paarak
@paarak
@paarak
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Joined: May 15, 2017
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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pdilly
@pdilly
@pdilly
Posts: 129
Joined: Jan 24, 2017
@downtowntiger I thought the same thing about Brussels sprouts. My dietician said the high heat from steaming should help break down the fibrous part of veggies. And it definitely does for Brussels sprouts! And for cabbage! But sadly not for broccoli.
And this is by steaming stove top with boiling water. It makes a Brussels sprout almost melt in your mouth! I don’t get the same results steaming in the microwave. Now that it’s summertime I’m going to buy an electric steamer and try that. The boiling water in the kitchen was fine when the weather was cold — too hot now!
pdilly
@pdilly
@pdilly
Posts: 129
Joined: Jan 24, 2017
@mayorocks When you try that watermelon make sure you remove all those tiny light colored seeds too. We Gastroparesis peeps can’t have seeds or nuts! ( Another thing I miss a lot! Almonds!)
And I wonder if you should scrape those seeds out of the summer squash before you steam it.
pgroves1
@pgroves1
@pgroves1
Posts: 3
Joined: Jun 06, 2019
I was diagnosed with that several years ago. My symptoms are alot like yours. But I have other conditions as well including fibro. I had not idea that caused those symptoms. I just attributed it to other causes. Do u have short of breath with that as well?
Like its all up in the top of your stomach and u cant breath good?
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downtowntiger
@downtowntiger
@downtowntiger
Posts: 40
Joined: Jun 04, 2019
My gastric emptying study showed I retained only 15% after 3 hours and was empty at 4 hours. I have had GERD for five yrs. I have chest pain in my sternum. I have one dr saying gastroparesis and 2 saying severe GERD. I do great until about 5 pm when I have a wave of nausea. Lost my appetite! I’m eating bland and no caffeine. It feels like a heart attack. I just try to calm down. God bless you-are you on meds?
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downtowntiger
@downtowntiger
@downtowntiger
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beanglow
@beanglow
@beanglow
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Joined: Feb 22, 2019
I don't have gastroparesis but do have CIP which also has to do with slow motility of the intestines. I was diagnosed just recently and my doctor has tried a few conservative approaches which have not helped. I am on a low residue, low fiber diet and cannot eat solid food. I have been living on Boost for months. It's hard to maintain my weight or gain any. I've lost over 35 lbs. I'm also looking for some suggestions on any medications which help with the condition.
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CL
@lelia
@lelia
Posts: 160
Joined: Sep 18, 2014
I don't have gastroparesis but do have CIP which also has to do with slow motility of the intestines. I was diagnosed just recently and my doctor has tried a few conservative approaches which have not helped. I am on a low residue, low fiber diet and cannot eat solid food. I have been living on Boost for months. It's hard to maintain my weight or gain any. I've lost over 35 lbs. I'm also looking for some suggestions on any medications which help with the condition.
Elaine, I'm so sorry you haven't had better results from your Mayo visit. Wish there was something I could do. Lelia
pdilly
@pdilly
@pdilly
Posts: 129
Joined: Jan 24, 2017
@pgroves1 I have never had shortness of breath with Gastroparesis.
@downtowntiger With severe GERD it definitely feels like you’re having a heart attack! I have been taking Prevacid for about 20 years. (Your gastric emptying study results were better than mine. I was diagnosed with moderate Gastroparesis. Yours sounds very mild. Yay!)
beanglow
@beanglow
@beanglow
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Joined: Feb 22, 2019
Elaine, I'm so sorry you haven't had better results from your Mayo visit. Wish there was something I could do. Lelia
Thanks, Lelia I have been in contact with the doctor from Mayo but so far the things he's suggested have not worked. I will be talking with him again on the 19th. I'm still on Boost and trying a few soft foods but still experiencing gas, bloating and distention, and some spillover diarrhea. I hoping that there is something out there that will help.
CL
@lelia
@lelia
Posts: 160
Joined: Sep 18, 2014
Thanks, Lelia I have been in contact with the doctor from Mayo but so far the things he's suggested have not worked. I will be talking with him again on the 19th. I'm still on Boost and trying a few soft foods but still experiencing gas, bloating and distention, and some spillover diarrhea. I hoping that there is something out there that will help.
Glad you will still be in touch with him.
downtowntiger
@downtowntiger
@downtowntiger
Posts: 40
Joined: Jun 04, 2019
@pgroves1 I have never had shortness of breath with Gastroparesis.
@downtowntiger With severe GERD it definitely feels like you’re having a heart attack! I have been taking Prevacid for about 20 years. (Your gastric emptying study results were better than mine. I was diagnosed with moderate Gastroparesis. Yours sounds very mild. Yay!)
Bless you. I am borderline but hope a Nissen Fundoplication will fix my GERD and mild paresis. Hope you feel better!
downtowntiger
@downtowntiger
@downtowntiger
Posts: 40
Joined: Jun 04, 2019
My gastric emptying study showed I retained only 15% after 3 hours and was empty at 4 hours. I have had GERD for five yrs. I have chest pain in my sternum. I have one dr saying gastroparesis and 2 saying severe GERD. I do great until about 5 pm when I have a wave of nausea. Lost my appetite! I’m eating bland and no caffeine. It feels like a heart attack. I just try to calm down. God bless you-are you on meds?
Number is wrong……40% empty at 90 minutes
Bless you. I am borderline but hope a Nissen Fundoplication will fix my GERD and mild paresis. Hope you feel better!
Might want to rethink that Nissan, I've had two and the damage to the Vegas nerve is not repairable. Full liquid diet ONLY now. Its a sad life. All due to the surgery and damage to Vegas nerve. If your condition is mild now you may want to reconsider.
@downtowntiger
I LOVED VE Brussels Sprouts but thought they were NO NO’s. I’m live no on smoothies still
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