POEM procedure helps people with rare Achalasia condition

Achalasia causes a spasm in the esophagus, preventing food from reaching the stomach. A peroral endoscopic myotomy surgical treatment can help.

[philbrick]

I was at end stage achalasia and ultimately had my esophagus removed. I eat perfect but deal with chronic nerve pain as a result of my surgery. This has been the worst 7 years of my life. Achalasia wins I guess. Although I lost I pray for everyone who has this condition and pray that no one has the experience that I have had.

[dudman]

I'm 53 years old and have had this condition since I was a little kid about 5 or 6. For me, the spasms have always been triggered by rice more than anything. So I would always be extra cautious when eating rice. I thought it was just some sort of reaction I had to rice. About 10 years ago the spasms started happening a lot more often and with all kinds of foods. So I went to a specialist and found out I had this. They did a procedure where they ran a tube with a balloon on the end of it down my esophagus and inflated it inside the sphincter to stretch it. I will need the procedure again soon, but for almost 10 years, I didn't have any problems with this. Being able to eat rice like everyone else felt like a gift.

[DVC]

My brother is currently suffering from this. 🥺 He’s lost 80lbs in 2 months and no Dr wants to help. He has no insurance. Seeing him dwindle down from a 240lb muscular guy to skin and bones and almost all muscle mass gone is heart breaking. We’re having to find ways to help him and calling drs in our area to see if they’ll help. He’s now able to get very little drink (hospitalized for 2 weeks and they were able to stretch his esophagus enough to get some nutrition in his stomach)… but he’s still weak and had to go to work because he has a family to support. This is a heart wrenching disorder!

[rapgamecastro]

Love the health cast. I learned something new ❤

[ChrisHansonCanada]

My spasms in my esophagus have always come and gone during my 60 years. This past week has been especially difficult for me, with the food just sitting in my esophagus and not moving unless I take several sips of water to help it move. I was fine last week. My parents said it happened to me when I was a baby and I would just regurgitate everything they fed me and I couldn't gain weight because of it. As a child, I got severe painful esophageal spasms that lasted for up to two days where I would lie in bed in agony and could barely swallow anything.

[williamhaynes]

Hello Achalasia Sufferers,
I just wanted to provide a real and honest healing experience. I suffered from Type 2 Achalasia since January 2022. I was at the time 223lbs, and now I am 159 lbs. I just wanted to say not to get all into the Internet stuff about how there is no cure for Achalasia. Yes, it is certainly a rare condition, but you need to see a good GI who knows about the condition and can treat it. I ended up in the emergency room twice this year (2023) and got three tests (barium swallow, CAT Scan, manometry) and a day later the doctor told me I had Type 2 Achalasia. On May 9, 2023 I had to get the POEM Procedure. Now, I am home recovering-eating food and drinking liquids again. Never lose heart and remember to pray! Feel free to contact me or reply with any questions.

[joshuat]

I'm 30 I had achalasia for 10 yrs before procedure. And mine esophagus is widen very much. But my poem 7 months ago worked I was 110 lbs before I'm 170 now. And recommend it or the heller one.

[clarencefoster]

Had the POEM procedure 4 years ago in Kingston Ontario Canada great improvement having some trouble now may revisit the surgeon in 2025 Worst food for me was mashed potatoes.The bit of trouble now is in the night.I am 74 now but trouble was there for a number of years and have primary immune deficiency, inflammatory bowel, hydradentitis superativa, wet macula and some arthritic joints including trigger fingers still get up every day and try and get something done

[javierleyva]

I lost 100 pounds in a month I thought hell I'm loosing weight like a model. But wasn't able to take in water I ended up turning grey so finally went to jps ft worth and found out I had achalasia I was told before could be cancer ...I was just hoping to just go lost all my energy..but got surgery...heller myotomy I was giving a second chance. It really sucks I'm limited on eating a very small limited group of foods but I been experimenting on anything I can take in. ..but I am enjoying growing old with my son's. With my second chance.

[ZadaheaD]

If you remove the muscle, dont you have reflux after that lying down?

[mauriz]

26 yrs ago I had achalasia with major spasms but the surgery to correct was nissan fundoplication. It helped alot but still have minor issues. The recovery was rough. This new POEM procedure sounds better.

[nursefayeeren]

I suffered from this disease for uears I am 47 and finally they diagnosed me. I will jave POEM surgery next Tuesday, I hope everythink will go ok.

[realfrank]

Thats good to know. Me i have a condition also 😥

[Kellyinthewild]

I have this also 😢 sick every day without fail, dr's in UK dont have much of a clue about this im undecided weather this is a good idear or not ? Anyone suffering i take matazapine to stop the sickness but isnt always a guarantee

[foolsgoldwithjoseph]

I have this problem my appointment isnt until september. Ive been dealing with it for 8 years. Almost died many times. The problem is finding the doctor where you live who actually figures out your problem and does something because most just want to shove pills down your throat. Now that I have an appointment at weston i have higher hopes

[krystslaguilar]

I have suffered with Achalasia for 2 years I'm down about 100 pounds mine is type 3 and my surgery is for next month I hope I can eat and drink I just want to experience a peaceful meal again.... Quick question when drinking soda does anyone feel worse or is it just me

[Anuruddha]

May i know deep water swiming and diving is possible to after achalasia surgery. Thank you!

[ivormiler]

Hi I had mine done 5 days ago and it's really painful when am eating soup did you experience this at first

[erikt]

I just got diagnosed with type 3. Been eating threw a G tube but have lost over a 100 lbs. I am going to have surgery but my doctor is so busy it could be 3 months before I can get it done. The chest pain feels like an asthma attack

[KaChris-mu]

I have stage 3 jackhammer and it’s so painful! I have lost 30 pounds, vomit almost every day, severe dysphonia for 5 months, sleep in a lazy boy every night, the Botox only helped 3 weeks! I am praying i can get help at the Cleveland clinic.. I live in Naples and there aren’t any drs that can help me here. 😢 I really need someone to help me! It’s so hard living like this. My hair is now falling out too… alopecia…. New diagnosis 😢 this is too much ya’ll! I feel horrible my daughter sees me like this. Please help me! ❤