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Many patients have difficulty swallowing due to narrowing of the esophagus. Benign esophageal strictures can be challenging to treat, with the main treatment being endoscopic dilations. Often, repeated upper endoscopies are required to maintain successful swallowing. These procedures are costly and their efficacy can be short-lived. Gastroenterologists at Mayo Clinic offer a more convenient and effective method that may lessen the frustrations and challenges of repeated endoscopies–esophageal self dilation therapy or ESDT.
Esophageal self-dilation involves teaching the patient how to dilate their esophagus orally, on a routine basis with the help of a simple medical device–a polyvinyl dilator. Besides being successful, researchers also found that ESDT could lead to the removal of feeding tubes that were previously required to get food into the gastrointestinal tract.
Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, Dr. Magnus Halland, M.D., encourages patients with swallowing difficulties due to narrowing of the esophagus, to visit Mayo Clinic to see if they may be candidates to learn ESDT. Dr. Halland also talks about the open clinical trial linked to ESDT at Mayo Clinic.
Meet other people talking about esophageal disorders on Mayo Clinic Connect. Here are some discussions you might like to view–join the conversation, share experiences, ask questions, and discover your support network...
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Hello @docdiamond and welcome to Mayo Connect. I see that this is your first time posting. On Mayo Connect, there are several discussion groups where members discuss their experiences with Achalasia as well as POEM. Here are some links to one of those discussion groups:
--Achalasia
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/?search=Achalasia
--Two months after Poem surgery for achalasia:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/two-months-after-poem-surgery-for-achalasia/?commentsorder=newest#chv4-comment-stream-header
As you read these posts, feel free to ask questions and share your concerns by clicking on "Reply" under the post. Has POEM surgery been suggested to you by your medical team?
POEM has been suggested yet. I have not been officially diagnosed with achalasia, but that is the most likely diagnosis according to my doctor. I would like to avoid surgery if possible. It does not always work like it is supposed to, and usually results in acid reflux. Self-dilation sounds like a good alternative, but I have not seen where it is used for achalasia.
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1 ReactionI understand your wanting to avoid surgery, @docdiamond. On Mayo Clinic's website there is an article that describes non-surgical options for treating achalasia. Here is a link to that information:
-Achalasia Diagnosis and Treatment
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/achalasia/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20352851
I look forward to hearing from you again when you have more information about your diagnosis and possible treatment options.