Gastroparesis or slow modility colon

@carolinlv I genuinely don't even know where to turn anymore.
I've tried diets, pro and pre biotics, adding fiber, I am always on the move if my stomach allows me to be. However I keep getting told nothing is wrong from only a cat scan. It's been years and now even my teeth are falling apart

@zerotheancient after suffering for so long I didn’t think there would ever be anything that would help. I felt like I tried everything. Every gastroenterologist did the same thing… Ordered tests. I was scheduled for another endoscopy with Bravo on April 2. After reading about it, I realized I was just on a checklist for this office. They started with a colonoscopy, then an endoscopy, and this is the next step in the list of services they offer. I don’t need it. They’re checking for problems where I don’t have an issue. After four months of famotidine, I feel fairly sure my esophagitis is healed. I did have a slight cough and infrequent voice changes which have both subsided. Why would they order the insertion of something to test pH/acid when that is not my problem? Sorry… Off on a tangent out of frustration! I think my doctor’s office had no idea what’s wrong so they’re just going to keep ordering things covered by insurance. I decided not to be their guinea pig anymore. So, onto what may be the helpful part. My youngest daughter suffers scleroderma, which has a lot of pretty hideous things that can go along with this diagnosis. She suffers indigestion, hiatal hernia, and acid issues. Her internist, who seems very good at looking to the root problem rather than having a let’s try everything attitude, suggested a product called Metagenics Glutagenics. My daughter talked me into giving it a try when I last visited her in December. I found the immediate relief it gave me to be remarkable! Honestly, I was in disbelief. I thought for sure anything that worked this quickly and well was going to have some hideous side effects which I have a tendency to get. I was shocked to have no problems. It is truly the first thing that has stopped the rumbling and discomfort felt every single day in my belly. Since taking it daily for three months, I have had no need for any kind of stomach medication. You know the ones that would allow me to get out of the house and get things done. I don’t need them anymore! My medicine cabinets looked like a drugstore. Pepto-Bismol, Mylanta, simethicone, you get the idea. Every day I was treating a symptom that might make me able to do something other than sit in discomfort. This product is sold in a few places, including the Metagenics website. It may sound pretty costly on their site at $80 for 60 doses, but when you’ve felt this bad for this long, it seems pretty cheap to me! I recently bought another tub of it on Amazon where it was promoted at $53. That was just a few days ago! Anyway, I have gotten to the point now where I get through most days on 3/4 of a dose of this product. It’s a powder that you simply mix with water or any other liquid of your choice. It almost seems too simple to be true, but it has been a miracle worker for me. Please read about it! It is not just fighting a symptom, but actually healing the lining of your gut. I can’t even describe the change. I was completely afraid to eat because the only time my stomach didn’t bother me was when it was totally empty in the morning. In the last weeks, I’ve even been able to have tea again. Like you, I was only drinking water and 2 to 4 ounces of a juice every day eating the same bland, turkey and toast every day for over a year at least. I’ve added a lot more things into my diet in the last 2 to 3 weeks without any problem. I never hoped to have this many good days again! Please check it out. I feel like it’s saved my life. Why did no doctor know about this other than one six states away from where I live?? Why can’t we find more doctors who care about figuring out how to actually help us instead of just ordering tests and ending up with “sorry, you’re probably gonna have to live with it”. Good luck! I know I’m super long-winded and I’m sorry, but I really hope you try this stuff because it has been a complete life changer for me!❤️‍🩹❤️

Hi @zerotheancient, and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. You are struggling and taking the step to comment is one in a positive direction. Feeling miserable and not knowing what will help is difficult. Not impossible, but it is so difficult.

I have been where you are physically not able to be productive with no clear direction as to where to go, what to do next. It has been a long road with no magic pill or easy button. I have, however started feeling better, am gaining confidence and hope. I want the same for you!

You mention a primary care provider (PCP) that isn’t sure what is wrong, preliminary testing not showing problems, and previous abdominal surgeries probably contributing. I guess if it were me I would have another conversation with my PCP and flip thoughts around. Instead of “what is wrong” and feeling miserable for a while, and maybe not even finding that one answer perhaps asking what can I do today to improve my quality of life. Then, find out what has been ruled out by testing and what is next. You stay firm to agree with your doctor on your part and their part as next steps.

How can this group help you? Are you looking for a fix, general encouragement, troubleshooting, resources to help…..? Do you plan to talk to your PCP?

I have been having bowel problems for about 3 years with bowel blockages and nausea really bad. My GI doctor put me on pyridostigmine to speed up the bowel but still have problems especially with nausea so they have me also on metoclopramide which speeds up stomach processing. It has really helped the nausea. That drug can have bad side effects but ok so far and will be trying to cut down dosage soon.

@zerotheancient

Hello there,
You poor thing. I have been experiencing a similar affliction for 3 years. 7 GI docs, numerous scans, MRI's, xrays, lab work--you name it......until, my original G.I. doc thought way out of the box, conferred with other docs across the country: he issued a mesenteric arterial ultrasound which yielded a unctional vascular issue. Saw a Vascular surgeon for 1st time, and in 2 days, I am having a nerve block. I have 2 surgeons in tow as Plans B & C if, after a few weeks, the nerve block doesn't work, surgery will be in order.
So for me, it is a functional issue in a Vascular sense. I suffer greatly, with much pain. I am also having "other" nerve issues affecting my walking, and general lower body. Ugh!
Good luck to you!
Beth

I don’t know if you’re monitoring this site still but I am wondering if you ever received a diagnosis or help for your problems?

I was diagnosed with gastroparesis and delayed gastric emptying. It got even more severe over the next 2 years. This past summer, I had a pyloroplasty surgery. It has helped tremendously! My gastroparesis still flares up some, but I am able to eat more normal food and I feel so much better. If you want more information, I will be glad to share!!

I am a bit reluctant to mention the otc product suggested by a GI.
I do have scleroderma related gastroparesis. I had been doing the diet, etc. However, I was still getting the painful symptoms AND finding no relief until I involuntarily vomitted.
That meant that I would lose the calories I had ingested and would lose more and more weight, becoming malnourished. Did you know that one of the symptoms of being malnourished is: LOSS OF APPETITE.

@carolinlv. Thank You so much for posting something that looks so promising. Can you please help me out though? When I went on Amazon to Google it there were several products with that name. Can you be more specific? I’ve tried so many things …..I’m desperate so I will try another thing but it would be so helpful to know exactly what has helped you so much. Thank you so much. Wishing you continued good health.

@teresabarton

I am very interested in hearing more about this and your experience!

Thank you,
Beth