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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Profile picture for gsheets @gsheets

I was diagnosed with gastroparesis in Nov 2022. I have stomach pain in the center under my breast bone that is always there somedays are better then others. Bloating and nausea come and go depending on what I put in my mouth. I don't know what mine came from but I believe it was either the mental health meds I was on or covid. My symptoms started 3 weeks after I had covid the 2nd time. I am now on no meds except my blood pressure and cholesterol and thyroid medications. I pray for a miracle for us all.

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I have had all the symptoms you and everyone else is writing about for the last 5 years. It is a struggle each day with no answers. Some days are better than others. All I can say is we all are different and act differently to the food we eat. Still searching for answers here. Good luck.

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Profile picture for molly911 @molly911

I have similar symptoms, but did not know it had a name. I had a nuclear egg study and it was found my food does not move at a normal rate, it is very slow. Is this the kind of study any one has had to diagnose this?

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Yes. I was diagnosed with gastroparesis a few months ago. Had bloating, horrible nausea, loss of 9 pounds I didn’t intend nor needed to lose, and acid reflux. Took tests noting I too have slow movt of food . My GI specialist
told me to cook my fruits and vegetables. Eat small portions . Eat slowly. Pepcid OTC helps. Felt much better but have a flare up now. Found that drinking hot Turmeric tea and ginger ( comes in a tea bag) is great, soothing, and love it mid day or after a meal. It’s herbal. There are no “ cureall” for this condition. Walking regularly ( try walking after a meal) has been helpful as well.

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Profile picture for annieoh @annieoh

So ulcers solutions anyone? Carafate & rabeprazole not working.

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Manuka Honey

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Profile picture for mariesgut @mariesgut

Have gastroparesis 8 months or so now. This is a horrible thing to have. Not really a disease or syndrome but a gut malfunction. The vagel nerve does not allow food to leave the stomach in a timely manner. Feel like food in stomach after 10-12 hours. Not eaten a steak in 4 years. Last time I had a small one felt like it did not digest for 2 days. Found out why last year. Constant bloating sometimes as soon as I eat & sometime mid abdomen rock hard. Taking assortment of antacids daily. Loss of appetite, start to eat & get full quickly, abdominal pain minimal to severe at times. Lots of nausea, reflux when I lay down which causes more nausea. Not sleeping much because of this. Vomiting more in April 5 times + which I was not doing. Dr ordered Protonix, & on it over a year now. Not sure it helps. Diet is supposed to be low fat, low fiber so hardly eating any fruits or veggies. Salads really cause pain so don't eat them at all. Now severe constipation last 2-3 weeks. Is there no end to this process? Lately barely getting in 1000 calories/day. Last 2 weeks barely 450-800 calories/day. Weight up 10# after loosing 50 the last 2 years.[I was trying to lose weight then.] Read where bod can revert to starvation mode & pack on fat. Holy cow. I am a RN & can't help myself. Gastro Dr not sure either. Ordered Linzess for constipation Monday but copay $131.00 for 90 pills/90 days lowest dose. Cannot afford that so cancelled med. Was taking senna, Dr told me Miralax 2x/day. Really no other meds for this.Have gen. Zofran for nausea, helps a lot, but sometimes nausea comes on & boom, to bathroom to vomit. Dr states not much help for this syndrome at present. OMG I am miserable everyday after I eat. Worry at night about what to eat the next day. Not what I eat anymore it is when I eat. Everything bothers my gut. Dr want to do another upper scope. Did one last year & found severe redness from acid production. Went in to see him after & told him again I did not feel my gut was emptying. Told him that on the 1st appointment. Finally he ordered the gastric emptying scan after I told him I needed one. Ordered labs Monday & all normal. I am doing a lot of fruit smoothies made a with meal replacement drinks, honey & frozen or fresh fruit. Ordered high protein Ensure this week to get more protein in. Not eating much meat. If anyone knows someone or something that can help with gastroparesis please let me know. I am a desperate RN Used to help others for 42 years, now cannot help myself. Thanks if you read this. I pray for others with this.

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I am an RN and have been trying to self diagnose and treat my abdominal bloating, nausea and discomfort for months. Eating small, low fiber meals frequently and Zofran as needed. I recently failed a gastric emptying study which indicated gastroparesis. Colonoscopy yesterday was clean. I am still uncomfortable after eating small amounts of food but gaining weight as my activity level has decreased due to fatigue. Iam not diabetic. I have a SIBO test to complete this week but Iam getting so frustrated and feeling like I’m pregnant every day due to distention. I am 61 years old and my kids are grown.
I did have a serious event with Solanine/nightshade poisoning from a Chinese Lantern plant and ended up unconscious and awakened while in a CT scanner after paramedics brought
Me to local ED. Could there be some correlation between this ? I did see a naturopath after the poisoning event and she said the poison could remain in intestines for years to come… I did have a colonic or washing of the colon after the event but what about my small intestinal tract ?
Just working on trying to feel like myself again as I am a busy RN and want to continue working.
Any and all thoughts are appreciated.

