Do gastroparesis symptoms slowly creep up on everyone?

You poor dear, having suffered for so long!! I too, have similar issues and have posted/replied to others in similar situations. I suffer from GERD, bit there is no Rx that doesn't make me sicker. I have had bloat 24/7 for 1.5 years, maybe longer now. I did have COVID about 3 years ago and had spinal surgery 1.5 years ago. Been to 6 G.I. docs. So done with them in all respects. Have had every known test and imaging done. Sure, I have slow motility, but my current symptoms are more than that. 1 day is relatively good, when I can eat, the next day is bad when I cannot, and also cannot pursue my exercise regime. I have a relatively high pain threshold, but this is too much for me.

You mentioned an upcoming surgery--can you describe further?
Best of luck to you!!

Beth

Beth,
My gastro doctor recommended that I have a stimulator put in that helps it's called Enterra therapy and can help with nausea and vomiting. I'm willing to try anything, I wanted to get it done this next month but my work office is moving and I'm moving so I'm struggling now with lifting and walking but I will have lifting restrictions and some pain for up to 2 weeks. Once I'm moved then I'm going to try for the end of December. The stimulator will have to be adjusted in the doctors office which this one is an hour away from me but my local gastro dr. will be starting to do the adjustments and visits starting in October.

I was diagnosed about 8 years ago with gastroparesis. I had not heard of it before I was diagnosed.
Has your doctor prescribed Ondansetron ? That is a life saver. It takes the nausea rather quickly. If you have not been prescribed it, ask for the pill that dissolves under your tongue.
Take care !

@denisef I totally have issues with sleeping because of my gastroparesis. It has always taken me longer to digest my food and would get miserable heartburn if I exercised or layed down after eating. Several years ago, I discovered a digestive enzyme called Duozyme, which has worked wonders for me, reducing my heartburn and helping me keep food down. Sadly, a couple years ago, my stomach decided that it needed 12 hours (instead of the usual 6-8 hours) to digest anything, including purees and liquids. I even have to sit up for an hour after drinking water! And then, just a few weeks ago, my stomach graduated to taking 14 hours digest. So if I eat lunch and finish eating around 2pm, I can't go to sleep until 4am. And on nights I eat dinner, I am up all through the night. I've had to get used to this schedule, as it is a holdover from another chronic condition that made me have to blow my nose for 12-20 hours after eating. So one night, I will eat dinner, stay up all night blowing my nose, and then, eat lunch the next day, continue blowing my nose throughout that whole day, then, finally be able to lay down and sleep that following night. Between these 2 conditions, I am losing alot of sleep, and I am often hungry when I spend whole days sleeping to catch up on lost sleep. Doctors haven't been able to figure any of this out and just tell me to come back when I have managed my symptoms. One even dropped me from her list of patients. I am in the midst of having a new primary care doctor, so we will see how that goes. I don't get my hopes up much, though.

@mikejjb123 i am a nurse of 45 years. It is so sad that I went to gastroenterologist with abd pain and bloating, cramping. Only could get in 300 calories daily. I was sent home from there with no dietary advice except "Low Fodmap". When I called office and said I am so weak I cant walk beyond 10 minutes. No one returned my calls. Then I asked to see a registered dietician. There are 6 Physicians in there and no dietician. No one to sit down and discuss how to get nutrition and protein. I lost 18 pounds in 2 months. Doesnt make any sense. I went to er for Iv and abdominal CT. They were so quick to get me in and out. They didnt care about my weight loss or how weak and dizzy I was that I shouldn't have driven home. Health care is so sad now.

Mine started after my hysterectomy. Doctors would not listen to me. IT stated with not being able to eat much and then the constipation set in. I have lost a total of 70 pounds. Three months ago they did the Sitz Marker study on me and I failed with flying colors! You are only supposed to have 3-4 markers left on day 5, I had 18 of 24 ob day 12! I was admitted to the hospital where I was told that I have the most severe case of Gastroperisis along with a severe case of Colinic Inertia. They said that I will eventually need my entir colon removed. I take medication for both conditions but by far the Gastroparesis is the worst. I was a healty 43 year old when this hit me. It's the most horrible, dibilitating disease. Some days I do not even want to get out of bed. I pray for all of you that suffer with this. You are not alone!

@gloriaann I can go 2 weeks felling ok and then boom cant get out of bed. Im now in that phase and feel terrible. Dr has no answers and I cant figure out. Prayers for you and all.