Gastroparesis Diet – Questions, Suggestions, Tips

Glad to hear it's helping you. I just started them about 3 weeks ago and am starting on small doses then building up to the full amount needed daily. With my idiopathic gastroparesis they suggested I start out slowly to see if my stomach can handle the juice plus. That's another reason I'm doing the gummies in case I can't digest the capsules. So far I'm handling them ok. Kathy

Hi,
I have just been diagnosed with Gastro paresis. I have had a nissen fundo and a redo the first was too tight. I also have a gallbladder removal. I have celiacs and allergies to milk and fish. I was recently diagnosed with Gastro. after a EGD to check on ulcers and dilate my Nissen. The Dr. found food left from the evening before, which was about 14 hrs since I had last eaten. At my follow up he really had no answers. When asked about he pace maker, he told me if I wasn't diabetic and wasn't vomiting, which I cannot do to the wrap. I was not a candidate and he did not suggest the meds for this condition. I feel like this has been going on for quite some time and has gotten to the point it is now.

I have an appointment at Mayo the end of Sept. I just have lost hope, I have had stomach issues since 2009. I feel like Drs have done things to just cover the symptoms and not the root cause of my issues. I am not sure if I will be helped at Mayo or not. I live in Idaho and am going to Minn., so there is quite an expense involved. They asked I stay 5-7 days, so the rental car, hotel ect. it all adds up. I do not mind the expense if they can help me. I have tried eating small frequent meals, the only thing that does not just hang around forever is liquids.

Sorry this is so long, just trying to make sure I include all the crazy things I have going on. I was so healthy until 2009 when I received a flu shot. Ever since then my life has drastically changed. I am 5'4" and weight around 125. I have lost about 10 lbs in the last month. And am as active as I can be right now.

If you can give me some hope or answers I would so appreciate it.

Hello @debnjay,

Welcome to Connect. I'm sorry to read about your struggles, and we're so glad you've joined us. You’ll notice that I moved your message to this discussion group where members are talking about living with gastroparesis. I encourage you to click VIEW & REPLY in the email notification, and read through the past and recent posts, where you’ll meet @danybegood1 @jlfisher56, @robatk17, @katmandoo, @delicht, @nanny23 and others.

I'd also like to invite our Mentor, @kdubois as she has extensive experience with nissen fundoplication, and can share her insights about the procedure.

If it gives you any reassurance, I'd like to mention that Mayo Clinic in Minnesota has been recognized as the best Gastroenterology & GI Surgery hospital in the nation for 2017-2018 by U.S. News & World Report – you will be in good hands.

@debnjay, I'd also encourage you to read this Mayo Clinic News item, https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/stomach-muscles-working-incorrectly-can-lead-to-gastroparesis/, which states the "three main known causes of gastroparesis: diabetes, surgery and medication." Have your doctors ruled out any of these as a probable cause for your stomach issues?

Hi @debnjay, welcome.

You've certainly been through a lot. At this point, I think you have taken the right step in consulting with Mayo at the end of this month.

After 12 years of building GI issues, and doctors at home giving me the run-around, my Minnesota Mayo GI/Hepatology doctor and thoracic surgeon have me in a better place now than I was for the previous 12 years.

Mayo will definitely do what's necessary to figure out what's going on and also figure out the best steps to take to make you whole again. I'm actually surprised by how much better my health is now, and I never thought I'd be this whole again. It's all thanks to Mayo, and a large part of my recovery was due to the team you are seeing soon. Please keep us posted!

Hell nonnie1,
Slow stomach emptying and slow bowels are very frustrating and tend to dominate our every day decisions, as you clearly know. My one suggestion for you, as I continue to play the daily balancing game, is a gentle but brisk walk daily for about 20 minutes. Schedule it so you have already consumed a good portion of your daily food, so the gentle movement of your body can have an opportunity to mobilize the stomach and the bowels indirectly. Another technique I use, is I lay flat on my back stretched out and gently massage the belly area. I can pretty much feel where the stool gets hung up, as it masses in a firm area. The massage is very gentle and sometimes just a little jiggle will produce that gurgle I am looking for. Continual liquids is imperative. A bottle of water with a bit of lemon is nice to sip on so I can get a continual stimulation for my gastric juices, which facilitates both the stomach juices and on to the bowel motility. Obstructions are not fun and I have had my fill. When An obstruction is threatening, I keep bone broth in my cupboard so I can switch to total liquids until I get the gurgling I am looking for. The liquids keep the gastric juices going. If you totally obstruct though, this won't work and you will need intervention. Good luck with this, and keep those steady liquids going. While we don't have control over everything, we do have control over behavioral alterations in our day to day. That's the best we can do.

