Gastroparesis with severe symptoms!
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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So ulcers solutions anyone? Carafate & rabeprazole not working.
@annieoh - just a question- has your doctor tested you for Helicobacter pylori as a cause for your ulcers?
Yes, at endoscopy.
I read there’s a new drug, maybe in trials, “donperidone”. A medical school near you might be able to help.
The best advice for anyone with digestion issues: go ASAP to a dietician. I had to ask for this as it’s simply Not on a medical doctor’s radar!! Lots and lots of help from dietician. Medicare doesn’t pay for this diagnosis to see dietician so you may have to pay but worth it. If you have other insurance I don’t know the protocol. But if you have other issues, insurance pays for diabetes nutrition guidance and I believe overweight diet counseling.
I also suffer from this, however, the ulcers are my problem now.
Amen! A Registered Dietitian is also a great resource if you are allergic to wheat. I initially saw a dermatologist and she told me that the rash I had was not dermatitis herpetiformis(spelling?). It was and is a result of ingesting wheat. An R.D. amd a gastroenterologist confirmed the rash and celiac disease.
@annieoh hello - I don’t think domperidone is new. I’ve been taking it for a couple of years after it was prescribed by my gastroenterologist for gastroparesis. He explained that I would have to call a mail order pharmacy outside the USA because the FDA would not approve it for use here. I get mine from Canada. It is approved for use worldwide except in the USA. It’s even over the counter in some countries. It helps improve stomach motility.
@pdilly @annieoh ,
I tried domperidone in 2013 and I had several side effects.. I don't remember what they were now and not sure where the paper is I wrote them on. I got the prescription from a doctor at the Mayo in Jacksonville. I had it filled at a local compounding pharmacy. My insurance did not pay for it and I don't remember the cost. Worth checking at local compounding pharmacy for first try.. I got two week's worth. I think I made it a week and a half before I said I'd rather put up with the disease than the medication. It works for many people though.
@fourof5zs Hello Zaroga - hope you are doing ok! I remember you posting about your experience with domperidone in another conversation on this site. I am so sorry it did not work for you. It has worked so well for me with no side effects whatsoever. That’s what’s so crazy about drugs. They can affect anyone in anyway at any time.
(I was always so surprised that a compounding pharmacy made domperidone for you since it’s not approved for use in the United States. I did not realize they could do that.)
I can relate with you completely. I have the same condition and same exact symptoms/issues. I suffered for 10+ years with no Doctors having an answer that would help. The only treatment that would give me some relief was to take lactulose almost daily and once a month I had to clean out with the same prep you do before a Colonoscopy. I was so fed up and depressed because of being miserable and looking like I was pregnant all the time,(even had been asked when my baby was due, several times. I’m 58 years old)!!!
I made several trips to the ER and spent many nights in the hospital. I swear that I had every test in the world done!!
Then strangely, after having an MRI of brain for migraines they saw a tumor on my pituitary gland. After seeing many specialists I was sent to a Endro Dr he diagnosed me with Secondary Addison’s Disease.
He put me on Hydrocortisone 5mg.
tablets. I take 15mg in am and 15mg in pm.
Oddly enough, my bowels started working and my stomach is no longer hard and bloated !!! I’ve been on the Hydrocortisone for 15 months now and I do not look pregnant and have no discomfort and regular bowel movements!!!
My Dr doesn’t really have an answer to why this happened. But I feel that because Hydrocortisone is a Steroid which speeds up your metabolism it must be speeding up my digestive track and making everything work right again!!??
Sounds strange but that’s all I can come up with and maybe you being a nurse you might have some connections to investigate this possibility and might be able to get some relief by trying the Hydrocortisone. Probably only needing a small dose.
Just thought that I would share my incredible story in hopes that there is some off label use here that could give you and others relief from this horrible condition. I’m not a Dr. and am only explaining my personal experience. Good luck and please keep me posted.
Sincerely,
Michelle
I was diagnosed with gastroparesis in 2016. May vagus nerves were inadvertently cut/damaged during a surgery. You are correct in that gastroparesis is miserable! I had a pyloromyotomy in August 2016 which helps my stomach empty. Trying to take in enough calories every day is a battle, and an uphill one at that . I am losing the battle currently. I am 6'2" and weigh 137. I have a CT scan tomorrow as Dr.'s are grasping at straws to determine why I am getting stomach cramping and diarrhea almost every time I eat, regardless of what it is. I am well-versed in the gastroparesis diet and don't stray from it. I have had a lot of ups and downs over the past four years....picc lines for parenteral nutrition (and several episodes of sepsis), j-tube for nutrition (did ok for a while and then started vomiting the j-tube liquid followed by bile and pancreatic acid and developed granular scar tissue which was painful and the tube was prone to pushing itself out....none of the prescriptions helped...from what I can gather people seem to respond differently to this disorder. I hope you find some relief.