Gastroparesis with severe symptoms!

Posted by paarak @paarak, Jul 17, 2011

Does anyone have gastroparesis (low stomach emptying) and what are you doing to manage the problem. I was finally diagnoised with this condition this year after at least 3plus years of unexplained illness. Most of my symtoms were related to pain in the chest; deep back shoulder pain; lightheaded/dizzyness; I always felt like I was having a heart attack. But each time I went to the ER all the heart test came back fine and was told it was just acid reflux. I have been to cardiology; neuralogy; gastrology. I have had heart test; stress test;;thryrod; diabectic test; all kinds of blood test (only showed low vit D) MRI of brain; spinal tap. Finally had stomach emptying test in March - which showed 85% food still in stomach after 3 hours. I have had to switch to a no fat; low fiber diet - pretty much all liquid; soft (babyfood like) foods. If I do experiment and eat something that doesn't move through - then I end up with the deep shoulder pain; lighthed/dizziness;; numbness in the arms/fingers and over all wekness. In order to overcome this feeling - It seems to work by drinking just water /gator aid for at least a day. I just don't know if this all started by a nerve damage issue or if it is reverserble. I have done a lot of internet reading and there doesn't seem to be anything to do except eating habit changes. And no one else seems to associate the pain I have with the stomach - I never seem to have stomach pain - Only fullness; nausea; bloating/gas. I also am not diabetic. Which my understanding is a reason for this condition. If you have this condition - what are your symtoms and how are you managing? Thanks

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@snowtrooper22

i have had dizziness ,chest pain,bloating, headaches,gas,shoulder/arm pain all on my left side, feeling flush, lightheaded,acid refux, ears bothering me as well, loud noise hurts, heart palpatations,fatigue, feeling like i'm having a heart attack as well, been to the e.r. 3 times and the ekg and tests all say i'm not having a heart attack. had stress test, heart sonogram, ct scan of head, and abdomen... blood work ...thyroid checked sonogram of the kidneys and abdomen and all have come back normal...my doctor has said it is an anxiety or panic attacks... boy i'm so lost cuz its a horrible feeling... feels like the end is coming. I had surgery for a hiatel hernia,,,had it checked when i started to get these symptoms 5 months ago and my GI said everything was ok.... blood pressure is good.. i am not over weight...but i dont feel ok....neurologist is next..... everything has come up "normal" i dont know what to do... im a coach so i do have some stress and been at it for 15 yrs. i am on xanax and zolpidem to help me sleep cuz i wake up in the middle of the night with those horrible attacks.... i lost weight but have gained some back...it is a feeling id never wish on anyone. i want to be normal again like i was 6 months ago...

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Yes there is a connection, first of all Shingles is an Autoimmune disease, which means you could have one or more. Look up Laprascopic Pyeloromyeotomy as this is what cured me. I see a Dr named Dr A, Hawasli who is very well known and is a wonderful Gastro Doc, Have you had a CT scan of your abdomen yet? This is what you need to have or an MRI. Best wishes to you.

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@michellegina

I was diagnosed w/ gastroparesis a few years. I only had a problem when I really overate. However, I have been going through a horrible flare-up for the past 3 months. I am nauseous and feel like I've eaten a Thanksgiving dinner all the time. My heartbeat has risen. A stress test was ok. I am lightheaded, have low thyroid, ringing in my ears, acid reflux, fatigue, bloating, tingling and numbness in my hands and feet. It feels like I am carrying around a bowling ball and its even hard to bend at the waist at times. I was put on Reglan but it caused bad side effects. Yesterday, my GI doc put botox into my stomach thru an endoscopy. It helped me last fall but this time. This affects your life so much that its difficult for me to get out. Sometimes I can hardly drink water let alone eat. Back in the 1990's I had 3 abdominal surgeries and perhaps that is why I got this horrible condition. On top of everything, I was diagnosed with diabetes a year ago. I take Pamelor for abdominal symptoms. Does anyone have suggestions of what I can do at home when all I want to do is lay in bed, can't eat and my abdomen hurts? This has gotten me so down! HELP!!

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Dear Paarak:
My son was diaganoised with gastroparesis a year ago and we live inte Sacto Valley
You mentioned that you went to UC Davis specialist, can you please send me the specialists name. Thank you

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@tammyj0201

I have had the same exact symptoms, as well as ringing in my ears for about 3 years now and I am also NOT diabetic. First they said it was my gallbladder because I had alot of vomitting, and had gallstones that showed up on a CT scan, so they removed my gallbladder. After about 3 months I continued to have the same symptoms so then they said it was severe reflux or (GERD) and put me on medication. The "reflux" especially chest pain contined and I had a Nissen Fundoplication this past March to correct this. If they suggest this surgery DO NOT do it. It has only made the nausea, fullness, and gas/bloating 100 times worse and now I can't belch or pass gas as effectively as before the procedure and I can no longer vomit due to the creation of a one-way valve into my stomach. About a half-hour or so after a regular meal, even very, very small portions, I have chest pain, stomach pain (from the gas), and I am bloated to the point where I feel (and look) like I am about 6-8 months pregnant. I can lose or gain up to 15 pounds in the same week depending on if I eat solid food or not, and if my stomach decides to empty or not. Eventually when my stomach does decide to empty I have unpredictably severe diarrhea with a lot of lower abdominal pain until everything passes. Unfortunately I am managing the exact same way you are. Most days I just have Gatorade or flavored water like Propel, but eventually I get hungry, eat solid foods, and suffer. This cycle never ends, it just continues on and on.

