Understanding

It's really neat working for a gastroenterologist. I've talked to three people whom I believe suffer from achalasia. They didn't come out and say it, but the symptoms they were describing to me sounded just like those of achalasia.

I actually told one female patient today that I too suffered with a swallowing problem. The neat thing is that she said that she finds that her symptoms worsen with stress--just like me. The reason she was calling today is because her GI retired and she was referred to the doctor I work for. She told me something quite interesting. Her old doctor has her on a small dose of Zoloft (I think she said or some kind of anti-depressant) to help with her stress. She said it actually works for her and doesn't have to get dilations done for like 2 or 3 years at a time.

Now, I had once asked my GI about that, and he told me that he could not prescribe any kind of anti-depressants for me, but at least now, maybe I can make an appointment with a pyschiatrist or something in the future.

I wish I could have told that patient about this blog, but I guess that would probably be violating some kind of HIPPA regulation or something. I just find it really comforting to talk with people who know what you're going through. Maybe one day she'll come across it.