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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
Welcome back to Connect @katmandoo! So great to hear that the gastric pacemaker has turned out to be a long-term solution for you. Last time you posted you had the pacemaker for only 2 months and now it’s been 4 years and counting. Thanks for sharing your story.
What types of foods do you avoid?
I should have posted foods & medicines I have to avoid from getting sick with my gastric pacemaker so here are some I avoid: any fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, all nuts & high fiber. These are all hard to digest & to much fiber could bind up in my stomach. I can only eat chicken, fish & hamburger when it comes to meats. I also have found that I can’t take antibiotics or antidepressants by mouth because they make me sick. So my Dr gives me antibiotic vaccines when I’m sick and I take a short term active antidepressant because the Dr thinks the slow release ones make me sick after about two months on them. Hope this helps anyone else that has gastroparesis.
My stomach emptying test showed I have a zero digestive system. This was due to a surgery last year to pull my stomach down to where it belongs. It had gone thru a large hernia and it got lodged behind my heart and it was leaning on my lungs. My only systems were shortness of breath, weight gain and a very swollen stomach. After the surgery was when the vomiting and diarrhea, and cramps started. I’ve seen 6 gastro. doctors and I’ve taken every medicine there is. I even tried Botox and pot. I have lost over 50 lbs. I have dry eyes, hair loss, teeth problems and no energy. All the doctors agree that the vegas nerve was cut or badly damaged and it can’t be repaired. You mentioned that you have a gastric pacemaker. Can you please tell me more about that. I don’t want a feeding tube if it can be avoided. Thanks so much for sharing.
I had a gastric pacemaker implanted next to my stomach in 2012. My gastroenterologist suggested it after everything else I tried didn’t work. I had mine done in Omaha Ne hospital. I believe it has leads that are directly leading into my stomach which stimulates my stomach to work so when I eat it will go down. Gastroparesis means your stomach is paralyzed so food won’t go down and then you vomit it up. I vomitted and was nauseous 24/7 for at least 3 yrs. Took several Drs before I was diagnosed. The dr adjusts the pacemaker by upping the batteries in it with a hand held device. I was told its kind of like a heart pacemaker but for your stomach. My last visit to see the dr I ask if they know yet what causes gastroparesis and he believes it’s from a virus but I’ve also heard it can be caused by the vegas nerve not working. I hope this helps answer some of your questions about it.
Thank you so much for the information. I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis 2 weeks after my surgery, so I know what caused it. The vegas nerve is damaged. If I don’t eat I get nauseous and if I do eat about 10 to 15 minutes after I vomit and have dry heaves and the diarrhea starts. I get so worn out I have to lie down and rest. I have no strength anymore and I’m still losing weight. I applied for a Gastroparesis study but because during my surgery the doctor performed a fundoplication wrap (which he explained that part of my stomach was wrapped around the esophagus) I didn’t qualify. I live in New York. I’m sure one of my gastroenterologist’s can let me know if I qualify for a pacemaker and if I do where I can get one. I’m so glad you found some help. Thanks again.
I also had a Nissen fundiplication, pylori plasti and the gastric pacemaker all done in the same surgery. I’m sure you could have the gastric pacemaker put in also. Good luck & I hope you find a dr that will do it for you. I had to drive quite a ways away to find a dr to do it but it was so worth it.
Thank you, I’ll start looking today.
the constant nausea, my husband is going to have a cochlear implant at vanderbilt in nashville tn next week he is almost deaf and it is so frustrating that i will be unable to go with him for it but my son and daughter in law will be with him after this is done and is hopefully successful i am going to tackle this gastroparesis and my first plan is to try to go to mayo
Hello.
After suffering 2 long and horrible years, I no longer have gastroparesis.
I voluntarily stopped all medications for the GP and severe psoriatic
arthritis after multiple complications from side effects landed me in the
hospital numerous times from the 12 medications I was taking.
I began juicing with ginger and greens religiously, became a vegetarian and
no longer have any symptoms of these two dreadful diseases.
I wish all those well who are suffering and pray they too can be healed.
Living a plant-based lifestyle worked for me.
Terra
Glad you are doing well. I am just starting to give up gluten and dairy.
Welcome @clemlaa. Are you finding it a challenge to give up gluten and dairy?
I have osteoporosis which has gotten worse over the last five years. Two years ago I noticed when I ate to much, such as Thanksgiving dinner about an hour later I would have a pain above my left eye, pain in my left collar bone and indigestion. This was very infrequent. Since April I now have GERD which causes hoarseness, mucus and clearing of my throat. I have been going to a gastroenterologist the last two months and mentioned I thought my vagus nerve was causing this. He said no and gave me medication for GERD. This has not helped. I have read all the information on gastropareses and know this is what I have. How can I convince him?