Re: Question...can nerves die elsewhere?

[Guest guest]

Autoimmune diseases attack different tissues. My other bout with one was/is

Graves Disease. In that case, part of the thyroid is under attack. The thyroid

sensing receptors die, so the brain thinks you aren't getting enough, and sends

messages to the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone, it does, and your whole

metabolism goes off the chart. Your hair grows faster, fingernails grow faster,

your internal temperature rises, your heart beats faster -- my heart rate was up

to 17o before they caught it. In the old days, the only medicine was morphine:

they hope to drug you/your heart so it lasted long enough for your thyroid to

burn out. Most people died of a worn out heart. Graves has a few strange

associated symptoms, but not everyone gets every one of them (sound familiar,

lol!?) -- You may get premature white hair (like Barbara Bush); or your hair may

fall out; or your eyes may bug out; the insides of your eyelids may get rough

and irritate your eyes. I have the white hair, and the eyelid thing. And one

eye that is slightly larger than the other (diagnosable, but mostly not

noticeable). The associated symptoms can happen before, or after you are

diagnosed, or you may only have the associated symptoms.

This some of but not all seems to apply to Achalasia, too. I don't have much

knowledge of the other 80 or so, but they seem to follow a similar path: the

individual disease attacks ONE SET of cells. I still have Graves Disease -- I

simply don't have a thyroid, which was removed surgically. Totally. Doesn't

effect the *other* associated cells -- hair/eyes.

Achalasia is pretty limited, too. Esophagus and LES. It *doesn't* attack the

stomach, etc. WE may not know why, but the immune system, running amok, seems to

know exactly what set of cells it is after. . . .

Here's a list of some other autoimmune diseases:

* 's Disease

* Alopecia

* Ankylosing Spondylitis

* Antiphospolipid Syndrome (APS)

* Autoimmune Hepatitis

* Behcet's Disease

* Bullous Pemhigoid

* Castleman's Disease

* Celiac Disease

* Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

* Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Neuropathy (CIDP)

* Churg Strauss Syndrome

* Crohn's Disease

* Endometriosis

* Fibromyalgia

* Giant Cell Arteritis

* Glomerulonephritis (Autoimmune Kidney Disease)

* Graves' Disease

* Guillain-Barre Syndrome

* Hashimoto's Thyroiditis

* Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

* IgA Nephropathy

* Interstitial Cystitis

* Kawasaki Disease

* Lichen Planus

* Lupus

* Meniere's Disease

* Mixed Connective Tissue Disease (MCTD)

* Multiple Sclerosis

* Myasthenia Gravis

* Narcolepsy

* Pemphigus

* Pernicious Anemia

* Polyarteritis Nodosa

* Polymositis

* Primary Billary Cirrhosis

* Psoriasis

* Raynaud's Phenomenon Disease

* Reiter's Syndrome

* Rheumatoid Arthritis

* Sarcoidosis

* Scleroderma or CREST Syndrome

* Silicone Immune Toxicity Syndrome

* Sjogren's Syndrome

* Stiff-Man Syndrome

* Type 1 Diabetes

* Ulcerative Colitis

* Vascular Dementia

* Vasculitis

* Vitiligo

* Wegener's Granulomatosis

Hattip to the Wikipedia.

Each one stays in its own little ball park, and plays its own little game with

us.

That said: it *ISN'T* sure that Achalasia IS an autoimmune disease. They really

don't know for sure yet is my understanding. Notan? What say you?

That said having one of them obviously doesn't prevent you from getting another

one. . .

Hope this helps

in WV

>

> We all know that A is a result of nerves that die and won't work anymore.

Just wondering if other body nerves will die over time.

> If it's because the body 'attacks' itself, then why would the damage stop with

the oesophagus?

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Along with achalasia, I also have an autoimmune disease associated with my

thyroid....Hashimoto's hypothyroiditis. My grandma and brother also have

Hashimoto's and my sister had maniere's disease. My son has vitiligo. If

you have one autoimmune disease your thyroid might be off also.

Marci

Nor. California

Connected by DROID on Verizon Wireless

Re: Question...can nerves die elsewhere?

Autoimmune diseases attack different tissues. My other bout with one was/is

Graves Disease. In that case, part of the thyroid is under attack. The

thyroid sensing receptors die, so the brain thinks you aren't getting

enough, and sends messages to the thyroid to produce more thyroid hormone,

it does, and your whole metabolism goes off the chart. Your hair grows

faster, fingernails grow faster, your internal temperature rises, your heart

beats faster -- my heart rate was up to 17o before they caught it. In the

old days, the only medicine was morphine: they hope to drug you/your heart

so it lasted long enough for your thyroid to burn out. Most people died of

a worn out heart. Graves has a few strange associated symptoms, but not

everyone gets every one of them (sound familiar, lol!?) -- You may get

premature white hair (like Barbara Bush); or your hair may fall out; or your

eyes may bug out; the insides of your eyelids may get rough and irritate

your eyes. I have the white hair, and the eyelid thing. And one eye that

is slightly larger than the other (diagnosable, but mostly not noticeable).

The associated symptoms can happen before, or after you are diagnosed, or

you may only have the associated symptoms.

This some of but not all seems to apply to Achalasia, too. I don't have

much knowledge of the other 80 or so, but they seem to follow a similar

path: the individual disease attacks ONE SET of cells. I still have Graves

Disease -- I simply

[Guest guest]

That is a huge list!

> >

> > We all know that A is a result of nerves that die and won't work anymore.

Just wondering if other body nerves will die over time.

> > If it's because the body 'attacks' itself, then why would the damage stop

with the oesophagus?

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest guest]

wrote:

>

> We all know that A is a result of nerves that die and won't work

> anymore. Just wondering if other body nerves will die over time.

> If it's because the body 'attacks' itself, then why would the damage

> stop with the oesophagus?

>

No one knows why the nerves die because of achalasia. One theory is that

a virus hides in those nerves. Certain viruses are known to prefer

specific types of nerves so it is possible that there is one that likes

certain nerves of the esophagus. If so the body may be trying to attack

that virus and ends up destroying the nerves in the process. No such

virus for achalasia has been found though some people with achalasia do

show more reaction to certain viruses than controls. Another possibility

is that the immune system is detecting something about the those nerves

that causes it to attack them as if they were an infection. The immune

system can also be very specific when it does an autoimmune attack. It

can produce antibodies against very specific nerves. The autoimmune

theory of achalasia has not been proven though the immune system does

seem to have some kind of extra activity in the area of the damage and

anti-neural antibodies are sometimes found but not in large enough

amounts to prove an autoimmune disorder. The damage may be triggered by

the mast cells in the esophagus much like watery eyes or hives results

from an allergic reaction. Allergic types of reactions can also be very

specific about where the body responds. No trigger for such a reaction

has been found. Some of the damage in the esophagus may be because of

too much distention of the esophagus from food that is trapped in it.

Nerves can only take so much stretching before they have trouble. You

can cause achalasia like damage by placing a band around the LES of

animals so the LES can only open a little. That mimics the LES in

achalasia. Over time the nerves for peristalsis in the esophagus above

the band are destroyed and peristalsis is lost in that part of the

esophagus. If the band is removed soon enough some peristalsis will

return but if not soon enough the damage is permanent. Some of our nerve

damage may be this type because of the LES not relaxing. That kind of

damage would not be expected to show up elsewhere.

The doctors for some members of this support group have said that

achalasia is caused by a virus. Other doctors have told members that

achalasia is an autoimmune disorder. A researcher has told members that

achalasia is like an allergic reaction. None know for sure but that does

not stop them from having opinions. So the question is not just will the

body attack elsewhere but will achalasia, whatever it is, attack

elsewhere. The answer to that seems to be yes, but not enough in most

cases to cause major symptoms for most people. There are nerves very

similar, but not necessarily identical, to those at the LES throughout

the gut. The damage that causes problems seems to be near the LES but

evidence can be found for damage away from the LES in some case. Studies

on this subject have mixed results. Often these studies found results

that show on tests but patients may not notice. They find we are a bit

different but that is not always a problem. Here are some of those studies.

Functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome

in patients with achalasia and its association with non-cardiac chest pain

and a decreased health-related quality of life.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19263270

" CONCLUSIONS; Symptoms of FD and IBS in patients with treated achalasia

are common and have a negative impact on HRQoL. " (QoL is quality of life).

Small-volume gallbladders and decreased motility in patients with achalasia.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18209590

" Achalasic patients have smaller gallbladders than do others. "

Achalasia: a vagal disease

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15223675

" CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia have autonomic nerve dysfunction in

the vagal nerve outside the oesophagus. "

Higher incidence of thyropathy in patients with oesophageal achalasia.

Genetic, autoimmune, regional or just a random association?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18630612

" CONCLUSION: The incidence of thyroid disease proved higher in patients

with achalasia than in the controls. "

Postprandial gastric relaxation in achalasia

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9831267

" CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia show a decreased postprandial

gastric relaxation compared with healthy controls. "

The study about thyropathy makes me wonder if we would be looking at it

backward in this case. Perhaps some cases of achalasia are autoimmune

and if you have autoimmune thyropathy or another autoimmune disorder

then you are more likely to have achalasia not just the other way

around. Others cases of achalasia may not be autoimmune. There could be

other causes, not just one. It could be wrong to say everyone with

achalasia is more likely to have other autoimmune disorders if some

cases of achalasia are not autoimmune caused. It may be better to say

some people with achalasia may have a greater risk of other autoimmune

disorders.

Remember that there are others studies that don't find problems outside

the esophagus.

notan

[Guest guest]

Thanks Notan, I knew you would have heaps of info.

I thought all nerves were joined somehow, and when some died others close by

might die too.

