Only wish I'd known more about the condition before being advised to start with botox 😞 then a dilatation... when those didn't take and I opted for the Heller operation, it was unsuccessful due to the scar tissue the other procedures had produced. Ended up in hospital for 11 days, tube fed to rest my oesophagus and had a tube inserted to bypass my oesophagus so I was vomiting into a bag. All I can say is research your condition, make sure you have all the tests possible and available for this condition and have faith in your consultant/surgeon, I had a further 3 dilatations throughout 2016/2017, since then I just cope, good days, bad days and everything inbetween. Wishing all fellow sufferers much love and support ❤
Since the problem is a smooth muscle that won’t relax, could this not be improved with a muscle relaxant such as Buscopan? Dosage and timing of the dosage might be crucial, but should beat a blanket treatment like botox and no scarring. The other question I had was about that pacemaker that is now used (in the USA) to correct sleep apnea: a cuff electrode is placed around the hypoglossal nerve that innervates the soft palate, it delivers a command to contract by a pacemaker implanted under the skin. In the case of accalasia the problem is not that the muscle won’t contract, but rather that it won’t relax, maybe a micro pump could deliver locally a neurotransmitter antagonist/ muscle relaxant?
Here's another treatment not discussed here. Ive had dysphasia achalasia since 2012, dx as jackhammer esophagus in 2017, and further dx as Type 3 Achalasia in Aug. 2023. I also have a Diverticulum due to very high eso pressure, and was advised to have 2 surgeries. But I have severe autoimmune issues and always felt this Achalasia was re to my autoimmune issues. So in late Nov. 2023 I began a high dose Empiric trial of Prednisone, starting at 60mg/day for 1 month, 50mg, 45mg, 40mg and tapering 5mg down each week. This Prednisone turned out to be the perfect treatment, and within 4 days of starting I was eating food wo any issues. There's quite a published journal studies on the use of Prednisone for Achalasia. I was also have lots of nausea for 3 yrs with severe vomiting, and severe constipation. All this stopped within days of the Prednisone. But the challenge has been tapering down off Prednisone. Im currently down to 25mg daily Prednisone. Ive managed to stave off the worse of the dysphagia & choke clear vomiting w maybe 30% return of dysphagia. But the constipation return is 70-80%. Some studies report the Prednisone benefit can last for several years or more. I recently switched to Nexium plus still Famotidine which helps with dysphagia & chocking & vomiting up food. I don't know if I'd ever get either Poem or Heller myotomy surgery if i needed it bc of concerns with acid aspiration into my throat & lungs at night. Apparently, that issue is unknown ahead of time. Lastly, a great DISCOVERY I recently made to calm my esophagus when food is stuck & ready to vomit, is these BROOKIES chocolate brownie scquares from my grocery story. I've been using them for a week now when the choking 1st starts. I'll eat a small bite, and within several minutes this brownie food is calming my severe Achalasia. It’s the strangest thing bc Ive tried lots of food & liquids for 12 yrs, and never had anything help like this. It must be the OILS in the chocolate brownie. It is quite soft & moist, made in store bakery with choc icing layer on top. Hope the above helps.
One more point on my Achalasia as an autoimmune disorder. The muscle "hypercontractions" I experience in my esophagus are also occurring in my lower arms & legs. Prednisone can be a pretty wicked treatment too. But if it resolves this for a lengthy period, I'll be pleased. Also, my severe or projectile vomiting that stopped, is re my yet to be dx autoimmune disorder, that caused me to lose 60 lbs & lots of muscle mass. My Ferritin blood lab is also high, indicating inflammation.
I suffer from achalasia myself. I have mostly had all treatment every 3 months I have more endoscopy test i have had a HELLER MYOMETRY DOR FUNDALATION PROCEDURE.
Who is the beat treatment the surgery or unsurgery Please 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 i treated by unsurgery (balloon ) but i really scare it will came bask or not how mane percentage ...🙏
My husband has problem swallowing certain foods. He throw them up before they even hit the stomachs it scary. But other foods he is fine!!! Can this be allergic reaction ?
I've had it for 40 years, and for most of that time, it was only triggered by rice. So, for a long time, I thought it was just a reaction to rice. I had it stretched with a balloon about 10 years ago, and it was great. I will need the procedure again soon because I've had about 4 episodes in the last year or so.
Cutting the LES basically destroys the ability of the muscle to function, leading to acid reflux and taking PPIs forever. The LES is controlled by the vagus nerve, so you may want to try rehabilitating that nerve before trying surgery. For the theory behind this approach, see ua-cam.com/video/7OENyPivWIo/v-deo.html. I tried vastly improving my posture and massaging the vagus nerve. As I got a little getter, I added effortful swallowing exercises. Over time, my swallowing has improved, although it has not returned to normal. Perhaps over time??? And pray. Pray in Jesus' name. He is there for you if you will call on him!
Only wish I'd known more about the condition before being advised to start with botox 😞 then a dilatation... when those didn't take and I opted for the Heller operation, it was unsuccessful due to the scar tissue the other procedures had produced. Ended up in hospital for 11 days, tube fed to rest my oesophagus and had a tube inserted to bypass my oesophagus so I was vomiting into a bag. All I can say is research your condition, make sure you have all the tests possible and available for this condition and have faith in your consultant/surgeon, I had a further 3 dilatations throughout 2016/2017, since then I just cope, good days, bad days and everything inbetween. Wishing all fellow sufferers much love and support ❤
Have you tried cannabis
Good point. I was fore- warned ahead about Botox leaving scar tissue ,,complicating the other surgical options. And never got it.
