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

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Digestive Health Support Group.

@shimmerpixie

<p>I was diagnosed with IBS when I was 18. I'm now 30. Early in 2011, I saw a new GI doc for unexplained feelings of fullness after eating a very small amount of food, nausea and vomiting and severe pain- all revolving around eating. He ordered a gastric emptying studying and told me I had "mild delayed emptying," which he classified as "mild gastroparesis" on my chart. He gave me Zofran 4 mg to take as needed and hyosciamine for stomach spasms. At the beginning of this year, lost 15 pounds in 2 months due to the worsening of these symptoms. I've had many sleepless nights with a horribly painful distended stomach- last night being one of the worst- and I'm on 3 nausea medications- tigin, emend and marinol- and heavy doses of all 3. I was in the hospital in February for 2 weeks with an NG tube and sent home with the medications I mentioned. I was severely dehydrated when admitted, as I'm not always able to tolerate liquids either. My GI doc requested a psych consult and I was grilled by a psychiatrist and his nurse as soon as I had a bed and fluids had been started. The outcome of this was that I did not need additional psychological intervention. (I see a therapist every 2 weeks b/c of this and other chronic pain I deal with- Fibro and osteoarthritis). So here is where I'm at: I was supposed to get in with a doctor who has access to a trial drug, but I was denied access to the program because my scan only shows mild delayed emptying. Yet my symptoms are of someone with a very severe form of it. The psychiatrist determined it's not psychological. So what am I supposed to do?? The only reason I'm gaining weight is due to the marinol, which increases my appetite but then I have to deal with the pain and nausea of eating. I don't vomit as much, because of the drugs, but I still feel nauseated after eating (even on an full liquid diet). I've kept food diaries for years and tried everything. I tried gluten-free. I eliminated "toxic" chemicals (those found in diet pop), caffeine- you name it, I've tried it BEFORE this took over my llfe in January and I'm continuing to eat as tolerated but I'm in hell. Does anyone else have a gastric emptying test that shows mild delay, yet you have severe symptoms? If so, I would love to hear from you. I hate the marinol b/c it doesn't help much with the nausea and makes me want to eat, after which I feel horrible. Please please tell me there is someone like me out there, and that help is available. Any and all replies are appreciated. <br />~Stephanie~ <br />P.S. I was in the ER last twice last week due to dehydration and pain that is unbelievable and off the charts. I don't understand :(</p>

Jump to this post

Yes I am 52 years old and had to leave work a year ago. I have mild gastroparesis with severe unrelenting nausea and pain. I just started Marinol, but my gastroenterologist hadn't really used the drug , but wrote 2.5 mg twice a day. Not enough. 5mg gets rid of nausea, but I still have this unwell feeling in my stomach. I have had a hiatal hernia with reflux since I was 22, but I've done well with PPi. I started developing nausea around 2007 plus I was developing lower extremity neuropathy. Zofran worked good for several years, but no longer effective . The first of December I went into a severe nauseated state that doesn't let up. I do NOT vomit. I can't live like this . I was to afraid of Reglan

REPLY
@shimmerpixie

<p>I was diagnosed with IBS when I was 18. I'm now 30. Early in 2011, I saw a new GI doc for unexplained feelings of fullness after eating a very small amount of food, nausea and vomiting and severe pain- all revolving around eating. He ordered a gastric emptying studying and told me I had "mild delayed emptying," which he classified as "mild gastroparesis" on my chart. He gave me Zofran 4 mg to take as needed and hyosciamine for stomach spasms. At the beginning of this year, lost 15 pounds in 2 months due to the worsening of these symptoms. I've had many sleepless nights with a horribly painful distended stomach- last night being one of the worst- and I'm on 3 nausea medications- tigin, emend and marinol- and heavy doses of all 3. I was in the hospital in February for 2 weeks with an NG tube and sent home with the medications I mentioned. I was severely dehydrated when admitted, as I'm not always able to tolerate liquids either. My GI doc requested a psych consult and I was grilled by a psychiatrist and his nurse as soon as I had a bed and fluids had been started. The outcome of this was that I did not need additional psychological intervention. (I see a therapist every 2 weeks b/c of this and other chronic pain I deal with- Fibro and osteoarthritis). So here is where I'm at: I was supposed to get in with a doctor who has access to a trial drug, but I was denied access to the program because my scan only shows mild delayed emptying. Yet my symptoms are of someone with a very severe form of it. The psychiatrist determined it's not psychological. So what am I supposed to do?? The only reason I'm gaining weight is due to the marinol, which increases my appetite but then I have to deal with the pain and nausea of eating. I don't vomit as much, because of the drugs, but I still feel nauseated after eating (even on an full liquid diet). I've kept food diaries for years and tried everything. I tried gluten-free. I eliminated "toxic" chemicals (those found in diet pop), caffeine- you name it, I've tried it BEFORE this took over my llfe in January and I'm continuing to eat as tolerated but I'm in hell. Does anyone else have a gastric emptying test that shows mild delay, yet you have severe symptoms? If so, I would love to hear from you. I hate the marinol b/c it doesn't help much with the nausea and makes me want to eat, after which I feel horrible. Please please tell me there is someone like me out there, and that help is available. Any and all replies are appreciated. <br />~Stephanie~ <br />P.S. I was in the ER last twice last week due to dehydration and pain that is unbelievable and off the charts. I don't understand :(</p>

