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
Liked by annointed2008, pdilly, TuJaded (Holly S.), tomdemonte3 ... see all
I have been dealing with IBS for 20 years now and have finally gotten thru to my Dr. that something other than "stress" is causing my IBS so he ordered a CT scan and a gastric emptying study along with a SIBO test (which I ended up not having to do). I was diagnosed with mild gastroparesis..finally I'm not crazy and no, my stomach does not digest food normally!! While we were waiting to have the study done my Dr. suggested the low fodmap diet to calm down the severe symptoms I was experiencing at that time. Amazing results!!! Still have mild stomach pain, bloating and nausea after eating but nowhere near the severity as before, plus I have lost almost 25 lbs in 3 months and blood pressure is way down. I'm a breast cancer survivor and have had chronic left chest pain for 10 years and that is totally gone now that the inflamation from my abdomen in that area has subsided. After my diagnosis, I was given a new diet to follow for gastroparesis that has things on it that were not allowed on the low fodmap diet (ie. canned peaches & pears in syrup, applesauce,toast) so I'm trying to come up with a balance on my own which also includes smaller meals. I'm one of the odd GP patients as I am NOT diabetic, take NO medications at all (55 yrs old), have never had stomach surgery so who knows why I've been chosen to deal with gastroparesis! with all the recipes on Pinterest I've found the low fodmap diet works the best and there really is some tasty food that I can eat. I have to go easier on the butter and oils than some recipes state but cutting out all dairy, gluten and fruits and veges that ferment in my stomach have made an amazing difference in how I feel 🙂 Good luck!
Liked by Kari Ulrich, Alumna Mentor
@iring. I have just diagnosed myself as having IBS. I thought it was a lactose intolerance, and that is definitely a trigger, but even when I avoid lactose scrupulously I still sometimes have problems.
I am going to make an appointment with a gastroenterologist, but in the meantime, is gastroparesis related to IBS? I do not have any nausea, I just have a problem after eating dairy, and some other unidentified trigger, primarily diarrhea and mild stomach upset.
It really makes life sort of difficult as I’m sure you know. At times I don’t want to leave the house.
The gastro I would like to go to is scheduling in October at this point so I may try to find a different one.
JK
Don’t stop there. My brother had pancreatitis and was hospitalized for 3 days. Then three yes later had severe pain in stomach through to his back. I kept telling him to go to the ER until they find what was wrong. He had pancreatic cancer. He died 15 months later at the age of 59. The only blood test that indicates cancer activity is the pancreases is the CA9-19 test
@donnak142 Donna, I am so sorry to hear about your brother. Pancreatic cancer is such a tough one, and I have heard that it's because it does not generally get diagnosed for a long time. The husband in a couple of dear friends is battling that now, in fact I drove him to his chemo yesterday. I hope and pray he will survive this.
JK
I read an article about "functional medicine". There is such a thing. This person had to have a tube inserted in her stomach. She was that bad. And she had pictures of herself so thin and tired. Now. She claims she is has no issues. She went to a Functional Medicine Clinic. She ended up helping her diet (which I assume you have been avoiding the foods you are not to eat) with adzuki red bean paste which add protein and beet kvass. She also said that sometimes you can be misdiagnosed and have hypochloridia. Don't know if functional medicine is a choice but it might be worth a shot. Does Mayo Clinic have a functional medicine department? I have this disease and did not take the medicines. My gastroparesis said to try iberogast. It is natural drops that go into a trip before or during your meals. It helps the motility of your stomach and it works for me. When I have the coughing fits, I resort to sugarless gum. Works great! I also have a 5-7" wedge until my mattress to elevate my heads and I sleep in my left side as the right side is a straight shot to your stomach & you can get reflux. I do exercise twice a week too. And avoid ALL of the foods that they listed.
@kanaazpereira
Hi @tujaded and @ktracyf,
I moved @hgarm’s message to this very thread about gastroparesis (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gastroparesis/); so you are in the correct discussion/thread. Here are a few other discussions on Connect that might also interest you:
– Gastroparesis Diet Guidelines https://connect.mayoclinic.org/page/gastroenterology-and-gi-surgery/newsfeed/gastroparesis-diet-guidelines-1/
– following gastroparesis diet while managing constipation https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/following-gastroparesis-diet-while-managing-constipation/
– mild gastroparesis with severe symptoms! https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/please-read-mild-gastroparesis-with-severe-symptoms/
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