Esophageal achalasia

We’re all in this for good.

By sharing your stories and data, you will:
  • help each other live better and uncover the best ways to manage your health today
  • help researchers shorten the path to new treatments tomorrow

How much good can your data do? A whole lot, as co-founder Jamie Heywood explains in this video.

See more

What is esophageal achalasia?

Achalasia is an esophageal motility disorder of unknown cause. It is characterized by absence of muscular contraction in the esophagus and insufficient relaxation in the lower esophageal in response to the action of swallowing.

Common symptoms reported by people with esophageal achalasia

Common symptoms
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Nothing reported yet
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Tramadol Gabapentin Pregabalin
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Amphetamine-Dextroamphetamine Clonazepam Dextroamphetamine
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Lorazepam Clonazepam Diphenhydramine
Common symptom
How bad it is
What people are taking for it
Citalopram Duloxetine Paroxetine
Reports may be affected by other conditions and/or medication side effects. We ask about general symptoms (anxious mood, depressed mood, fatigue, pain, and stress) regardless of condition.
Last updated:

Treatments taken by people with esophageal achalasia

Treatment name(s)
Type
How many have tried
Tried for
Treatment name(s)
Type
Surgery
How many have tried
2
Tried for
esophageal achalasia (2)
Treatment name(s)
Type
Procedures
How many have tried
2
Tried for
esophageal achalasia (2)
Treatment name(s)

(Adderall)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
1
Tried for
fatigue (1)
Treatment name(s)
Type
Surgery
How many have tried
1
Tried for
esophageal achalasia (1)
Treatment name(s)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
1
Tried for
esophageal achalasia (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Cymbalta)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
1
Tried for
depressed mood (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
1
Tried for
depressed mood (1)
Treatment name(s)
Type
Surgery
How many have tried
1
Tried for
esophageal achalasia (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Norco)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
1
Tried for
pain (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Lamictal)
Type
Prescription Drug
How many have tried
1
Tried for
anxious mood (1)
Data from patients with esophageal achalasia, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
Last updated:

Compare treatments taken by people with esophageal achalasia

Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
Side effects
Total evaluations
Tried for
Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
esophageal achalasia (2)
Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
for esophageal achalasia (2 evaluations)
Side effects
acid reflux
Total evaluations
2
Tried for
esophageal achalasia (2)
Treatment name(s)

(Adderall)
Perceived effectiveness
for fatigue (3 evaluations)
Side effects
hyperactivity
Total evaluations
4
Tried for
fatigue (1)
Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
for esophageal achalasia (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
esophageal achalasia (1)
Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
burning sensation elevated blood pressure 1 more
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
esophageal achalasia (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Cymbalta)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
depressed mood (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Lexapro)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
depressed mood (1)
Treatment name(s)
Perceived effectiveness
for esophageal achalasia (1 evaluation)
Side effects
Hospitalization swallowing difficulty (dysphagia)
Total evaluations
1
Tried for
esophageal achalasia (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Norco)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
pain (1)
Treatment name(s)

(Lamictal)
Perceived effectiveness
No evaluations
Side effects
No evaluations
Total evaluations
0
Tried for
anxious mood (1)
  • Major
  • Moderate
  • Slight
  • None
  • Can't tell
  • Severe
  • Moderate
  • Mild
  • None
Data from patients with esophageal achalasia, who reported starting treatments within the last 5 years.
Last updated:

Who has esophageal achalasia on PatientsLikeMe?

  • 1 new patients joined this month
  • 82 say esophageal achalasia is their primary condition
Age
Age Proportion # of patients
<20 0
20s 9
30s 20
40s 27
50s 41
60s 34
70+ 14
Age at first symptom
Age at first symptom Proportion # of patients
0-19 years 9
20-29 years 10
30-39 years 14
40-49 years 16
50-59 years 6
60-69 years 5
70+ years 0

Distribution of sex

Sex
Sex Proportion # of patients
Male 53
Female 94
Diagnosis status
Diagnosis status Proportion # of patients
Diagnosed 76
Not Diagnosed 4
These charts show data from esophageal achalasia patients who have completed their condition history
Last updated: