I am going in for my surgery tomorrow. Apparently, I was misdiagnosed for several years. I was finally diagnosed when I aspirated into my left lung and developed pneumonia or something similar to that. I was released from the hospital a month ago. I am really looking forward to being able to eat without choking or vomiting. I am glad I found this site and am feeling better about going in.

I have had achalasia for over 25 years. I have had all the various courses of treatment dilatation, balloon dilatation, multiple endoscopies, Heller myotomy 8 years ago. The myotomy helped with the swallowing problems which was great. However, I have severe pain often, and have never been able to trace it to any particular types of foods. The pain mimics a heart attack, and at its worst causes immediate headache and nausea. What I would like is a way to deal with the pain. I can deal with the swallowing difficulty. I had a terrible case of stomach flu two months ago and the repeated vomiting caused such severe chest pain I ended up in the emergency room.

My esophagus is actually twisted inside, so when I try to drink water you can actually hear sound as if going down a funnel. I am on a liquid and soft food diet now. I was in denial for a while trying to pretend that everyone has pain when having a grape. The reality that I can control my chest pain with simple changes to my diet gave me back some control. I know that sounds weird, but I feel better.

The first day I encountered having this disease I couldn't figure out what the deal was. I was gagging, losing weight, and nothing worked. I was medicated and that didn't work they stretched my esophagus with a small size black tube nothing changed then the next size black tube after that I had to see a specialist. He then did a balloon dilatation which worked for eight years now my stomach blows up and its very uncomfortable, so back I went to see the doctor again they performed Botox which I think its okay for now.

I've had this for years. 9 years, but it seemed to go away for awhile, but now its back. I sit down to eat supper and one bite of dinner and it sets it off. It's bad it lasts a long time. I can't relieve it, I throw up and it hurts and I keep gaging myself to try and get up whatever it is, so I can relieve the feeling, its awful and scary. Finally whatever was down there after an hour sometimes comes up. I don't have it all the time though.

I have had achalasia for approx ten years. I am 48 years old. I had a laparoscopic myotomy a few years ago. Helped for a couple years, but now symptoms are back. I thought it was caused by spicy foods, but it can be anything now. I am trying chiropractic to see if that will help the muscles and nerves. Anyone out there had positive feedback from chiropractic for achalasia?