I am awaiting a mamometry test as I am having a hard time with eating... I am scared this is achlasia.

[Alico]

I have a hard time if I eat anything with chest pain.. Even sometimes a tiny piece of fruit... I get chest pains and burping. Also if I do manage to get food down... I get burping and a feeling its in the throat. When I had an endoscopy it was extremely painful as my esophagus went into spasm. I am awaiting mamometry and afraid this is achlasia. Does this sound like early achlasia. I have lost alot of weight because I can not eat... I'm just having milkshakes now.

Also is there anyone I can talk to on the phone about this ie a helpline or support group.

Thanks

[TiggerB]

I was treated for achalasia about 10 years ago. Your symptoms sound familar - mine came on suddenly and I just couldn't eat very much at all. My endoscopy was done under sedation. Have you had a barium swallow xray?

If it is achalasia, it is a rare problem, think there are only 6000 people in the UK who have it. Mine was treated successfully at the time with a stretch and the muscle is still open now. I didn't have to take medication for reflux until a couple of years ago. I have been getting problems over the last year or two but having an investigation soon.

I've never found a help group that I could call but if you look on this site, maybe search achalasia, you will find a wealth of information - including notes from a meeting the group organised in London for people with acalasia.

There is one other group I've found on the web but that one seems to be mainly US members and I didn't find it helpful.

Hope this helps

[Hidden]

The important thing is to try and get a proper diagnosis, and doing all the various tests, including the manometry, is the best way that the doctors can work out what is happening. Achalasia patients are not all the same as each other!

This may sound difficult, but achalasia is often linked with the nerve endings that affect the muscles that drive the process of swallowing - peristalsis - so with many achalasia situations there is a parallel track of trying not to become too tense and anxious, because that in itself makes it worse. I know that this is easier said than done!

The OPA helpline number is 0121 704 9860 and we are hoping that there will be another meeting for the achalasia group in London, perhaps next month.

[chris_usa]

Both of the posts above are very good information for you.

It is important to remember that there are several esophageal motility disorders. Achalasia is probably the most well-known, but not the most common. On this site, you will see that achalasia is referenced a good bit because it is one of the reasons for major esophageal surgery. Most of the achalasia patients on this site (including myself) have had to undergo total esophagectomy for end-stage achalasia, but this is extremely rare. You would get the idea that it is more common by the number of people discussing it on this site, but that is only because the small number of patients from all over the world are concentrated on this website.

Manometry is the gold standard for diagnosis of achalasia and other esophageal motility disorders. The are also other conditions that can cause the symptoms you describe. Typically achalasia patients have great difficulty in swallowing both solids and liquids.

I think it is best to wait for the results of the manometry and not assume any particular results. Stress can worsen the symptoms of any GI disorder, and can sometimes be the primary cause of the symptoms.

If I can be of any more help to you, please respond to this posting.

[Hidden in reply to chris_usa]

Thanks, Chris. Your contributions are greatly appreciated!

Alan

[TiggerB]

Chris - apologies, didn't mean to imply US contributers were unhelpful just meant most of the discussions, on that site, were based around treatments and places in the US and it didn't give me any idea about the UK situation. Sorry again, didn't mean to offend.