Jump to this post

I have gastroparesis too and sometimes I use an oil by Doterra called Stomach ease and it works great for nausea. I get it online or at a health food store. Just a thought, Robin

REPLY
@shimmerpixie

<p>I was diagnosed with IBS when I was 18. I'm now 30. Early in 2011, I saw a new GI doc for unexplained feelings of fullness after eating a very small amount of food, nausea and vomiting and severe pain- all revolving around eating. He ordered a gastric emptying studying and told me I had "mild delayed emptying," which he classified as "mild gastroparesis" on my chart. He gave me Zofran 4 mg to take as needed and hyosciamine for stomach spasms. At the beginning of this year, lost 15 pounds in 2 months due to the worsening of these symptoms. I've had many sleepless nights with a horribly painful distended stomach- last night being one of the worst- and I'm on 3 nausea medications- tigin, emend and marinol- and heavy doses of all 3. I was in the hospital in February for 2 weeks with an NG tube and sent home with the medications I mentioned. I was severely dehydrated when admitted, as I'm not always able to tolerate liquids either. My GI doc requested a psych consult and I was grilled by a psychiatrist and his nurse as soon as I had a bed and fluids had been started. The outcome of this was that I did not need additional psychological intervention. (I see a therapist every 2 weeks b/c of this and other chronic pain I deal with- Fibro and osteoarthritis). So here is where I'm at: I was supposed to get in with a doctor who has access to a trial drug, but I was denied access to the program because my scan only shows mild delayed emptying. Yet my symptoms are of someone with a very severe form of it. The psychiatrist determined it's not psychological. So what am I supposed to do?? The only reason I'm gaining weight is due to the marinol, which increases my appetite but then I have to deal with the pain and nausea of eating. I don't vomit as much, because of the drugs, but I still feel nauseated after eating (even on an full liquid diet). I've kept food diaries for years and tried everything. I tried gluten-free. I eliminated "toxic" chemicals (those found in diet pop), caffeine- you name it, I've tried it BEFORE this took over my llfe in January and I'm continuing to eat as tolerated but I'm in hell. Does anyone else have a gastric emptying test that shows mild delay, yet you have severe symptoms? If so, I would love to hear from you. I hate the marinol b/c it doesn't help much with the nausea and makes me want to eat, after which I feel horrible. Please please tell me there is someone like me out there, and that help is available. Any and all replies are appreciated. <br />~Stephanie~ <br />P.S. I was in the ER last twice last week due to dehydration and pain that is unbelievable and off the charts. I don't understand :(</p>

Jump to this post

I take ondansetron odt it helps with nausea.

REPLY
@ohimsick

Yes I am 52 years old and had to leave work a year ago. I have mild gastroparesis with severe unrelenting nausea and pain. I just started Marinol, but my gastroenterologist hadn't really used the drug , but wrote 2.5 mg twice a day. Not enough. 5mg gets rid of nausea, but I still have this unwell feeling in my stomach. I have had a hiatal hernia with reflux since I was 22, but I've done well with PPi. I started developing nausea around 2007 plus I was developing lower extremity neuropathy. Zofran worked good for several years, but no longer effective . The first of December I went into a severe nauseated state that doesn't let up. I do NOT vomit. I can't live like this . I was to afraid of Reglan

Jump to this post

I have hiatal hernia and reflux; what is PPI?

REPLY
@ohimsick

Yes I am 52 years old and had to leave work a year ago. I have mild gastroparesis with severe unrelenting nausea and pain. I just started Marinol, but my gastroenterologist hadn't really used the drug , but wrote 2.5 mg twice a day. Not enough. 5mg gets rid of nausea, but I still have this unwell feeling in my stomach. I have had a hiatal hernia with reflux since I was 22, but I've done well with PPi. I started developing nausea around 2007 plus I was developing lower extremity neuropathy. Zofran worked good for several years, but no longer effective . The first of December I went into a severe nauseated state that doesn't let up. I do NOT vomit. I can't live like this . I was to afraid of Reglan

Jump to this post

Protein pump inhibitor. (PRILOSEC, PROTONIX, NEXIUM, ETC.)

