Guest guest Posted May 4, 2004 Report Share Posted May 4, 2004 I had a spasms after surgery for a few weeks and then on occasion and now none at all.I took Nifedipine ( also called Adalat). Nifedipine is a blood pressure med that also work for spasms of the esophagus. It comes as a pill or a capsule with liquid inside. The capsule is what you want - don't swallow the capsule just cut off the end of it and squeeze the liquid under your tongue. It usually works quickly. Ask your MD if you can have a prescription for it. I remember belching and that has gone away also. I also had pain in my shoulder and that took about two months to get rid of. Tell your Mom to hang in there. Most of the undesirable symptoms she is having should go away in a short while. She should be on a soft diet to begin with and should be drinking plenty of water with her food. Sometimes food still gets stuck but if you drink water and watch the size of what you are putting in your mouth it should go down with out a problem Good luck Bobbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2004 Report Share Posted May 4, 2004 Sorry to hear that your mother is having so much difficulty after her surgery. That must be very frustrating her. The spasms can be very painful and seem to be quite normal after having surgery. I didn't have them immediately after surgery myself, but there are many in this group who have had a problem with post surgery spasms. I do get the burping and the gurgling, but I can't say that I've ever experienced the air in the throat feeling, however, I do get food stuck sometimes if I don't drink enough water to push the food down. It has only been a few weeks since she's had her surgery, do you think maybe she still needs more time to heal? Has she been to see her surgeon or GI doctor since the surgery? It's difficult to tell what could be causing these problems without having the proper tests done. She should speak to her surgeon about these problems, and maybe it would be a good idea to have a barium swallow to find out if there is a problem. Welcome to the group, and please let us posted! Sandi in No CA Problems after Surgery I am trying to get some information to help out my mother. She had the surgery about 3 weeks ago and has regreted it ever since. After the surgery she was ok for about 3 days then the spasms started the pain was horrible. The spasms have decreased somewhat although her back still hurts, now she is having major issues swallowing. She feels as though she has to burp all the time with air in her throat. She hasn't been able to each much over the past couple of days and she is very umcomfortable. Has anyone had a problem like this after surgery??? Burping? Air in throat? Gurgling? Feeling that something is stuck in your throat but not like it was before when she could throw up? Please let me know if anyone has ever had this and what to do? Thank you newbie to the message board Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2004 Report Share Posted May 4, 2004 It's getting late! What I meant to say was, " That must be very frustrating *for* her " , and, " please *keep* us posted! :-) Sandi Problems after Surgery I am trying to get some information to help out my mother. She had the surgery about 3 weeks ago and has regreted it ever since. After the surgery she was ok for about 3 days then the spasms started the pain was horrible. The spasms have decreased somewhat although her back still hurts, now she is having major issues swallowing. She feels as though she has to burp all the time with air in her throat. She hasn't been able to each much over the past couple of days and she is very umcomfortable. Has anyone had a problem like this after surgery??? Burping? Air in throat? Gurgling? Feeling that something is stuck in your throat but not like it was before when she could throw up? Please let me know if anyone has ever had this and what to do? Thank you newbie to the message board Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2004 Report Share Posted May 4, 2004 Newbie - welcome to the board. I am glad that you found us. I had the surgery done on April 19. I knew what to expect, so when some of these things happened to me, I was not surprised. Spasms are very, very common after the surgery. I guess the muscles are rebelling from the trauma they have been through. I had a terrible time with them, especially in my back. A few things helped 1. I took painkillers at night, when they were worst. I took them preventatively, before the spasms if possible. 2. I ate a small fruit popsicle the second I started having a spasm. No idea why this works, but it was great. 3. I slathered my back with Ben Gay before bed and that helped tremendously. She may want to try it 24/7 at first. 4. I am eating very small portions, several times a day. Large portions seem to cause the spasms for me, even a large drink. Burping & gurgling - yes, I am having a lot of that. Funny because I didn't before surgery & I know of people who couldn't burp after surgery. Tell her to keep burping!!!!! I am having some stickage in my throat, but it tends to be with larger portions & has usually washed down fine with water. I found that very small portions work best. Also, I am not pushing heavier foods....I'm sticking to soft things for now. I did have some delicious chili yesterday. A small portion, not spicy, chewed up well & did fine with that. Hope this helps. I do not for one second regret my myotomy. It is not perfect now, but it is about a 90% improvement & I would have taken any improvement at all. This is a life-long, progressive disease and we have to make the best of it. Best Wishes - Cindi ____________________________________________________ IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2004 Report Share Posted May 4, 2004 After the surgery she was ok for about 3 days then the spasms started the pain was horrible. This is quite common, actually. It's a shame that the doctor didn't properly prepare your mother for life after surgery! Fortunately, the Non-Cardiac Chest Pains (NCCPs) do subside for most people over the course of a