Do gastroparesis symptoms slowly creep up on everyone?

Posted by Brewnews @brewnews, Jul 20, 2023

I am not diabetic nor do I have blood sugar problems.
This Spring (2023) I started getting full after only a few bites. After awhile, constipation became an issue followed by waking up so hungry I wanted to throw up. 6 weeks ago the nausea and vomiting began, particularly after eating. On bad days it’s 4-5 vomiting episodes and after every “meal” I go through a crazy routine of trying to keep food down. I’ve lost 20 lbs in 6 weeks & ended up in the ER.
Is the slow buildup of symptoms typical of gastroparesis? I’m a healthy 57 year old woman with chronic MDD which is currently under control so I have no idea how I developed gastroparesis. I’ve discovered that bananas & Fresca are life savers!
Any input &/or advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

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Profile picture for tadueo @tadueo

I couldn't find an app called "Happy Poop. Don't Laugh" and couldn't find any. Is that the correct name?
Thanks.
Tadueo

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@tadueo

This will give you the link .. maybe one of the other apps listed might be more your style. Everyone is different.
https://freeappsforme.com/poop-tracker-apps/

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Profile picture for denisef @denisef

i was diagnosed with gastroparesis about 3 years ago (gastric emptying study). I had it several years prior, however, just went undiagnosed and YEARS ago was unable to eat fibrous vegetables things like broccolli etc. it would just "sit" and come back up hours later - totally undigested. I am managing it by dramatically changing my lifestyle both when and what i eat. Currently I am unable to eat anything solid after 2 pm. if i want to be able to lay down and sleep around 9-10 p.m. Lately things seem to be getting worse and there are some days where i ONLY eat pureed things/smoothies, frozen yogurt and nothing solid - otherwise i feel nauseous all the time. I was wondering if this is what happens - that things get worse and worse until eventually you cannot eat any solids at all and perhaps even have to get a feeding tube put in?? Seems like the gastroenterologists i have seen know "next to nothing" about this condition. One told me "you can just drink Ensure" - like it was no big deal to drink Ensure the rest of your life!!

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Thanks for the info. I'm on it.

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Profile picture for tadueo @tadueo

Thanks for your comments. I appreciate it and see my doc tomorrow about the diet.

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Good for you. Pls keep us posted.

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Profile picture for tadueo @tadueo

I'm a 91 year old male, 5'10", 170 lbs. and have accepted the fact that I have gastroparesis and started a liquid diet today. My question: Is there life after GP? or am I better off checking into a hospice? In other words, Is the light worth the candle?
Is GP manageable for a 91 year old artist who still has a few paintings left in him?
Suggestions welcome.

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I would add a drop of brandy or whisky to the liquid diet 😀 might make it more enjoyable 👌
Good luck , whatever you decide to do 🍀🍀🍀
Sheila x

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Profile picture for tadueo @tadueo

I'm a 91 year old male, 5'10", 170 lbs. and have accepted the fact that I have gastroparesis and started a liquid diet today. My question: Is there life after GP? or am I better off checking into a hospice? In other words, Is the light worth the candle?
Is GP manageable for a 91 year old artist who still has a few paintings left in him?
Suggestions welcome.

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DONE! 12 yr. old.

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Does anyone know Does Gastroparesis progress from moderate to severe? I was recently diagnosed with Idiopathic Gastroparesis at a high moderate level. (level2) Does anyone know If levels increase and if so at what rate?

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Profile picture for babciesgrandson @babciesgrandson

Does anyone know Does Gastroparesis progress from moderate to severe? I was recently diagnosed with Idiopathic Gastroparesis at a high moderate level. (level2) Does anyone know If levels increase and if so at what rate?

