Guest guest Posted May 19, 2012 Report Share Posted May 19, 2012 Hello again fellow Achalasia sufferers. I have non posted in almost 2 years due to the fact that I thought I was " in the clear " with this disease. In October 2010 I had a Lap Heller with a dor-fundiplication performed by Dr. Rice at the Cleveland Clinic. That said, I have absolute faith and certainty that it was performed correctly and without error and Dr Rice is arguably the best there is. I say all of that to say that here I sit nearly 18 months later and many of my symptoms are beginning to come back. Food has always, even before surgery, gone into my stomach (they were not sure why the disease never progressed to completely close my LES.) The major problem I have is that I am beginning to have cramps and aches and some sharp pains soon after eating. Same as I have two years ago. Eating nearly wipes me completely out and I feel that I have no strength or energy to do anything after eating even a small amount. I have also started to have pretty severe asthma again...(which they say is not related to Achalasia). I never have had asthma, only when I am going through a rough patch of spasms. I also have bad stomach aches, can't burp, burp and regurgitate food up to 6 hours after eating, etc. I have an appointment set up with a gastroentorologist next month at the Cleveland Clinic, and was wondering if anyone else has experience this type of " lapse " this soon after surgery and if so what happened. Did you have to redo treatment, either with another Lap Heller or dilation? Did you find that it was simply a horrible spasm that eventually went away? I am convinced that the food is actually going down into my stomach which is puzzling to me as I still have discomfort? Any thoughts or ideas on what to discuss with the Dr would be wonderful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 21, 2012 Report Share Posted May 21, 2012 Hi , I don't have any advice to give you- this is all still new to me and I haven't had my HM yet, but I just wanted to say that I'm sorry that this is happening. I know that there are people on here who have had trouble following their HM, so I hope they can help you. Best of luck to you- I hope your doctors can find a solution for you! Take care, > > Hello again fellow Achalasia sufferers. I have non posted in almost 2 years due to the fact that I thought I was " in the clear " with this disease. In October 2010 I had a Lap Heller with a dor-fundiplication performed by Dr. Rice at the Cleveland Clinic. That said, I have absolute faith and certainty that it was performed correctly and without error and Dr Rice is arguably the best there is. > > I say all of that to say that here I sit nearly 18 months later and many of my symptoms are beginning to come back. Food has always, even before surgery, gone into my stomach (they were not sure why the disease never progressed to completely close my LES.) The major problem I have is that I am beginning to have cramps and aches and some sharp pains soon after eating. Same as I have two years ago. Eating nearly wipes me completely out and I feel that I have no strength or energy to do anything after eating even a small amount. I have also started to have pretty severe asthma again...(which they say is not related to Achalasia). I never have had asthma, only when I am going through a rough patch of spasms. I also have bad stomach aches, can't burp, burp and regurgitate food up to 6 hours after eating, etc. > > I have an appointment set up with a gastroentorologist next month at the Cleveland Clinic, and was wondering if anyone else has experience this type of " lapse " this soon after surgery and if so what happened. Did you have to redo treatment, either with another Lap Heller or dilation? Did you find that it was simply a horrible spasm that eventually went away? > > I am convinced that the food is actually going down into my stomach which is puzzling to me as I still have discomfort? > > Any thoughts or ideas on what to discuss with the Dr would be wonderful! > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2012 Report Share Posted May 22, 2012 Hi Christa > " who do nothing " Have you read the earlier posts on " What if I do nothing " by wollie Craig at 66024? I have done nothing and in general feel great for an old man. Read some of my other posts under ray, rayme or mer. Yes I lost 35 lbs but now stable at 140 lbs, which my wife likes. Must be active, is part of my solution. Achalasia can be managed for old retired people, but if I was younger working to support a family, YES I would have an operation. But remember if you have had a HM, you still have to manage it later, just look at the posts over last 5 years. Most people are much better off, many will tell you that. Yes most have problems, BUT they manage it! I have been reading all the posts over the last 5 or more years. Ray CA OC 81 > >> > >> Hello again fellow Achalasia sufferers. I have non posted in almost 2 years due to the fact that I thought I was " in the clear " with this disease. In October 2010 I had a Lap Heller with a dor-fundiplication performed by Dr. Rice at the Cleveland Clinic. That said, I have absolute faith and certainty that it was performed correctly and without error and Dr Rice is arguably the best there is. > >> > >> I say all of that to say that here I sit nearly 18 months later and many of my symptoms are beginning to come back. Food has always, even before surgery, gone into my stomach (they were not sure why the disease never progressed to completely close my LES.) The major problem I have is that I am beginning to have cramps and aches and some sharp pains soon after eating. Same as I have two years ago. Eating nearly wipes me completely out and I feel that I have no strength or energy to do anything after eating even a small amount. I have also started to have pretty severe asthma again...