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Gastroparesis with severe symptoms!
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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those canned drinks like ensure, albeit kinda pricey. a friend who had a nissen fundo hiatal hernia, she said that, tapioca was her go to, she ate it by the shovel fulls! dunno, but might be worth a try, maybe me to. I can't eat wheat now, supposedly, so I think tapioca is gluten free.
maybe increase the electrolytes, potassium and magnesium, may not be diabetic, but pre-diabetic? the tingling and numbness, lack of circulation, for some reason, pain in the shoulder? old enough to have cold hands? increase exercise...vital.
THANKS for your reply Brenda.... perhaps if you "move around" more the cramping will subside - or maybe you need some potassium - bananas are good for that and i eat those - easy to digest and soft 🙂 honestly - i was under the impression they only did that surgery as a "last resort" if the person was down to not being able to eat AT ALL - but seems like you were eating some foods before - even so they are restricted....
Oh no! This surgery is done routinely here. I am very active.
My den where the TV sits is down 9 steps from the kitchen.
I vacuum it almost every day because I have 3 cats who sleep down here in the winter.
My daughter lives here too and she is sick. I cook and clean the kitchen most all the time since I have relief from so much pain. I see my local doctor every 3 month and have blood work done. I really do take care of myself. I have always taken care of everybody until I got this Gastroparesis! Now that I am recovering from the surgery I will do all again!!
The thought that an operation.... surgery... can reverse a botched Nissen surgery is wishful...but the GI doctors at Mayo MN said, NO... (I have post-operative gastroparesis caused by nerve damage done during the Nissen...).. Once those nerves are damaged... they do not regenerate... by undoing any surgery... I have lived with the Gastroparesis for 7 years.. Every meal is a challenge to eat.. cut things very small .. eat very slow.. learn to put down your fork for minutes between bites.. .. never lay down flat.. Gravity works, use it.. I drink only Pedilyte (an electrolyte)... coffee.. a small glass of orange juice, a small glass of Kefir (a fermented dairy product).. Get that foam wedge to put under your pillows when you sleep... I lost 50 pounds..(down to just under 150) during the local clinic's stumbling around... have gained 25 back ...(I was never "fat") but keeping weight on is a chore you must dedicate your efforts toward... some days I eat ice cream with strawberries twice.. Ken
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2 ReactionsWhat types of symptoms do you have when laying flat Ken ?
@paulr58 when lying flat... which I try not to do.. the food in the stomach tries to come up... when at the dentist even.. I tell them, "not flat".. "I'll tell when. "..
An when it tries to come up do you suffer from acid reflux or gurd ? I have been struggling with gastro for a few years now and this is one of my symptoms. doesn't matter if I take PPI"s. I have to stop eating about 3 pm if going to bed about 10pm. Tried the wedge pillow doesn't work sleep in a chair now. The acid reflux got so bad my throat was bleeding.
@paulr58 sorry for your severe symptoms.. I try to eat the more nutritional foods for breakfast and lunch.. I live alone so I can choose.. I can eat nuts so they are common frequent snacks.. pile several pillows on that wedge to elevate your body more.
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1 ReactionDef vagus nerve is involved for sure. But no drs have helped me. It causes PVC'S