Diagnosed with Achalasia

[Baba Wawa 543]

Today, I was Dx with achalasia, failure of the LES to open and allow food to enter stomach. This wasn't present 9 months ago when I had my last Esophogram. This is a serious problem and is most likely going to require removal of my band.

Achalasia is a rare disorder, with about 2000 people Dx annually in the US, about 1:150,000, but I was told today, it is occurring in about 1% of band patients.

To say I am devastated, would be an understatement. The only revision option open to me is RNY, which is not feasible, for other reasons.

Following the rules, keeping your band lose, is no guarantee.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

I'm truly so sorry you've received this bad news.

I found this. Not trying to get your hopes up, but apparently though rare there's cases of "pseudo Achalasia" that reverses after the band is removed.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21778895

I'm going to pray that removing the band reverses the problem for you, too.

[morelgirl 177]

I'm so sorry to hear this and hope that you have the best possible outcome with your treatment.

[laurigee 545]

Im so sorry to hear your bad news! I will be sending prayers your way!

[elcee 3,340]

That's horrible. Best wishes for a full recovery.

[Kime-lou 648]

How long had you had your band?

This is a horrible out come. Hopefully, as Missy said this will reverse after band removal and other options will open for you. If not prayfully you gained some knowledge during your time banded that will help you at the least not gain.

Stay strong.

[Terry Poperszky 2,784]

There are no guarantees in life, but it sucks when you follow the rules and still don't succeed. Please keep us informed.

[Baba Wawa 543]

I'm truly so sorry you've received this bad news.

I found this. Not trying to get your hopes up, but apparently though rare there's cases of "pseudo Achalasia" that reverses after the band is removed.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21778895

I'm going to pray that removing the band reverses the problem for you, too.

It would be great...I have peristalsis, though. The valve just won't open in response to the contractions. In the esophogram, the barium sloshes around as the esophagus contracts attempting to push it thru. The distal esophagus was ballooned out. The radiologist and PA were visibly alarmed by what they saw.

The other issue is the palpitations I get as food passes through the LES, once it does open are cardiac irritation.

Once the barium landed in my stomach, my band sort of flopped and tilted to one side...it's so loose.

I'm terrified of life without the help WLS has provided. I'm also tired of doctors, tests, surgery...my husband is stressed over all this as well.

[Baba Wawa 543]

How long had you had your band?

This is a horrible out come. Hopefully, as Missy said this will reverse after band removal and other options will open for you. If not prayfully you gained some knowledge during your time banded that will help you at the least not gain.

Stay strong.

Almost 3 years, Kime Lou...I posted my band history in my blog. The last 15 months have been problematic, though.

They were very impressed that I lost 20 lb since my band was emptied last June.

[A New New Dawn 1,695]

Best wishes to you. Glad you have answers now.

[Baba Wawa 543]

Thanks everyone! Still waiting on the hospitals to get me a manometry appt sooner than 4/23.

[Baba Wawa 543]

I got a new appointment for manometry on 4/9