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Anyone diagnosed with Gastroparesis?
I have had problems similar to so many GI people. The swallowing problems (food stuck in the throat, bloating, nausea, feeling like choking, "fullness" for hours). Finally after many upper and lower scopes ( have 18 cm colon left and function 80% well when cervical neck is well), a small hiatal hernia, numerous different PPI's for stomach changes, reflux, etc. and now on Nexium, the finding out the main problem 6 years ago was gastroparesis caused by a pain medication. Instead of a pacemaker, I tried a "newly" approved drug for the pyloric muscle of the lower stomach, botox, placed in 3 places to keep the muscle open a little so food could continually be released into the small intestine. The erythromycin in a low dose is a prokinetic, making the nerves contract the stomach muscles but, wasn't working. Still use 4x/day. This way no food collected in the stomach being able to "rot" causing sepsis, and decreased daily nausea and vomiting. I still can only eat small amounts and is more liquid or soft medicine/foods. My appetite isn't the best. I often have reflux, bloating, constipation and hoarseness. But it has been 3 yrs since botox to my stomach and it is working. I take my blessing where I can. I hope this helpe others.
Also, my diet had to change to rapidly digesting foods like white bread and not the "good" eating I was doing like whole wheat or 21 grain bread ( was laying on my stomach for hours), plus many vegetables and also many raw vegetables...a no no.
My daughter is going through so much of this and is an RN. Has Barrett's esophagitis, hiatal hernia, dysplasia, leaky gut syndrome i.e. and awaiting biopsies. Constant n/v, bloating,hoarseness, food in the throat like you in the chat.She is also an RN. On many "new" meds again.
It really can get to you especially when you work and have a very busy life like she does.
My best to all. Hope I could help someone.I understand your frustrations. It is wonderful having an understanding doctor that listens!
Joan
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I use FDguard also and it is helpful. The best price for FDguard I've found is on Amazon. Recently read about Bacilus Coagulans and it has been the most helpful. I take it after a meal. I got it on Amazon also: Schiff Digestive Advantage "Intensive Bowel Support". There is more than one "Digestive Advantage", but one "Intensive Bowel Support." So make sure it has their proprietary "BC30 Probiotic."
I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2007 and recently Nov 2019 with gastroparesis. I started using medical marijuana in Jan of 2019. The Dr is blaming certain medications or in my case he said marijuana use. I don't think this Dr knows I have fibromyalgia the whole thing just passed me off I've only seen this Dr when he did my colonoscopy and endoscopy at no time did he even examine me!! These Drs DON'T KNOW DAMN THING!! We have to have to many Drs!! It's not like the old days if your Dr had to send to a specialist he did / Now you have to have a specialist for everything! Not counting my eye dr, dentist , chiropractor, and gynecologist I have about 4 or 5 Drs I see regularly 😨 and it's all due to the marijuana that actually makes me want to eat and it helps some with the pain 😺
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1 ReactionI was not given any guidance after my diagnosis. Looked up gastroparesis on the Mayo Clinic site that
gives causes, treatment, prognosis for diseases. Also have googled gastroparesis diet.
During a Nissen surgery to relieve GERD the nerves that do the stomach emptying were damaged.. which resulted in gastropaneisis.. The Doctors in Central Iowa could not diagnois for 2 months (9 days in the hospital) I went to Mayo Minnesota and they (GI tests and doc) figured it out that first morning. I had lost 50 pounds (was not overweight before the surgery) the GI doctor at Mayo talked with me for nearly Half an hour...sent me to the Nutritionist... I had to go back once .. Mayo gave me a way to cope.. eat often, small meals and small bites, chew very well, don't get too full, don't lie down after eating...prop yourself up when sleeping.. gravity has a big role in emptying the stomach... I've gained 25 pounds back after they gave me directions... None of your friends or family members understand.. avoid carbonated beverages, soft bread, don't bother with hard to digest veggies like broccoli etc.. Your blender will make almost anything etible..ken
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1 ReactionWonderful information- thank you! Gastroenterologist in Moline, Il. diagnosed but then provided no info for managing!!
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1 Reaction@ken82
Hello Ken,
I am sorry to hear of the complications from your Nissen surgery, but I'm glad that the doctors at Mayo were able to find the problem. We actually have a couple of discussions here on Connect about gastroparesis. Here are the links to two of those discussions.
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gastroparesis/?commentsorderby=DESC#chv4-comment-stream-header
and
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gastroparesis-diet-alot-out-there-but-nothing-consistent/
How are you coping with the diet/lifestyle changes that were suggested? Are you feeling any better?
I was diagnosed with gastroparesis recently. After ruling out other causes such as bacterial, picture of stomach (did have undigested food), I did a stomach emptying test which confirmed gastroparesis. No real treatment except dietary.
Mine seems to be somewhat mild, have never had nausea to the point of vomiting and am actually gaining weight. A good enterologist should be able to help.
The stomach emptying test establishes the base definition of gastropanesis...slow to empty stomach... No cure.. just learning to cope.. Mayo did that for me when my local GI and surgeon could not ... Go to the Best available.. acting on firm knowledge is essential..
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1 ReactionIt's prob all the meds they give you for the fibromyalgia
Has anyone been prescribed motegrity for gastroparesis?