couple of months, and there ARE things that can be done to alleviate them. Here are some different coping methods to try: -- Swallowing something warm or something cold -- CCB medication (calcium channel blockers) -- I prick the shell of a nifedipine capsule and squirt it under my tongue. It absorbs into the bloodstream under the tongue (this is called a sub-lingual medication, meaning under-tongue) and relaxes smooth muscle tissue (which is what the esophagus is made up of.) unfortunately, it can also lower your blood pressure (usually only a problem if you already have low BP to begin with) and cause a headache afterwards -- Nitroglycerin medication -- works in much the same way as the CCB mentioned above, and can also be taken sublingually for fast relief. -- Certain anti-depressant and anti-convulsant medications -- some people don't have NCCPs when on these types of medications, believed to be a function of the medicine's effect on serotonin in the brain. -- L'Argnine supplements -- some people have found these relieve NCCP symptoms -- If symptoms are debilitating and none of the methods above help, you may need a narcotic pain reliever, but definitely try all the options above first, b/c if you're on narcotics you can't drive, work, etc., and the vast majority of people can find relief in a way that doesn't involve narcotics The spasms have decreased somewhat although her back still hurts, There's also the possibility that she's not having "spasm pains" but rather "gas pains" -- if she had the surgery done laparoscopically, they pump your torso full of gas to "puff it up" so they can see what they're doing in there. It can take some time for the gas to dissipate afterwards, and it can "travel" to the neck, shoulders, chest, back, etc. now she is having major issues swallowing. She feels as though she has to burp all the time with air in her throat. I'm wondering if this is the true situation, or just the way she senses it? What I mean is, achalasia involves the destruction of nerves in the esophagus --- what we "feel" may in fact only be what we THINK we feel, rather than being representative of what's truly going on inside, because the nerves aren't sending the proper signals to the brain... the brain then can only try its best to analyze the signals it is getting based on the limited info it has. One of my first symptoms was the feeling of a "lump" in the very front of my throat, right where the Adam's Apple would be on a guy. It would drive me insane to wear a turtleneck, and even a t-shirt was too much if the collar was tight enough to even barely rub up against my neck. They did an ultrasound of my thyroid and an MRI scan too, but found nothing. I think the feeling is still there (I still don't wear turtlenecks and I stretch out the neckline of any t-shirt, etc.), but after a dozen years I've just gotten so used to it that I don't even notice it. If your mom has had a "full" esophagus for some time, it may be that the sensation of an EMPTY esophagus feels "weird" or "unnatural" to her. It may be something that her body eventually gets used to, if this is what is happening. If your mom had a partial fundoplication, it may be that the tightness of that is preventing her from being able to burp up air/gas from her stomach. She should speak to her doctor about anti-gas medication. To see if this is her problem, she could try Mylicon Drops -- you can get them in the Baby Section of any drugstore. The main ingredient is simethicone, and it breaks up gas bubbles. It's not absorbed into the bloodstream so it doesn't interact with other medicines, and it has no taste. She hasn't been able to each much over the past couple of days and she is very umcomfortable. If she had a fundoplication, that's very similar to having a "stomach stapling" or "gastric bypass" operation -- the surgeon "wraps" the top part of the stomach around the LES area, so the actual size of the stomach available to hold food is reduced. Also, what types of foods is she trying to eat? Most surgeons suggest a limited diet for up to two months after surgery to allow the area to heal. And there is no way to fix the missing peristalsis in the body of the esophagus, so she will always need to use gravity and water to "push" the food down to the stomach. Hope this helps!Debbi in Michigan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2004 Report Share Posted May 5, 2004 Thank you all so much for your response, she had her barum swallow today and it didn't show anything. This has made her even more upset becuase she doesn't know what it is. The doctor is suppose to call tommorrow to talk. In the meantime, she still has a pain in her back and if it's not that she has horrible gurgling and she has the sensation that she has to burp but can't. Is there anything you can suggest? Should i research other doctors that may be more specialized in this process. She can't leave the house becuase she is too uncomfortable and her eating habits are horrible. I am so scared for her. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreacited. > After the surgery she was ok for about 3 days then the spasms started the > pain was horrible. > > > This is quite common, actually. It's a shame that the doctor didn't properly prepare your mother for life after surgery! Fortunately, the Non-Cardiac Chest Pains (NCCPs) do subside for most people over the course of a couple of months, and there ARE things that can be done to alleviate them. Here are some different coping methods to try: > > -- Swallowing something warm or something cold > > -- CCB medication (calcium channel blockers) -- I prick the shell of a nifedipine capsule and squirt it under my tongue. It absorbs into the bloodstream under the tongue (this is called a sub-lingual medication, meaning under-tongue) and relaxes smooth muscle tissue (which is what the esophagus is made up of.) unfortunately, it can also lower your blood pressure (usually only a problem if you already have low BP to begin with) and cause a headache afterwards > > -- Nitroglycerin medication -- works in much the same way as the CCB mentioned above, and