Re: newbe facing decisions

[Guest guest]

Ah, Pat, lol! You're about where I was about two weeks out from diagnosis. But

I wasn't as " lucky " as you: my docs were still dithering about firming up the

diagnosis. And were sitting on their thumbs. By the time they got clear, I'd

changed my mind, grin. GIs are always going to recommend dilation, though I

think they should be ashamed of themselves. In any case, wishing you a good

outcome!

Keep us informed.

/WV

>

> I ended up deciding to have a dilation. It will be done April 25th. I'll

> take it as a first step. If it works, it works. If it doesn't then I'll be

> more likely to go for the HM.

>

> I'd love to be able to say that my decision was based on something

> conclusive: careful study and learned insights. But after looking at some

> of the material out there and reading all the wonderful stories that people

> have shared on this list about their own experiences, it just becomes

> impossible to make a considered decision. If there's such a thing as

> mush-brain syndrome, I have it.

>

> As what happens so many other times when life doesn't provide clear

> guidance, as it was in this case, it was an action based on whatever gust

> of wind blew through the window just before dialing the phone to make an

> appointment.

>

> The stories that people have shared on this list about HM have been very

> helpful. This list is a wonderful resource and I have learned many new

> things from it. I'll let you know how it goes.

>

> Best,

> Pat

[Guest guest]

I went to two GI's both recommend surgery.  I am having my HM on the 18 of

April.  I am looking forward to it.

 

Suzanne

12, puddleriver13 <puddleriver13@...> wrote:

From: puddleriver13 <puddleriver13@...>

Subject: Re: newbe facing decisions

achalasia

Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 3:43 PM

 

Ah, Pat, lol! You're about where I was about two weeks out from diagnosis. But I

wasn't as " lucky " as you: my docs were still dithering about firming up the

diagnosis. And were sitting on their thumbs. By the time they got clear, I'd

changed my mind, grin. GIs are always going to recommend dilation, though I

think they should be ashamed of themselves. In any case, wishing you a good

outcome!

Keep us informed.

/WV

>

> I ended up deciding to have a dilation. It will be done April 25th. I'll

> take it as a first step. If it works, it works. If it doesn't then I'll be

> more likely to go for the HM.

>

> I'd love to be able to say that my decision was based on something

> conclusive: careful study and learned insights. But after looking at some

> of the material out there and reading all the wonderful stories that people

> have shared on this list about their own experiences, it just becomes

> impossible to make a considered decision. If there's such a thing as

> mush-brain syndrome, I have it.

>

> As what happens so many other times when life doesn't provide clear

> guidance, as it was in this case, it was an action based on whatever gust

> of wind blew through the window just before dialing the phone to make an

> appointment.

>

> The stories that people have shared on this list about HM have been very

> helpful. This list is a wonderful resource and I have learned many new

> things from it. I'll let you know how it goes.

>

> Best,

> Pat

[Guest guest]

Suzanne, lol! YOU have the Mayo! Most of us start by dealing with small town

GIs. I don't know what the UVA GIs would have recommended, because I met the

surgeon while they were diddling around. Seemed silly to go back an ask them if

they agreed with my first set of GIs or with the surgeon. Just did it, and

haven't been sorry for a minute!

xox

> >

> > I ended up deciding to have a dilation. It will be done April 25th. I'll

> > take it as a first step. If it works, it works. If it doesn't then I'll be

> > more likely to go for the HM.

> >

> > I'd love to be able to say that my decision was based on something

> > conclusive: careful study and learned insights. But after looking at some

> > of the material out there and reading all the wonderful stories that people

> > have shared on this list about their own experiences, it just becomes

> > impossible to make a considered decision. If there's such a thing as

> > mush-brain syndrome, I have it.

> >

> > As what happens so many other times when life doesn't provide clear

> > guidance, as it was in this case, it was an action based on whatever gust

> > of wind blew through the window just before dialing the phone to make an

> > appointment.

> >

> > The stories that people have shared on this list about HM have been very

> > helpful. This list is a wonderful resource and I have learned many new

> > things from it. I'll let you know how it goes.

