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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Good morning. I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis this year. I take Reglan 5mg before each meal and 10mg at bedtime. This has helped me. Best of luck, it is no fun to live with!

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Profile picture for 4ourhealth @4ourhealth

Good morning. I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis this year. I take Reglan 5mg before each meal and 10mg at bedtime. This has helped me. Best of luck, it is no fun to live with!

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It is by far the worst thing I have ever experienced.
I will see a new surgeon on Friday and praying he can see a way to help me.
Right now I have no life.
Too much pain

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You sound like me to a T…. Not a diabetic, probably from one of my stomach surgeries over the years & yes years I’ve suffered… My gastric emptying test nothing first two hrs & 2 percent 3rd, hr. I was then told I could get up & I walked around the hospital & came back & was at 37 percent…. That in itself told me I need to walk to get things moving & it does help! Very small meals throughout the day with lots of walking. Only very cooked foods, no fresh or raw. I’m also lactose intolerant so that doesn’t help… I take gasx twice daily at least & Zofran helps a lot….unable to take Reglan ☹️ I wear a lot of longe clothing because anything tight gives me a belly ache. Had to give up wearing a bra also….that was difficult for me…I usually wear a sweater over my tops when out, I’m back to wearing undershirts like when I was little… I can tolerate small amounts of chicken, fish, ground meats, & eggs. If I have any bread (not often) I always toast it. Very small cooked meals & lots of walking. If I walk right away after eating it’s best for me & most of the time I don’t feel like walking….. Prayers For Comfort & Solutions….

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Since I am wheelchair-bound and can only take a step or two for transfers, walking after a meal is not an option for me. I do physical therapy chair exercises when I'm not too nauseated to move, which is very seldom. Also do tummy massage. Am open to more ideas/suggestions. . .

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Profile picture for peggyjean @peggyjean

You sound like me to a T…. Not a diabetic, probably from one of my stomach surgeries over the years & yes years I’ve suffered… My gastric emptying test nothing first two hrs & 2 percent 3rd, hr. I was then told I could get up & I walked around the hospital & came back & was at 37 percent…. That in itself told me I need to walk to get things moving & it does help! Very small meals throughout the day with lots of walking. Only very cooked foods, no fresh or raw. I’m also lactose intolerant so that doesn’t help… I take gasx twice daily at least & Zofran helps a lot….unable to take Reglan ☹️ I wear a lot of longe clothing because anything tight gives me a belly ache. Had to give up wearing a bra also….that was difficult for me…I usually wear a sweater over my tops when out, I’m back to wearing undershirts like when I was little… I can tolerate small amounts of chicken, fish, ground meats, & eggs. If I have any bread (not often) I always toast it. Very small cooked meals & lots of walking. If I walk right away after eating it’s best for me & most of the time I don’t feel like walking….. Prayers For Comfort & Solutions….

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After I see the new surgeon on Friday, I will definitely let you know the results.
Prayers for you. Gastroparesis is a most difficult thing to handle!

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Profile picture for brendaharvey @brendaharvey

After I see the new surgeon on Friday, I will definitely let you know the results.
Prayers for you. Gastroparesis is a most difficult thing to handle!

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Very Difficult….never know what kind of day I will be having even with the best intentions….🙏❤️

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Profile picture for peggyjean @peggyjean

Very Difficult….never know what kind of day I will be having even with the best intentions….🙏❤️

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I know! I follow my diet strictly but have been in bed all day cramping.

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Does gasx help you? I just take one 2 times everyday because I always have gas & it’s usually helps.🙏❤️

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well, I'm doing a lot better, finding out that a part of it was "Flexure splenic syndrome" kinda like IBS, some say a side order of IBS, it's been a year and a couple months, that and cutting out gluten/wheat, then garlic, onion, hot/chili peppers, brocolli, cut back on red meat, supposedly not to have beans, mostly rice, fish, oats in smaller amounts and/or oatmeal bars, lettuce, bell peppers, berrys, etc. I was on linzess, but had to microdose, or get the trots, was also doing glycol, possibly a combination of both, and of course, should ad fiber/metamucil/etc. Gas X, yes, small amounts of pepto bismo occasionally if things move to fast or too much, or too irritaed flare up. Oh yes, and don't forget that I added probiotics, after surgery diet, and/or amoxillin for a tooth infection might have wiped out the good backteria. I just reviewed the GI from a year ago, and he recommended Iberogast, a herbal mix out of Germany, kinda a tonic, but gotta make sure that I don't do all three, llinzess, glycol, and iberogast, different actions I'm pretty sure, but the combo might make me have the trots! good luck to all, blessings for a happy belly

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Profile picture for dragonfly123 @dragonfly123

well, I'm doing a lot better, finding out that a part of it was "Flexure splenic syndrome" kinda like IBS, some say a side order of IBS, it's been a year and a couple months, that and cutting out gluten/wheat, then garlic, onion, hot/chili peppers, brocolli, cut back on red meat, supposedly not to have beans, mostly rice, fish, oats in smaller amounts and/or oatmeal bars, lettuce, bell peppers, berrys, etc. I was on linzess, but had to microdose, or get the trots, was also doing glycol, possibly a combination of both, and of course, should ad fiber/metamucil/etc. Gas X, yes, small amounts of pepto bismo occasionally if things move to fast or too much, or too irritaed flare up. Oh yes, and don't forget that I added probiotics, after surgery diet, and/or amoxillin for a tooth infection might have wiped out the good backteria. I just reviewed the GI from a year ago, and he recommended Iberogast, a herbal mix out of Germany, kinda a tonic, but gotta make sure that I don't do all three, llinzess, glycol, and iberogast, different actions I'm pretty sure, but the combo might make me have the trots! good luck to all, blessings for a happy belly

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Little or no fiber for most gastroparesis patients…. I know if I need anything for constipation relief my go to is miralax….I usually take a half portion daily to keep things moving & walking after meals helps also. If I walk right after eating I have less bloat.
Good Luck & God’s Blessings!

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