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Achalasia

Digestive Health | Last Active: Jan 7 11:31pm | Replies (60)

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@lee28

My Mum suffers from achalasia - diagnosed in 2007. She has had at least 12 EGDs, for either dilatation, or botox injections, and has had surgery in 2009 - a Heller myotomy with a fundoplication. The latter procedure was "too tight" and now is going for a consult with Mayo to see what to do next. She can't eat anything by mouth, and has a feeding tube to get her calories (for a year now). The last two dilatations didn't work. I hope this doesn't discourage you...how old are you and how far along are you with the achalasia?

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Replies to "My Mum suffers from achalasia - diagnosed in 2007. She has had at least 12 EGDs,..."

Yes! Had my surgery on July 13th at Mayo in Rochester. Kept going to doctors here in Mississippi, and no one could figure out what was going on with me for 2.5 years. I was having the typical trouble swallowing, but also excruciating esophageal spasms. I'd had it, so we went up to Mayo to see Dr. Katzka. He diagnosed me within 2 days with achalasia and recommended the surgery. Highly recommend Katzka...he treated us like I was his only patient and was so understanding (something I had not experienced in any of my previous interactions with GI doctors). We flew back up to Mayo a month later for the surgery with Dr Mark Allen. The surgery went really well. Dr Allen and team were absolutely great. Now, 5 months later, I can swallow everything, even pills and steak! Turned out better than expected. Still have occasional spasms, but they aren't as painful as they used to be. Dr Katzka said those will hopefully go away a year after the surgery. In summary, I'm SO GRATEFUL that I went to Mayo. I don't believe I could have had a better outcome anywhere else in the country. Granted, your mother's surgery may be more involved, as she's already had surgery and all the dilitations, but Mayo is the best place for her to go. I only have good things to say about my experience and the doctors who worked with us. I thank God often for leading me to Mayo.