> >

> > Best,

> > Pat

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

  Maybe by groups like this we can spread the word around and get more doctors

aware of Achalasia.   I would not want to wish this on anyone.

From: puddleriver13 <puddleriver13@...>

Subject: Re: newbe facing decisions

achalasia

Date: Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 6:43 PM

 

Suzanne, lol! YOU have the Mayo! Most of us start by dealing with small town

GIs. I don't know what the UVA GIs would have recommended, because I met the

surgeon while they were diddling around. Seemed silly to go back an ask them if

they agreed with my first set of GIs or with the surgeon. Just did it, and

haven't been sorry for a minute!

xox

> >

> > I ended up deciding to have a dilation. It will be done April 25th. I'll

> > take it as a first step. If it works, it works. If it doesn't then I'll be

> > more likely to go for the HM.

> >

> > I'd love to be able to say that my decision was based on something

> > conclusive: careful study and learned insights. But after looking at some

> > of the material out there and reading all the wonderful stories that people

> > have shared on this list about their own experiences, it just becomes

> > impossible to make a considered decision. If there's such a thing as

> > mush-brain syndrome, I have it.

> >

> > As what happens so many other times when life doesn't provide clear

> > guidance, as it was in this case, it was an action based on whatever gust

> > of wind blew through the window just before dialing the phone to make an

> > appointment.

> >

> > The stories that people have shared on this list about HM have been very

> > helpful. This list is a wonderful resource and I have learned many new

> > things from it. I'll let you know how it goes.

> >

> > Best,

> > Pat

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

>GIs are always going to recommend dilation

Not always. We saw two senior gastroenterologists at major Boston teaching

hospitals and both said dilatation would be a very poor choice compared to

laparoscopic HM (unless the patent was a poor surgical risk). Both have done

many dilatations for achalasia over the years. But they said the risk of a

perforation necessitating emergency open chest surgery, though small, was

unwarranted given the superior safety and high success rate of modern HM. We

were surprised. We also expected the GI docs to push the treatment they perform.

> >

> > I ended up deciding to have a dilation. It will be done April 25th. I'll

> > take it as a first step. If it works, it works. If it doesn't then I'll be

> > more likely to go for the HM.

> >

> > I'd love to be able to say that my decision was based on something

> > conclusive: careful study and learned insights. But after looking at some

> > of the material out there and reading all the wonderful stories that people

> > have shared on this list about their own experiences, it just becomes

> > impossible to make a considered decision. If there's such a thing as

> > mush-brain syndrome, I have it.

> >

> > As what happens so many other times when life doesn't provide clear

> > guidance, as it was in this case, it was an action based on whatever gust

> > of wind blew through the window just before dialing the phone to make an

> > appointment.

> >

> > The stories that people have shared on this list about HM have been very

> > helpful. This list is a wonderful resource and I have learned many new

> > things from it. I'll let you know how it goes.

> >

> > Best,

> > Pat

>

[Guest guest]

I could be wrong, lol! *Mine* didn't push anything. In fact, seemed relieved

to push me on up the ladder. Mostly, they dithered. No one in that practice

performed the big dilations. Just the 15mm with the EGD.

> > >

> > > I ended up deciding to have a dilation. It will be done April 25th. I'll

> > > take it as a first step. If it works, it works. If it doesn't then I'll be

> > > more likely to go for the HM.

> > >

> > > I'd love to be able to say that my decision was based on something

> > > conclusive: careful study and learned insights. But after looking at some

> > > of the material out there and reading all the wonderful stories that

people

> > > have shared on this list about their own experiences, it just becomes

> > > impossible to make a considered decision. If there's such a thing as

> > > mush-brain syndrome, I have it.

> > >

> > > As what happens so many other times when life doesn't provide clear

> > > guidance, as it was in this case, it was an action based on whatever gust

> > > of wind blew through the window just before dialing the phone to make an

> > > appointment.

> > >

> > > The stories that people have shared on this list about HM have been very

> > > helpful. This list is a wonderful resource and I have learned many new

> > > things from it. I'll let you know how it goes.

> > >

> > > Best,

> > > Pat

> >

>