Is it easy to find a partner and/or maintain relationship when you have Achalasia?

No, almost impossible. the partner can´t undestand our paln...

Absolutely! When I was first diagnosed, I was married with a small daughter. My ex-husband understood and completely supported me through the worst of it whilst I was being prodded and poked by what seemed to be at the time, and endless line of doctors! My little girl (not so little now, she's 21!) has done her own research into this but has also witnessed pretty much every stage. Even to the point of holding the plastic bag to my face while I've been driving, with stuck food being vomited back up.

Now I'm in a very healthy, loving and supportive relationship and although he struggles to see me in pain at times, still sleeps next to me with my gurgling and coughing! So I'd say I'm pretty much doing OK :-)

I was and still am really open about suffering from this disease so he knew from the off. My advice would be the same for anyone embarking on a new relationship - be upfront. If they don't want to at least try to understand, or look at you like a leper, the show them the door. This disease is difficult enough to deal without having to deal with someone else's hang ups.

I would tell people that finding or maintaining a relationship when you have achaladia is just like finding and maintaining a relationship for everybody else. You have to find a match. You can't do more than 50% of the relationship. The "partner" has to be willing to meet you have way, and love you for who you are.

I have gone through three relationships while having achalasia (I am still in my third relationship!) All of my boyfriends have been really understanding and supportive but the issues for me have been he mood swings. Sometimes I get so down or frustrated and it's really hard to not take it out on the person closest to me. I also have to constantly remember that I am not the only one suffering, my boyfriend has to watch me go through this evry day and he shares my fears and frustrations. It impacts our relationship in other ways too, we can't really do anything active (rock-climbing, paint balling, even bowling etc) because I just don't have the strength or energy and sometimes our nights are interrupted by me stopping in between parked cars on the side of the street to throw up (that was how our first trip away went)

Unsure. As long as the person is supportive, I think that is what’s important.

It is not difficult but you need to look out for people who will support you physically and emotionally when you are in a crisis