can also be taken sublingually for fast relief. > > -- Certain anti-depressant and anti-convulsant medications -- some people don't have NCCPs when on these types of medications, believed to be a function of the medicine's effect on serotonin in the brain. > > -- L'Argnine supplements -- some people have found these relieve NCCP symptoms > > -- If symptoms are debilitating and none of the methods above help, you may need a narcotic pain reliever, but definitely try all the options above first, b/c if you're on narcotics you can't drive, work, etc., and the vast majority of people can find relief in a way that doesn't involve narcotics > > The spasms have decreased somewhat although her back still hurts, > > There's also the possibility that she's not having " spasm pains " but rather " gas pains " -- if she had the surgery done laparoscopically, they pump your torso full of gas to " puff it up " so they can see what they're doing in there. It can take some time for the gas to dissipate afterwards, and it can " travel " to the neck, shoulders, chest, back, etc. > > now she is having major issues swallowing. She feels as though she has to burp all the time with air in her throat. > > I'm wondering if this is the true situation, or just the way she senses it? What I mean is, achalasia involves the destruction of nerves in the esophagus --- what we " feel " may in fact only be what we THINK we feel, rather than being representative of what's truly going on inside, because the nerves aren't sending the proper signals to the brain... the brain then can only try its best to analyze the signals it is getting based on the limited info it has. > > One of my first symptoms was the feeling of a " lump " in the very front of my throat, right where the Adam's Apple would be on a guy. It would drive me insane to wear a turtleneck, and even a t-shirt was too much if the collar was tight enough to even barely rub up against my neck. They did an ultrasound of my thyroid and an MRI scan too, but found nothing. I think the feeling is still there (I still don't wear turtlenecks and I stretch out the neckline of any t- shirt, etc.), but after a dozen years I've just gotten so used to it that I don't even notice it. > > If your mom has had a " full " esophagus for some time, it may be that the sensation of an EMPTY esophagus feels " weird " or " unnatural " to her. It may be something that her body eventually gets used to, if this is what is happening. > > If your mom had a partial fundoplication, it may be that the tightness of that is preventing her from being able to burp up air/gas from her stomach. She should speak to her doctor about anti- gas medication. To see if this is her problem, she could try Mylicon Drops -- you can get them in the Baby Section of any drugstore. The main ingredient is simethicone, and it breaks up gas bubbles. It's not absorbed into the bloodstream so it doesn't interact with other medicines, and it has no taste. > > She hasn't been able to each much over the past couple of days and she is very umcomfortable. > > If she had a fundoplication, that's very similar to having a " stomach stapling " or " gastric bypass " operation -- the surgeon " wraps " the top part of the stomach around the LES area, so the actual size of the stomach available to hold food is reduced. > > Also, what types of foods is she trying to eat? Most surgeons suggest a limited diet for up to two months after surgery to allow the area to heal. And there is no way to fix the missing peristalsis in the body of the esophagus, so she will always need to use gravity and water to " push " the food down to the stomach. > > Hope this helps! > > Debbi in Michigan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2004 Report Share Posted May 5, 2004 , this comment concerns me: > Is there anything you can suggest? Should i research other doctors > that may be more specialized in this process. How experienced was the doctor that did the surgery in the first place? The success rate of the surgery is often in direct correlation to the experience level of the surgeon -- the time for a " specialized " doctor was *before* the operation, in my opinion. Gurgling is nothing unusual among the people in this group. It may be something she has to learn to live with. (The surgeon should have mentioned this at the time of the pre-surgical consult, too.) When you say the barium swallow showed nothing, what exactly does that mean? Did they test her with both solids and liquids? Did they test her vertically and horizontally? Did they test to see how long it takes for barium to clear her esophagus? Is her esophagus stretched-out / pouchy? Does some barium remain in the pouchy sides of her esophagus? Also, is her back pain constant or variable? Is it related to certain positions or movements? There's a possibility that the back pain isn't related to NCCPs or surgical gas at all, too -- it's not unusual for someone to get their spine out of whack just from lying in bed for a few days. Has she ever seen a chiropractor? (just be careful about getting manipulations with having just had surgery a few weeks ago... make sure the chiro knows exactly what was done surgically!) I hope she can find some answers! Debbi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2004 Report Share Posted May 5, 2004 , I was thinking about your mom today, and I started wondering if maybe she might be dehydrated. I get dehydrated easily with all of my blood pressure medications, and one of the first symptoms I start having is a feeling of my esophagus closing up on me. It's not quite what your mom is experiencing with the difficulty in swallowing, but I thought it was worth mentioning. If she is having difficulty swallowing, you could get out the humidifier and try that. Maybe she just needs some hydration. Hope this helps some! Sandi in No CA Re: Problems after Surgery Thank you all so much for your response, she had her barum swallow today and it didn't show anything. This has made her even more upset becuase she doesn't know what it is. The doctor is suppose to call tommorrow to talk. In the meantime, she still has a pain in her back and if it's not that she has horrible gurgling and she has the sensation that she has to burp but can't. Is there anything you can suggest? Should i research other doctors that may be more specialized in this process. She can't leave the house becuase she is too uncomfortable and her eating habits are horrible. I am so scared for her. