My Struggle with Achalasia

The main reason I decided to create this Blog is because not many people are familiar with achalasia. Not only do I want to familiarize society with this condition, but I would also like to find others who have been diagnosed as well.

I have done little research on achalasia. Off hand, I know that it is a gastrointestinal tract disorder, only 2000 people are diagnosed with it each year, and it is unknown why people become laden with it.

As stated in the 30th edition of Dorland's Illustrated Medical Dictionary, it says that achalasia is: "1. failure to relax of the smooth muscle fibers of the gastrointestinal tract at any point of junction of one part with another. 2. specifically, failure of the esophagogastric sphincter to relax with swallowing, due to degeneration of ganglion cells in the wall of the organ. The thoracic esophagus also loses its normal peristaltic activity and becomes dilated."

To simplify, it causes difficulty swallowing. Before I was diagnosed, I was having horrible symptoms. I couldn't keep anything down even if I ate several hours before bed time. In the middle of the night, I would wake up finding that I had vomitted in my sleep. It was not pleasant. I lost 20 pounds in two months.

There are three different options an achalasia patient can take: dilation, botox injections, or surgical repair. I decided to take the permanant approach and got the surgery. It took about six or seven months to adjust, but I finally feel close to normal again. Though, I still experience occasional pain when swallowing.

Another reason I created this blog is because I want to learn more. When my doctor first told me I had achalasia he actually advised me to research it on the Internet for myself. What kind of doctor would say that? He didn't even have a pamphlet to give me.

I hope this blog finds someone out there with achalasia or someone who is knowledgeable of it. Please send me a comment anytime!