Guest guest Posted July 23, 2008 Report Share Posted July 23, 2008 Thanks for the suggestion. I do not need the sugar From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Edgar Owen Sent: Wednesday, July 23, 2008 12:43 PM Subject: Dark chocolate Tracey, You need to buy baker's chocolate. Even Pathmark has Ghiradelli 100% cacao bakers chocolate. It tastes great to me even though not sweet. If you are addicted to the sugar usually mixed with chocolate which accounts for the less than 100% cacao (the rest is mostly sugar) you could put a little honey on it. I love it plain myself. Edgar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 Hi, Not wanting to wait for the results of the Tel Aviv chocolate study, I started my own. With full understanding of the placebo affect, I have so far found chocolate to be helpful. I use dark chocolate between 60 and 72 percent cocoa. More than that causes caffeine rush and less is less helpful. I use chocolate with minimal to no additives or added sugar and no milk. My dilation is next month. Good luck to other chocolate explorers! F Sent from my iPod On Jun 19, 2012, at 20:59, Kim Abrams <xploring37@...> wrote: > Sorry I am so behind in my emails but I am happy to hear you are doing so well. I hope I have the same results as you do as I am having my HM on July 11th. > > Kim A > > > ________________________________ > From: Leda Mae <leda444@...> > " achalasia " <achalasia > > Sent: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 12:38 PM > Subject: Post HM report > > > > > Hi Everyone, > Happy to report that I FINALLY had my HM on April 24th - what a life-changing experience! I put it off for years, fearing that it would increase my spasms. When I met with the surgeon though, he assured me that done correctly (cut high enough and low enough onto the stomach) that the spasms would not even continue. > > It was a little bit of a rocky start - perforated in surgery from scarring due to prior botox injections - total of four days without even a drop of water waiting to pass the swallow test. Then had daily spasms for about two weeks (although not nearly as intense as before). As the doc said, things have settled down - no spasms at all and drinking and eating anything I want with no problems. Even getting back into a workout routine. > > If anyone is contemplating this procedure and suffering every day as I did for years, I highly encourage you to seek out a qualified surgeon (has successfully performed HMs) and get it done. When I think of the years spent dreading a meal, always looking for an " out " as in a restroom, carrying around dog poop bags, losing weight, no energy, no social life, etc....I wish I had done this sooner. Not to mention the horrendously painful spasms that many of us endure. > > Happy to talk with anyone that has questions - and if you live anywhere near Atlanta, Dan at Emory is the Chief of Thoracic Surgery and has done over 400 HMs. He did " push " me to eat more normally as I could and to start light exercise - somewhat different than what I've read others write about. It worked for me. > > Take care, > Kim > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 this is one study I will volunteer for!!!!!! Hope everyone is enjoying the day....family & friends .  ________________________________ From: Faith Weiss <weissf@...> " achalasia " <achalasia > Sent: Wed, June 20, 2012 10:08:22 AM Subject: Dark chocolate  Hi, Not wanting to wait for the results of the Tel Aviv chocolate study, I started my own. With full understanding of the placebo affect, I have so far found chocolate to be helpful. I use dark chocolate between 60 and 72 percent cocoa. More than that causes caffeine rush and less is less helpful. I use chocolate with minimal to no additives or added sugar and no milk. My dilation is next month. Good luck to other chocolate explorers! F Sent from my iPod On Jun 19, 2012, at 20:59, Kim Abrams <xploring37@...> wrote: > Sorry I am so behind in my emails but I am happy to hear you are doing so well. >I hope I have the same results as you do as I am having my HM on July 11th. > > Kim A > > > ________________________________ > From: Leda Mae <leda444@...> > " achalasia " <achalasia > > Sent: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 12:38 PM > Subject: Post HM report > > > > > Hi Everyone, > Happy to report that I FINALLY had my HM on April 24th - what a life-changing >experience! I put it off for years, fearing that it would increase my spasms. >When I met with the surgeon though, he assured me that done correctly (cut high >enough and low enough onto the stomach) that the spasms would not even continue. > > It was a little bit of a rocky start - perforated in surgery from scarring due >to prior botox injections - total of four days without even a drop of water >waiting to pass the swallow test. Then had daily spasms for about two weeks >(although not nearly as intense as before). As the doc said, things have settled >down - no spasms at all and drinking and eating anything I want with no >problems. Even getting back into a workout routine. > > If anyone is contemplating this procedure and suffering every day as I did for >years, I highly encourage you to seek out a qualified surgeon (has successfully >performed HMs) and get it done. When I think of the years spent dreading a meal, >always looking for an " out " as in a restroom, carrying around dog poop bags, >losing weight, no energy, no social life, etc....I wish I had done this sooner. >Not to mention the horrendously painful spasms that many of us endure. > > Happy to talk with anyone that has questions - and if you live anywhere near >Atlanta, Dan at Emory is the Chief of