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreacited. > After the surgery she was ok for about 3 days then the spasms started the > pain was horrible. > > > This is quite common, actually. It's a shame that the doctor didn't properly prepare your mother for life after surgery! Fortunately, the Non-Cardiac Chest Pains (NCCPs) do subside for most people over the course of a couple of months, and there ARE things that can be done to alleviate them. Here are some different coping methods to try: > > -- Swallowing something warm or something cold > > -- CCB medication (calcium channel blockers) -- I prick the shell of a nifedipine capsule and squirt it under my tongue. It absorbs into the bloodstream under the tongue (this is called a sub-lingual medication, meaning under-tongue) and relaxes smooth muscle tissue (which is what the esophagus is made up of.) unfortunately, it can also lower your blood pressure (usually only a problem if you already have low BP to begin with) and cause a headache afterwards > > -- Nitroglycerin medication -- works in much the same way as the CCB mentioned above, and can also be taken sublingually for fast relief. > > -- Certain anti-depressant and anti-convulsant medications -- some people don't have NCCPs when on these types of medications, believed to be a function of the medicine's effect on serotonin in the brain. > > -- L'Argnine supplements -- some people have found these relieve NCCP symptoms > > -- If symptoms are debilitating and none of the methods above help, you may need a narcotic pain reliever, but definitely try all the options above first, b/c if you're on narcotics you can't drive, work, etc., and the vast majority of people can find relief in a way that doesn't involve narcotics > > The spasms have decreased somewhat although her back still hurts, > > There's also the possibility that she's not having " spasm pains " but rather " gas pains " -- if she had the surgery done laparoscopically, they pump your torso full of gas to " puff it up " so they can see what they're doing in there. It can take some time for the gas to dissipate afterwards, and it can " travel " to the neck, shoulders, chest, back, etc. > > now she is having major issues swallowing. She feels as though she has to burp all the time with air in her throat. > > I'm wondering if this is the true situation, or just the way she senses it? What I mean is, achalasia involves the destruction of nerves in the esophagus --- what we " feel " may in fact only be what we THINK we feel, rather than being representative of what's truly going on inside, because the nerves aren't sending the proper signals to the brain... the brain then can only try its best to analyze the signals it is getting based on the limited info it has. > > One of my first symptoms was the feeling of a " lump " in the very front of my throat, right where the Adam's Apple would be on a guy. It would drive me insane to wear a turtleneck, and even a t-shirt was too much if the collar was tight enough to even barely rub up against my neck. They did an ultrasound of my thyroid and an MRI scan too, but found nothing. I think the feeling is still there (I still don't wear turtlenecks and I stretch out the neckline of any t- shirt, etc.), but after a dozen years I've just gotten so used to it that I don't even notice it. > > If your mom has had a " full " esophagus for some time, it may be that the sensation of an EMPTY esophagus feels " weird " or " unnatural " to her. It may be something that her body eventually gets used to, if this is what is happening. > > If your mom had a partial fundoplication, it may be that the tightness of that is preventing her from being able to burp up air/gas from her stomach. She should speak to her doctor about anti- gas medication. To see if this is her problem, she could try Mylicon Drops -- you can get them in the Baby Section of any drugstore. The main ingredient is simethicone, and it breaks up gas bubbles. It's not absorbed into the bloodstream so it doesn't interact with other medicines, and it has no taste. > > She hasn't been able to each much over the past couple of days and she is very umcomfortable. > > If she had a fundoplication, that's very similar to having a " stomach stapling " or " gastric bypass " operation -- the surgeon " wraps " the top part of the stomach around the LES area, so the actual size of the stomach available to hold food is reduced. > > Also, what types of foods is she trying to eat? Most surgeons suggest a limited diet for up to two months after surgery to allow the area to heal. And there is no way to fix the missing peristalsis in the body of the esophagus, so she will always need to use gravity and water to " push " the food down to the stomach. > > Hope this helps! > > Debbi in Michigan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2004 Report Share Posted May 5, 2004 - a lot of people can't burp after myotomy. I am one of the "lucky" ones. However, I certainly would look for another doctor to check her. Second & even third opinions are a good thing. And this condition is best treated by someone with lots of experience. Try your nearest teaching hospitals. Call their GI departments & ask if they have experience with achalasia. Best Wishes, Keep us posted -Cindi -- Re: Problems after Surgery Thank you all so much for your response, she had her barum swallow today and it didn't show anything. This has made her even more upset becuase she doesn't know what it is. The doctor is suppose to call tommorrow to talk.In the meantime, she still has a pain in her back and if it's not that she has horrible gurgling and she has the sensation that she has to burp but can't.Is there anything you can suggest? Should i research other doctors that may be more specialized in this process.She can't leave the house becuase she is too uncomfortable and her eating habits are horrible.I am so scared for her. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreacited.> After the surgery she was ok for about 3 days then the spasms started the > pain was horrible.> > > This is quite common, actually. It's a shame that the doctor didn't properly prepare your mother for life after surgery! Fortunately, the Non-Cardiac Chest Pains (NCCPs) do subside for most people over the course of a couple of months, and there ARE things that can be done to alleviate them. Here are some different coping methods to try: > > -- Swallowing something warm or something cold> > -- CCB medication (calcium channel blockers) -- I prick the shell of a nifedipine capsule and squirt it under my tongue. It absorbs into the bloodstream under the tongue (this is called a sub-lingual medication, meaning under-tongue) and relaxes smooth muscle tissue (which is what the esophagus is made up of.) unfortunately, it can also lower your blood pressure (usually only a problem if you already have low BP to begin with) and cause a headache afterwards> > -- Nitroglycerin medication -- works in much the same way as the CCB mentioned above, and can also be taken sublingually for fast relief.> > -- Certain anti-depressant and anti-convulsant medications -- some people don't have NCCPs when on these types of medications, believed to be a function of the medicine's effect on serotonin in the brain. > > -- L'Argnine supplements -- some people have found these relieve NCCP symptoms > > -- If symptoms are debilitating and none of the methods above help, you may need a narcotic pain reliever, but definitely try all the options above first, b/c if you're on narcotics you can't drive, work, etc., and the vast majority of people can find relief in a way that doesn't involve narcotics> > The spasms have decreased somewhat although her back still hurts, > > There's also the possibility that she's not having "spasm pains" but rather "gas pains" -- if she had the surgery done laparoscopically, they pump your torso full of gas to "puff it up" so they can see what they're doing in there. It can take some time for the gas to dissipate afterwards, and it can "travel" to the neck, shoulders, chest, back, etc.> > now she is having major issues swallowing. She feels as though she has to burp all the time with air in her throat. > > I'm wondering if this is the true situation, or just the way she senses it? What I mean is, achalasia involves the destruction of nerves in the esophagus --- what we "feel" may in fact only be what we THINK we feel, rather than being representative of what's truly going on inside, because the nerves aren't sending the proper signals to the brain... the brain then can only try its best to analyze the signals it is getting based on the limited info it has.> > One of my first symptoms was the feeling of a "lump" in the very front of my throat, right where the Adam's Apple would be on a guy. It would drive me insane to wear a turtleneck, and even a t-shirt was too much if the collar was tight enough to even barely rub up against my neck. They did an ultrasound of my thyroid and an MRI scan too, but found nothing. I think the feeling is still there (I still don't wear turtlenecks and I stretch out the neckline of any t-shirt, etc.), but after a dozen years I've just gotten so used to it that I don't even notice it.> > If your mom has had a "full" esophagus for some time, it may be that the sensation of an EMPTY esophagus feels "weird" or "unnatural" to her. It may be something that her body eventually gets used to, if this is what is happening.> > If your mom had a partial fundoplication, it may be that the tightness of that is preventing her from being able to burp up air/gas from her stomach. She should speak to her doctor about anti-gas medication. To see if this is her problem, she could try Mylicon Drops -- you can get them in the Baby Section of any drugstore. The main ingredient is simethicone, and it breaks up gas bubbles. It's not absorbed into the bloodstream so it doesn't interact with other medicines, and it has no taste.> > She hasn't been able to each much over the past couple of days and she is very umcomfortable.> > If she had a fundoplication, that's very similar to having a "stomach stapling" or "gastric bypass" operation -- the surgeon "wraps" the top part of the stomach around the LES area, so the actual size of the stomach available to hold food is reduced. > > Also, what types of foods is she trying to eat? Most surgeons suggest a limited diet for up to two months after surgery to allow the area to heal. And there is no way to fix the missing peristalsis in the body of the esophagus, so she will always need to use gravity and water to "push" the food down to the stomach.> > Hope this helps!> > Debbi in Michigan ____________________________________________________ IncrediMail - Email has finally evolved - Click Here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2004 Report Share Posted May 5, 2004 Hi , I just want to reassure your Mom that after surgery there are various problems that come up. Usually time takes care of these. I know I was scared when I had some of the same symptoms, but I was reassured that it was a matter of months before I would be relatively symptom free. When you get anxious, it makes swallowing and everything else much worse. Mediation might be a good idea. A heating pad helped with my shoulder pain. See if that helps her back pain. She may have other problems but I wouldn't be running to anothger surgeon right now unless she is really getting much worse. Hopefully she had an experienced surgeon do the surgery and one that she can talk to and trust. If this is not the case, then I would look for one but only after giving it some time. That is unless she is really failing and loosing more weight or having excessive pain. She should talk to her MD about some of the suggestions this group has given you. Good luck. Bobbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2004 