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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Hi y’all! @mayorocks I loved your comment “I am trying to find foods I don’t have to cook...”. That is so me! I don’t like to cook.
Here are my no-cooking-needed staples: unsalted tops Premium saltine crackers, hint of salt Ritz crackers, Jackson vanilla wafers, watermelon, honeydew melon, peaches in 100% fruit juice, unsweetened applesauce, bananas, Natural Jif creamy peanut butter, white bread, strawberry Outshine Bars, Rice Krispies, iceberg lettuce with Marzetti ranch dressing, Aunt Nellie’s sliced pickled beets ( I know that’s weird but I’ve always liked beets in my salad!)

If you don’t have to limit salt like I do, you could have cheese and other dairy. I miss cheese!

I do cook a little bit. Quaker Quick 1-minute Oats, deviled eggs, Eggo waffles (if you have to put it in a toaster I call that cooking!)
I also steam some vegetables. I really miss all the vegetables I used to eat! So I started steaming vegetables to death to see if it would change them from being fibrous to being mushy!
My favorite steamed veggie combo is sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts — weird again I know! I steam them to death and then add butter! And then my house stinks for days!
I tried to steam broccoli to death too — but I could not remove the fibrous texture no matter how long I steamed it.
Praying that your colonoscopy and endoscopy go well @mayorocks — that the diagnosis is not as serious as you fear.

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@downtowntiger

I have been on antidepressants and allergy meds forever due to chemical imbalances. I needed opioids for a short period of time, but no longer take them. I am about to go to the Mayo Clinic. Hugs to you guys!

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good luck at Mayo. Hope you will share your what you learn and your opinions on treatment there.

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@pdilly

Hi y’all! @mayorocks I loved your comment “I am trying to find foods I don’t have to cook...”. That is so me! I don’t like to cook.
Here are my no-cooking-needed staples: unsalted tops Premium saltine crackers, hint of salt Ritz crackers, Jackson vanilla wafers, watermelon, honeydew melon, peaches in 100% fruit juice, unsweetened applesauce, bananas, Natural Jif creamy peanut butter, white bread, strawberry Outshine Bars, Rice Krispies, iceberg lettuce with Marzetti ranch dressing, Aunt Nellie’s sliced pickled beets ( I know that’s weird but I’ve always liked beets in my salad!)

If you don’t have to limit salt like I do, you could have cheese and other dairy. I miss cheese!

I do cook a little bit. Quaker Quick 1-minute Oats, deviled eggs, Eggo waffles (if you have to put it in a toaster I call that cooking!)
I also steam some vegetables. I really miss all the vegetables I used to eat! So I started steaming vegetables to death to see if it would change them from being fibrous to being mushy!
My favorite steamed veggie combo is sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts — weird again I know! I steam them to death and then add butter! And then my house stinks for days!
I tried to steam broccoli to death too — but I could not remove the fibrous texture no matter how long I steamed it.
Praying that your colonoscopy and endoscopy go well @mayorocks — that the diagnosis is not as serious as you fear.

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thanks for good wishes and ideas for food. You encourage me to try watermelon, which I figured i would have to give up. I consider it cooking if it dirties any dishes. I heat eggo waffles and "french toast" on aluminum foil in oven for 6+ min. on bake at 375 degrees. I eat maple syrup or jelly with them. Maybe I will try steaming some summer squash and other things since food won't stick as much maybe. Or maybe I have 2 things to wash instead of one. I used to peel and cook bartlett pears when I was having bad reflux. Glad to hear you tolerated pickled beets. I will try as I like most pickled things.

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@downtowntiger

Progresso low sodium chicken noodle soup works. I don’t listen to news at all. I pray a lot. I am so sorry any of us are going through this.

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Thanks. It was beef with veg. chunky campbells that still gave me belches. I find the little canned stuff i have tried isn't cooked as long as I need or something. will try one you recommend.

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@pdilly

Hi y’all! @mayorocks I loved your comment “I am trying to find foods I don’t have to cook...”. That is so me! I don’t like to cook.
Here are my no-cooking-needed staples: unsalted tops Premium saltine crackers, hint of salt Ritz crackers, Jackson vanilla wafers, watermelon, honeydew melon, peaches in 100% fruit juice, unsweetened applesauce, bananas, Natural Jif creamy peanut butter, white bread, strawberry Outshine Bars, Rice Krispies, iceberg lettuce with Marzetti ranch dressing, Aunt Nellie’s sliced pickled beets ( I know that’s weird but I’ve always liked beets in my salad!)

If you don’t have to limit salt like I do, you could have cheese and other dairy. I miss cheese!

I do cook a little bit. Quaker Quick 1-minute Oats, deviled eggs, Eggo waffles (if you have to put it in a toaster I call that cooking!)
I also steam some vegetables. I really miss all the vegetables I used to eat! So I started steaming vegetables to death to see if it would change them from being fibrous to being mushy!
My favorite steamed veggie combo is sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts — weird again I know! I steam them to death and then add butter! And then my house stinks for days!
I tried to steam broccoli to death too — but I could not remove the fibrous texture no matter how long I steamed it.
Praying that your colonoscopy and endoscopy go well @mayorocks — that the diagnosis is not as serious as you fear.

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I LOVED VE Brussels Sprouts but thought they were NO NO’s. I’m live no on smoothies still

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@downtowntiger I thought the same thing about Brussels sprouts. My dietician said the high heat from steaming should help break down the fibrous part of veggies. And it definitely does for Brussels sprouts! And for cabbage! But sadly not for broccoli.

And this is by steaming stove top with boiling water. It makes a Brussels sprout almost melt in your mouth! I don’t get the same results steaming in the microwave. Now that it’s summertime I’m going to buy an electric steamer and try that. The boiling water in the kitchen was fine when the weather was cold — too hot now!

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@mayorocks When you try that watermelon make sure you remove all those tiny light colored seeds too. We Gastroparesis peeps can’t have seeds or nuts! ( Another thing I miss a lot! Almonds!)
And I wonder if you should scrape those seeds out of the summer squash before you steam it.

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I was diagnosed with that several years ago. My symptoms are alot like yours. But I have other conditions as well including fibro. I had not idea that caused those symptoms. I just attributed it to other causes. Do u have short of breath with that as well?
Like its all up in the top of your stomach and u cant breath good?

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My gastric emptying study showed I retained only 15% after 3 hours and was empty at 4 hours. I have had GERD for five yrs. I have chest pain in my sternum. I have one dr saying gastroparesis and 2 saying severe GERD. I do great until about 5 pm when I have a wave of nausea. Lost my appetite! I’m eating bland and no caffeine. It feels like a heart attack. I just try to calm down. God bless you-are you on meds?

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