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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

@downtowntiger My husband became diabetic after the surgery. He is on several meds for it. I do not even know them all. We keep med lists handy in case of an emergency. Stress plays with his glucose count. His mom passed away in early 2017 and his dad last year just before Christmas. March of last year my sister passed away and in the summer last year our daughter in-law's dad passed too.. he was a good friend to us. One tragedy after another. Mama has been with us since June of last year. My brother that lived with her had to have emergency surgery... gangrene of his gallbladder and part of his colon. After long stay in hospital he had to go to rehab for a while. Stomach issues tend to run in my family. Mama has dementia that is getting worse. She cannot walk with her walker as much. I could go on, but I am off topic. Stress effects the body in so many ways.

REPLY

@downtowntiger thank you for sharing. So glad your LINX procedure was successful! The re-do of a Nissen fundiplication I had last Tuesday was also successful — heartburn has stopped again — yay!

@fourof5zs you are amazing! Thanks for sharing all of that! I never would have been able to find my notes from the past — although I’m sure I’ve saved them somewhere!

REPLY
@fourof5zs

@downtowntiger My husband became diabetic after the surgery. He is on several meds for it. I do not even know them all. We keep med lists handy in case of an emergency. Stress plays with his glucose count. His mom passed away in early 2017 and his dad last year just before Christmas. March of last year my sister passed away and in the summer last year our daughter in-law's dad passed too.. he was a good friend to us. One tragedy after another. Mama has been with us since June of last year. My brother that lived with her had to have emergency surgery... gangrene of his gallbladder and part of his colon. After long stay in hospital he had to go to rehab for a while. Stomach issues tend to run in my family. Mama has dementia that is getting worse. She cannot walk with her walker as much. I could go on, but I am off topic. Stress effects the body in so many ways.

Jump to this post

Bless you! Goodness, your boat is loaded.

REPLY
@pdilly

@downtowntiger thank you for sharing. So glad your LINX procedure was successful! The re-do of a Nissen fundiplication I had last Tuesday was also successful — heartburn has stopped again — yay!

@fourof5zs you are amazing! Thanks for sharing all of that! I never would have been able to find my notes from the past — although I’m sure I’ve saved them somewhere!

Jump to this post

@pdilly I am really glad that your re-do is already making you feel better.

REPLY
@pdilly

Oh my. God bless you @fourof5zs !!!

Jump to this post

@pdilly

Thank you.

I do pray you will have no more problems.

I was going to tell of how my Nissen fundoplication repair went. It is too long for me to type. I have a very sore thumb from taking care of my mama... she landed on it during one of her falls. A strained tendon I think .. thumb brace at night. I am so used to typing properly instead of one or two fingers.. the thumb just naturally goes to the space bar. instead here is my blog post .. no ads I know of... https://zarogasnook.blogspot.com/2015/08/a-long-time-passing.html

ZeeGee (is what most call me nowadays)

REPLY

OMGOSH ZeeGee — you have been thru so much! I read the entire blog — you are an incredibly strong woman!
I’m so thankful to Mayo for this Connect service they let us use to talk about our experiences. We all have something different to share because we’re all different. It gives people who are seeking ways to cope with health issues so many ideas and options to look into and discuss with their docs — so many different perspectives.

REPLY
@bellyacheblues

I've just been diagnosed with gastroparesis after having a gastric emptying test. My case is idiopathic in origin, prior to my diagnosis I was on massive amounts of prescription antacids for 4 months. Has this caused my gastroparesis to get worse. I'm scheduled to see a nutritionist in 2 weeks.I am taking erythromycin 250 mg. before each meal , am excercising, but don't feel much improvement. Does anyone have any advice for me? Shocked with my diagnosis, signed sleepy tummy

