Gastroparesis and Swallowing Fits
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!
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.