Gastroparesis and Swallowing Fits

Posted by emmyboodles @emmyboodles, Mar 27, 2023

I contracted Covid in November 2021, I was healthy prior to that, some minor UTIs and kidney infections throughout the year, but other than that I was a “normal” 25 year old. My symptoms of Covid were all digestive problems, nausea, couldn’t eat, and bloating, just to name a few. I did a gastric emptying study as was diagnosed with gastroparesis. My colonoscopy and endoscopy did not show anything abnormal. I now have a G/J tube, and am on Reglan, Dicyclomine, Zofran, IV Hydration, Lansoprozol and have tried domperidone but my EKG showed concerns so I cannot take that medication. I also got a gastric stimulator implanted, which didn’t help me at all and settled under my rib so I chose to remove it instead of move it to a different location because it wasn’t giving me any relief or change in symptoms. I just got my stimulator removed last Monday. My question is, does anyone else get what I have named “swallowing fits”? It’s like there is a giant lump in your throat and hot lava coming up your throat and you do to swallow it back down but almost forget how to swallow? I know it sounds strange but it is incredibly anxiety provoking and is happening multiple times during the day. I had an esophagram that was also considered normal. I’m at my wits end with all of this swallowing and out of control nausea. I don’t know what else to do.

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I have gastroparesis related to type 2 diabetes diagnosed after a gastric emptying study - GI nerves and muscles don't work like they used to so stuff doesn't move through my system efficiently and sometimes feel like it's stuck from stomach to bowel. When I have a gastroparesis flare I get nauseated and gag and have trouble swallowing and occasionally what feels like acid reflux. When they did a colonoscopy a year ago and an esophageal scope the colonoscopy was ok but they found mild narrowing of my esophagus and stretched it slightly. That helped a lot but sometimes I occasionally experience trouble swallowing which I relate to slow emptying of the stomach. What you describe sounds like gastroparesis and acid reflux but I'm not a dr so maybe you can ask your medical provider about this and if that doesn't help perhaps seek another opinion? Hope you find some relief soon!

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@kamama94

I have gastroparesis related to type 2 diabetes diagnosed after a gastric emptying study - GI nerves and muscles don't work like they used to so stuff doesn't move through my system efficiently and sometimes feel like it's stuck from stomach to bowel. When I have a gastroparesis flare I get nauseated and gag and have trouble swallowing and occasionally what feels like acid reflux. When they did a colonoscopy a year ago and an esophageal scope the colonoscopy was ok but they found mild narrowing of my esophagus and stretched it slightly. That helped a lot but sometimes I occasionally experience trouble swallowing which I relate to slow emptying of the stomach. What you describe sounds like gastroparesis and acid reflux but I'm not a dr so maybe you can ask your medical provider about this and if that doesn't help perhaps seek another opinion? Hope you find some relief soon!

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Thank you so much for the response. It would be interesting to know if I have a narrowing as well. Because out of all my gastroparesis symptoms that is the one that is most bothersome, even over not being able to eat.

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