@upartist

I appreciate your comment, "While we don't have control over everything, we do have control over behavioral alterations in our day to day. That's the best we can do." Good thing to remember!

If I may ask, why do specifically mention "bone broth"?

Teresa

Good morning Teresa. I use bone broth because it's a clear liquid that is high in protein, low in sugar, and bland. When I am nauseated, the broth is more tolerable. You can boil your own, or buy it pre made. Pre made is nice, because when I don't feel well I don't want to try to boil down a chicken. Sugar levels are important to consider for many people with varying issues causing GI dysfunction, from bowel flora to diabetes concerns. Thus, bone broth becomes a good choice, vs pop or even Gatorade, to maintain electrolytes and stimulate the bowel motility without loading. However, since each person is very different, the choices need to be made according to that individual's specifics. Hope this helps.
UPArtist

Your response was so very helpful. I’ve been experimenting and trying to manage this for five years with varying success. I’ll try increasing my liquids. That makes so much sense. Thank you and keep posting other suggestions

Please add more strategies that you’ve learned. You seem to have a better handle on this than my nutritionist

@techmom as upartist mentioned it is a balancing act. It can change with time and your age. It is different for each perosn.. no one-size fits all diet or regiment. Many have other issues besides the gastroparesis. I have several and according to dietitians I need a high fiber, low fiber, low fat, low acid, high calorie easily swallowed digestible diet. How does one balance that out!!!

Balancing fiber... ugh!! I cannot eat raw vegestibles and fruits. They just sit in my stomach. If I eat too much fat then there is diarrhea to deal with. Fat is needed in the diet to help move food along. I do not tolerate milk, but can tolerate cheese. Yeah! high calorie, but can actually constipate me. I eat more vegetables than meat. I just have to cook them Southern Style... cook to beyond done. It is summer squash season here. I can eat them if I deseed them which is easily done by cutting the squash in half lenghtwise and scooping the seeds out with a spoon. I eat them stewed and also roasted. I like to chop the squash and some sweet potatoes into about 1-2 inch cubes; add baby or sliced carrots to them, and a little oil; toss together and place single layer on baking sheet and roast in the oven. My husband cooks now so I have forgetten the time.. maybe 20 minutes or so depending on cut size at 425° I do not preheat oven, but use speed or convection setting. If oven does not have just give veggies a stir midway and maybe extra time. If you can tolerate white potatoes, broccoli, and onions they can be added to the veggie mix. I can handle sweet potatoes, but white potatoes are too dry. I can tolerate over cooked brussel sprouts, but not cabbage.. strange isn't it.

Each of us is unique and it takes much trial and error to figure out what works foodwise. Drinking room temperature drinks or just out of the fridge drinks is better for digestion than really cold drinks. (Warm or hot tea.. very evil when you live in the land of iced sweet tea; I prefer coffee anyway, but limit it.) Drink a good cup of water a bit before eating 15-30 minutes maybe, I never timed it. Do not drink during your meal unless you need it to help swallow. I drink warm coffee after I eat or drink another glass of water.

Exercise is very important. I do a short walk around my yard after I eat in the morning. I eat several times a day because my stomach cannot hold much. I do short walks around my yard after I eat the rest of the day too. I eat the most at midday and try to get a 20-30 minute walk after that meal. If weather does not permit I just walk up and down our hallway.. could go to the mall. Sometimes if food feels like it is just sitting my my stomach I gently massage my stomach as I walk. If my stomach actually hurts after eating I do the walk and massage and if not better I use a heating pad and more massage. I usually have to eat lighter the next day... mostly liquids.

As the body ages things may have to be adjusted.

— Zaroga