- Achalasia
- Interviews
Dorma's interview
How did all start?
Not being able to eat more than 5 or 6 bites, or it all would come back up. The feeling of something being stuck & choking. Spasms that made you think you were having a heart attack. Horrible hiccups that wouldn't quit.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Yes, Achalasia. First symptoms were in March, 2015, diagnosed 5 months later by the 6th Dr I saw.
For what medical specialties have you been treated? What has been the most useful specialty for your?
The tests that showed what my problem was. Dr's just thought it was a bad case of acid reflux. My surgeon was most useful by doing the Heller Myotomy with a wrap, so food could actually get to my stomach.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Having surgery before I starved to death
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Nothing after surgery, Life is Good!!!
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
Going out to eat had to be a place where I could get soup. They had to get use to me running to throw up if I ate 1 bite too many.
What things have you stopped doing?
Nothing! Life goes on . . .
What do you think about the future?
Always wondering how long it will be before I need another surgery, but in the mean time I am able to eat anything I want, as long as I have a drink to wash it down.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
The year after my surgery & being able to eat, have the energy to play with my grandkids.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
It's not keeping me from doing what I want.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
Life is Good! Enjoy doing what you love.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Keep going to Dr's until you can find one that can help you. Just because they can't diagnose you correctly, doesn't mean you have to keep being miserable-there is help out there, you just have to find the right one that has heard of Achalasia.