Report Share Posted May 5, 2004 The pain is usually associated with the gas as Debbi explained. One other possibility is that the wrap if she had one, and hopefully it was a partial wrap, is not too tight. On occasion they have to go back in to loosen it up. Again - time is a major factor here and if she can be patient and is not getting worse she should try some of the comfort measures mentioned.. I know this is easy to say when you are not the patient. I was and I know the first few weeks can be challanging - BUT IT USUALLY DOES GET BETTER!!! Bobbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2004 Report Share Posted May 5, 2004 In a message dated 5/5/2004 4:50:55 PM Eastern Daylight Time, biancka@... writes: Biancka p.s. sorry, had to vent. Oh, I also lost all my emails after re-installing my pc last week but thank you all for all the support and lovely emails. Mentally, I have more good than bad days.....but I feel that the bad days are catching up again. Grrrr. Biancka, I really feel for you. 5 months is SUCH a long time to wait for relief! I don't know what exactly is my medical problem, but now, waiting for June 16th to be seen by Dr. Vaezi at the Cleveland Clinic seems like forever. It is so very hard at times to stay optimistic about the future. Time seems to drag on when you are suffering. Just know that you have friends who care about you and support you here. Hugs, Jan in Northern KY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2004 Report Share Posted May 5, 2004 I wasnt too thrilled with this thread of emails. I still have to undergo the surgery and the thought of my A getting worse scares the heck out of me !!!! Right now I hardly have spasms (chest pains), I can somewhat burp (I freak out now when I cant burp........so the thought of not being able to burp after the surgery really scares me). On May 25th I have a meeting with the surgeon who is going to do to the myotomy. There is a 5 months (!!!!!) waitinglist for the surgery itself after that. How can I survice on crisps, soft boiled eggs and garlic saus for another 6 months ?!?!?!?! And my dream of having cake on my son's first birthday is ruined too !! Ooooh, I really hate A :-( Hugs, Biancka p.s. sorry, had to vent. Oh, I also lost all my emails after re-installing my pc last week but thank you all for all the support and lovely emails. Mentally, I have more good than bad days.....but I feel that the bad days are catching up again. Grrrr. Re: Re: Problems after Surgery Hi , I just want to reassure your Mom that after surgery there are various problems that come up. Usually time takes care of these. I know I was scared when I had some of the same symptoms, but I was reassured that it was a matter of months before I would be relatively symptom free. When you get anxious, it makes swallowing and everything else much worse. Mediation might be a good idea. A heating pad helped with my shoulder pain. See if that helps her back pain. She may have other problems but I wouldn't be running to anothger surgeon right now unless she is really getting much worse. Hopefully she had an experienced surgeon do the surgery and one that she can talk to and trust. If this is not the case, then I would look for one but only after giving it some time. That is unless she is really failing and loosing more weight or having excessive pain. She should talk to her MD about some of the suggestions this group has given you. Good luck. Bobbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2004 Report Share Posted May 5, 2004 Hi Biancka, I don't post often, but I read your post and had to reply. There's no guarantees, and everyone's experience is different, but I had surgery 29 years ago. I eat what I want, (including cake at my son's birthday!) have no acid reflux, none, only occasionally have spasms, mostly if I'm overtired and stressed, and basically live like a normal person. I do drink a lot with meals, gurgle from time to time, and it's true I don't burp. But I think the thing to keep in mind is I don't ever NEED to burp! No peristalsis means no gas trapped in tummy, means no burping. I can't swallow air, only food and water. I haven't had any treatment for A since the surgery, although I just had a scope which came up clean. Good luck with your surgery. I hope it has excellent results. I hear they've gotten better at it over the last quarter century! With warm aloha, Re: Re: Problems after Surgery Hi , I just want to reassure your Mom that after surgery there are various problems that come up. Usually time takes care of these. I know I was scared when I had some of the same symptoms, but I was reassured that it was a matter of months before I would be relatively symptom free. When you get anxious, it makes swallowing and everything else much worse. Mediation might be a good idea. A heating pad helped with my shoulder pain. See if that helps her back pain. She may have other problems but I wouldn't be running to anothger surgeon right now unless she is really getting much worse. Hopefully she had an experienced surgeon do the surgery and one that she can talk to and trust. If this is not the case, then I would look for one but only after giving it some time. That is unless she is really failing and loosing more weight or having excessive pain. She should talk to her MD about some of the suggestions this group has given you. Good luck. Bobbie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 6, 2004 Report Share Posted May 6, 2004 Hi , My heart goes out to you and your mom. This is a long chance, but anything I guess would be worth a try. Ask your pharmacist to get you a white liquid aluminium hydroxide product with an anti-spasmodic in it.