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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@cnash1

my daughter was dx with this and she took erythromycin 30 minutes before every meal except snack like meals and it helped tremendously. She did this for about 3 months and was able to stop the medication and has been doing well with that ever since. We unfortunately still can not find the source of her lower abdominal pain but we are still searching for answers.

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Has she been tested for SIBO? I have gastroparesis and SIBO. It seems the horrible lower abdomen pain I was having was from SIBO.

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@parrotlady

Has she been tested for SIBO? I have gastroparesis and SIBO. It seems the horrible lower abdomen pain I was having was from SIBO.

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Hi No what is SIBO?

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@cnash1

Hi No what is SIBO?

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Small intestine bacteria overgrowth. I just finished an antibiotic for SIBO. Other then the usual symptoms of gastroparesis, I’m 80% better.

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@parrotlady

Small intestine bacteria overgrowth. I just finished an antibiotic for SIBO. Other then the usual symptoms of gastroparesis, I’m 80% better.

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Thank you. How is that diagnosed?

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Mine was diagnosed by symptoms but there is a breath test for diagnosis.

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@cnash1

Thank you. How is that diagnosed?

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Gastric emptying study.

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@romans8
Regarding Motegrity you can get it through a Canadian pharmacy at a much lower price.
Look up Certified Canadian Pharmacies and compare prices.

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@parrotlady

Mine was diagnosed by symptoms but there is a breath test for diagnosis.

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@parrotlady at Mayo MN I had 3 tests in GI dept. The most telling for gastropanesis is one where you eat a standard breakfast with a nuke tracer and then have hourly x-rays for 4 to 6 times.. my Gastropanesis is medium but was caused by a failed Nissen surgery at my local hospital.. bad decision on my part.. physical damage to stomach nerve system cannot be fixed..

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low vitamin D shown on a blood test, vitamin D is vital for the GI to operate properly...thyroid, calcium and vitamin D all intertwine, along with thiamine and folic acid, B vitamins, and add electrolytes

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@astaingegerdm

@romans8
Regarding Motegrity you can get it through a Canadian pharmacy at a much lower price.
Look up Certified Canadian Pharmacies and compare prices.

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Thanks, I will check that out. Have you had good success with Motegrity? Any side effects?

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