> >

> > We all know that A is a result of nerves that die and won't work

> > anymore. Just wondering if other body nerves will die over time.

> > If it's because the body 'attacks' itself, then why would the damage

> > stop with the oesophagus?

> >

>

> No one knows why the nerves die because of achalasia. One theory is that

> a virus hides in those nerves. Certain viruses are known to prefer

> specific types of nerves so it is possible that there is one that likes

> certain nerves of the esophagus. If so the body may be trying to attack

> that virus and ends up destroying the nerves in the process. No such

> virus for achalasia has been found though some people with achalasia do

> show more reaction to certain viruses than controls. Another possibility

> is that the immune system is detecting something about the those nerves

> that causes it to attack them as if they were an infection. The immune

> system can also be very specific when it does an autoimmune attack. It

> can produce antibodies against very specific nerves. The autoimmune

> theory of achalasia has not been proven though the immune system does

> seem to have some kind of extra activity in the area of the damage and

> anti-neural antibodies are sometimes found but not in large enough

> amounts to prove an autoimmune disorder. The damage may be triggered by

> the mast cells in the esophagus much like watery eyes or hives results

> from an allergic reaction. Allergic types of reactions can also be very

> specific about where the body responds. No trigger for such a reaction

> has been found. Some of the damage in the esophagus may be because of

> too much distention of the esophagus from food that is trapped in it.

> Nerves can only take so much stretching before they have trouble. You

> can cause achalasia like damage by placing a band around the LES of

> animals so the LES can only open a little. That mimics the LES in

> achalasia. Over time the nerves for peristalsis in the esophagus above

> the band are destroyed and peristalsis is lost in that part of the

> esophagus. If the band is removed soon enough some peristalsis will

> return but if not soon enough the damage is permanent. Some of our nerve

> damage may be this type because of the LES not relaxing. That kind of

> damage would not be expected to show up elsewhere.

>

> The doctors for some members of this support group have said that

> achalasia is caused by a virus. Other doctors have told members that

> achalasia is an autoimmune disorder. A researcher has told members that

> achalasia is like an allergic reaction. None know for sure but that does

> not stop them from having opinions. So the question is not just will the

> body attack elsewhere but will achalasia, whatever it is, attack

> elsewhere. The answer to that seems to be yes, but not enough in most

> cases to cause major symptoms for most people. There are nerves very

> similar, but not necessarily identical, to those at the LES throughout

> the gut. The damage that causes problems seems to be near the LES but

> evidence can be found for damage away from the LES in some case. Studies

> on this subject have mixed results. Often these studies found results

> that show on tests but patients may not notice. They find we are a bit

> different but that is not always a problem. Here are some of those studies.

>

> Functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome

> in patients with achalasia and its association with non-cardiac chest pain

> and a decreased health-related quality of life.

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19263270

> " CONCLUSIONS; Symptoms of FD and IBS in patients with treated achalasia

> are common and have a negative impact on HRQoL. " (QoL is quality of life).

>

> Small-volume gallbladders and decreased motility in patients with achalasia.

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18209590

> " Achalasic patients have smaller gallbladders than do others. "

>

> Achalasia: a vagal disease

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15223675

> " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia have autonomic nerve dysfunction in

> the vagal nerve outside the oesophagus. "

>

> Higher incidence of thyropathy in patients with oesophageal achalasia.

> Genetic, autoimmune, regional or just a random association?

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18630612

> " CONCLUSION: The incidence of thyroid disease proved higher in patients

> with achalasia than in the controls. "

>

> Postprandial gastric relaxation in achalasia

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9831267

> " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia show a decreased postprandial

> gastric relaxation compared with healthy controls. "

>

> The study about thyropathy makes me wonder if we would be looking at it

> backward in this case. Perhaps some cases of achalasia are autoimmune

> and if you have autoimmune thyropathy or another autoimmune disorder

> then you are more likely to have achalasia not just the other way

> around. Others cases of achalasia may not be autoimmune. There could be

> other causes, not just one. It could be wrong to say everyone with

> achalasia is more likely to have other autoimmune disorders if some

> cases of achalasia are not autoimmune caused. It may be better to say

> some people with achalasia may have a greater risk of other autoimmune

> disorders.

>

> Remember that there are others studies that don't find problems outside

> the esophagus.

>

> notan

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

This is actually very interesting information. Notan you amaze me by how much

you know about this disease. This reaccuring viral infection that ulcerates I

keep getting, I am on my third one in about a month and half my GP said

actually hides in your nerves. I am looking for homeopathic ways to prevent or

get rid of them so far I am gargling with salt water. I think I sent a post out

awhile back asking if anyone else in this group gets these and I didn't see a

response.

My doctor thinks it is Eosinophilic disease I will say because I think there are

a few types. He gave me Tectocycline to swoosh in my mouth to kill the ulcers I

guess but according to a couple of sights I found on the internet, Tetracycline

may cause this disease.

My GP is at Aurora Hospital and my GI is at Froedert Hospital, which is a

teaching hospital and they treated me well there. My GP feels along with other

issues I have starte to have after Achalasia settled in, that I have some type

of autoimmune disease but we are not sure which. So my question is this, my GP

doesn't treat anyone with A and last time I wasted $250 to go and see him he

said he wanted me to go back to my GI and have a colocoscopy and they can get a

biopsy for Eosinophilic, which actually you need to do endoscopy for that. I

said to myself if I get this horrible viral infection back agin I am going back

to the doctor. I am thinking I don't want to go see my GP for this so what type

of doctor would I go see.

I work two jobs and keep very busy. I am single and am an empty nester and have

tried to slow down as much as I can and being sick all the time, or so it seems,

really wears me down. I am down to my last few hospital payment from last year

and only have $1,000 from my HSA for this year. I used to work out 3xs a week

but since these viral infections started I feel very exhausted and barely make

it through my days. I was learning to manage my Achalasia but these viral

infections not only make me exhausted but my glands swell up so bad and it makes

my throat really sore. I already have trouble swallowing so what food I seem to

get down, a good half will come up. But it looks more like phlem.

 

I am sorry guys I am just venting.

 Kim A

________________________________

From: lindsayaus <lindsay_kite@...>

achalasia

Sent: Saturday, March 3, 2012 4:49 PM

Subject: Re: Question...can nerves die elsewhere?

 

Thanks Notan, I knew you would have heaps of info.

I thought all nerves were joined somehow, and when some died others close by

might die too.

> >

> > We all know that A is a result of nerves that die and won't work

> > anymore. Just wondering if other body nerves will die over time.

> > If it's because the body 'attacks' itself, then why would the damage

> > stop with the oesophagus?

> >

>

> No one knows why the nerves die because of achalasia. One theory is that

> a virus hides in those nerves. Certain viruses are known to prefer

> specific types of nerves so it is possible that there is one that likes

> certain nerves of the esophagus. If so the body may be trying to attack

> that virus and ends up destroying the nerves in the process. No such

> virus for achalasia has been found though some people with achalasia do

> show more reaction to certain viruses than controls. Another possibility

> is that the immune system is detecting something about the those nerves

> that causes it to attack them as if they were an infection. The immune

> system can also be very specific when it does an autoimmune attack. It

> can produce antibodies against very specific nerves. The autoimmune

> theory of achalasia has not been proven though the immune system does

> seem to have some kind of extra activity in the area of the damage and

> anti-neural antibodies are sometimes found but not in large enough

> amounts to prove an autoimmune disorder. The damage may be triggered by

> the mast cells in the esophagus much like watery eyes or hives results

> from an allergic reaction. Allergic types of reactions can also be very

> specific about where the body responds. No trigger for such a reaction

> has been found. Some of the damage in the esophagus may be because of

> too much distention of the esophagus from food that is trapped in it.

> Nerves can only take so much stretching before they have trouble. You

> can cause achalasia like damage by placing a band around the LES of

> animals so the LES can only open a little. That mimics the LES in

> achalasia. Over time the nerves for peristalsis in the esophagus above

> the band are destroyed and peristalsis is lost in that part of the

> esophagus. If the band is removed soon enough some peristalsis will

> return but if not soon enough the damage is permanent. Some of our nerve

> damage may be this type because of the LES not relaxing. That kind of

> damage would not be expected to show up elsewhere.

>

> The doctors for some members of this support group have said that

> achalasia is caused by a virus. Other doctors have told members that

> achalasia is an autoimmune disorder. A researcher has told members that

> achalasia is like an allergic reaction. None know for sure but that does

> not stop them from having opinions. So the question is not just will the

> body attack elsewhere but will achalasia, whatever it is, attack

> elsewhere. The answer to that seems to be yes, but not enough in most

> cases to cause major symptoms for most people. There are nerves very

> similar, but not necessarily identical, to those at the LES throughout

> the gut. The damage that causes problems seems to be near the LES but

> evidence can be found for damage away from the LES in some case. Studies

> on this subject have mixed results. Often these studies found results

> that show on tests but patients may not notice. They find we are a bit

> different but that is not always a problem. Here are some of those studies.

>

> Functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome

> in patients with achalasia and its association with non-cardiac chest pain

> and a decreased health-related quality of life.

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19263270

> " CONCLUSIONS; Symptoms of FD and IBS in patients with treated achalasia

> are common and have a negative impact on HRQoL. " (QoL is quality of life).

>

> Small-volume gallbladders and decreased motility in patients with achalasia.

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18209590

> " Achalasic patients have smaller gallbladders than do others. "

>

> Achalasia: a vagal disease

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15223675

> " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia have autonomic nerve dysfunction in

> the vagal nerve outside the oesophagus. "

>

> Higher incidence of thyropathy in patients with oesophageal achalasia.

