Gastroparesis with severe symptoms!

I was diagnosed with this recently, though my case isn’t as severe as yours. 41% of my radioactive meal was still in my stomach after 4 hours. There are two drugs used to treat this condition. The first is Reglan. It caused severe anxiety in me, so I discontinued. The second drug is an old antibiotic called erythromycin. Unfortunately, that one had a steep copay that I could not afford. My physician is with a large university and really seems to know his stuff

Hope this helps!

I've had the condition for 20 years. (though symptoms are feeling full & stomach gas, continuing to keep me up at night; all contained in my stomach area). Seen every western MD, gastro doc & every alternative practitioner there is. And now, at 70, I'm seeing an ND (granted, out of pocket costs) & nutritionist who at least had me take a SIBO breath test. And while the Vagus nerve (which runs many organs including the digestive system's motility) can certainly be the culprit (& very difficult to stimulate, even with most drugs), the SIBO breath test - for me - revealed high levels of methane in my stomach over the course of a 3-hr (easy at-home) test. With that, a potential cause was a bacteria that can cause the motility issue, for which I took a 2-wk course of antibiotics (Rifaximin suggested). Since I felt no better, a very good nutritionist wanted to to me on a diet (based on the FODMap diet regime) for several weeks. ND also had me get an herbal aid: Atrantil for the gas symptoms. We'll see how that works after a week of taking 3x daily.
But even the nutritionist & ND admit that one can have slow stomach motility, which then allows the bacteria to form, or visa-versa. And as you know, that's the mystery. But at least a good nutritionist or ND (or even a GOOD gastro doc) should be recommending various digestive enzymes, bitters (taken before meals, ginger supplements (straight ginger tea - no sweetener; I drink 2-3 cups daily) can be helpful. You should try Iberogast (made by Bayer in Germany), though only available on-line. I've been taking yoga & done daily meditation, However, while those things haven't much worked for me, they CAN work wonders for others with this affliction, since (as you read in may of these blogs) every body of different & reacts differently to various herbs, drugs, exercises, & other protocols. I assume you've also had an endoscopy to check for general stomach/duodenum function, as well as (with a biopsy while they're doing it) for the bacteria H. Pilori? Again, you NEVER know what you may get a good 'hit' on.
So, in summary, just keep trying to see what may be found for your case & what may just work (even a little). Thanks for posting & good luck.

I have all the same symptoms you do and have been through all the same testing. I do have MS, which I understand is pretty common to get GP with MS. I also have COPD. I get very frustrated when no doctor has any answers for GP. The thing that helped me the most is when my primary doctor put me on Budesonide, which my Gastroentronologist laughed at and said that would never work. It worked way better than anything he had put me on. It is also frustrating when you eat on thing and things go fine. Then the next day you eat the same exact thing and it sets you off. I just wish there were more doctors who knew more about this disease. I am in Wyoming though, not a huge choice of doctors here.

I have been on Suboxone for a year. And I do struggle with constipation and I've been reading a lot of information on gastroparesis and Suboxone use and I am very scared and wondering how do I prevent this. I haven't found a lot of I haven't found a lot of information regarding the connection. Or what I can do to prevent this I'm on the sublocade shot and I'm weaning myself down. But honestly my anxiety and fear is worse than anything

Hi , I also have Gastroparesis and acid reflux. Bloating, and fullness. I have has 3 endoscopys, pH test, Barium swallow test, Emptying test, Colonoscopy and seen 7 different Gastroenterologists. I have Gone 2 hours away to Tampa General- wouldn’t recommend, as I live in Punta Gorda, Fl and NYC twice and everything normal. I eat spaghetti squash, scrambled eggs and grilled chicken ( no fat) on white toast. Most days I skip dinner, As I am too full. My Gastroenterolgist prescribed taking Miralax 1-3 doses 30 mins apart every 5 days or when needed in order to empty out. On those days I stay near a bathroom. I am now on Xifaxan twice a day for 30 days in case I have Small Intestine Overgrowth bacteria (SIBO). I did the home test annd came back negative, but my doctor didn’t have much faith in the test. Insurance doesn’t always pay. I paid $905 for it. I have been suffering for a year and a half. My next plan is to get surgery for an Enterra Batery operated device put in my stomach to empty out, like a pace maker. Hope something works for you. Feel better!

God bless you!!

I also have gastroparesis & really bad GERD….. I had two surgeries for my hiatal hernia of which “I think is my culprit of my gastroparesis” not been confirmed, but…. Not diabetic.
This might sound crazy to some, but here goes & it’s working for me…. I quit eat veggies & fruits along with starchy foods….. I eat red meat, eggs, bacon, fish, & chicken….. I’m lactose intolerant or I would be eating ice cream & cream in my coffee….. (tested at Mayo Clinic) I still enjoy my lemon green tea & limit my caffein & good old H2O. I graze during the day & give my stomach a rest after last meal about 6 pm for about 16hrs. I try very hard not to overeat because I can still get bloated & Walking helps a lot after eating if I do, along with occasional Zofran (an Rx). My PC doctor knows & follows me with labs…. I do take supplements. Hope this might help someone experiencing gastroparesis. My gastroenterologist threw up his hands & said “I don’t know what to do for you!!!! I went to Mayo & had more tests & talked with a dietitian who had pregnant brain…. I knew more than she did…. I know this goes against all our teachings about nutrition & I’m an RN, but it’s working for me…. You tube helped me a lot with high protein low carb eating…. Lots of info on YouTube on carnivore eating….I know some think bad of this….but…..
Prayers For Answers For Us Suffering….

