananas, organic frozen fruit and blender it.

> > I even add Benefiber to it. I have not eaten meat in well over 6 months.I

also drink the Ensures, Boost etc.

> >

> > Fast forward to 3 days ago 1/12/12, I had the surgery at Westchester Medical

Center, Valhalla, NY. The morning after the surgery, I was informed that they

also discovered I had a hiatal hernia which Dr. kaul repaired. For those of you

who are not familiar with hiatal hernias such as myself, it is when the stomach

slides up

> > into the thoracic cavity past the diaphram. After being informed of this, I

immediately got on my Kindle and went online to learn more about hiatal hernias.

The more I think about it,I think that I may have given myself the hernia by

trying to unclog my blockage. Hmmm.?

> > Ironically, the surgical procedure used to repair a hiatal hernia is either

a Nissen or Dor Fundoplication. Interestingly, I also read on Wikipedia that on

rare occasions, complications from Hiatal hernias could be Achalasia. Although

there are no known causes for Achalasia, for myself, I always wondered what

could have triggered my condition and concluded that it was probably stress. I

asked my surgeon about any correlation between the HH's and Ach.. and he said

no. I have to

> > disagree with that but at this stage, it does not matter but it is something

to consider.

> >

> > Well, here I am at home, 3 days after surgery writing this and not feeling

too bad at all.Doctor said that after the 2nd day, when the anesthesia

completely fades, the pain will be worse. Needless to say lots of discomfort and

pain in my upper body but the meds help. I've had numerous instances of

heartburn but was told it is common,

> >

> > They gave me Pepcid 2x daily and Maalox when needed in addition. All liquid

diet for 6 days, then a strict soft diet for 2 months. My surgeon told me that

after about 10 days I won't even know that I had surgery (I pray for that). If I

miss anything I'll keep updating and I hope that I may have helped someone in

this group.

> >

> > Best wishes and health to everyone,

> >

> >

> > Wappingers Falls,

> >

>

[Guest guest]

,

GMO meaning genetically modified ?

With regard to the chicken/turkey in a crockpot -- the way poultry and

cattle are fed in this country, I'd question which is a healthier choice.

Either way, we should be grateful to get any form of nutrition.

My mistake with regards to the fundoplicatrion. Initially the surgeons

plan was a Nissen but ended up doing a Toupet. I have not had the chance to

ask why but will do at the follow-up visit with him.

--

The real meaning of success is how much control you have of your life !

[Guest guest]

Yep, GMO = Genetically Modified. My big gripe with GMO soy, is that it's

RoundUp Ready, which means tons and tons and tons of Glyphosate in the soil

every year. Organic soy is nearly impossible to come by.

Turkey/chicken/beef/lamb etc, at least have an alternative, if somewhat pricier,

lol! But 'spect you're right: for short term amelioration of pure starvation,

either will do.

Ah! For the Toupet vs Dor: the Toupet is used for a less dilated esophagus, Dor

for more dilated. At least according to my reading. Please do ask though, I'd

love to hear it confirmed by a live doctor, face to face.

Continuing healing vibes to you!

>

> ,

>

> GMO meaning genetically modified ?

> With regard to the chicken/turkey in a crockpot -- the way poultry and

> cattle are fed in this country, I'd question which is a healthier choice.

> Either way, we should be grateful to get any form of nutrition.

>

> My mistake with regards to the fundoplicatrion. Initially the surgeons

> plan was a Nissen but ended up doing a Toupet. I have not had the chance to

> ask why but will do at the follow-up visit with him.

>

>

>

> --

> The real meaning of success is how much control you have of your life !

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

i try to eat grass fed beef when i eat it and you can also get poultry that is

free range. that is the best meats. i dont want to put GMO in my body when i can

keep from it either, julie, Kim