> Genetic, autoimmune, regional or just a random association?

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18630612

> " CONCLUSION: The incidence of thyroid disease proved higher in patients

> with achalasia than in the controls. "

>

> Postprandial gastric relaxation in achalasia

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9831267

> " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia show a decreased postprandial

> gastric relaxation compared with healthy controls. "

>

> The study about thyropathy makes me wonder if we would be looking at it

> backward in this case. Perhaps some cases of achalasia are autoimmune

> and if you have autoimmune thyropathy or another autoimmune disorder

> then you are more likely to have achalasia not just the other way

> around. Others cases of achalasia may not be autoimmune. There could be

> other causes, not just one. It could be wrong to say everyone with

> achalasia is more likely to have other autoimmune disorders if some

> cases of achalasia are not autoimmune caused. It may be better to say

> some people with achalasia may have a greater risk of other autoimmune

> disorders.

>

> Remember that there are others studies that don't find problems outside

> the esophagus.

>

> notan

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I have hidradentitus suppuritiva, had PCOS, had endometriosis till I had er all

yanked.

Wonder if they are connected. Hmmmm

Sent from my CrackBerry® powered by Virgin Mobile.

Re: Question...can nerves die elsewhere?

 

Thanks Notan, I knew you would have heaps of info.

I thought all nerves were joined somehow, and when some died others close by

might die too.

> >

> > We all know that A is a result of nerves that die and won't work

> > anymore. Just wondering if other body nerves will die over time.

> > If it's because the body 'attacks' itself, then why would the damage

> > stop with the oesophagus?

> >

>

> No one knows why the nerves die because of achalasia. One theory is that

> a virus hides in those nerves. Certain viruses are known to prefer

> specific types of nerves so it is possible that there is one that likes

> certain nerves of the esophagus. If so the body may be trying to attack

> that virus and ends up destroying the nerves in the process. No such

> virus for achalasia has been found though some people with achalasia do

> show more reaction to certain viruses than controls. Another possibility

> is that the immune system is detecting something about the those nerves

> that causes it to attack them as if they were an infection. The immune

> system can also be very specific when it does an autoimmune attack. It

> can produce antibodies against very specific nerves. The autoimmune

> theory of achalasia has not been proven though the immune system does

> seem to have some kind of extra activity in the area of the damage and

> anti-neural antibodies are sometimes found but not in large enough

> amounts to prove an autoimmune disorder. The damage may be triggered by

> the mast cells in the esophagus much like watery eyes or hives results

> from an allergic reaction. Allergic types of reactions can also be very

> specific about where the body responds. No trigger for such a reaction

> has been found. Some of the damage in the esophagus may be because of

> too much distention of the esophagus from food that is trapped in it.

> Nerves can only take so much stretching before they have trouble. You

> can cause achalasia like damage by placing a band around the LES of

> animals so the LES can only open a little. That mimics the LES in

> achalasia. Over time the nerves for peristalsis in the esophagus above

> the band are destroyed and peristalsis is lost in that part of the

> esophagus. If the band is removed soon enough some peristalsis will

> return but if not soon enough the damage is permanent. Some of our nerve

> damage may be this type because of the LES not relaxing. That kind of

> damage would not be expected to show up elsewhere.

>

> The doctors for some members of this support group have said that

> achalasia is caused by a virus. Other doctors have told members that

> achalasia is an autoimmune disorder. A researcher has told members that

> achalasia is like an allergic reaction. None know for sure but that does

> not stop them from having opinions. So the question is not just will the

> body attack elsewhere but will achalasia, whatever it is, attack

> elsewhere. The answer to that seems to be yes, but not enough in most

> cases to cause major symptoms for most people. There are nerves very

> similar, but not necessarily identical, to those at the LES throughout

> the gut. The damage that causes problems seems to be near the LES but

> evidence can be found for damage away from the LES in some case. Studies

> on this subject have mixed results. Often these studies found results

> that show on tests but patients may not notice. They find we are a bit

> different but that is not always a problem. Here are some of those studies.

>

> Functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome

> in patients with achalasia and its association with non-cardiac chest pain

> and a decreased health-related quality of life.

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19263270

> " CONCLUSIONS; Symptoms of FD and IBS in patients with treated achalasia

> are common and have a negative impact on HRQoL. " (QoL is quality of life).

>

> Small-volume gallbladders and decreased motility in patients with achalasia.

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18209590

> " Achalasic patients have smaller gallbladders than do others. "

>

> Achalasia: a vagal disease

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15223675

> " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia have autonomic nerve dysfunction in

> the vagal nerve outside the oesophagus. "

>

> Higher incidence of thyropathy in patients with oesophageal achalasia.

> Genetic, autoimmune, regional or just a random association?

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18630612

> " CONCLUSION: The incidence of thyroid disease proved higher in patients

> with achalasia than in the controls. "

>

> Postprandial gastric relaxation in achalasia

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9831267

> " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia show a decreased postprandial

> gastric relaxation compared with healthy controls. "

>

> The study about thyropathy makes me wonder if we would be looking at it

> backward in this case. Perhaps some cases of achalasia are autoimmune

> and if you have autoimmune thyropathy or another autoimmune disorder

> then you are more likely to have achalasia not just the other way

> around. Others cases of achalasia may not be autoimmune. There could be

> other causes, not just one. It could be wrong to say everyone with

> achalasia is more likely to have other autoimmune disorders if some

> cases of achalasia are not autoimmune caused. It may be better to say

> some people with achalasia may have a greater risk of other autoimmune

> disorders.

>

> Remember that there are others studies that don't find problems outside

> the esophagus.

>

> notan

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jenn,

 

I had endemetriosis for years before I had a hysterectomy in 2007. What a relief

that was. Were those other two things you were referring to due to viral

infections?

 

Kim A

________________________________

From: Jenn Gerrits <adoptivemommy@...>

achalasia

Sent: Sunday, March 4, 2012 11:31 AM

Subject: Re: Re: Question...can nerves die elsewhere?

 

I have hidradentitus suppuritiva, had PCOS, had endometriosis till I had er all

yanked.

Wonder if they are connected. Hmmmm

Sent from my CrackBerry® powered by Virgin Mobile.

Re: Question...can nerves die elsewhere?

 

Thanks Notan, I knew you would have heaps of info.

I thought all nerves were joined somehow, and when some died others close by

might die too.

> >

> > We all know that A is a result of nerves that die and won't work

> > anymore. Just wondering if other body nerves will die over time.

> > If it's because the body 'attacks' itself, then why would the damage

> > stop with the oesophagus?

> >

>

> No one knows why the nerves die because of achalasia. One theory is that

> a virus hides in those nerves. Certain viruses are known to prefer

> specific types of nerves so it is possible that there is one that likes

> certain nerves of the esophagus. If so the body may be trying to attack

> that virus and ends up destroying the nerves in the process. No such

> virus for achalasia has been found though some people with achalasia do

> show more reaction to certain viruses than controls. Another possibility

> is that the immune system is detecting something about the those nerves

> that causes it to attack them as if they were an infection. The immune

> system can also be very specific when it does an autoimmune attack. It

> can produce antibodies against very specific nerves. The autoimmune

> theory of achalasia has not been proven though the immune system does

> seem to have some kind of extra activity in the area of the damage and

> anti-neural antibodies are sometimes found but not in large enough

> amounts to prove an autoimmune disorder. The damage may be triggered by

> the mast cells in the esophagus much like watery eyes or hives results

> from an allergic reaction. Allergic types of reactions can also be very

> specific about where the body responds. No trigger for such a reaction

> has been found. Some of the damage in the esophagus may be because of

> too much distention of the esophagus from food that is trapped in it.

> Nerves can only take so much stretching before they have trouble. You

> can cause achalasia like damage by placing a band around the LES of

> animals so the LES can only open a little. That mimics the LES in

> achalasia. Over time the nerves for peristalsis in the esophagus above

> the band are destroyed and peristalsis is lost in that part of the

> esophagus. If the band is removed soon enough some peristalsis will

> return but if not soon enough the damage is permanent. Some of our nerve

> damage may be this type because of the LES not relaxing. That kind of

> damage would not be expected to show up elsewhere.

>

> The doctors for some members of this support group have said that

> achalasia is caused by a virus. Other doctors have told members that

> achalasia is an autoimmune disorder. A researcher has told members that

> achalasia is like an allergic reaction. None know for sure but that does

> not stop them from having opinions. So the question is not just will the

> body attack elsewhere but will achalasia, whatever it is, attack

> elsewhere. The answer to that seems to be yes, but not enough in most

> cases to cause major symptoms for most people. There are nerves very

> similar, but not necessarily identical, to those at the LES throughout

> the gut. The damage that causes problems seems to be near the LES but

> evidence can be found for damage away from the LES in some case. Studies

> on this subject have mixed results. Often these studies found results

> that show on tests but patients may not notice. They find we are a bit

> different but that is not always a problem. Here are some of those studies.

>

> Functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome

> in patients with achalasia and its association with non-cardiac chest pain

> and a decreased health-related quality of life.

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19263270

> " CONCLUSIONS; Symptoms of FD and IBS in patients with treated achalasia

> are common and have a negative impact on HRQoL. " (QoL is quality of life).

>

> Small-volume gallbladders and decreased motility in patients with achalasia.

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18209590

> " Achalasic patients have smaller gallbladders than do others. "

>

> Achalasia: a vagal disease

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15223675

> " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia have autonomic nerve dysfunction in

> the vagal nerve outside the oesophagus. "

>

> Higher incidence of thyropathy in patients with oesophageal achalasia.

> Genetic, autoimmune, regional or just a random association?

