| | Joined: Jun 2016 Posts: 1 Member | OP  Member
Joined: Jun 2016 Posts: 1 | How do I find out where to get this treatment. My esophagus is gradually closing. I have g tube installed a year ago because of aspirating and recurring pneumonia. I am living at home on the farm with my husband. So far I am maintaining a stable weight with isosur 1.5. I am less able to swallow anything everyday so this treatment sounds exciting to me. My radiation treatment was 15 years ago but the issues are getting worse with aging. I am 71 years old. So far no one my health care workers lead me to believe their is no treatment. I am also losing the ability to speak clearly. HELP [i]**ADMIN NOTE** This post was originally a reply to an older thread New Procedure to Open Esophagus thread[/i]
Last edited by ChristineB; 06-06-2016 06:38 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 | Welcome to OCF! We will do our best to help you with info and support.
I suggest first seeing your ENT and asking about if they do the magnet procedure. Ive only seen this mentioned on that thread and this was for someone located in Canada. It may not be available, Im sorry I dont know.
Have you had your throat stretched yet? Ive heard good things about that procedure. Ive also heard not all patients who do this get it to work on the first attempt. They have had to do this 2 or even 3 times before they have a significant improvement. So if your ENT doesnt do or know of the magnet procedure, then they should be able to help you with the balloon stretching of your throat.
Hope this helps you. Best wishes!!!
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,275 Likes: 7 Assistant Admin Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Assistant Admin Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Oct 2012 Posts: 1,275 Likes: 7 | My husband had the procedure done by an interventional radiologist/general surgeon (the doctor has double specialties) at Toronto General Hospital in Ontario, Canada. John's esophagus was totally closed when he had the procedure. After the procedure, he had five esophageal dilatations to slowly stretch open his esophagus and for maintenance. Eventually, though, John developed swallowing difficulties and silent aspiration. He had to have thickened fluids and very soft foods. I would support Christine's suggestion to go see a local ENT first because you need to be close to the doctor who does the procedure. If you would like the name and contact information of our Doctor, please pm me. Maybe your ENT can contact our Doctor for more information.
Gloria
She stood in the storm, and when the wind did not blow her way, she adjusted her sails... Elizabeth Edwards
Wife to John,dx 10/2012, BOT, HPV+, T3N2MO, RAD 70 gy,Cisplatinx2 , PEG in Dec 6, 2012, dx dvt in both legs after second chemo session, Apr 03/13 NED, July 2013 met to lungs, Phase 1 immunotherapy trial Jan 18/14 to July/14. Taxol/carboplatin July/14. Esophagus re-opened Oct 14. PEG out April 8, 2015. Phase 2 trial of Selinexor April to July 2015. At peace Jan 15, 2016.
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,406 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) | | Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jul 2009 Posts: 1,406 | I had fairly tight stricturing of my esophagus after radiation that included a web growing across it. The dilatation procedure is easy and under general anesthetic. It does indeed sometimes take a few or more than a few of these for full relief. I think I had maybe 8 in total over several years. Hope this helps.
David 2
SCC of occult origin 1/09 (age 55)| Stage III TXN1M0 | HPV 16+, non-smoker, moderate drinker | Modified radical neck dissection 3/09 | 31 days IMRT finished 6/09 | Hit 14 years all clear in 6/23 | Radiation Fibrosis Syndrome kicked in a few years after treatment and has been progressing since | Prostate cancer diagnosis 10/18
| | |
| Forums23 Topics18,168 Posts196,924 Members13,103 | | Most Online458
Jan 16th, 2020 | | |
|