I have been told that the only thing left to do would be a gasgtric pacemaker, which my insurance won't cover until the "official" gastroparesis diagnosis has been confirmed for 1 year, and all other methods have failed, i.e. medications like Reglan,Domperidone, and anti-reflux surgery. This won't be until November for me and if I do decide to have the pacemaker, I have to travel about 2-1/2 hours away from my home and family to have it done. Since there are no guarantees with this procedure either I'm still not certain what to do. It is a real challenge living this way. I haven't been able to return to work since last November and have no disability payments coming in, so my family is struggling as well. I guess all we can do is support each other, pray, and hang in there hoping for a better tomorrow.
Good luck to you!

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Try gluten-free diet and get an allergy test.

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@molly911

I have similar symptoms, but did not know it had a name. I had a nuclear egg study and it was found my food does not move at a normal rate, it is very slow. Is this the kind of study any one has had to diagnose this?

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The digestive system needs fiber and whole grains to move properly. Up your fiber foods.

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@snowtrooper22

i have had dizziness ,chest pain,bloating, headaches,gas,shoulder/arm pain all on my left side, feeling flush, lightheaded,acid refux, ears bothering me as well, loud noise hurts, heart palpatations,fatigue, feeling like i'm having a heart attack as well, been to the e.r. 3 times and the ekg and tests all say i'm not having a heart attack. had stress test, heart sonogram, ct scan of head, and abdomen... blood work ...thyroid checked sonogram of the kidneys and abdomen and all have come back normal...my doctor has said it is an anxiety or panic attacks... boy i'm so lost cuz its a horrible feeling... feels like the end is coming. I had surgery for a hiatel hernia,,,had it checked when i started to get these symptoms 5 months ago and my GI said everything was ok.... blood pressure is good.. i am not over weight...but i dont feel ok....neurologist is next..... everything has come up "normal" i dont know what to do... im a coach so i do have some stress and been at it for 15 yrs. i am on xanax and zolpidem to help me sleep cuz i wake up in the middle of the night with those horrible attacks.... i lost weight but have gained some back...it is a feeling id never wish on anyone. i want to be normal again like i was 6 months ago...

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Be careful with reglan after a few months of use I had paralasis in my hands and forehead its hard to decide what to take I'm now on nothing until I'm hospitalizedsome of the drugs I was put on made the rest of my life miserable

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This sounds just like me! So tired of it! I never know whether I can eat or not. Home from work today because I can't function 🙁
And I too have been dx with gastroparesis.

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@molly911

I have similar symptoms, but did not know it had a name. I had a nuclear egg study and it was found my food does not move at a normal rate, it is very slow. Is this the kind of study any one has had to diagnose this?

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This is not only wrong, it could make it worse. If you have gastroparesis, a LOW fiber diet is recommended. Fiber and whole grains will NOT stimulate the vagus nerve!!! Worse yet, eating a lot of fiber can actually cause bezoars. You really shouldn't give out half hearted holistic advice. This could really cause harm!!! I hope that anyone here with gastroparesis knows better than to load up on fiber...you may end up at the ER with a bezoar blocking your intestines!

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@tammyj0201

I have had the same exact symptoms, as well as ringing in my ears for about 3 years now and I am also NOT diabetic. First they said it was my gallbladder because I had alot of vomitting, and had gallstones that showed up on a CT scan, so they removed my gallbladder. After about 3 months I continued to have the same symptoms so then they said it was severe reflux or (GERD) and put me on medication. The "reflux" especially chest pain contined and I had a Nissen Fundoplication this past March to correct this. If they suggest this surgery DO NOT do it. It has only made the nausea, fullness, and gas/bloating 100 times worse and now I can't belch or pass gas as effectively as before the procedure and I can no longer vomit due to the creation of a one-way valve into my stomach. About a half-hour or so after a regular meal, even very, very small portions, I have chest pain, stomach pain (from the gas), and I am bloated to the point where I feel (and look) like I am about 6-8 months pregnant. I can lose or gain up to 15 pounds in the same week depending on if I eat solid food or not, and if my stomach decides to empty or not. Eventually when my stomach does decide to empty I have unpredictably severe diarrhea with a lot of lower abdominal pain until everything passes. Unfortunately I am managing the exact same way you are. Most days I just have Gatorade or flavored water like Propel, but eventually I get hungry, eat solid foods, and suffer. This cycle never ends, it just continues on and on.