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18630612

> " CONCLUSION: The incidence of thyroid disease proved higher in patients

> with achalasia than in the controls. "

>

> Postprandial gastric relaxation in achalasia

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9831267

> " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia show a decreased postprandial

> gastric relaxation compared with healthy controls. "

>

> The study about thyropathy makes me wonder if we would be looking at it

> backward in this case. Perhaps some cases of achalasia are autoimmune

> and if you have autoimmune thyropathy or another autoimmune disorder

> then you are more likely to have achalasia not just the other way

> around. Others cases of achalasia may not be autoimmune. There could be

> other causes, not just one. It could be wrong to say everyone with

> achalasia is more likely to have other autoimmune disorders if some

> cases of achalasia are not autoimmune caused. It may be better to say

> some people with achalasia may have a greater risk of other autoimmune

> disorders.

>

> Remember that there are others studies that don't find problems outside

> the esophagus.

>

> notan

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I also thought that once you had no motility in the E that the spasms would

stop....at least that's what my doc told me. Well I have no motility and I

still get the odd spasm...why if the nerves are dead.

I also get the odd tingling in my back (right behind my E) and in my upper

throat. That's why I am wondering if it is possible for more nerves to die.

> > >

> > > We all know that A is a result of nerves that die and won't work

> > > anymore. Just wondering if other body nerves will die over time.

> > > If it's because the body 'attacks' itself, then why would the damage

> > > stop with the oesophagus?

> > >

> >

> > No one knows why the nerves die because of achalasia. One theory is that

> > a virus hides in those nerves. Certain viruses are known to prefer

> > specific types of nerves so it is possible that there is one that likes

> > certain nerves of the esophagus. If so the body may be trying to attack

> > that virus and ends up destroying the nerves in the process. No such

> > virus for achalasia has been found though some people with achalasia do

> > show more reaction to certain viruses than controls. Another possibility

> > is that the immune system is detecting something about the those nerves

> > that causes it to attack them as if they were an infection. The immune

> > system can also be very specific when it does an autoimmune attack. It

> > can produce antibodies against very specific nerves. The autoimmune

> > theory of achalasia has not been proven though the immune system does

> > seem to have some kind of extra activity in the area of the damage and

> > anti-neural antibodies are sometimes found but not in large enough

> > amounts to prove an autoimmune disorder. The damage may be triggered by

> > the mast cells in the esophagus much like watery eyes or hives results

> > from an allergic reaction. Allergic types of reactions can also be very

> > specific about where the body responds. No trigger for such a reaction

> > has been found. Some of the damage in the esophagus may be because of

> > too much distention of the esophagus from food that is trapped in it.

> > Nerves can only take so much stretching before they have trouble. You

> > can cause achalasia like damage by placing a band around the LES of

> > animals so the LES can only open a little. That mimics the LES in

> > achalasia. Over time the nerves for peristalsis in the esophagus above

> > the band are destroyed and peristalsis is lost in that part of the

> > esophagus. If the band is removed soon enough some peristalsis will

> > return but if not soon enough the damage is permanent. Some of our nerve

> > damage may be this type because of the LES not relaxing. That kind of

> > damage would not be expected to show up elsewhere.

> >

> > The doctors for some members of this support group have said that

> > achalasia is caused by a virus. Other doctors have told members that

> > achalasia is an autoimmune disorder. A researcher has told members that

> > achalasia is like an allergic reaction. None know for sure but that does

> > not stop them from having opinions. So the question is not just will the

> > body attack elsewhere but will achalasia, whatever it is, attack

> > elsewhere. The answer to that seems to be yes, but not enough in most

> > cases to cause major symptoms for most people. There are nerves very

> > similar, but not necessarily identical, to those at the LES throughout

> > the gut. The damage that causes problems seems to be near the LES but

> > evidence can be found for damage away from the LES in some case. Studies

> > on this subject have mixed results. Often these studies found results

> > that show on tests but patients may not notice. They find we are a bit

> > different but that is not always a problem. Here are some of those studies.

> >

> > Functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome

> > in patients with achalasia and its association with non-cardiac chest pain

> > and a decreased health-related quality of life.

> > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19263270

> > " CONCLUSIONS; Symptoms of FD and IBS in patients with treated achalasia

> > are common and have a negative impact on HRQoL. " (QoL is quality of life).

> >

> > Small-volume gallbladders and decreased motility in patients with achalasia.

> > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18209590

> > " Achalasic patients have smaller gallbladders than do others. "

> >

> > Achalasia: a vagal disease

> > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15223675

> > " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia have autonomic nerve dysfunction in

> > the vagal nerve outside the oesophagus. "

> >

> > Higher incidence of thyropathy in patients with oesophageal achalasia.

> > Genetic, autoimmune, regional or just a random association?

> > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18630612

> > " CONCLUSION: The incidence of thyroid disease proved higher in patients

> > with achalasia than in the controls. "

> >

> > Postprandial gastric relaxation in achalasia

> > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9831267

> > " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia show a decreased postprandial

> > gastric relaxation compared with healthy controls. "

> >

> > The study about thyropathy makes me wonder if we would be looking at it

> > backward in this case. Perhaps some cases of achalasia are autoimmune

> > and if you have autoimmune thyropathy or another autoimmune disorder

> > then you are more likely to have achalasia not just the other way

> > around. Others cases of achalasia may not be autoimmune. There could be

> > other causes, not just one. It could be wrong to say everyone with

> > achalasia is more likely to have other autoimmune disorders if some

> > cases of achalasia are not autoimmune caused. It may be better to say

> > some people with achalasia may have a greater risk of other autoimmune

> > disorders.

> >

> > Remember that there are others studies that don't find problems outside

> > the esophagus.

> >

> > notan

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

wrote:

>

> I thought all nerves were joined somehow, and when some died others

> close by might die too.

>

They might die, but consider that in ALS motor nerves in the spine are

destroyed but others with them are not. You could still feel a limb but

not move it.

There are many types of nerves and they are different in how they work

at a cellular level, not just their function. what effects one many not

effect another even if they are close to each other. In the muscle layer

(myenteric - " my " often refers to muscle as in my-otomy ) of the

esophagus, is a network (plexus) called the myenteric plexus of Auerbach

or Auerbach's plexus. On the plexus are node like bundles of nerves

called ganglia. The cell bodies of the plexus nerves are found in the

ganglia. The myenteric plexus and the ganglia in it are made up of

various types of nerves. In achalasia the destruction of nerves in the

ganglia seems to be first to the nerves that control relaxation of the

LES. The nerves for contraction of the LES seem to be intact. That

explains the results of tests using drugs that target those nerves and

explain the why the LES often produces too much pressure (action of the

contraction nerves without opposition from the relaxation nerves) and

why relaxation fails (little or no action of the relaxation nerves but

continued action of the contraction nerves). So even though these nerves

are near each other they do not suffer the destruction equally, at least

at first. Taking samples of the myenteric plexus from patient with

achalasia undergoing myotomies and esophagectomies shows loss of

ganglion nerves. Less loss early in the progression but often complete

loss of the myenteric ganglions in end-stage. Not every patient

progresses to end-stage so it may be a different form of achalasia that

is more destructive to more types of nerves. It could also be that

achalasia targets the relaxation nerves but because of the distention

that it causes the other nerves are destroyed over time because they are

stretched too much. Another theory is that an immune system response to

something in the area is toxic to the ganglion nerves in general but

more so to the relaxation nerves. This could be because the relaxation

nerves most effected are the ones that produce nitric oxide which is

itself toxic and is even used by some immune system cells to destroy cells.

The fact that nerves are lost from the ganglia has implication for

regrowth of the nerves. Some people think that because when the vagus

nerve is cut to reduce the production of acid in the stomach and it

sometime reattaches and resumes production of acid that it implies the

nerves in achalasia could regrow. What is cut for reducing stomach acid

are nerve axons, but the nerve bodies are not killed. An axon is a

branch off of a nerve body. A ganglionic nerve has its cell body in a

ganglion. If that ganglion no longer exists then there is no cell body

there to regrow its axon.

notan

[Guest guest]

Jenn wrote:

>

> I have hidradentitus suppuritiva, had PCOS, had endometriosis till I

> had er all yanked.

>

> Wonder if they are connected. Hmmmm

>

Well, being that no one knows what causes achalasia, anything is

possible. If they were you expect more people with achalasia to have

them than otherwise is normal. I don't know of any evidence either way.

notan

[Guest guest]

wrote:

>

> I also thought that once you had no motility in the E that the spasms

> would stop....at least that's what my doc told me. Well I have no

> motility and I still get the odd spasm...why if the nerves are dead.

>

The nerves that produce nitric oxide are required for the cycle of event

that produces peristalsis. So, even if you still have the contraction

nerves you could have dysmotility in the esophagus. The peristalsis wave

would collapses looking like there is no motility but the muscle could

still be put into contractions in a spasm by the dysfunctional

stimulation by the contraction nerves that remain. In time these may

also die and spasm from them would quit. Spasm pain is reported to be

more common earlier in the progression of achalasia than later. That may

be because later both types of nerves are lost. When doctors test

patients that complain of chest pain from achalasia often there is no

correlation between their pain and spasms, or the lack of either, as

seen on barium studies or manometry. Clearly not all pain that feels

like a spasm is a spasm. Remember though that we don't all progress the

same. This may fit some better than others.

notan

[Guest guest]

Kim wrote:

>

> This reaccuring viral infection that ulcerates I keep getting... . My

> doctor thinks it is Eosinophilic disease I will say because I think

> there are a few types. He gave me Tectocycline to swoosh in my mouth

> to kill the ulcers I guess but according to a couple of sights I found

> on the internet, Tetracycline may cause this disease.