(which they say is not related to Achalasia). I never have had asthma, only when I am going through a rough patch of spasms. I also have bad stomach aches, can't burp, burp and regurgitate food up to 6 hours after eating, etc. > >> > >> I have an appointment set up with a gastroentorologist next month at the Cleveland Clinic, and was wondering if anyone else has experience this type of " lapse " this soon after surgery and if so what happened. Did you have to redo treatment, either with another Lap Heller or dilation? Did you find that it was simply a horrible spasm that eventually went away? > >> > >> I am convinced that the food is actually going down into my stomach which is puzzling to me as I still have discomfort? > >> > >> Any thoughts or ideas on what to discuss with the Dr would be wonderful! > >> > >> > >> > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2012 Report Share Posted May 22, 2012 Christa, welcome. Hope we can be of use. I almost wept at the Junior Mints -- that was the last thing I bought before I hit ER and a five day stay in the cardiac unit. You've also done me about ten pounds better on the weight loss. Really, most peeps don't have wonderful result from dilations -- or not for long. *Except* as a touch up after a Heller. There's no question that Rice is damned good. But sometimes we get personality conflicts with medical types: if you're not feeling that comfortable with him, try Dr. Patti in Chicago who seems a bit on the warmer side. . . . Thing is -- you ARE in trouble right now. (And I know you don't know how much: I sure didn't.) Right now your body is literally cannibalizing itself to keep you alive. There will be deficits for a good long time after any fix. For some reason I can't quite fathom, Achalasians are extraordinarily reluctant to have surgery. Will almost turn ourselves inside out before admitting that that is exactly the only thing left to do. And be totally stunned and dumbfounded at how MUCH better we feel after. And, yes, absolutely, there are some it *doesn't* work for. But the numbers really are small, overall. One just prays not to be part of them, lol! But waiting until you've done enough damage to need an esophectomy and/or tube feeding isn't really a good solution, either, eh? Please, do *something* soon! xox, /WV > >> > >> Hello again fellow Achalasia sufferers. I have non posted in almost 2 years due to the fact that I thought I was " in the clear " with this disease. In October 2010 I had a Lap Heller with a dor-fundiplication performed by Dr. Rice at the Cleveland Clinic. That said, I have absolute faith and certainty that it was performed correctly and without error and Dr Rice is arguably the best there is. > >> > >> I say all of that to say that here I sit nearly 18 months later and many of my symptoms are beginning to come back. Food has always, even before surgery, gone into my stomach (they were not sure why the disease never progressed to completely close my LES.) The major problem I have is that I am beginning to have cramps and aches and some sharp pains soon after eating. Same as I have two years ago. Eating nearly wipes me completely out and I feel that I have no strength or energy to do anything after eating even a small amount. I have also started to have pretty severe asthma again...(which they say is not related to Achalasia). I never have had asthma, only when I am going through a rough patch of spasms. I also have bad stomach aches, can't burp, burp and regurgitate food up to 6 hours after eating, etc. > >> > >> I have an appointment set up with a gastroentorologist next month at the Cleveland Clinic, and was wondering if anyone else has experience this type of " lapse " this soon after surgery and if so what happened. Did you have to redo treatment, either with another Lap Heller or dilation? Did you find that it was simply a horrible spasm that eventually went away? > >> > >> I am convinced that the food is actually going down into my stomach which is puzzling to me as I still have discomfort? > >> > >> Any thoughts or ideas on what to discuss with the Dr would be wonderful! > >> > >> > >> > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 22, 2012 Report Share Posted May 22, 2012 thanks julie.  i was a patient of dr. edgar achkar before he retired.  not sure who is doing his thing at the clinic now....does anyone else know?   the letter i got from dr achkar said that dr shay and dr thota would be taking over his area.  does anyone have any knowledge of either? to be sure, dr rice is the best.....but he is not dr. achkar in terms of personality.  he was not happy with me 5 years ago when i did not have the surgery.  gheesh, wait till he sees me now.  i am going to be in trouble with him.  just to make you laugh, i went to the grocery store last nite, hit the candy aisle and they were not a single box of the .99 boxes of junior mints. .....just an empty row.  i almost had a stroke.  thank god there was noone else in the aisle with me. i can not even imagine the look on my face.  seriously, my single food group and they do not have just one box?   thinking that i am about as thin as i should get.  my BMI just moved into the " underweight " category.  i need the surgery..........you are right.   >________________________________ > From: puddleriver13 <puddleriver13@...