Thoracic Surgery and has done over >400 HMs. He did " push " me to eat more normally as I could and to start light >exercise - somewhat different than what I've read others write about. It worked >for me. > > Take care, > Kim > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 When do you eat chocolate? ------------------------------ On Wed, Jun 20, 2012 9:08 AM MDT FaitI I Ih Weiss wrote: >Hi, > >Not wanting to wait for the results of the Tel Aviv >chocolate study, I started my own. With full >understanding of the placebo affect, I have so >far found chocolate to be helpful. I use dark >chocolate between 60 and 72 percent cocoa. More than that >causes caffeine rush and less is less helpful. >I use chocolate with minimal to no additives or added >sugar and no milk. > >My dilation is next month. > >Good luck to other chocolate explorers! > >F > > > >Sent from my iPod > > >On Jun 19, 2012, at 20:59, Kim Abrams <xploring37@...> wrote: > >> Sorry I am so behind in my emails but I am happy to hear you are doing so well. I hope I have the same results as you do as I am having my HM on July 11th. >> >> Kim A >> >> >> ________________________________ >> From: Leda Mae <leda444@...> >> " achalasia " <achalasia > >> Sent: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 12:38 PM >> Subject: Post HM report >> >> >> >> >> Hi Everyone, >> Happy to report that I FINALLY had my HM on April 24th - what a life-changing experience! I put it off for years, fearing that it would increase my spasms. When I met with the surgeon though, he assured me that done correctly (cut high enough and low enough onto the stomach) that the spasms would not even continue. >> >> It was a little bit of a rocky start - perforated in surgery from scarring due to prior botox injections - total of four days without even a drop of water waiting to pass the swallow test. Then had daily spasms for about two weeks (although not nearly as intense as before). As the doc said, things have settled down - no spasms at all and drinking and eating anything I want with no problems. Even getting back into a workout routine. >> >> If anyone is contemplating this procedure and suffering every day as I did for years, I highly encourage you to seek out a qualified surgeon (has successfully performed HMs) and get it done. When I think of the years spent dreading a meal, always looking for an " out " as in a restroom, carrying around dog poop bags, losing weight, no energy, no social life, etc....I wish I had done this sooner. Not to mention the horrendously painful spasms that many of us endure. >> >> Happy to talk with anyone that has questions - and if you live anywhere near Atlanta, Dan at Emory is the Chief of Thoracic Surgery and has done over 400 HMs. He did " push " me to eat more normally as I could and to start light exercise - somewhat different than what I've read others write about. It worked for me. >> >> Take care, >> Kim >> >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 For breakfast, lunch and dinner. Sent from my iPod On Jun 20, 2012, at 12:52, Ottenheimer <hmottenheimer@...> wrote: > > When do you eat chocolate? > > > > ------------------------------ > On Wed, Jun 20, 2012 9:08 AM MDT FaitI I Ih Weiss wrote: > > >Hi, > > > >Not wanting to wait for the results of the Tel Aviv > >chocolate study, I started my own. With full > >understanding of the placebo affect, I have so > >far found chocolate to be helpful. I use dark > >chocolate between 60 and 72 percent cocoa. More than that > >causes caffeine rush and less is less helpful. > >I use chocolate with minimal to no additives or added > >sugar and no milk. > > > >My dilation is next month. > > > >Good luck to other chocolate explorers! > > > >F > > > > > > > >Sent from my iPod > > > > > >On Jun 19, 2012, at 20:59, Kim Abrams <xploring37@...> wrote: > > > >> Sorry I am so behind in my emails but I am happy to hear you are doing so well. I hope I have the same results as you do as I am having my HM on July 11th. > >> > >> Kim A > >> > >> > >> ________________________________ > >> From: Leda Mae <leda444@...> > >> " achalasia " <achalasia > > >> Sent: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 12:38 PM > >> Subject: Post HM report > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> Hi Everyone, > >> Happy to report that I FINALLY had my HM on April 24th - what a life-changing experience! I put it off for years, fearing that it would increase my spasms. When I met with the surgeon though, he assured me that done correctly (cut high enough and low enough onto the stomach) that the spasms would not even continue. > >> > >> It was a little bit of a rocky start - perforated in surgery from scarring due to prior botox injections - total of four days without even a drop of water waiting to pass the swallow test. Then had daily spasms for about two weeks (although not nearly as intense as before). As the doc said, things have settled down - no spasms at all and drinking and eating anything I want with no problems. Even getting back into a workout routine. > >> > >> If anyone is contemplating this procedure and suffering every day as I did for years, I highly encourage you to seek out a qualified surgeon (has successfully performed HMs) and get it done. When I think of the years spent dreading a meal, always looking for an " out " as in a restroom, carrying around dog poop bags, losing weight, no energy, no social life, etc....I wish I had done this sooner. Not to mention the horrendously painful spasms that many of us endure. > >> > >> Happy to talk with anyone that has questions - and if you live anywhere near Atlanta, Dan at Emory is the Chief of Thoracic Surgery and has done over 400 