I have been told that the only thing left to do would be a gasgtric pacemaker, which my insurance won't cover until the "official" gastroparesis diagnosis has been confirmed for 1 year, and all other methods have failed, i.e. medications like Reglan,Domperidone, and anti-reflux surgery. This won't be until November for me and if I do decide to have the pacemaker, I have to travel about 2-1/2 hours away from my home and family to have it done. Since there are no guarantees with this procedure either I'm still not certain what to do. It is a real challenge living this way. I haven't been able to return to work since last November and have no disability payments coming in, so my family is struggling as well. I guess all we can do is support each other, pray, and hang in there hoping for a better tomorrow.
Good luck to you!

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The anti reflux surgery is what caused my gastroparesis.

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@tammyj0201

I have had the same exact symptoms, as well as ringing in my ears for about 3 years now and I am also NOT diabetic. First they said it was my gallbladder because I had alot of vomitting, and had gallstones that showed up on a CT scan, so they removed my gallbladder. After about 3 months I continued to have the same symptoms so then they said it was severe reflux or (GERD) and put me on medication. The "reflux" especially chest pain contined and I had a Nissen Fundoplication this past March to correct this. If they suggest this surgery DO NOT do it. It has only made the nausea, fullness, and gas/bloating 100 times worse and now I can't belch or pass gas as effectively as before the procedure and I can no longer vomit due to the creation of a one-way valve into my stomach. About a half-hour or so after a regular meal, even very, very small portions, I have chest pain, stomach pain (from the gas), and I am bloated to the point where I feel (and look) like I am about 6-8 months pregnant. I can lose or gain up to 15 pounds in the same week depending on if I eat solid food or not, and if my stomach decides to empty or not. Eventually when my stomach does decide to empty I have unpredictably severe diarrhea with a lot of lower abdominal pain until everything passes. Unfortunately I am managing the exact same way you are. Most days I just have Gatorade or flavored water like Propel, but eventually I get hungry, eat solid foods, and suffer. This cycle never ends, it just continues on and on.

I have been told that the only thing left to do would be a gasgtric pacemaker, which my insurance won't cover until the "official" gastroparesis diagnosis has been confirmed for 1 year, and all other methods have failed, i.e. medications like Reglan,Domperidone, and anti-reflux surgery. This won't be until November for me and if I do decide to have the pacemaker, I have to travel about 2-1/2 hours away from my home and family to have it done. Since there are no guarantees with this procedure either I'm still not certain what to do. It is a real challenge living this way. I haven't been able to return to work since last November and have no disability payments coming in, so my family is struggling as well. I guess all we can do is support each other, pray, and hang in there hoping for a better tomorrow.
Good luck to you!

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I was told the gastric pacemaker wouldnt solve anything for me. Im as careful as i can be keeping blood sugardown and just being vety careful about fiod choices to feel good doesnt always help. I wish you the very best. Write anytime!

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@tammyj0201

I have had the same exact symptoms, as well as ringing in my ears for about 3 years now and I am also NOT diabetic. First they said it was my gallbladder because I had alot of vomitting, and had gallstones that showed up on a CT scan, so they removed my gallbladder. After about 3 months I continued to have the same symptoms so then they said it was severe reflux or (GERD) and put me on medication. The "reflux" especially chest pain contined and I had a Nissen Fundoplication this past March to correct this. If they suggest this surgery DO NOT do it. It has only made the nausea, fullness, and gas/bloating 100 times worse and now I can't belch or pass gas as effectively as before the procedure and I can no longer vomit due to the creation of a one-way valve into my stomach. About a half-hour or so after a regular meal, even very, very small portions, I have chest pain, stomach pain (from the gas), and I am bloated to the point where I feel (and look) like I am about 6-8 months pregnant. I can lose or gain up to 15 pounds in the same week depending on if I eat solid food or not, and if my stomach decides to empty or not. Eventually when my stomach does decide to empty I have unpredictably severe diarrhea with a lot of lower abdominal pain until everything passes. Unfortunately I am managing the exact same way you are. Most days I just have Gatorade or flavored water like Propel, but eventually I get hungry, eat solid foods, and suffer. This cycle never ends, it just continues on and on.

I have been told that the only thing left to do would be a gasgtric pacemaker, which my insurance won't cover until the "official" gastroparesis diagnosis has been confirmed for 1 year, and all other methods have failed, i.e. medications like Reglan,Domperidone, and anti-reflux surgery. This won't be until November for me and if I do decide to have the pacemaker, I have to travel about 2-1/2 hours away from my home and family to have it done. Since there are no guarantees with this procedure either I'm still not certain what to do. It is a real challenge living this way. I haven't been able to return to work since last November and have no disability payments coming in, so my family is struggling as well. I guess all we can do is support each other, pray, and hang in there hoping for a better tomorrow.
Good luck to you!

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I didn't get a pacemaker. They did a fundoplication (wrapped the top part of my stomach around the esophagus to tighten things). In the process he cut my vagus nerve, which caused the gastroparesis. I thought I was

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