[i think that is called diclopramide, but I am not sure] [We get one called Medigel, but it could be locally made.] This could help - it helped for me - if I took two teaspoons about every 4 hours when things were bad. Just remember this white gel coats the stomach wall and prevents some types of medication from being absorbed eg. thyroxin, so discuss what other medication your mom is on with the pharmacist. Get a small bottle and see if it helps. Merely by calming the irritation that may be down there it might settle things for her. This sound so 'iffy' but you are at your wits end I am sure. A second opinion would also be a good idea. Hugs, Joan ICN ConsultantJohannesburg South Africajpearse@... Re: Problems after Surgery Thank you all so much for your response, she had her barum swallow today and it didn't show anything. This has made her even more upset becuase she doesn't know what it is. The doctor is suppose to call tommorrow to talk.In the meantime, she still has a pain in her back and if it's not that she has horrible gurgling and she has the sensation that she has to burp but can't.Is there anything you can suggest? Should i research other doctors that may be more specialized in this process.She can't leave the house becuase she is too uncomfortable and her eating habits are horrible.I am so scared for her. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreacited.> After the surgery she was ok for about 3 days then the spasms started the > pain was horrible.> > > This is quite common, actually. It's a shame that the doctor didn't properly prepare your mother for life after surgery! Fortunately, the Non-Cardiac Chest Pains (NCCPs) do subside for most people over the course of a couple of months, and there ARE things that can be done to alleviate them. Here are some different coping methods to try: > > -- Swallowing something warm or something cold> > -- CCB medication (calcium channel blockers) -- I prick the shell of a nifedipine capsule and squirt it under my tongue. It absorbs into the bloodstream under the tongue (this is called a sub-lingual medication, meaning under-tongue) and relaxes smooth muscle tissue (which is what the esophagus is made up of.) unfortunately, it can also lower your blood pressure (usually only a problem if you already have low BP to begin with) and cause a headache afterwards> > -- Nitroglycerin medication -- works in much the same way as the CCB mentioned above, and can also be taken sublingually for fast relief.> > -- Certain anti-depressant and anti-convulsant medications -- some people don't have NCCPs when on these types of medications, believed to be a function of the medicine's effect on serotonin in the brain. > > -- L'Argnine supplements -- some people have found these relieve NCCP symptoms > > -- If symptoms are debilitating and none of the methods above help, you may need a narcotic pain reliever, but definitely try all the options above first, b/c if you're on narcotics you can't drive, work, etc., and the vast majority of people can find relief in a way that doesn't involve narcotics> > The spasms have decreased somewhat although her back still hurts, > > There's also the possibility that she's not having "spasm pains" but rather "gas pains" -- if she had the surgery done laparoscopically, they pump your torso full of gas to "puff it up" so they can see what they're doing in there. It can take some time for the gas to dissipate afterwards, and it can "travel" to the neck, shoulders, chest, back, etc.> > now she is having major issues swallowing. She feels as though she has to burp all the time with air in her throat. > > I'm wondering if this is the true situation, or just the way she senses it? What I mean is, achalasia involves the destruction of nerves in the esophagus --- what we "feel" may in fact only be what we THINK we feel, rather than being representative of what's truly going on inside, because the nerves aren't sending the proper signals to the brain... the brain then can only try its best to analyze the signals it is getting based on the limited info it has.> > One of my first symptoms was the feeling of a "lump" in the very front of my throat, right where the Adam's Apple would be on a guy. It would drive me insane to wear a turtleneck, and even a t-shirt was too much if the collar was tight enough to even barely rub up against my neck. They did an ultrasound of my thyroid and an MRI scan too, but found nothing. I think the feeling is still there (I still don't wear turtlenecks and I stretch out the neckline of any t-shirt, etc.), but after a dozen years I've just gotten so used to it that I don't even notice it.> > If your mom has had a "full" esophagus for some time, it may be that the sensation of an EMPTY esophagus feels "weird" or "unnatural" to her. It may be something that her body eventually gets used to, if this is what is happening.> > If your mom had a partial fundoplication, it may be that the tightness of that is preventing her from being able to burp up air/gas from her stomach. She should speak to her doctor about anti-gas medication. To see if this is her problem, she could try Mylicon Drops -- you can get them in the Baby Section of any drugstore. The main ingredient is simethicone, and it breaks up gas bubbles. It's not absorbed into the bloodstream so it doesn't interact with other medicines, and it has no taste.> > She hasn't been able to each much over the past couple of days and she is very umcomfortable.> > If she had a fundoplication, that's very similar to having a "stomach stapling" or "gastric bypass" operation -- the surgeon "wraps" the top part of the stomach around the LES area, so the actual size of the stomach available to hold food is reduced. > > Also, what types of foods is she trying to eat? Most surgeons suggest a limited diet for up to two months after surgery to allow the area to heal. And there is no way to fix the missing peristalsis in the body of the esophagus, so she will always need to use gravity and water to "push" the food down to the stomach.> > Hope this helps!> > Debbi in Michigan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 18, 2005 Report Share Posted July 18, 2005 I had acid reflux unbeliieveably bad. I went to my doctor and asked for Prevacid it took 3 days to completely work. The bile was better every day and then gone. My husband taked it and he swears by it. My insurance pays for it. It is very expensive. I could not buy without it. in Ft. Pierce Fl 2-23-05 280/221 Dr Raj & H. > > From: " seanymoss " <seanymoss@...