Jump to this post

I'm new here, so bear with me. I too was diagnosed with gastroparesis in 2009 after having a lap band placed and tightened. The lap band was removed, and the daily nausea and vomitting continued. I was then given botox injections, massive doses of anti-nausea meds, feeding tubes, TPN, and even a pace maker for my tummy. Eventually my stomach was removed in May of 2011, it had turned black inside due to the chronic vomitting. Guess what?? I am still sick, vomitting almost everyday, and down to 104lbs from 272lbs. My doctors told me friday there is no more they can do for me. I tell my story to say this, if you take nothing else away from all of this, please, please, please remember, BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE!!! Make your voice heard, due your research and be dilligent. Keep a food diary, mark what works for you and what doesn't. I kept telling everyone it just didn't make sense to me that my stomach was the only culprit. Now I am at a loss and hoping that Mayo can help. As a single parent I struggle everyday to be well enough to just talk to my children to see how their day went. Don't allow this to happen to you. Make informed decisions, get second, third, and fourth opinions. I wish you all the best! I would love any resourceful information.

REPLY
@lisab

I'm new here, so bear with me. I too was diagnosed with gastroparesis in 2009 after having a lap band placed and tightened. The lap band was removed, and the daily nausea and vomitting continued. I was then given botox injections, massive doses of anti-nausea meds, feeding tubes, TPN, and even a pace maker for my tummy. Eventually my stomach was removed in May of 2011, it had turned black inside due to the chronic vomitting. Guess what?? I am still sick, vomitting almost everyday, and down to 104lbs from 272lbs. My doctors told me friday there is no more they can do for me. I tell my story to say this, if you take nothing else away from all of this, please, please, please remember, BE YOUR OWN ADVOCATE!!! Make your voice heard, due your research and be dilligent. Keep a food diary, mark what works for you and what doesn't. I kept telling everyone it just didn't make sense to me that my stomach was the only culprit. Now I am at a loss and hoping that Mayo can help. As a single parent I struggle everyday to be well enough to just talk to my children to see how their day went. Don't allow this to happen to you. Make informed decisions, get second, third, and fourth opinions. I wish you all the best! I would love any resourceful information.

Jump to this post

Dear Lisa I am so sorry for all you are going thru. My daughter got sick 2003 when she worked at a day care and came home throwing up. She went into the Hospital for 2 months. They gave her demerol to knock her out so she wouldn't vomit all the time and she had also TPN. We were adviced by Baylor here in Houston not to do the pace maker for it hasn't really proven it's self. She still has her stomach, but it can go into chronic pain where she can't control it and we go to the Hosptal. She would be weeks at a time in the Hospital, now we go only about 7 times a year instead of 60. Crazy right. I said all along to everyone are you sure we don't have a dule diagnosis. I think she has become now use to all the pain meds. You can't give the cannons of pain meds in the Hospital and send someone home on Tylenol with codine 3. It just doesn't work. 5 Hrs later they are going thru detox and you are back in the ER. She now takes 2mg of SUBOXIN for gut cramping and pain and a antisuppressant to calm the stomach . She also has shots for the nausea 25mg phenergran a box of 30. This medication I give IM in her hip and it catches the nausea quicker then the pills. Dear Lisa if I could hold you in my arms and comfort you I would. Know one knows what it's like to have a sick child or family member in your life. I will keep you in my prayers. Saskia

REPLY
@bellyacheblues

I've just been diagnosed with gastroparesis after having a gastric emptying test. My case is idiopathic in origin, prior to my diagnosis I was on massive amounts of prescription antacids for 4 months. Has this caused my gastroparesis to get worse. I'm scheduled to see a nutritionist in 2 weeks.I am taking erythromycin 250 mg. before each meal , am excercising, but don't feel much improvement. Does anyone have any advice for me? Shocked with my diagnosis, signed sleepy tummy

Jump to this post

Hi I'm 42 years old diagnosed I too suffer from this horrid condition I'm currently laying in a hospital bed in midland Michigan my quality of life isn't the greatest very weak very sick monthly seems to hit me hard during menstral cycle I live on mostly liquids but on occasion eat what I want if I'm going to vomit anyway I've kept food logs. now was everyday for 3 years I was in bed have had Botox and getting it again January 26 I understand your agony your fear. I hope the best for you but I'm at a loss for any new or good info

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.