>

Repeat ulcers like that can be from a virus. I assume a biopsy was done

to confirm it is eosinophilic. If you have a reaction to Tetracycline

that can cause it. Look out for signs of reaction to your medications.

Also, many pills, including Tetracycline, can cause irritation in the

esophagus if they get stuck which could lead to an eosinophilic reaction

or just pill induced esophagitis.

> ... I don't want to go see my GP for this so what type of doctor would

> I go see.

>

I would think a GI would be the one to see for a biopsy. A immunologist

or rheumatologist who specializes in autoimmunity would be good to see

about an autoimmune disorder. Note that if you have achalasia you are

likely to test positive for antineuronal antibodies. That does not mean

you have an autoimmune disorder though. It would need to be collaborated

with other evidence.

> ... these viral infections not only make me exhausted but my glands

> swell up so bad and it makes my throat really sore. I already have

> trouble swallowing so what food I seem to get down, a good half will

> come up.

>

Eosinophilic esophagitis can act a lot like achalasia.

notan

[Guest guest]

" >regrowth of the nerves

>it implies that the nerves in achalasia could regrow.

From notan research looked at the " regrowth of nerves "

Many articles on this

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2319732

vitamins B1, B6 and B12

" number of regenerating axons is higher "

Have also found other interesting statements on nerve regrowth.

Methylcobalamin shots B12

Alpha Lipoic Acid

Forskolin

Ray CA OC

> >

> > I thought all nerves were joined somehow, and when some died others

> > close by might die too.

> >

>

> They might die, but consider that in ALS motor nerves in the spine are

> destroyed but others with them are not. You could still feel a limb but

> not move it.

>

> There are many types of nerves and they are different in how they work

> at a cellular level, not just their function. what effects one many not

> effect another even if they are close to each other. In the muscle layer

> (myenteric - " my " often refers to muscle as in my-otomy ) of the

> esophagus, is a network (plexus) called the myenteric plexus of Auerbach

> or Auerbach's plexus. On the plexus are node like bundles of nerves

> called ganglia. The cell bodies of the plexus nerves are found in the

> ganglia. The myenteric plexus and the ganglia in it are made up of

> various types of nerves. In achalasia the destruction of nerves in the

> ganglia seems to be first to the nerves that control relaxation of the

> LES. The nerves for contraction of the LES seem to be intact. That

> explains the results of tests using drugs that target those nerves and

> explain the why the LES often produces too much pressure (action of the

> contraction nerves without opposition from the relaxation nerves) and

> why relaxation fails (little or no action of the relaxation nerves but

> continued action of the contraction nerves). So even though these nerves

> are near each other they do not suffer the destruction equally, at least

> at first. Taking samples of the myenteric plexus from patient with

> achalasia undergoing myotomies and esophagectomies shows loss of

> ganglion nerves. Less loss early in the progression but often complete

> loss of the myenteric ganglions in end-stage. Not every patient

> progresses to end-stage so it may be a different form of achalasia that

> is more destructive to more types of nerves. It could also be that

> achalasia targets the relaxation nerves but because of the distention

> that it causes the other nerves are destroyed over time because they are

> stretched too much. Another theory is that an immune system response to

> something in the area is toxic to the ganglion nerves in general but

> more so to the relaxation nerves. This could be because the relaxation

> nerves most effected are the ones that produce nitric oxide which is

> itself toxic and is even used by some immune system cells to destroy cells.

>

> The fact that nerves are lost from the ganglia has implication for

> regrowth of the nerves. Some people think that because when the vagus

> nerve is cut to reduce the production of acid in the stomach and it

> sometime reattaches and resumes production of acid that it implies the

> nerves in achalasia could regrow. What is cut for reducing stomach acid

> are nerve axons, but the nerve bodies are not killed. An axon is a

> branch off of a nerve body. A ganglionic nerve has its cell body in a

> ganglion. If that ganglion no longer exists then there is no cell body

> there to regrow its axon.

>

> notan

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ray wrote:

>

> " >regrowth of the nerves

> >it implies that the nerves in achalasia could regrow.

>

> >From notan research looked at the " regrowth of nerves "

>

> Many articles on this

> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2319732

> vitamins B1, B6 and B12

> " number of regenerating axons is higher "

>

First, let me point out that I wasn't saying " it implies that the

nerves in achalasia could regrow. " I was saying others think that it

does. A little more context there would have made that clear. Also,

those were just some people in this group that had that opinion not

doctors or researchers.

More important was that I went on to point out that to regrow an axon

you need a nerve first. In the study you point to they still had the

nerves to study and they grew the axons. My point is that once the nerve

is dead it isn't regrowing any axons no matter how much B vitamins or

what ever else you give it. So, the cut axons that regrow to recreate an

acid problem in the stomach do not imply " that the nerves in achalasia

could regrow. "

Achalasia kills nerves not just destroying axons. B vitamins help keep a

nerve and its axon healthy but once the battle is lost, and some can't

be won, vitamins can't resurrect the nerve. This is in the context of

achalasia. If we where talking nerves in the nose for the sense of smell

things could be different.

p63 regulates olfactory stem cell self-renewal and differentiation

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22153372

" The olfactory epithelium is a sensory neuroepithelium that supports

adult neurogenesis and tissue regeneration following injury, ... "

To bad the esophageal myenteric plexus doesn't work that way. Maybe

someday the study of olfactory nerves and stem cells will give us a way

to make it happen. That day is not today though.

notan

[Guest guest]

Hi Notan,

 

My doctor wanted me to get a colonoscopy to diagnose that, which really should

be endoscopy.

 

Honestly my confusion has been to what doctor I go to and in what situations. I

don't want to run to see anyone everytime I don't feel well but since this is my

third viral infection in a row, I have to wonder what is going on. I am hoping

this will pass on it's own but if it continues I was thinking I would go back to

my GI at Froedert and see what he thinks I should do. I am trying antihistamines

to see if they give me any resolution!!

 

Thanks

 

Kim A 

________________________________

From: notan ostrich <notan_ostrich@...>

achalasia

Sent: Sunday, March 4, 2012 5:51 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Question...can nerves die elsewhere?

 

Kim wrote:

>

> This reaccuring viral infection that ulcerates I keep getting... . My

> doctor thinks it is Eosinophilic disease I will say because I think

> there are a few types. He gave me Tectocycline to swoosh in my mouth

> to kill the ulcers I guess but according to a couple of sights I found

> on the internet, Tetracycline may cause this disease.

>

Repeat ulcers like that can be from a virus. I assume a biopsy was done

to confirm it is eosinophilic. If you have a reaction to Tetracycline

that can cause it. Look out for signs of reaction to your medications.

Also, many pills, including Tetracycline, can cause irritation in the

esophagus if they get stuck which could lead to an eosinophilic reaction

or just pill induced esophagitis.

> ... I don't want to go see my GP for this so what type of doctor would

> I go see.

>

I would think a GI would be the one to see for a biopsy. A immunologist

or rheumatologist who specializes in autoimmunity would be good to see

about an autoimmune disorder. Note that if you have achalasia you are

likely to test positive for antineuronal antibodies. That does not mean

you have an autoimmune disorder though. It would need to be collaborated

with other evidence.

> ... these viral infections not only make me exhausted but my glands

> swell up so bad and it makes my throat really sore. I already have

> trouble swallowing so what food I seem to get down, a good half will

> come up.

>

Eosinophilic esophagitis can act a lot like achalasia.

notan

[Guest guest]

, I get the same sensations in the throat and back. I always wonder

what's going on too.

Kim

________________________________

From: lindsayaus <lindsay_kite@...>

achalasia

Sent: Sunday, March 4, 2012 4:26 PM

Subject: Re: Question...can nerves die elsewhere?

 

I also thought that once you had no motility in the E that the spasms would

stop....at least that's what my doc told me. Well I have no motility and I

still get the odd spasm...why if the nerves are dead.

I also get the odd tingling in my back (right behind my E) and in my upper

throat. That's why I am wondering if it is possible for more nerves to die.

> > >

> > > We all know that A is a result of nerves that die and won't work

> > > anymore. Just wondering if other body nerves will die over time.

> > > If it's because the body 'attacks' itself, then why would the damage

> > > stop with the oesophagus?

> > >

> >

> > No one knows why the nerves die because of achalasia. One theory is that

> > a virus hides in those nerves. Certain viruses are known to prefer

> > specific types of nerves so it is possible that there is one that likes

> > certain nerves of the esophagus. If so the body may be trying to attack

> > that virus and ends up destroying the nerves in the process. No such

> > virus for achalasia has been found though some people with achalasia do

> > show more reaction to certain viruses than controls. Another possibility

> > is that the immune system is detecting something about the those nerves

> > that causes it to attack them as if they were an infection. The immune

> > system can also be very specific when it does an autoimmune attack. It

> > can produce antibodies against very specific nerves. The autoimmune

> > theory of achalasia has not been proven though the immune system does

> > seem to have some kind of extra activity in the area of the damage and

> > anti-neural antibodies are sometimes found but not in large enough

> > amounts to prove an autoimmune disorder. The damage may be triggered by

> > the mast cells in the esophagus much like watery eyes or hives results

> > from an allergic reaction. Allergic types of reactions can also be very

> > specific about where the body responds. No trigger for such a reaction

> > has been found. Some of the damage in the esophagus may be because of

> > too much distention of the esophagus from food that is trapped in it.