> >achalasia >Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 4:08 PM >Subject: Re: Here again > > > > > > > >Christa, welcome. Hope we can be of use. > >I almost wept at the Junior Mints -- that was the last thing I bought before I hit ER and a five day stay in the cardiac unit. You've also done me about ten pounds better on the weight loss. Really, most peeps don't have wonderful result from dilations -- or not for long. *Except* as a touch up after a Heller. There's no question that Rice is damned good. But sometimes we get personality conflicts with medical types: if you're not feeling that comfortable with him, try Dr. Patti in Chicago who seems a bit on the warmer side. . . . > >Thing is -- you ARE in trouble right now. (And I know you don't know how much: I sure didn't.) Right now your body is literally cannibalizing itself to keep you alive. There will be deficits for a good long time after any fix. > >For some reason I can't quite fathom, Achalasians are extraordinarily reluctant to have surgery. Will almost turn ourselves inside out before admitting that that is exactly the only thing left to do. And be totally stunned and dumbfounded at how MUCH better we feel after. And, yes, absolutely, there are some it *doesn't* work for. But the numbers really are small, overall. One just prays not to be part of them, lol! But waiting until you've done enough damage to need an esophectomy and/or tube feeding isn't really a good solution, either, eh? > >Please, do *something* soon! > >xox, /WV > > >> >> >> >> Hello again fellow Achalasia sufferers. I have non posted in almost 2 years due to the fact that I thought I was " in the clear " with this disease. In October 2010 I had a Lap Heller with a dor-fundiplication performed by Dr. Rice at the Cleveland Clinic. That said, I have absolute faith and certainty that it was performed correctly and without error and Dr Rice is arguably the best there is. >> >> >> >> I say all of that to say that here I sit nearly 18 months later and many of my symptoms are beginning to come back. Food has always, even before surgery, gone into my stomach (they were not sure why the disease never progressed to completely close my LES.) The major problem I have is that I am beginning to have cramps and aches and some sharp pains soon after eating. Same as I have two years ago. Eating nearly wipes me completely out and I feel that I have no strength or energy to do anything after eating even a small amount. I have also started to have pretty severe asthma again...(which they say is not related to Achalasia). I never have had asthma, only when I am going through a rough patch of spasms. I also have bad stomach aches, can't burp, burp and regurgitate food up to 6 hours after eating, etc. >> >> >> >> I have an appointment set up with a gastroentorologist next month at the Cleveland Clinic, and was wondering if anyone else has experience this type of " lapse " this soon after surgery and if so what happened. Did you have to redo treatment, either with another Lap Heller or dilation? Did you find that it was simply a horrible spasm that eventually went away? >> >> >> >> I am convinced that the food is actually going down into my stomach which is puzzling to me as I still have discomfort? >> >> >> >> Any thoughts or ideas on what to discuss with the Dr would be wonderful! >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 Christa,  To state the obvious: " Your esophagus does not care about the personality of the surgeon performing the surgery. The surgeon only wants to perform the best surgery possible. "  Go to the best you can.  ________________________________ From: Christa D. Deegan <christa1110@...> " achalasia " <achalasia > Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 5:13 PM Subject: Re: Re: Here again  thanks julie.  i was a patient of dr. edgar achkar before he retired.  not sure who is doing his thing at the clinic now....does anyone else know?   the letter i got from dr achkar said that dr shay and dr thota would be taking over his area.  does anyone have any knowledge of either? to be sure, dr rice is the best.....but he is not dr. achkar in terms of personality.  he was not happy with me 5 years ago when i did not have the surgery.  gheesh, wait till he sees me now.  i am going to be in trouble with him.  just to make you laugh, i went to the grocery store last nite, hit the candy aisle and they were not a single box of the .99 boxes of junior mints. .....just an empty row.  i almost had a stroke.  thank god there was noone else in the aisle with me. i can not even imagine the look on my face.  seriously, my single food group and they do not have just one box?   thinking that i am about as thin as i should get.  my BMI just moved into the " underweight " category.  i need the surgery..........you are right.   >________________________________ > From: puddleriver13 <puddleriver13@...> >achalasia >Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2012 4:08 PM >Subject: Re: Here again > > > > > > > >Christa, welcome. Hope we can be of use. > >I almost wept at the Junior Mints -- that was the last thing I bought before I hit ER and a five day stay in the cardiac unit. You've also done me about ten pounds better on the weight loss. Really, most peeps don't have wonderful result from dilations -- or not for long. *Except* as a touch up after a Heller. There's no question that Rice is damned good. But sometimes we get personality conflicts with medical types: if you're not feeling that comfortable with him, try Dr. Patti in Chicago who seems a bit on the warmer side. . . . > >Thing is -- you ARE in trouble right now. (And I know you don't know how much: I sure didn't.) Right now your body is literally cannibalizing itself to keep you alive. There will be deficits for a good long time after any fix. > >For some reason I can't quite fathom, Achalasians are extraordinarily reluctant to have surgery. Will almost turn ourselves inside out before admitting that that is exactly the only thing left to do. And be totally stunned and dumbfounded at how MUCH better we feel after. And, yes, absolutely, there are some it *doesn't* work for. But the numbers really are small, overall. One just prays not to be part of them, lol! But waiting until you've done