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Profile picture for shellr61 @shellr61

I am an RN and have been trying to self diagnose and treat my abdominal bloating, nausea and discomfort for months. Eating small, low fiber meals frequently and Zofran as needed. I recently failed a gastric emptying study which indicated gastroparesis. Colonoscopy yesterday was clean. I am still uncomfortable after eating small amounts of food but gaining weight as my activity level has decreased due to fatigue. Iam not diabetic. I have a SIBO test to complete this week but Iam getting so frustrated and feeling like I’m pregnant every day due to distention. I am 61 years old and my kids are grown.
I did have a serious event with Solanine/nightshade poisoning from a Chinese Lantern plant and ended up unconscious and awakened while in a CT scanner after paramedics brought
Me to local ED. Could there be some correlation between this ? I did see a naturopath after the poisoning event and she said the poison could remain in intestines for years to come… I did have a colonic or washing of the colon after the event but what about my small intestinal tract ?
Just working on trying to feel like myself again as I am a busy RN and want to continue working.
Any and all thoughts are appreciated.

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I also failed the gastric emptying scan. I am not diabetic. Been dealing with it since 2020.
I’ve tried to nail it down with types of food but doesn’t seem to matter what I eat etc. I don’t bother trying to eat anything until noon.
Sometimes Zofran helps.
Definitely effects your quality of life.
I have no answers.

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In reply to @playball "Manuka Honey" + (show)
Profile picture for playball @playball

Manuka Honey

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Wow that’s interesting as I have been craving honey and it actually settles my stomach. Starting to eat it right out of the jar lately hahaha

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Profile picture for shellr61 @shellr61

I am an RN and have been trying to self diagnose and treat my abdominal bloating, nausea and discomfort for months. Eating small, low fiber meals frequently and Zofran as needed. I recently failed a gastric emptying study which indicated gastroparesis. Colonoscopy yesterday was clean. I am still uncomfortable after eating small amounts of food but gaining weight as my activity level has decreased due to fatigue. Iam not diabetic. I have a SIBO test to complete this week but Iam getting so frustrated and feeling like I’m pregnant every day due to distention. I am 61 years old and my kids are grown.
I did have a serious event with Solanine/nightshade poisoning from a Chinese Lantern plant and ended up unconscious and awakened while in a CT scanner after paramedics brought
Me to local ED. Could there be some correlation between this ? I did see a naturopath after the poisoning event and she said the poison could remain in intestines for years to come… I did have a colonic or washing of the colon after the event but what about my small intestinal tract ?
Just working on trying to feel like myself again as I am a busy RN and want to continue working.
Any and all thoughts are appreciated.

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I had nausea for 5 years. Searched for answers but the doctors had none for me. The answer is simple........see what works for you. Me? I cut out caffeine and instead of taking separate B-6, B-12 and folic acid I take a one a day vitamin. No nausea. Yes, it is hit or miss. Keep trying. What works for you doesn't work for all.

Mike

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Profile picture for molly911 @molly911

I have similar symptoms, but did not know it had a name. I had a nuclear egg study and it was found my food does not move at a normal rate, it is very slow. Is this the kind of study any one has had to diagnose this?

Jump to this post

I had a Neuclear medicine test about five years ago, it showed I had significant gastro paresis. My gastro consultant died and I was never recalled to see anyone else, so didn't get any advice. I live with daily spewing and feeling bloated. I have a few auto immune conditions so the dizziness, and light-headedness, tiredness pain in chest, back pain etc. that others mention, can also tie in with them. I regulate my diet, not a lot of fibre, red meats aren't good, drink plenty of water, found that white sourdough bread works better for me than any other bread.

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Profile picture for mikejjb123 @mikejjb123

I have had all the symptoms you and everyone else is writing about for the last 5 years. It is a struggle each day with no answers. Some days are better than others. All I can say is we all are different and act differently to the food we eat. Still searching for answers here. Good luck.

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As of this moment replying to your frustrations.
I am on 3 days fasting. And total cleanse my gut.

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Profile picture for gsheets @gsheets

I was diagnosed with gastroparesis in Nov 2022. I have stomach pain in the center under my breast bone that is always there somedays are better then others. Bloating and nausea come and go depending on what I put in my mouth. I don't know what mine came from but I believe it was either the mental health meds I was on or covid. My symptoms started 3 weeks after I had covid the 2nd time. I am now on no meds except my blood pressure and cholesterol and thyroid medications. I pray for a miracle for us all.

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I have been diagnosed with EGJOO and Mild Gastroparesis, Hashimoto disease, Neuropathy of feet. I have been on 1 stool softener, Gabapentin- 300 mg - 1 in morning and 2 at night to sleep. I have 5 pieces of black licorice and it helps to empty out. Gas-x 2 after every meal. Small meals are helpful. I had an esophagus dilation and Botox in pylorus valve. Dilation helped but Botox didn’t. Hope you find a good gastroenterologist.

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