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Gastroparesis with severe symptoms!
Digestive Health | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (494)Comment receiving replies
<p>I was diagnosed with IBS when I was 18. I'm now 30. Early in 2011, I saw a new GI doc for unexplained feelings of fullness after eating a very small amount of food, nausea and vomiting and severe pain- all revolving around eating. He ordered a gastric emptying studying and told me I had "mild delayed emptying," which he classified as "mild gastroparesis" on my chart. He gave me Zofran 4 mg to take as needed and hyosciamine for stomach spasms. At the beginning of this year, lost 15 pounds in 2 months due to the worsening of these symptoms. I've had many sleepless nights with a horribly painful distended stomach- last night being one of the worst- and I'm on 3 nausea medications- tigin, emend and marinol- and heavy doses of all 3. I was in the hospital in February for 2 weeks with an NG tube and sent home with the medications I mentioned. I was severely dehydrated when admitted, as I'm not always able to tolerate liquids either. My GI doc requested a psych consult and I was grilled by a psychiatrist and his nurse as soon as I had a bed and fluids had been started. The outcome of this was that I did not need additional psychological intervention. (I see a therapist every 2 weeks b/c of this and other chronic pain I deal with- Fibro and osteoarthritis). So here is where I'm at: I was supposed to get in with a doctor who has access to a trial drug, but I was denied access to the program because my scan only shows mild delayed emptying. Yet my symptoms are of someone with a very severe form of it. The psychiatrist determined it's not psychological. So what am I supposed to do?? The only reason I'm gaining weight is due to the marinol, which increases my appetite but then I have to deal with the pain and nausea of eating. I don't vomit as much, because of the drugs, but I still feel nauseated after eating (even on an full liquid diet). I've kept food diaries for years and tried everything. I tried gluten-free. I eliminated "toxic" chemicals (those found in diet pop), caffeine- you name it, I've tried it BEFORE this took over my llfe in January and I'm continuing to eat as tolerated but I'm in hell. Does anyone else have a gastric emptying test that shows mild delay, yet you have severe symptoms? If so, I would love to hear from you. I hate the marinol b/c it doesn't help much with the nausea and makes me want to eat, after which I feel horrible. Please please tell me there is someone like me out there, and that help is available. Any and all replies are appreciated. <br />~Stephanie~ <br />P.S. I was in the ER last twice last week due to dehydration and pain that is unbelievable and off the charts. I don't understand :(</p>
Replies to "I was diagnosed with IBS when I was 18. I'm now 30. Early in 2011, I..."
Thank you, I'll start looking today.
I have osteoporosis which has gotten worse over the last five years. Two years ago I noticed when I ate to much, such as Thanksgiving dinner about an hour later I would have a pain above my left eye, pain in my left collar bone and indigestion. This was very infrequent. Since April I now have GERD which causes hoarseness, mucus and clearing of my throat. I have been going to a gastroenterologist the last two months and mentioned I thought my vagus nerve was causing this. He said no and gave me medication for GERD. This has not helped. I have read all the information on gastropareses and know this is what I have. How can I convince him?
Have you gotten any answers I am dealing with this exact issue now I know this is an old thread , hoping for some help.
What is your health problem?
What helped me was botox to the lower stomach muscle. An injection was given in 3 places via endoscopy so food always goes into the small intestine. With gastroparesis, the stomach nerves can be so damaged that the contraction (peristalsis), is so slow that by the time the food reaches the lower stomach to enter the small intestine, the pyloric sphincter (muscle opening) closes, keeping the food in the stomach. That is what causes all the nausea, fullness, bloating and vomiting. It also can become the source of infection. Very serious. A special diet is needed of easily digested foods like white bread no wheat, oat, seeded breads, i.e.. I use gummy or chewable vitamins and liquid medicines also. March 2014 I had the procedure at Hershey Medical Center in PA and it is still working. Mine was severe. I would NOT get a pacemaker! There is no guarantee on how long this lasts but so far so good. I use liquid erythromycin as a prokinetic (muscle contractor) for the stomach. The procedure took only 15-20 minutes and no pain. Rare nausea and not that constant loss and gaining of weight, unable to tolerate smells and look at food...etc. A real blessing.
I also did the Botox injections in my stomach but they quit working. My only choice was the pacemaker which I had implanted in April of 2012 and it was a God send. It is still working until this day. Just my opinion. Kathy
Very glad to hear! Gastroparesis is difficult to have so thank goodness this is working for you.
Hi @susanpsg and welcome to Connect. You may have noticed I moved your post to this existing discussion on gastroparesis so that you can meet others who may have similar discussion. Simply click VIEW & REPLY to find your post and read what others have said about their lives with gastroparesis.
I also wanted to introduce you to fellow Connect members, @suemer, @ktracyf and @donnak142 as they have experience with gastroparesis and may be able to offer you support and share their experiences.
Back to you @susanpsg how has your doctor suggested you be treated at this time? Is there anything you can do to lessen the pain at this time?
I am in so very much pain. Was diagnosed with gastroparesis. Has anyone been diagnosed as having this and have you found it painful
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I have gastroparesis too and sometimes I use an oil by Doterra called Stomach ease and it works great for nausea. I get it online or at a health food store. Just a thought, Robin