I got operated with top three options...n i can say that third option poem is best
Excellent informative video, thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Since the problem is a smooth muscle that won’t relax, could this not be improved with a muscle relaxant such as Buscopan? Dosage and timing of the dosage might be crucial, but should beat a blanket treatment like botox and no scarring. The other question I had was about that pacemaker that is now used (in the USA) to correct sleep apnea: a cuff electrode is placed around the hypoglossal nerve that innervates the soft palate, it delivers a command to contract by a pacemaker implanted under the skin. In the case of accalasia the problem is not that the muscle won’t contract, but rather that it won’t relax, maybe a micro pump could deliver locally a neurotransmitter antagonist/ muscle relaxant?
Here's another treatment not discussed here. Ive had dysphasia achalasia since 2012, dx as jackhammer esophagus in 2017, and further dx as Type 3 Achalasia in Aug. 2023. I also have a Diverticulum due to very high eso pressure, and was advised to have 2 surgeries. But I have severe autoimmune issues and always felt this Achalasia was re to my autoimmune issues.
So in late Nov. 2023 I began a high dose Empiric trial of Prednisone, starting at 60mg/day for 1 month, 50mg, 45mg, 40mg and tapering 5mg down each week. This Prednisone turned out to be the perfect treatment, and within 4 days of starting I was eating food wo any issues. There's quite a published journal studies on the use of Prednisone for Achalasia. I was also have lots of nausea for 3 yrs with severe vomiting, and severe constipation. All this stopped within days of the Prednisone. But the challenge has been tapering down off Prednisone. Im currently down to 25mg daily Prednisone. Ive managed to stave off the worse of the dysphagia & choke clear vomiting w maybe 30% return of dysphagia. But the constipation return is 70-80%. Some studies report the Prednisone benefit can last for several years or more. I recently switched to Nexium plus still Famotidine which helps with dysphagia & chocking & vomiting up food.
I don't know if I'd ever get either Poem or Heller myotomy surgery if i needed it bc of concerns with acid aspiration into my throat & lungs at night. Apparently, that issue is unknown ahead of time.
Lastly, a great DISCOVERY I recently made to calm my esophagus when food is stuck & ready to vomit, is these BROOKIES chocolate brownie scquares from my grocery story. I've been using them for a week now when the choking 1st starts. I'll eat a small bite, and within several minutes this brownie food is calming my severe Achalasia. It’s the strangest thing bc Ive tried lots of food & liquids for 12 yrs, and never had anything help like this. It must be the OILS in the chocolate brownie. It is quite soft & moist, made in store bakery with choc icing layer on top. Hope the above helps.
One more point on my Achalasia as an autoimmune disorder. The muscle "hypercontractions" I experience in my esophagus are also occurring in my lower arms & legs. Prednisone can be a pretty wicked treatment too. But if it resolves this for a lengthy period, I'll be pleased.
Also, my severe or projectile vomiting that stopped, is re my yet to be dx autoimmune disorder, that caused me to lose 60 lbs & lots of muscle mass. My Ferritin blood lab is also high, indicating inflammation.
If the problem is because of nerves in esophagus, treatment should be taken to reactivate the nerve system only. Why surgery in foodpath???
Ikr😢
how do you self manage Achalasia,,,8 months of medical nightmare,,,and still looking for help,,
May i know deep water swiming and diving is possible to after achalasia surgery. Thank you!
I suffer from achalasia myself. I have mostly had all treatment every 3 months I have more endoscopy test i have had a HELLER MYOMETRY DOR FUNDALATION PROCEDURE.
Hi...my friend have achalasia can tell me what can I do?
Who is the beat treatment the surgery or unsurgery Please 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 i treated by unsurgery (balloon ) but i really scare it will came bask or not how mane percentage ...🙏
I am having the POEM surgery tomorrow. The doc told me it is far more effective.
I had the balloon, and it worked great for about 10 years.
My dad suffers from this, and it’s sad that he’s lost weight tremendously.
He should get the balloon procedure if he can.
My mom😢
Cannabis!
My husband has problem swallowing certain foods. He throw them up before they even hit the stomachs it scary. But other foods he is fine!!! Can this be allergic reaction ?
No needs to have esophagus stretched
My achalasia started with just certain foods and slowly grew to everything including water.
I've had it for 40 years, and for most of that time, it was only triggered by rice. So, for a long time, I thought it was just a reaction to rice. I had it stretched with a balloon about 10 years ago, and it was great. I will need the procedure again soon because I've had about 4 episodes in the last year or so.
Cutting the LES basically destroys the ability of the muscle to function, leading to acid reflux and taking PPIs forever. The LES is controlled by the vagus nerve, so you may want to try rehabilitating that nerve before trying surgery. For the theory behind this approach, see ua-cam.com/video/7OENyPivWIo/v-deo.html. I tried vastly improving my posture and massaging the vagus nerve. As I got a little getter, I added effortful swallowing exercises. Over time, my swallowing has improved, although it has not returned to normal. Perhaps over time??? And pray. Pray in Jesus' name. He is there for you if you will call on him!