Do gastroparesis symptoms slowly creep up on everyone?

I was diagnosed 2 years ago but have had issues with my digestive region since I was about 12 years old. I'm 61 now so they didn't do any testing when I was a child just told antacids. In my 20's I had a scope and was diagnosed with GERD, but 2 years ago bam I was having pain under the breast area, feeling the food just sitting at the top of my stomach for hours and hours, severe constipation, severe nausea. The meds used for it I can't have due to allergies, not compatible with some of my meds and one I tried and did nothing for me. I've been referred for the stimulator and will probably have the surgery the end of December or in January. Nothing helps my nausea and my food processing has slowed down as well, I can eat the day before but still after about 24 hours be belching that previous days food. Oh and I'm diabetic, I was on Maunjaro for about 1 1/2 years before my diagnosis. I came off of it just to see if any difference (my dr. said they doubted and said most likely the diabetes) so I stayed off of it for over 6 months with no changes. The surgeon who is going to put in the stimulator wants me off of it at least until after my healing from the surgery. I went off of it again anyway 5 weeks before I saw her just to test it again. I have gained weight from this as well and the bloating is horrible which are both symptoms, so I do follow the diet but now going to again get back on liquid diet. I'm not at the point yet for a feeding tube or IV feeding but sadly I think it's heading that way. I sleep in my recliner 90% of the time, I only lay in my bed when my lower back needs no pressure on it (had surgery 14 weeks ago) and then back up in the recliner, sleeping is sporadic and I do work 40 hours a week in an office. I pray for all suffering from this, my friends don't understand it and I wish they would just research it a bit to see that these symptoms are real and severe.

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

Thank you for your response. is your GP as a result of diabetes? was it diagnosed with a gastric emptying study?

i pretty much have figured out what foods to eat and not to eat by trial and error - i asked my GI doc for a dietician referral when i was first diagnosed - he couldn't even give me that - just a "regular dietician" who knows very little about this 'not so common" illness. i subsequently have found lists of what to eat and what not to eat online and pretty much it is what i figured out by trial and error. i do seem to get "flares" though - which last several days where i literally can only take liquids and maybe thin pureed soup or shakes - but no solids. The biggest problem i have is sleeping at night - the food just "sits" and makes acid. for months now i stop eating at 2 p.m. and go to bed 9-10 p.m. so the food has 8 hours to "go down" but still some nights i have problems getting comfortable with a lot of "pressure/aching/gas/acid" etc. i haven't eaten "dinner" per se in over a year - just tea and maybe a very small amount of frozen yogurt or a popsicle... it sometimes feels thing are getting worse and more restrictive and i was just interested to see if other people had the same experience. No-one has mentioned having problems sleeping at night - which is actually my main issue (even if i manage what and when i eat during the day)