HMs. He did " push " me to eat more normally as I could and to start light exercise - somewhat different than what I've read others write about. It worked for me. > >> > >> Take care, > >> Kim > >> > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 Pretty funny, actually. I was just discussing with my kid my body's demand for chocolate starting about two years ago. I can only explain it as an *urge* -- started with just getting a couple of bars, each time I hit the grocery store. Ended with getting a dozen, every week. Which felt need lasted up until the Heller, and absolutely vanished overnight. (I wasn't sure it would,lol!) I like chocolate fine, have been aware that dark chocolate is actually *good* for us, but can't make myself do it now, grin. Our bodies can really give us good signals of what they need, IF we pay attention. Same was pretty much true of my six month " flirtation " with Mountain Dew. Vanished with the Heller. I occasionally get Diet Cola, and it does push stuff down a *bit* better than coffee -- but not enough for me to invest in hauling bottles and having to dispose of them regularly. Glad it's working for you, too! BTW, I was just using Hershey's Dark Chocolate. Or Milk Chocolate if I couldn't get the Dark. Both seemed to work okay. xox in WV > > Hi, > > Not wanting to wait for the results of the Tel Aviv > chocolate study, I started my own. With full > understanding of the placebo affect, I have so > far found chocolate to be helpful. I use dark > chocolate between 60 and 72 percent cocoa. More than that > causes caffeine rush and less is less helpful. > I use chocolate with minimal to no additives or added > sugar and no milk. > > My dilation is next month. > > Good luck to other chocolate explorers! > > F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 Faith wrote: > > ... I have so far found chocolate to be helpful. ... > Those that have been with the group a while know that many have reported that chocolate is helpful. Some also take the high sugar versions as a way of maintaining needed calories. I love chocolate and when asked about it I use the excuse that a lot of people with achalasia get help from it. With the success of my myotomy 6 years ago I eat anything I want anyway but it is a nice excuse. For me it actually works too well and causes heartburn if I am not taking my PPI, which I don't take every day, but should if I plan to eat chocolate. For a high calorie treat or addition to a meal. A combination of peanut butter and chocolate should work for those that chocolate helps. One way to do that is to make chocolate covered peanut butter balls. In the esophagus creamy peanut butter and chocolate will become very thin and easy to pass the LES while the chocolate helps by reducing LES pressure. You can make them with your favorite type of chocolate and with or without all the added sugar often called for. Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls http://www.google.com/search?q=chocolate+peanut+butter+balls notan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 Thanks Notan, I have not been able to swallow peanut butter. Perhaps covered in chocolate it may be easier. F Sent from my iPod On Jun 20, 2012, at 15:38, notan ostrich <notan_ostrich@...> wrote: > Faith wrote: > > > > ... I have so far found chocolate to be helpful. ... > > > > Those that have been with the group a while know that many have reported > that chocolate is helpful. Some also take the high sugar versions as a > way of maintaining needed calories. I love chocolate and when asked > about it I use the excuse that a lot of people with achalasia get help > from it. With the success of my myotomy 6 years ago I eat anything I > want anyway but it is a nice excuse. For me it actually works too well > and causes heartburn if I am not taking my PPI, which I don't take every > day, but should if I plan to eat chocolate. > > For a high calorie treat or addition to a meal. A combination of peanut > butter and chocolate should work for those that chocolate helps. One way > to do that is to make chocolate covered peanut butter balls. In the > esophagus creamy peanut butter and chocolate will become very thin and > easy to pass the LES while the chocolate helps by reducing LES pressure. > You can make them with your favorite type of chocolate and with or > without all the added sugar often called for. > > Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls > http://www.google.com/search?q=chocolate+peanut+butter+balls > > notan > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 20, 2012 Report Share Posted June 20, 2012 Faith wrote: > > I have not been able to swallow peanut butter. > Perhaps covered in chocolate it may be easier. > Peanut butter can be a problem. Most of the recipes call for butter mixed with it. That helps a bit. Also, it is important to find a very smooth and creamy peanut butter. Ever let a jar of peanut butter get warm? It becomes very soft and thin. You can try it by putting a little on the end of your tongue and just try to hold it there inside your mouth. In little time it should become easy to swallow. The chocolate will help as it also become soft and thin. The trick to eating the balls is to do it slowly. Give them time to warm up and mix with saliva. A glass of something to drink wouldn't hurt either. Also don't be tempted to make them as firm as may be called for. Better to let the fridge make them firm after they are made. You can also make them softer by switching from a ball to making them in those small paper cups like the store bought ones come in. notan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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