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Hi babciesgrandson:
Gastroparesis hit me in 2004. I had no idea what happened and thought I had a flu bug. That flu bug didn't go away, and trips to my gastroenterologist provided no information about what was going on. He didn't share what he knew, nor did he share what I needed to do.
YES, it gets worse. In 2016 I was sent for the test and I have severe gastroparesis. While laying there watching my stomach on camera, it took 90 minutes for the first tiny piece to break off from the contents they had me eat prior to the test. It should have taken under 30 minutes to be completely gone!!!
Where you go from here depends strictly upon you. Gastroparesis CAUSES LEAKY GUT SYNDROME. You have to recognize your diet and what isn't digesting and eat very little if any of that food. The best thing to do just learning you have it would be to eat protein smoothies and let your stomach and digestive system heal and rest.
Eat small meals, lighten up on the amount of fiber in your diet, AND NEVER ALLOW YOURSELF TO GET FULL. I don't know if you have ever had a gastroparesis attack, but they are no fun, and after going through 32 hours of labor, I can tell you a gastroparesis attack is worse. Different strokes for different folks, so what I can eat that doesn't digest and what you can eat that doesn't digest will be different. The best advice given is to listen to your body and learn to understand when a food isn't something it can no longer handle.
The pain across the upper abdomen feeling like you did too many sit-ups is the first warning. That is your stomach in spasms.
I use a lot of ground chicken in my cooking and I eat much smaller portions then I used to. Feeling empty instead of full is so welcome because I know that was a good choice. Eating small meals 5-8 times a day. NEVER eating after 6p.m. because it CAN'T digest before you go to bed and that leads to interrupted sleep.
Leaky gut, pushes toxins into your blood stream, and for whatever reasons gastroenterologists may tell you that you have it, but they don't tell you why or what to do, unless it is to push a pill.
Be good to your body. Give your digestive system a rest when it needs one. There are some great protein smoothies you can make and I love the frozen ones. We need the protein to feed our muscles and keep them strong. I use coconut protein powder or egg white protein powder to get away from all those additives and artificial stuff. Learn to watch the ingredients in everything you eat or drink because some of those ingredients can be culprits for slowed digestion.
Gastroparesis was something no one knew much about when I first started having issues. Today it is going to be highly recognized rapidly because from what I hear and read the weight loss shots and diabetes itself, are causing gastroparesis. I had neither, but I constantly ate more then my stomach could handle when I loved the food, and when you stay full too long your body can't handle what you are doing to it.

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Profile picture for babciesgrandson @babciesgrandson

Does anyone know Does Gastroparesis progress from moderate to severe? I was recently diagnosed with Idiopathic Gastroparesis at a high moderate level. (level2) Does anyone know If levels increase and if so at what rate?

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I didn't have a problem w/ my gastroparesis until I had fundoplication.

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Profile picture for babciesgrandson @babciesgrandson

Does anyone know Does Gastroparesis progress from moderate to severe? I was recently diagnosed with Idiopathic Gastroparesis at a high moderate level. (level2) Does anyone know If levels increase and if so at what rate?

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There are medications to help the stomach empty, and a GI doc should be familiar with them.

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Profile picture for babciesgrandson @babciesgrandson

Does anyone know Does Gastroparesis progress from moderate to severe? I was recently diagnosed with Idiopathic Gastroparesis at a high moderate level. (level2) Does anyone know If levels increase and if so at what rate?

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I don't think Gastroparesis (GP) gets worse for everyone and how quickly it might (if it does) would likely differ from person to person. Look up Crystal Saterelli website (Living Well with Gastroparesis). She has a blog, several YouTube videos a quick guide to eating (for free, you download it), a couple of cookbooks and she also has an in depth program for only $87 that offers tons of info. Also, keep in mind, what one person can/cannot eat may be different than you. You might be able to get into Mayo if your GP is severe enough. Stanford has a good program if you are on the West coast. Cleveland Clinic is another option of course. Also, a good source is to just go to YouTube and enter GP and several videos will come up. Look for the creditable ones like UCLA Health, UCSF, Gastro Girl, Northwestern Medicine). Of course, avoid the any of the videos which offer cures, quick fixes, mega doses of supplements etc. Hope this helps.

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