enough damage to need an esophectomy and/or tube feeding isn't really a good solution, either, eh? > >Please, do *something* soon! > >xox, /WV > > >> >> >> >> Hello again fellow Achalasia sufferers. I have non posted in almost 2 years due to the fact that I thought I was " in the clear " with this disease. In October 2010 I had a Lap Heller with a dor-fundiplication performed by Dr. Rice at the Cleveland Clinic. That said, I have absolute faith and certainty that it was performed correctly and without error and Dr Rice is arguably the best there is. >> >> >> >> I say all of that to say that here I sit nearly 18 months later and many of my symptoms are beginning to come back. Food has always, even before surgery, gone into my stomach (they were not sure why the disease never progressed to completely close my LES.) The major problem I have is that I am beginning to have cramps and aches and some sharp pains soon after eating. Same as I have two years ago. Eating nearly wipes me completely out and I feel that I have no strength or energy to do anything after eating even a small amount. I have also started to have pretty severe asthma again...(which they say is not related to Achalasia). I never have had asthma, only when I am going through a rough patch of spasms. I also have bad stomach aches, can't burp, burp and regurgitate food up to 6 hours after eating, etc. >> >> >> >> I have an appointment set up with a gastroentorologist next month at the Cleveland Clinic, and was wondering if anyone else has experience this type of " lapse " this soon after surgery and if so what happened. Did you have to redo treatment, either with another Lap Heller or dilation? Did you find that it was simply a horrible spasm that eventually went away? >> >> >> >> I am convinced that the food is actually going down into my stomach which is puzzling to me as I still have discomfort? >> >> >> >> Any thoughts or ideas on what to discuss with the Dr would be wonderful! >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > >> > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 wrote: > > ...I have also started to have pretty severe asthma again...(which > they say is not related to Achalasia). I never have had asthma, only > when I am going through a rough patch of spasms. I also have bad > stomach aches, can't burp, burp and regurgitate food up to 6 hours > after eating, etc. > When food stays in the esophagus things happen that can effect breathing. First the esophagus distends and can presses on the trachea constricting it. The fermenting food (sounds better than rotting) can give of fumes and even germs that can get in to the airways and irritate or infect them. You may also be doing some micro-aspiration getting the fermenting food into the airways. This technically may not be asthma but it could sure seem like it. There are reports of airway obstruction, stridor, tracheal compression, chronic cough and other breathing issue in the literature about achalasia. There are also these: Wheezy swallow: poorly responsive 'asthma'. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18086041 Oesophagus achalasia: differencial diagnosis of asthma http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18363027 Pseudoasthmatic syndrome due to achalasia cardiae http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15754637 Achalasia can also cause problems with the burp (belch) reflex. notan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 24, 2012 Report Share Posted May 24, 2012 Hey , did they do a gastic transit study on you. you might not be emptying in your stomach. you could have delayed empting of the stomach which cause sever pain, nausea, flue like flushing and feeling. have them check an empting study. sorry meant have a gastic transit study and empying scan. that should show if it is going into the stomach and show how fast it is emptying to the intestions. i wish u well. Abigail > > > > Hello again fellow Achalasia sufferers. I have non posted in almost 2 years due to the fact that I thought I was " in the clear " with this disease. In October 2010 I had a Lap Heller with a dor-fundiplication performed by Dr. Rice at the Cleveland Clinic. That said, I have absolute faith and certainty that it was performed correctly and without error and Dr Rice is arguably the best there is. > > > > I say all of that to say that here I sit nearly 18 months later and many of my symptoms are beginning to come back. Food has always, even before surgery, gone into my stomach (they were not sure why the disease never progressed to completely close my LES.) The major problem I have is that I am beginning to have cramps and aches and some sharp pains soon after eating. Same as I have two years ago. Eating nearly wipes me completely out and I feel that I have no strength or energy to do anything after eating even a small amount. I have also started to have pretty severe asthma again...(which they say is not related to Achalasia). I never have had asthma, only when I am going through a rough patch of spasms. I also have bad stomach aches, can't burp, burp and regurgitate food up to 6 hours after eating, etc. > > > > I have an appointment set up with a gastroentorologist next month at the Cleveland Clinic, and was wondering if anyone else has experience this type of " lapse " this soon after surgery and if so what happened. Did you have to redo treatment, either with another Lap Heller or dilation? Did you find that it was simply a horrible spasm that eventually went away? > > > > I am convinced that the food is actually going down into my stomach which is puzzling to me as I still have discomfort? > > > > Any thoughts or ideas on what to discuss with the Dr would be wonderful! > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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