> > Nerves can only take so much stretching before they have trouble. You

> > can cause achalasia like damage by placing a band around the LES of

> > animals so the LES can only open a little. That mimics the LES in

> > achalasia. Over time the nerves for peristalsis in the esophagus above

> > the band are destroyed and peristalsis is lost in that part of the

> > esophagus. If the band is removed soon enough some peristalsis will

> > return but if not soon enough the damage is permanent. Some of our nerve

> > damage may be this type because of the LES not relaxing. That kind of

> > damage would not be expected to show up elsewhere.

> >

> > The doctors for some members of this support group have said that

> > achalasia is caused by a virus. Other doctors have told members that

> > achalasia is an autoimmune disorder. A researcher has told members that

> > achalasia is like an allergic reaction. None know for sure but that does

> > not stop them from having opinions. So the question is not just will the

> > body attack elsewhere but will achalasia, whatever it is, attack

> > elsewhere. The answer to that seems to be yes, but not enough in most

> > cases to cause major symptoms for most people. There are nerves very

> > similar, but not necessarily identical, to those at the LES throughout

> > the gut. The damage that causes problems seems to be near the LES but

> > evidence can be found for damage away from the LES in some case. Studies

> > on this subject have mixed results. Often these studies found results

> > that show on tests but patients may not notice. They find we are a bit

> > different but that is not always a problem. Here are some of those studies.

> >

> > Functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome

> > in patients with achalasia and its association with non-cardiac chest pain

> > and a decreased health-related quality of life.

> > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19263270

> > " CONCLUSIONS; Symptoms of FD and IBS in patients with treated achalasia

> > are common and have a negative impact on HRQoL. " (QoL is quality of life).

> >

> > Small-volume gallbladders and decreased motility in patients with achalasia.

> > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18209590

> > " Achalasic patients have smaller gallbladders than do others. "

> >

> > Achalasia: a vagal disease

> > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15223675

> > " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia have autonomic nerve dysfunction in

> > the vagal nerve outside the oesophagus. "

> >

> > Higher incidence of thyropathy in patients with oesophageal achalasia.

> > Genetic, autoimmune, regional or just a random association?

> > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18630612

> > " CONCLUSION: The incidence of thyroid disease proved higher in patients

> > with achalasia than in the controls. "

> >

> > Postprandial gastric relaxation in achalasia

> > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9831267

> > " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia show a decreased postprandial

> > gastric relaxation compared with healthy controls. "

> >

> > The study about thyropathy makes me wonder if we would be looking at it

> > backward in this case. Perhaps some cases of achalasia are autoimmune

> > and if you have autoimmune thyropathy or another autoimmune disorder

> > then you are more likely to have achalasia not just the other way

> > around. Others cases of achalasia may not be autoimmune. There could be

> > other causes, not just one. It could be wrong to say everyone with

> > achalasia is more likely to have other autoimmune disorders if some

> > cases of achalasia are not autoimmune caused. It may be better to say

> > some people with achalasia may have a greater risk of other autoimmune

> > disorders.

> >

> > Remember that there are others studies that don't find problems outside

> > the esophagus.

> >

> > notan

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

So it must be related to A then!

> > > >

> > > > We all know that A is a result of nerves that die and won't work

> > > > anymore. Just wondering if other body nerves will die over time.

> > > > If it's because the body 'attacks' itself, then why would the damage

> > > > stop with the oesophagus?

> > > >

> > >

> > > No one knows why the nerves die because of achalasia. One theory is that

> > > a virus hides in those nerves. Certain viruses are known to prefer

> > > specific types of nerves so it is possible that there is one that likes

> > > certain nerves of the esophagus. If so the body may be trying to attack

> > > that virus and ends up destroying the nerves in the process. No such

> > > virus for achalasia has been found though some people with achalasia do

> > > show more reaction to certain viruses than controls. Another possibility

> > > is that the immune system is detecting something about the those nerves

> > > that causes it to attack them as if they were an infection. The immune

> > > system can also be very specific when it does an autoimmune attack. It

> > > can produce antibodies against very specific nerves. The autoimmune

> > > theory of achalasia has not been proven though the immune system does

> > > seem to have some kind of extra activity in the area of the damage and

> > > anti-neural antibodies are sometimes found but not in large enough

> > > amounts to prove an autoimmune disorder. The damage may be triggered by

> > > the mast cells in the esophagus much like watery eyes or hives results

> > > from an allergic reaction. Allergic types of reactions can also be very

> > > specific about where the body responds. No trigger for such a reaction

> > > has been found. Some of the damage in the esophagus may be because of

> > > too much distention of the esophagus from food that is trapped in it.

> > > Nerves can only take so much stretching before they have trouble. You

> > > can cause achalasia like damage by placing a band around the LES of

> > > animals so the LES can only open a little. That mimics the LES in

> > > achalasia. Over time the nerves for peristalsis in the esophagus above

> > > the band are destroyed and peristalsis is lost in that part of the

> > > esophagus. If the band is removed soon enough some peristalsis will

> > > return but if not soon enough the damage is permanent. Some of our nerve

> > > damage may be this type because of the LES not relaxing. That kind of

> > > damage would not be expected to show up elsewhere.

> > >

> > > The doctors for some members of this support group have said that

> > > achalasia is caused by a virus. Other doctors have told members that

> > > achalasia is an autoimmune disorder. A researcher has told members that

> > > achalasia is like an allergic reaction. None know for sure but that does

> > > not stop them from having opinions. So the question is not just will the

> > > body attack elsewhere but will achalasia, whatever it is, attack

> > > elsewhere. The answer to that seems to be yes, but not enough in most

> > > cases to cause major symptoms for most people. There are nerves very

> > > similar, but not necessarily identical, to those at the LES throughout

> > > the gut. The damage that causes problems seems to be near the LES but

> > > evidence can be found for damage away from the LES in some case. Studies

> > > on this subject have mixed results. Often these studies found results

> > > that show on tests but patients may not notice. They find we are a bit

> > > different but that is not always a problem. Here are some of those

studies.

> > >

> > > Functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome

> > > in patients with achalasia and its association with non-cardiac chest pain

> > > and a decreased health-related quality of life.

> > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19263270

> > > " CONCLUSIONS; Symptoms of FD and IBS in patients with treated achalasia

> > > are common and have a negative impact on HRQoL. " (QoL is quality of life).

> > >

> > > Small-volume gallbladders and decreased motility in patients with

achalasia.

> > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18209590

> > > " Achalasic patients have smaller gallbladders than do others. "

> > >

> > > Achalasia: a vagal disease

> > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15223675

> > > " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia have autonomic nerve dysfunction in

> > > the vagal nerve outside the oesophagus. "

> > >

> > > Higher incidence of thyropathy in patients with oesophageal achalasia.

> > > Genetic, autoimmune, regional or just a random association?

> > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18630612

> > > " CONCLUSION: The incidence of thyroid disease proved higher in patients

> > > with achalasia than in the controls. "

> > >

> > > Postprandial gastric relaxation in achalasia

> > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9831267

> > > " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia show a decreased postprandial

> > > gastric relaxation compared with healthy controls. "

> > >

> > > The study about thyropathy makes me wonder if we would be looking at it

> > > backward in this case. Perhaps some cases of achalasia are autoimmune

> > > and if you have autoimmune thyropathy or another autoimmune disorder

> > > then you are more likely to have achalasia not just the other way

> > > around. Others cases of achalasia may not be autoimmune. There could be

> > > other causes, not just one. It could be wrong to say everyone with

> > > achalasia is more likely to have other autoimmune disorders if some

> > > cases of achalasia are not autoimmune caused. It may be better to say

> > > some people with achalasia may have a greater risk of other autoimmune

> > > disorders.

> > >

> > > Remember that there are others studies that don't find problems outside

> > > the esophagus.

> > >

> > > notan

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

[Guest guest]

Really need to know if the numb/tingling feeling in the lips/mouth is because of

the dilation or A or perhaps the nifedipine I am now taking for the spasms.

It's starting to really annoy me!! Does it mean I am going to lose all feeling

so I won't be able to eat/chew....ever!! Very concerned...should I ring my doc?

Always worry when I get new symptoms of any sort now.

> > > > >

> > > > > We all know that A is a result of nerves that die and won't work

> > > > > anymore. Just wondering if other body nerves will die over time.

> > > > > If it's because the body 'attacks' itself, then why would the damage

> > > > > stop with the oesophagus?

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > > No one knows why the nerves die because of achalasia. One theory is that

> > > > a virus hides in those nerves. Certain viruses are known to prefer

> > > > specific types of nerves so it is possible that there is one that likes

> > > > certain nerves of the esophagus. If so the body may be trying to attack

> > > > that virus and ends up destroying the nerves in the process. No such

> > > > virus for achalasia has been found though some people with achalasia do

> > > > show more reaction to certain viruses than controls. Another possibility

> > > > is that the immune system is detecting something about the those nerves

> > > > that causes it to attack them as if they were an infection. The immune

> > > > system can also be very specific when it does an autoimmune attack. It

> > > > can produce antibodies against very specific nerves. The autoimmune

> > > > theory of achalasia has not been proven though the immune system does

> > > > seem to have some kind of extra activity in the area of the damage and

> > > > anti-neural antibodies are sometimes found but not in large enough

> > > > amounts to prove an autoimmune disorder. The damage may be triggered by

> > > > the mast cells in the esophagus much like watery eyes or hives results

> > > > from an allergic reaction. Allergic types of reactions can also be very

> > > > specific about where the body responds. No trigger for such a reaction

> > > > has been found. Some of the damage in the esophagus may be because of

> > > > too much distention of the esophagus from food that is trapped in it.

