1. < Digestive Health

Gastroparesis with severe symptoms!

Posted by paarak @paarak, Jul 17, 2011

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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Phil | @dover1036 | Sep 15, 2023
In reply to @nannykvm "Oh my goodness, I do have most of the same symptoms. I was just diagnosed with..." + (show)
@nannykvm

Oh my goodness, I do have most of the same symptoms. I was just diagnosed with gastroparesis. I have been so nauseous every morning and dizziness and light headedness for so long. So off balance. Chest pains, bloating, can't eat lg meals. I went to a cardiologist but only thing I have is SVT. I also have Fibromyalgia. I am not a diabetic either. I am on Reglan (liquid) for 12 weeks it is suppose jump start my gut. I sure hope so. I started eating soft foods and shake meal replacements. I still get nauseous but isn't quite as bad. Please keep me posted

Jump to this post

I also have Gastroenteritis. Please let us know how the Reglan works for u.
Good luck !
Thank u

REPLY
3 replies
marykeener | @marykeener | Sep 15, 2023

I have Gastroparesis and the lower part of my esophogus doesnt work well. could someone explain to me what i can do for this.

REPLY
1 reply
marykeener | @marykeener | Sep 15, 2023
In reply to @dover1036 "I also have Gastroenteritis. Please let us know how the Reglan works for u. Good luck..." + (show)
@dover1036

I also have Gastroenteritis. Please let us know how the Reglan works for u.
Good luck !
Thank u

Jump to this post

No reglan doesnt work for me.

REPLY
kamama94 | @kamama94 | Sep 16, 2023
In reply to @marykeener "I have Gastroparesis and the lower part of my esophogus doesnt work well. could someone explain..." + (show)
@marykeener

I have Gastroparesis and the lower part of my esophogus doesnt work well. could someone explain to me what i can do for this.

Jump to this post

@marykeener, IDK if you have a GI doc or if you've had your esophagus "stretched" but it helped me. I also eat very well-cooked soft foods slowly in small spoonfuls or small bites and have 6 small meals a day plus take senna and Miralax to keep things moving out.

REPLY
edloftus | @edloftus | Sep 16, 2023
In reply to @dover1036 "I also have Gastroenteritis. Please let us know how the Reglan works for u. Good luck..." + (show)
@dover1036

I also have Gastroenteritis. Please let us know how the Reglan works for u.
Good luck !
Thank u

Jump to this post

Some years back I tried Reglan, as a drug to have hopefully stimulated stomach motility. It didn’t work for me, but worse, I had some naTy reactions to it; felt like a BAD caffeine hit, like my head was being twisted. Not pleasant at all. But - certainly worth trying since everyone’s reactions can be different. Just pay attention to the side effects & impacts to your body with any long term use.

REPLY
nannykvm | @nannykvm | Sep 19, 2023
In reply to @dover1036 "I also have Gastroenteritis. Please let us know how the Reglan works for u. Good luck..." + (show)
@dover1036

I also have Gastroenteritis. Please let us know how the Reglan works for u.
Good luck !
Thank u

Jump to this post

After a week of Reglan, I am restless and anxious. This is a side effect. I called my gastro dr. But no reply yet. Hopefully it will pass the longer I'm on it. Still wake up nauseous.

REPLY
lorisus | @lorisus | Oct 21, 2023

I understand your frustration! My symptoms for the past year have been: feeling full after eating very little, bloating, waking up bloated, feeling as if I am 6 months pregnant while eating very little, gas, weight gain (not loss)

It's been a year of every test in the book for cancer, heart, thyroid....I could go on and on. 2 Gastro Drs, Internist, Gynecologist. I tried a nutritionist.

Then I went on the groups for Mayo clinic and posted my symptoms. Someone said that they had had similar symptoms for 3 yrs, went to the Mayo Clinic and was diagnosed with Gastroparesis and she said my symptoms sounded similar. I looked it up and was convinced that this is what it was. Even though, most people get it from Diabetes, I don't have Diabetes but I read it could be caused by a virus. I have always thought whatever it was that I had was caused by Covid and that this was part of long haul Covid. My symptoms started exactly 2 months after having Covid in September of 2022.

I went to my Gastroenterologist and asked him and he said, yes. That is definitely it. He never mentioned this before, so it made me crazy! He said that no matter how the gastro emptying test came out, he wasn't going to change his treatment, so we didn't need to do it. He prescribed Metoclopramide and after reading up on it and the side effects, I've decided not to take it.

I'm back to square one, as I am only eating one, non fiber meal a day and don't know what to do next!

If anyone has any ideas, I would love to hear them!

Thanks!

REPLY
1 reply
susanh824 | @susanh824 | Oct 22, 2023
In reply to @lorisus "I understand your frustration! My symptoms for the past year have been: feeling full after eating..." + (show)
@lorisus

I understand your frustration! My symptoms for the past year have been: feeling full after eating very little, bloating, waking up bloated, feeling as if I am 6 months pregnant while eating very little, gas, weight gain (not loss)

It's been a year of every test in the book for cancer, heart, thyroid....I could go on and on. 2 Gastro Drs, Internist, Gynecologist. I tried a nutritionist.

Then I went on the groups for Mayo clinic and posted my symptoms. Someone said that they had had similar symptoms for 3 yrs, went to the Mayo Clinic and was diagnosed with Gastroparesis and she said my symptoms sounded similar. I looked it up and was convinced that this is what it was. Even though, most people get it from Diabetes, I don't have Diabetes but I read it could be caused by a virus. I have always thought whatever it was that I had was caused by Covid and that this was part of long haul Covid. My symptoms started exactly 2 months after having Covid in September of 2022.

I went to my Gastroenterologist and asked him and he said, yes. That is definitely it. He never mentioned this before, so it made me crazy! He said that no matter how the gastro emptying test came out, he wasn't going to change his treatment, so we didn't need to do it. He prescribed Metoclopramide and after reading up on it and the side effects, I've decided not to take it.

I'm back to square one, as I am only eating one, non fiber meal a day and don't know what to do next!

If anyone has any ideas, I would love to hear them!

Thanks!

Jump to this post

It sounds like you definitely need a new doctor. Gastric Emptying is really needed to confirm the diagnosis. Chances are that your insurance will approve the test.

Hope you get some relief soon!

REPLY
Ingegerd Enscoe, Alumni Mentor | @astaingegerdm | Oct 23, 2023

@lorisus
I have pretty much identical symptoms for a year plus now.
My endoscopy was normal. The next step is a gastric emptying test. You really should have it done.
I have had 2 before during the past 15 years, both normal.
However, this time I’m afraid it’s going to show delayed emptying.
My GI discussed possible treatments.
My entire GI system is sluggish- the nerve center seems tired!

REPLY
1 reply
lorisus | @lorisus | Oct 24, 2023
In reply to @astaingegerdm "@lorisus I have pretty much identical symptoms for a year plus now. My endoscopy was normal...." + (show)
@astaingegerdm

@lorisus
I have pretty much identical symptoms for a year plus now.
My endoscopy was normal. The next step is a gastric emptying test. You really should have it done.
I have had 2 before during the past 15 years, both normal.
However, this time I’m afraid it’s going to show delayed emptying.
My GI discussed possible treatments.
My entire GI system is sluggish- the nerve center seems tired!

Jump to this post

I’m sorry you’re going through this too.
What were the treatments your GI spoke to you about outside of medication and diet?

REPLY
1 reply
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