Gastroparesis Diet – Questions, Suggestions, Tips

Well, I had a similar surgical injury.. the surgery was done in Central Iowa.. the diagnosis was done two months later at Mayo MN..I had lost 50 pounds .. I have gained 25 pounds back. People around you just do not understand even after telling them to google "Gastroparesis".. When at Mayo I consulted with a dietitian who gave me a start, but getting the diet that works for you is not that simple.. It has been 5 years now since diagnosis and I still have problems. It is how you eat, how fast you eat, how well you chew, how much you try to eat at a time. After telling the Mayo Doctor how when I ate some chicken with a gravy and broccoli.. I threw up the broccoli ... He told me not to eat broccoli anymore.. So keeping a notebook in the bathroom or the kitchen to write a reminder of what you ate and what was the result (at either end) is an important method of learning to cope. I love ice cream with strawberries.. but if I have too much that does not work and the cream comes up with the foam that forms in my stomach when I eat that dessert too fast... I make a trail mix of unsalted mixed nuts, dried fruit, and Peanut M&Ms.. I eat something every time I go through the kitchen. Smoothies without yogurt is my friend.. I make a chicken stew with beans, potatoes, mushrooms, celery, onions, garlic etc.. it has become a staple ...it works..going down without coming up.. Mayo MN prescribed two meds for me, (the Nexium generic and Mirtazapine). The Mirtazapine is an antidepressant to help me think that I need to eat.. even though I usually feel better when my stomach is close to empty... I do drink Coffee in the morning, eat oatmeal with blueberries, toast (I cannot eat gummy breads, just the crisp kinds) .. Good Luck ..

Hello @gegrafton

I see from your post of yesterday, that you are looking to talk with others who have taken metoclopramide for gastroparesis. I found several members who have taken this med for gastroparesis or other digestive issues and I would like to invite them to this discussion.
@maryjoyce @fourof5zs @bborth @peggyella

Here is another Connect discussion group that you might find helpful:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/withdrawal-from-metoclopramide/?pg=1#comment-299296
You say that with this med you are, "not feeling any better; in fact a little worse." Can you describe the problems you are having?

By trial an error, I discovered that Boost is causing severe nausea. Gatorade and pureed peaches are ok. Flat bread and small amounts of Peanut butter are ok. Fat free cheese is ok. Chicken broth and crackers. But in very small amounts. Has boost bothered many other people? I believe my severe gastroparesis is REALLY severe.

I think the sugar is too high in Boost and causes dumping syndrome; at least this is what happened to me. My gastroparesis, too, is severe. It sure makes eating and maintaining weight difficult! Good luck to you and don't lose hope for a cure! What caused your gastroparesis? Mine was caused by injury to my vagus nerves during what should have been a pretty routine acid reflux surgery.

@darlenemeeder Yes, Boost with the milklike base seemed to cause all sorts of diarrhea problems ... I tried to use it after my onset and diagnosis of Gastroparesis. Before that I ate a lot of yogurt but Boost and yogurts gave me the same problems.. I had to find another protein source in meat, beans and nuts. I have not tried the Boost Breeze with the juice base.. but I think I will give it a try.. ken

@rossjt If the "pretty routine acid reflux surgery" was a "Nissen" ....an anesthesiologist explained to me that the surgeon is working on you a couple hours in cramped positions... My Mayo GI doctor quoted a 1 in 6 failure statistic to me for the "Nissen" as he diagnosed my gastroparesis.

My surgery was a Nissen. I had NO IDEA the failure rate was that high. My local surgeon didn't even address vagus nerve injury risk with me prior to my surgery, or even after when I had all my complications! I try not to hold onto my anger, but some days it is hard not to!

I have been having good luck with V8 fusion drinks. The little cans are handy, but I wish they didn't have the caffeine. They provide good nutrition, though and I seem tolerate them ok. I will look into the Boost Breeze!

I have discovered, after buying 2 more cases, that it is the Boost that is causing me so much nausea!! It has too much fat in it. Hopefully, Walmart will take it back. If not, I will just give it away. I saw my GI doctor yesterday, he said my gastroparesis is right up there with the worst cases he has seen and that is what has caused my severe acid reflux, which started after my gallbladder surgery in 2011. Things just got gradually bad until it came to a head 6 months ago. It took that long for a diagnosis, because my stomach looks normal. I tried a scrambled egg last night, and 1 ounce of Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheese. It settled ok, but I am still feeling full this morning. Doctor said it will be trial and error. I need to eat 8 to 10 small meals a day. If insurance approves, I will see a nutritionist.

@darlenemeeder my Medicare and United Health Care Gap Insurance covered my Mayo MN visits with GI and Nutritionist...
Did you get to the Cleveland Clinic?
The single most effective way I figured out what food would work was just through trial and error, keeping a log in the bathroom and in the kitchen ... What goes into your body and what are the results/ what come out either end ..what food comes up.. what food goes through...You must understand that gravity now plays a very important role in emptying your stomach......
Put a convenient pad and pencil what ever in both places date and time.. So much really depends upon HOW you eat.. chewing, cutting things up finely... using the blender... do you chew your food very well .. do you eat slowly.. If you live with someone, they won't understand... but as they see you meet the eating challenge every time you put something in your mouth... that will help...
You have to quit eating when you feel full... wait 15 minutes, eat a little more.. Sauces on meat.. on anything helps.. Ken