> > > > Nerves can only take so much stretching before they have trouble. You

> > > > can cause achalasia like damage by placing a band around the LES of

> > > > animals so the LES can only open a little. That mimics the LES in

> > > > achalasia. Over time the nerves for peristalsis in the esophagus above

> > > > the band are destroyed and peristalsis is lost in that part of the

> > > > esophagus. If the band is removed soon enough some peristalsis will

> > > > return but if not soon enough the damage is permanent. Some of our nerve

> > > > damage may be this type because of the LES not relaxing. That kind of

> > > > damage would not be expected to show up elsewhere.

> > > >

> > > > The doctors for some members of this support group have said that

> > > > achalasia is caused by a virus. Other doctors have told members that

> > > > achalasia is an autoimmune disorder. A researcher has told members that

> > > > achalasia is like an allergic reaction. None know for sure but that does

> > > > not stop them from having opinions. So the question is not just will the

> > > > body attack elsewhere but will achalasia, whatever it is, attack

> > > > elsewhere. The answer to that seems to be yes, but not enough in most

> > > > cases to cause major symptoms for most people. There are nerves very

> > > > similar, but not necessarily identical, to those at the LES throughout

> > > > the gut. The damage that causes problems seems to be near the LES but

> > > > evidence can be found for damage away from the LES in some case. Studies

> > > > on this subject have mixed results. Often these studies found results

> > > > that show on tests but patients may not notice. They find we are a bit

> > > > different but that is not always a problem. Here are some of those

studies.

> > > >

> > > > Functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome

> > > > in patients with achalasia and its association with non-cardiac chest

pain

> > > > and a decreased health-related quality of life.

> > > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19263270

> > > > " CONCLUSIONS; Symptoms of FD and IBS in patients with treated achalasia

> > > > are common and have a negative impact on HRQoL. " (QoL is quality of

life).

> > > >

> > > > Small-volume gallbladders and decreased motility in patients with

achalasia.

> > > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18209590

> > > > " Achalasic patients have smaller gallbladders than do others. "

> > > >

> > > > Achalasia: a vagal disease

> > > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15223675

> > > > " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia have autonomic nerve dysfunction in

> > > > the vagal nerve outside the oesophagus. "

> > > >

> > > > Higher incidence of thyropathy in patients with oesophageal achalasia.

> > > > Genetic, autoimmune, regional or just a random association?

> > > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18630612

> > > > " CONCLUSION: The incidence of thyroid disease proved higher in patients

> > > > with achalasia than in the controls. "

> > > >

> > > > Postprandial gastric relaxation in achalasia

> > > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9831267

> > > > " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia show a decreased postprandial

> > > > gastric relaxation compared with healthy controls. "

> > > >

> > > > The study about thyropathy makes me wonder if we would be looking at it

> > > > backward in this case. Perhaps some cases of achalasia are autoimmune

> > > > and if you have autoimmune thyropathy or another autoimmune disorder

> > > > then you are more likely to have achalasia not just the other way

> > > > around. Others cases of achalasia may not be autoimmune. There could be

> > > > other causes, not just one. It could be wrong to say everyone with

> > > > achalasia is more likely to have other autoimmune disorders if some

> > > > cases of achalasia are not autoimmune caused. It may be better to say

> > > > some people with achalasia may have a greater risk of other autoimmune

> > > > disorders.

> > > >

> > > > Remember that there are others studies that don't find problems outside

> > > > the esophagus.

> > > >

> > > > notan

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Sorry , you finally found something wrong that I cannot relate to. I've

had dilatations and I take nifedipine, but I have never had this kind of

reaction to it.  Not really ever had any reaction to it.  If this is happening

on a regular basis, then go to a doc and stop worrying about it.  I know how

much you love going to doctors anyway.  Please get yourself checked out.

 

________________________________

From: lindsayaus <lindsay_kite@...>

achalasia

Sent: Wednesday, March 7, 2012 4:57 PM

Subject: Re: Question...can nerves die elsewhere?

 

Really need to know if the numb/tingling feeling in the lips/mouth is because of

the dilation or A or perhaps the nifedipine I am now taking for the spasms. It's

starting to really annoy me!! Does it mean I am going to lose all feeling so I

won't be able to eat/chew....ever!! Very concerned...should I ring my doc?

Always worry when I get new symptoms of any sort now.

> > > > >

> > > > > We all know that A is a result of nerves that die and won't work

> > > > > anymore. Just wondering if other body nerves will die over time.

> > > > > If it's because the body 'attacks' itself, then why would the damage

> > > > > stop with the oesophagus?

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > > No one knows why the nerves die because of achalasia. One theory is that

> > > > a virus hides in those nerves. Certain viruses are known to prefer

> > > > specific types of nerves so it is possible that there is one that likes

> > > > certain nerves of the esophagus. If so the body may be trying to attack

> > > > that virus and ends up destroying the nerves in the process. No such

> > > > virus for achalasia has been found though some people with achalasia do

> > > > show more reaction to certain viruses than controls. Another possibility

> > > > is that the immune system is detecting something about the those nerves

> > > > that causes it to attack them as if they were an infection. The immune

> > > > system can also be very specific when it does an autoimmune attack. It

> > > > can produce antibodies against very specific nerves. The autoimmune

> > > > theory of achalasia has not been proven though the immune system does

> > > > seem to have some kind of extra activity in the area of the damage and

> > > > anti-neural antibodies are sometimes found but not in large enough

> > > > amounts to prove an autoimmune disorder. The damage may be triggered by

> > > > the mast cells in the esophagus much like watery eyes or hives results

> > > > from an allergic reaction. Allergic types of reactions can also be very

> > > > specific about where the body responds. No trigger for such a reaction

> > > > has been found. Some of the damage in the esophagus may be because of

> > > > too much distention of the esophagus from food that is trapped in it.

> > > > Nerves can only take so much stretching before they have trouble. You

> > > > can cause achalasia like damage by placing a band around the LES of

> > > > animals so the LES can only open a little. That mimics the LES in

> > > > achalasia. Over time the nerves for peristalsis in the esophagus above

> > > > the band are destroyed and peristalsis is lost in that part of the

> > > > esophagus. If the band is removed soon enough some peristalsis will

> > > > return but if not soon enough the damage is permanent. Some of our nerve

> > > > damage may be this type because of the LES not relaxing. That kind of

> > > > damage would not be expected to show up elsewhere.

> > > >

> > > > The doctors for some members of this support group have said that

> > > > achalasia is caused by a virus. Other doctors have told members that

> > > > achalasia is an autoimmune disorder. A researcher has told members that

> > > > achalasia is like an allergic reaction. None know for sure but that does

> > > > not stop them from having opinions. So the question is not just will the

> > > > body attack elsewhere but will achalasia, whatever it is, attack

> > > > elsewhere. The answer to that seems to be yes, but not enough in most

> > > > cases to cause major symptoms for most people. There are nerves very

> > > > similar, but not necessarily identical, to those at the LES throughout

> > > > the gut. The damage that causes problems seems to be near the LES but

> > > > evidence can be found for damage away from the LES in some case. Studies

> > > > on this subject have mixed results. Often these studies found results

> > > > that show on tests but patients may not notice. They find we are a bit

> > > > different but that is not always a problem. Here are some of those

studies.

> > > >

> > > > Functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome

> > > > in patients with achalasia and its association with non-cardiac chest

pain

> > > > and a decreased health-related quality of life.

> > > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19263270

> > > > " CONCLUSIONS; Symptoms of FD and IBS in patients with treated achalasia

> > > > are common and have a negative impact on HRQoL. " (QoL is quality of

life).

> > > >

> > > > Small-volume gallbladders and decreased motility in patients with

achalasia.

> > > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18209590

> > > > " Achalasic patients have smaller gallbladders than do others. "

> > > >

> > > > Achalasia: a vagal disease

> > > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15223675

> > > > " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia have autonomic nerve dysfunction in

> > > > the vagal nerve outside the oesophagus. "

> > > >

> > > > Higher incidence of thyropathy in patients with oesophageal achalasia.

> > > > Genetic, autoimmune, regional or just a random association?

> > > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18630612

> > > > " CONCLUSION: The incidence of thyroid disease proved higher in patients

> > > > with achalasia than in the controls. "

> > > >

> > > > Postprandial gastric relaxation in achalasia

> > > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9831267

> > > > " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia show a decreased postprandial

> > > > gastric relaxation compared with healthy controls. "

> > > >

> > > > The study about thyropathy makes me wonder if we would be looking at it

> > > > backward in this case. Perhaps some cases of achalasia are autoimmune

> > > > and if you have autoimmune thyropathy or another autoimmune disorder

> > > > then you are more likely to have achalasia not just the other way

> > > > around. Others cases of achalasia may not be autoimmune. There could be

> > > > other causes, not just one. It could be wrong to say everyone with

> > > > achalasia is more likely to have other autoimmune disorders if some

> > > > cases of achalasia are not autoimmune caused. It may be better to say

> > > > some people with achalasia may have a greater risk of other autoimmune

> > > > disorders.

> > > >

> > > > Remember that there are others studies that don't find problems outside

> > > > the esophagus.

> > > >

> > > > notan

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

[Guest guest]

Thanks , just left a message with my doc. I think it's related to the

nifedipine. Drugs can do odd things at times, which will be a shame because it

gets rid of spasms!

Will have to ask doc if there are other drugs that I can try.

> > > > > >

> > > > > > We all know that A is a result of nerves that die and won't work

> > > > > > anymore. Just wondering if other body nerves will die over time.

> > > > > > If it's because the body 'attacks' itself, then why would the damage

> > > > > > stop with the oesophagus?

> > > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > > No one knows why the nerves die because of achalasia. One theory is

that

> > > > > a virus hides in those nerves. Certain viruses are known to prefer

> > > > > specific types of nerves so it is possible that there is one that

likes

> > > > > certain nerves of the esophagus. If so the body may be trying to

attack

> > > > > that virus and ends up destroying the nerves in the process. No such

> > > > > virus for achalasia has been found though some people with achalasia

do

> > > > > show more reaction to certain viruses than controls. Another

possibility

> > > > > is that the immune system is detecting something about the those

nerves

> > > > > that causes it to attack them as if they were an infection. The immune

> > > > > system can also be very specific when it does an autoimmune attack. It

> > > > > can produce antibodies against very specific nerves. The autoimmune

> > > > > theory of achalasia has not been proven though the immune system does

> > > > > seem to have some kind of extra activity in the area of the damage and

> > > > > anti-neural antibodies are sometimes found but not in large enough

> > > > > amounts to prove an autoimmune disorder. The damage may be triggered

by

> > > > > the mast cells in the esophagus much like watery eyes or hives results

> > > > > from an allergic reaction. Allergic types of reactions can also be

very

> > > > > specific about where the body responds. No trigger for such a reaction

> > > > > has been found. Some of the damage in the esophagus may be because of

> > > > > too much distention of the esophagus from food that is trapped in it.

> > > > > Nerves can only take so much stretching before they have trouble. You

> > > > > can cause achalasia like damage by placing a band around the LES of

> > > > > animals so the LES can only open a little. That mimics the LES in

> > > > > achalasia. Over time the nerves for peristalsis in the esophagus above

> > > > > the band are destroyed and peristalsis is lost in that part of the

> > > > > esophagus. If the band is removed soon enough some peristalsis will

> > > > > return but if not soon enough the damage is permanent. Some of our

nerve

> > > > > damage may be this type because of the LES not relaxing. That kind of

> > > > > damage would not be expected to show up elsewhere.

> > > > >

> > > > > The doctors for some members of this support group have said that

> > > > > achalasia is caused by a virus. Other doctors have told members that

> > > > > achalasia is an autoimmune disorder. A researcher has told members

that

> > > > > achalasia is like an allergic reaction. None know for sure but that

does

> > > > > not stop them from having opinions. So the question is not just will

the

> > > > > body attack elsewhere but will achalasia, whatever it is, attack

> > > > > elsewhere. The answer to that seems to be yes, but not enough in most

> > > > > cases to cause major symptoms for most people. There are nerves very

> > > > > similar, but not necessarily identical, to those at the LES throughout

> > > > > the gut. The damage that causes problems seems to be near the LES but

> > > > > evidence can be found for damage away from the LES in some case.

Studies

> > > > > on this subject have mixed results. Often these studies found results

> > > > > that show on tests but patients may not notice. They find we are a bit

> > > > > different but that is not always a problem. Here are some of those

studies.

> > > > >

> > > > > Functional dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome

> > > > > in patients with achalasia and its association with non-cardiac chest

pain

> > > > > and a decreased health-related quality of life.

> > > > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19263270

> > > > > " CONCLUSIONS; Symptoms of FD and IBS in patients with treated

achalasia

> > > > > are common and have a negative impact on HRQoL. " (QoL is quality of

life).

> > > > >

> > > > > Small-volume gallbladders and decreased motility in patients with

achalasia.

> > > > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18209590

> > > > > " Achalasic patients have smaller gallbladders than do others. "

> > > > >

> > > > > Achalasia: a vagal disease

> > > > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15223675

> > > > > " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia have autonomic nerve dysfunction

in

> > > > > the vagal nerve outside the oesophagus. "

> > > > >

> > > > > Higher incidence of thyropathy in patients with oesophageal achalasia.

> > > > > Genetic, autoimmune, regional or just a random association?

> > > > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18630612

> > > > > " CONCLUSION: The incidence of thyroid disease proved higher in

patients

> > > > > with achalasia than in the controls. "

> > > > >

> > > > > Postprandial gastric relaxation in achalasia

> > > > > http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9831267

> > > > > " CONCLUSION: Patients with achalasia show a decreased postprandial

> > > > > gastric relaxation compared with healthy controls. "

> > > > >

> > > > > The study about thyropathy makes me wonder if we would be looking at

it

> > > > > backward in this case. Perhaps some cases of achalasia are autoimmune

> > > > > and if you have autoimmune thyropathy or another autoimmune disorder

> > > > > then you are more likely to have achalasia not just the other way

> > > > > around. Others cases of achalasia may not be autoimmune. There could

be

> > > > > other causes, not just one. It could be wrong to say everyone with

> > > > > achalasia is more likely to have other autoimmune disorders if some

> > > > > cases of achalasia are not autoimmune caused. It may be better to say

> > > > > some people with achalasia may have a greater risk of other autoimmune

> > > > > disorders.

> > > > >

> > > > > Remember that there are others studies that don't find problems

outside

> > > > > the esophagus.

> > > > >

> > > > > notan

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

> > > > >

[Guest guest]

: smart gurl!! You *should* worry when you get new symptoms. Sounds

like pre-anaphylaxis to me. . . *Especially the back of the throat, tongue, and

lips. My first run in was with Sulfa drugs when I was nineteen (had been taking

them for *years*); decades later, a very angry wasp, and about 11 bites.

Nothing at all to mess with.

http://www.medicinenet.com/anaphylaxis/article.htm#glance

My reaction to the Sulfa was relatively mild: swelling/itching/tingling of

tongue and lips. To the wasp? I was unconscious in two minutes. The docs, when

I saw them the next day to get an Epi-pen, we amazed that I lived.

And, alas, I am also allergic to nifedipine, though it's not an anaphylactic

one (my legs just swell up from water retention).

There are other drugs that help with the spasms. Paxil has been mentioned

often, here.

xox,

> >

> > Sorry , you finally found something wrong that I cannot relate to.

I've had dilatations and I take nifedipine, but I have never had this kind of

reaction to it.  Not really ever had any reaction to it.  If this is happening

on a regular basis, then go to a doc and stop worrying about it.  I know how

much you love going to doctors anyway.  Please get yourself checked out.

> >  

> >

> >

> >

> > ________________________________

> > From: lindsayaus <lindsay_kite@>

> > achalasia

> > Sent: Wednesday, March 7, 2012 4:57 PM

> > Subject: Re: Question...can nerves die elsewhere?

> >

> >

> >  

> > Really need to know if the numb/tingling feeling in the lips/mouth is

because of the dilation or A or perhaps the nifedipine I am now taking for the

spasms. It's starting to really annoy me!! Does it mean I am going to lose all

feeling so I won't be able to eat/chew....ever!! Very concerned...should I ring

my doc?

> > Always worry when I get new symptoms of any sort now.

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

My doc said my symptoms aren't on side effect list so I just go on as normal and

keep taking the meds when I need them.

> > >

> > > Sorry , you finally found something wrong that I cannot relate to.

I've had dilatations and I take nifedipine, but I have never had this kind of

reaction to it.  Not really ever had any reaction to it.  If this is happening

on a regular basis, then go to a doc and stop worrying about it.  I know how

much you love going to doctors anyway.  Please get yourself checked out.

> > >  

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > ________________________________

> > > From: lindsayaus <lindsay_kite@>

> > > achalasia

> > > Sent: Wednesday, March 7, 2012 4:57 PM

> > > Subject: Re: Question...can nerves die elsewhere?

> > >

> > >

> > >  

> > > Really need to know if the numb/tingling feeling in the lips/mouth is

because of the dilation or A or perhaps the nifedipine I am now taking for the

spasms. It's starting to really annoy me!! Does it mean I am going to lose all

feeling so I won't be able to eat/chew....ever!! Very concerned...should I ring

my doc?

> > > Always worry when I get new symptoms of any sort now.

> > >

> > >

>

[Guest guest]

I am heading back to Froedert Hospital Wednesday to see my GI. Things weren't

going bad as far as swallowing for the first two months after my last dilation.

After the viral infections started I started to regurgitate again slowly but now

it is happening more and more. My GP suggested a colonoscopy and endoscopy to

get a biopsy for EE.

I guess I will know more from there.

 

I did think it was odd for my GP to prescribe Tetracycline when I read it could

irritate the eosiniphilic cells. It is too bad I am his only Acahalaisa patient

as he doesn't know what to do with me.

 

Kim A

________________________________

From: notan ostrich <notan_ostrich@...>

achalasia

Sent: Sunday, March 4, 2012 5:51 PM

Subject: Re: Re: Question...can nerves die elsewhere?

 

Kim wrote:

>

> This reaccuring viral infection that ulcerates I keep getting... . My

> doctor thinks it is Eosinophilic disease I will say because I think

> there are a few types. He gave me Tectocycline to swoosh in my mouth

> to kill the ulcers I guess but according to a couple of sights I found

> on the internet, Tetracycline may cause this disease.

>

Repeat ulcers like that can be from a virus. I assume a biopsy was done

to confirm it is eosinophilic. If you have a reaction to Tetracycline

that can cause it. Look out for signs of reaction to your medications.

Also, many pills, including Tetracycline, can cause irritation in the

esophagus if they get stuck which could lead to an eosinophilic reaction

or just pill induced esophagitis.

> ... I don't want to go see my GP for this so what type of doctor would

> I go see.

>

I would think a GI would be the one to see for a biopsy. A immunologist

or rheumatologist who specializes in autoimmunity would be good to see

about an autoimmune disorder. Note that if you have achalasia you are

likely to test positive for antineuronal antibodies. That does not mean

you have an autoimmune disorder though. It would need to be collaborated

with other evidence.

> ... these viral infections not only make me exhausted but my glands

> swell up so bad and it makes my throat really sore. I already have

> trouble swallowing so what food I seem to get down, a good half will

> come up.

>

Eosinophilic esophagitis can act a lot like achalasia.

notan