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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@sickirishlass

I was just Admitted thru ER my hemoglobin dropped from 9.0on Monday to 5.6 today, giving me 2 units so I can make it to Mayo on Tues . I can tell my ulcer is bleeding. OH BOY

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@sickirishlass I pray all will be well and a plan to help you can be made. You have a lot going on.

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@indigo7505aolcom

I'm sitting in a hospital bed currently another horrid bout with gastroparesis before I found this site I felt like the only person alive with this horrid crap tonight thanks to it I've read others stories and felt not so by myself in this fight. I will actually recieve Botox treatment on the 26th of this month I'm not convinced I'm not harming myself more by adding weird drugs to my already frail frame however diet control has not done much if belly decides its time to erupt she's going to do it whether I drink gatorade for a month or eat like a starved dog.. either way I'm not the same person I was3 years ago I wished to be skinny.. be careful what you wish for. Because I'm scared at this point and feel awful my family suffers when I suffer. If anyone has any info please send it my way

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opped. It's like a morning sicknness sick.vomiting and haven't stopped. If your in tennessee Dr willie melvin is a professor at Vanderbilt hospital. He is amazing. I have a GJ feeding tube and a gastric pacemaker. That does help with emptying and nausea. I have five meds alone just for the nausea and vomiting. Hope this helps. Hope you feel better soon

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A GJ feeding tube and a gastric pacemaker plus lots of nausea medicine

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sorry to jump in but not feeling like reading all right now and maybe someone can put this where it belongs; ibs-d for years, c.diff 2018, fecal incontinence and last years ear issues; tinnitus, pain ear area and slight dizziness and a couple of bad atttacks which they are checking for vertigo and meniers... so woke up feeling as usual but not too bad, then of course 3 x pasty b.m.s (f.i.) and took half Imodium for diarrhea and then felt head a bit off.... wondering if the one Imodium a day is causing any head issues and then checking read this:

It happens when stomach acid flows up into your esophagus, which is the pipe connecting your mouth to your stomach. Occasionally, stomach acid reaches the tubes leading to the inner ear. This may irritate the inner ear and cause dizziness in some people

Have never read anything like this before! Thanks J. Honestly, it seems every body part is connected to our ears! Tinnitus of course now out of control too..... bowel involved???

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I was just diagnosed with gastroparesis 5 days ago. At first I didn't know what to say or think all I knew was I love food and now I couldn't eat sing I love. I also love to cook which is my hobby and I do that for friends which I will continue to do. My wife has made me wonderful in the Crock-Pot melting everything down for /8 to 12 hours. This works wonders I have flavor I find that potatoes very well cooked I can tolerate. So we're expanding experimenting pureeing food after she cooks it. I have found or I should say my wonderful woman is found a way to make a beautifully Blended smoothie in the morning with these Frozen fruits and vegetables that are ready for blending. We put protein powder 2% milk and all these Frozen fruits and vegetables it's in the blender with ice any cues mean Irishman it is very delicious. Can someone advise me on how to continue take the many oral medications I must take. I feel as if they get stuck or maybe that's just the food it is very uncomfortable bloating and some pain. I also found that by making a t with ginseng honey and green fix mixed with these other tea spices if my wife found create movement in my stomach gas moving both ways which actually feels good. I feel as if it helps me empty out. I pray that everybody with this issue find ways to manage actual is a normal life. I must say in the last few months I have lost nearly 40 lb but it feels good I was 255 lb to start. The cause of this issue they are telling me can be attributed to gastric bypass surgery I had 20 years ago. At that point I was 439. So it's been a long ride I am a survivor I will continue to conform whatever it is I have to do to live a happy healthy life. I hope this post can help somebody and if anybody has any tips on some way to eat a steak without it being pureed let me know

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Am in Stage IV CKD, having gone from Stage V and dialysis to Stage IV and no dialysis with good medical management and by my designing and following a vegetarian renal diet. I also have Type II diabetes, COPD, CHF, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, major clinical depression and recently diagnosed with gastroparesis. Gastric emptying study revealed it takes 3 hours for my stomach to empty instead of two. I started a GP diet as well as I could and still try to follow my vegetarian renal diet and diabetic diet with slight success since there is some conflict among dietary recommendations for these diseases.

Earlier this year I was admitted to the hospital for about 5 days with weakness, nausea, constipation, loss of appetite, malnutrition. Since I had not been able to take appropriate medications for my depression, I was frequently tearful. I also experienced extreme anxiety.

After nothing but water the first 24 hours I was put on a clear liquid diet until time for the colonoscopy (results ok) and was told I had slight esophageal narrowing for which the doctor inflated the esophagus.

After that procedure I was on clear liquids and soft foods but was discharged home still so weak I had to have home health assistance for a month.

I did fairly well after that until late spring when symptoms worsened again so I went back on liquids and soft foods for several days and symptoms improved.

In early summer, symptoms worsened again so again went on liquid and soft food meals with slight improvement.

Recently symptoms flared up again and have been on mostly liquids and low fiber purees several days with little symptom improvement. I have almost constant nausea without vomiting except for dry heaves every morning, low appetite, occasional gagging when trying to eat.

It's been a challenge to balance insulin with carbs and follow a vegetarian renal diet and a GP diet all at the same time and have managed to improve insulin-blood-sugars & carbs ratios.

Despite all my best efforts, I still feel awful. Please help!

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I have stayed strictly on the soft food, no raw veggies or fruit, nothing fried, white bread, no soda and have never smoked nor ever been diabetic. I was better for a while but now as sick as ever.
I use plant butter, almond milk.
Plant meats. Physical Therapy helped a lot. However, now, I have about 2 good days out of 14.
My entire life is on hold.

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As a rather strict vegetarian with renal failure and diabetes along with GP, I still found a lot of this useful: http://livingwithgastroparesis.com/books/EatingForGP_iBook.pdf

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Has anyone had a surgical procedure for opening the pyloric
valve to help food pass more adequately?

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I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis about 2 years ago.
I have stuck to a diet given to me by a dietitian.
Gastroparesis is not a static disease so sometimes what I eat puts me in bed for a few days and then I can eat the very same foods and feel great!
I lost 30 pound in 2019 and have only gained 4 pounds back.
My constipation is not bad since I began using this formula before bed. 2 tablespoons.
I cup oat brand
1 cup applesauce
3/4 cup prune juice.
I mix in a Tupperware bowl and keep refrigerated and take 2 tbsp before bed along with a small amount of Milk of Magnesium Saline.
Although I have bowel movements somedays I cramp all day.
I eat no raw veggies or fruits, no meat other than boiled, baked or grilled chicken or fish ( no skin ever)! However sometimes I still cramp all day!!!
I am looking into a procedure where the pyloric valve is widened to let foods pass easier.
We will see if this works. I get lots of exercise except on sick days.

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