> > Date: 2005/07/14 Thu PM 10:27:59 EDT > > Subject: Problems after surgery > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 30, 2008 Report Share Posted April 30, 2008 I had foraminotomy, laminectomy and discectomy on 04.18.08 the first week went by pretty easily. No real major issues. But this week has been rough so far. I have developed a pulling sensation, that to be quite frank...hurts like hell. It is not a constant sensation. The strangest part is it seems to happen more when I move my neck. I do have c-4 and c-5 Rupture as well... but this symptom did not occur until just this week. Help? Anyone else had this happen and if so what was going on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 Are you in a neck collar ? I had fusion and when I took the collar off to shower , I had the same feeling . Mine was the muscles pulling on the incision . shaynal2003 <shaynal2003@...> wrote: I had foraminotomy, laminectomy and discectomy on 04.18.08 the first week went by pretty easily. No real major issues. But this week has been rough so far. I have developed a pulling sensation, that to be quite frank...hurts like hell. It is not a constant sensation. The strangest part is it seems to happen more when I move my neck. I do have c-4 and c-5 Rupture as well... but this symptom did not occur until just this week. Help? Anyone else had this happen and if so what was going on? --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 Sorry I should have been much more clear. My surgery was on S-1, L-5. I had additional surgery needed on C-4, C-5. So nope no neck collar. LOL The pulling is down my left leg. If I bend or twist at all or if I bend or twist my neck it will pull down the back and sort of the side of my left leg. It is the strangest thing. I know the whole spine is interconnected. But just hurts and feels really strange. Moving your neck and having your lower back and leg have symptoms. I don't know. Was just hoping for some insight. Does sound like your theory could be a strong possibility. Maybe it is a scar tissue thing. Or maybe it is a healing thing. What do you think? Batzinger <pbatzinger@...> wrote: Are you in a neck collar ? I had fusion and when I took the collar off to shower , I had the same feeling . Mine was the muscles pulling on the incision . shaynal2003 <shaynal2003@...> wrote: I had foraminotomy, laminectomy and discectomy on 04.18.08 the first week went by pretty easily. No real major issues. But this week has been rough so far. I have developed a pulling sensation, that to be quite frank...hurts like hell. It is not a constant sensation. The strangest part is it seems to happen more when I move my neck. I do have c-4 and c-5 Rupture as well... but this symptom did not occur until just this week. Help? Anyone else had this happen and if so what was going on? --------------------------------- Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 1, 2008 Report Share Posted May 1, 2008 Have you ever had a MRI to see if your spinal cord is tethered? That sounds similiar to my problems and my spinal cord is tethered. I had foraminotomy, laminectomy and discectomy on 04.18.08 the first > week went by pretty easily. No real major issues. But this week has > been rough so far. I have developed a pulling sensation, that to be > quite frank...hurts like hell. It is not a constant sensation. The > strangest part is it seems to happen more when I move my neck. I do > have c-4 and c-5 Rupture as well... but this symptom did not occur > until just this week. Help? Anyone else had this happen and if so what > was going on? > > > > > > --------------------------------- > Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 3, 2008 Report Share Posted May 3, 2008 Hi Shana, I haven't posted in quite sometime but if your pains becomes any worse instead of better call you doctor right away. You know your body and how it responds. I too had my second neck surgery oct. 16, 2007. I had a multi-Level Anterior cervical decompressionand fusion onC3-4 and C4-5(a more extensive surgery than my first. Having had 8 surgeries in the past 10 years, I know when something isn't right. My pain levels in the hospital remained elevated even after pain meds were administered. Different meds were try. 3 days after surgery my pian levels would not ease. I insisted it didn't feel right and to please not send me home because my pain level wasn't any better. I was returning to the my pain specialist only to beg someone helpme. My Dr. did not know what to say but to pat my should and tell me " someday you'll get better. " --- shaynal2003 <shaynal2003@...> wrote: > I had foraminotomy, laminectomy and discectomy on > 04.18.08 the first > week went by pretty easily. No real major issues. > But this week has > been rough so far. I have developed a pulling > sensation, that to be > quite frank...hurts like hell. It is not a constant > sensation. The > strangest part is it seems to happen more when I > move my neck. I do > have c-4 and c-5 Rupture as well... but this symptom > did not occur > until just this week. Help? Anyone else had this > happen and if so what > was going on? > > With Great Appreciation, Alisa ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2008 Report Share Posted May 5, 2008 > > > I had foraminotomy, laminectomy and discectomy on > > 04.18.08 the first > > week went by pretty easily. No real major issues. > > But this week has > > been rough so far. I have developed a pulling > > sensation, that to be > > quite frank...hurts like hell. It is not a constant > > sensation. The > > strangest part is it seems to happen more when I > > move my neck. I do > > have c-4 and c-5 Rupture as well... but this symptom > > did not occur > > until just this week. Help? Anyone else had this > > happen and if so what > > was going on? > > > > > > > > With Great Appreciation, > > Alisa > > > > ______________________________________________________________________ ______________ > Be a better friend, newshound, and > know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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