Greetings

I had the stomach emptying test at Rochester a few months ago. Based upon that and an Endoscope study, I had surgery 3 weeks ago. Everything went great. The surgeon also removed a 1.6" stage 2 A. cancer, that he discovered with the scope. Good things can come from bad. All this was done as an outpatient and I was home and slept in my bed that night.

Diet is hard to get a handle on. I am eating mostly what I call ABC (Already Been Chewed) food. Mashed potatoes and gravy, or chicken salad works well.

If in doubt, do the test and find out where you are at. I hope you can manage without surgery as many can. This is going to take time to get used too. Try eating 5 or 6 - 2/3 cup meals a day. There are many diet guidelines out there.

I pray that you will find relief. God bless your journey.

I’m 70 & have struggled with this condition for 20 years; at my age it’s not getting better as digestion slows with age. While Gastroparesis can only be confirmed with a gastric emptying test, its causes range from multiple to unknown. While it’s most typical with diabetics, SIBO can cause it, since the small intestinal bacteria overgrowth can do that. And while a stool sample by some doctors (certainly not many western MDs) can confirm such bacteria, the common breath test is best to register abnormal levels of methane in the stomach & duodenum area. You do it at home in an empty stomach; high methane are from the bacteria. Once you get some facts, your options may take you thru much trial & error. Someone posting mentioned Xifaxin, a common Rx to kill the bacteria, but you can read many postings & articles about the bacteria coming back. Definitely worth trying, however. You’ve also GOT to work with a nutritionist & get very serious about how, what & when you eat. Some diets or foods sone posting on this site mention will make some sufferers symptoms FAR worse; everyone’s body, digestion & conditions reacts VERY differently to many foods. I’d been a pretty strict vegan eating only 2 meals daily & my gastro condition has gotten worse (though getting older hasn’t likely helped). The upper chest pains & tingling/numb sensations are all from how gas & bloating (much less undigested food) are affecting your nerves; gastro symptoms are different for everyone. Exercise is key; walking after a meal. As is general stress management (be it yoga, mediation, etc). As for me, I can eat full & healthy breakfasts, but then can only tolerate a lunch meal generally no later than 2-3 pm. Protein at lunch needs to be very limited. Nothing with refined sugar. Forget about desserts after lunch. I only use stevia as sweetener. No snacks between meals. Fruit is fine but limited to AM hrs.
Supplements can be VERY helpful. I take several extra HCl (mine includes pepsin & gentian bitters) capsules, especially with lunch to help digest protein. Pre-meal bitters can help. If I had a bad night sleep from gastric distress ( my symptoms are terrible, recurring stomach gas that’ll not pass thru sometimes til nearly dawn; I’m up in a chair, drinking charcoal & water & massaging my stomach). I’ll be extra careful how I eat to give my system a rest.
But getting ahold of a GOOD nutritionist (one who knows about the FODMAP diet) is critical, as well as the interaction of certain probiotics (that are all the rage now) & other supplements on the bad bacteria (if that’s what you’ve got) that you’re trying to get rid of. There’s also a new treatment out there called Thaenabiotics, put out by a company in Portland, OR. There are some ND providers out there who can get authorized to give it to patients, as it’s still in study stage; it’s had some success with some. I’m doing it now.
There are also some supplements, rather than rounds of antibiotics (which can either not work or provide other lousy side effects) that a GOOD nutritionist or ND knows about.
But if you are looking for answers beyond a western MD, you need to find an and or other provider whose specialty IS gastro conditions.
Everyone with stomach emptying issues IS different , exhibiting different symptoms. And that’s what makes it such an unknown to ALL practitioners. Even my Kaiser gastro doc is stumped past a certain point, though I’ve pushed to get him to authorize whatever he could, sometimes as recommended by my ND & nutritionist. And for any of you posting who’ve worked with a Mayo Clinic gastro specialist, I’m shocked they didn’t tell you all of this, since they bill themselves as THE western MD experts on so many conditions. And I know that many such alternative provides & therapies won’t be covered by your insurance; so it’s out-of-pocket if you can afford it.
But don’t waste time with any western MD who hasn’t a clue or won’t get you the tests & referrals you need. Good luck to all
If you out there.

I’ve also suffered from slow stomach motility, be it from SIBO that I’m working to resolve OR some vagus nerve issue. Anyway, my worst symptoms occur in the evening; despite being vegan & eating no later than 2-3 pm, any slight mis-eating (snacks, to much protein, sugar, whatever), creates hours of gas & bloating (no nausea) that will keep me up often til 2 am or even dawn. Only multiple drinks of charcoal & stomach massaging eventually results in whatever’s in my stomach to pass. My question to anyone with this condition is have you found ANYTHING to hasten the absorption of such gas (or neutralizing of bacteria) that works? Mind you, no type of herbal tea, finger, fennel or any over-the-counter medication (GasX) helps. Nothing. Anyone out there found anything? Thanks