Has anyone had botox to treat achalasia

[Refs]

Because of my history of varices they wont operate, Just wondering has anyone else been offered botox to relax the muscles?

Thanks

Ref

[Alan_M Partner]

Botox is used to help achalasia, and is quite often successful in the short term. The trouble is that the effect wears off after a while, so it is not generally recommended for lasting success unless there is another problem which indicates that more substantive treatments would not be advisable. There is a bit on the website bout this treatment: achalasia-action.org/treatm... Depending on what doctor you have seen, you might want to consult a specialist Upper GI surgeon who has experience with achalasia, but you may already have done so, and the risk of complications does make the decision for botox quite logical.

[Refs in reply to Alan_M]

Thanks

[SurreyGuy]

Hi there. I had Botox a few times and I never found it too successful. But this was a few years ago so maybe there is more experience around now. Where are you being seen? In my experience this is really important. Happy to talk with you on this if helpful.

[Refs in reply to SurreyGuy]

My consultant at royal Glamorgan hospital wales.

[SurreyGuy in reply to Refs]

Ah, I don't think Wales offers choice of treatment centres to patients. Does the health board offer comprehensive Upper GI services? In my experience the centres that do a large amount of Upper GI surgery have come across achalasia more frequently so draw from a broader range of experiences. I would have assumed that Cardiff does more complex surgery so may have a few more ideas. It doesn’t always follow as you may have someone with a specific interest in achalasia but with it affecting only 1 in 100000 people the chances are that there may not be a lot of experience. However, I think your health Board serves a population of around 450,000 so there are about 45 of you. That’s a reasonable amount…however, where do the complex Upper GI patients end up? It may be worth exploring with your current GI surgeon if there are other interventions available in other centres?

[Refs in reply to SurreyGuy]

They are very good down here in Wales