REPLY
@ohimsick

Yes I am 52 years old and had to leave work a year ago. I have mild gastroparesis with severe unrelenting nausea and pain. I just started Marinol, but my gastroenterologist hadn't really used the drug , but wrote 2.5 mg twice a day. Not enough. 5mg gets rid of nausea, but I still have this unwell feeling in my stomach. I have had a hiatal hernia with reflux since I was 22, but I've done well with PPi. I started developing nausea around 2007 plus I was developing lower extremity neuropathy. Zofran worked good for several years, but no longer effective . The first of December I went into a severe nauseated state that doesn't let up. I do NOT vomit. I can't live like this . I was to afraid of Reglan

Jump to this post

Hello @ohimsick and @xcinsanx

I'd like to welcome you to Connect, and thank you both for joining the Digestive Health group with such valuable insights. Here's another great conversation taking place on Connect about gastroparesis:
– Does anyone else have Gastroparesis not caused by diabetes? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/does-anyone-else-have-gastroparesis-not-caused-by-diabetes/

We sincerely look forward to getting to know you better.
@ohimsick, a few members have also posted about Raglan; may I ask what concerns you about taking this drug? Which proton pump inhibitors have helped you most?
@xcinsanx, you mentioned that your husband was a high-risk patient; would you be able to share a few more details?

REPLY
@shimmerpixie

<p>I was diagnosed with IBS when I was 18. I'm now 30. Early in 2011, I saw a new GI doc for unexplained feelings of fullness after eating a very small amount of food, nausea and vomiting and severe pain- all revolving around eating. He ordered a gastric emptying studying and told me I had "mild delayed emptying," which he classified as "mild gastroparesis" on my chart. He gave me Zofran 4 mg to take as needed and hyosciamine for stomach spasms. At the beginning of this year, lost 15 pounds in 2 months due to the worsening of these symptoms. I've had many sleepless nights with a horribly painful distended stomach- last night being one of the worst- and I'm on 3 nausea medications- tigin, emend and marinol- and heavy doses of all 3. I was in the hospital in February for 2 weeks with an NG tube and sent home with the medications I mentioned. I was severely dehydrated when admitted, as I'm not always able to tolerate liquids either. My GI doc requested a psych consult and I was grilled by a psychiatrist and his nurse as soon as I had a bed and fluids had been started. The outcome of this was that I did not need additional psychological intervention. (I see a therapist every 2 weeks b/c of this and other chronic pain I deal with- Fibro and osteoarthritis). So here is where I'm at: I was supposed to get in with a doctor who has access to a trial drug, but I was denied access to the program because my scan only shows mild delayed emptying. Yet my symptoms are of someone with a very severe form of it. The psychiatrist determined it's not psychological. So what am I supposed to do?? The only reason I'm gaining weight is due to the marinol, which increases my appetite but then I have to deal with the pain and nausea of eating. I don't vomit as much, because of the drugs, but I still feel nauseated after eating (even on an full liquid diet). I've kept food diaries for years and tried everything. I tried gluten-free. I eliminated "toxic" chemicals (those found in diet pop), caffeine- you name it, I've tried it BEFORE this took over my llfe in January and I'm continuing to eat as tolerated but I'm in hell. Does anyone else have a gastric emptying test that shows mild delay, yet you have severe symptoms? If so, I would love to hear from you. I hate the marinol b/c it doesn't help much with the nausea and makes me want to eat, after which I feel horrible. Please please tell me there is someone like me out there, and that help is available. Any and all replies are appreciated. <br />~Stephanie~ <br />P.S. I was in the ER last twice last week due to dehydration and pain that is unbelievable and off the charts. I don't understand :(</p>

Jump to this post

I have idiopathic gastroparesis and am not diabetic. I have had the gastric pacemaker implanted in my stomach since 2012 and it’s going well. My Dr. told me not to take Raglan because it can cause Parkinson’s disease. If you have any questions feel free to ask me. Kathy

REPLY
@shimmerpixie

<p>I was diagnosed with IBS when I was 18. I'm now 30. Early in 2011, I saw a new GI doc for unexplained feelings of fullness after eating a very small amount of food, nausea and vomiting and severe pain- all revolving around eating. He ordered a gastric emptying studying and told me I had "mild delayed emptying," which he classified as "mild gastroparesis" on my chart. He gave me Zofran 4 mg to take as needed and hyosciamine for stomach spasms. At the beginning of this year, lost 15 pounds in 2 months due to the worsening of these symptoms. I've had many sleepless nights with a horribly painful distended stomach- last night being one of the worst- and I'm on 3 nausea medications- tigin, emend and marinol- and heavy doses of all 3. I was in the hospital in February for 2 weeks with an NG tube and sent home with the medications I mentioned. I was severely dehydrated when admitted, as I'm not always able to tolerate liquids either. My GI doc requested a psych consult and I was grilled by a psychiatrist and his nurse as soon as I had a bed and fluids had been started. The outcome of this was that I did not need additional psychological intervention. (I see a therapist every 2 weeks b/c of this and other chronic pain I deal with- Fibro and osteoarthritis). So here is where I'm at: I was supposed to get in with a doctor who has access to a trial drug, but I was denied access to the program because my scan only shows mild delayed emptying. Yet my symptoms are of someone with a very severe form of it. The psychiatrist determined it's not psychological. So what am I supposed to do?? The only reason I'm gaining weight is due to the marinol, which increases my appetite but then I have to deal with the pain and nausea of eating. I don't vomit as much, because of the drugs, but I still feel nauseated after eating (even on an full liquid diet). I've kept food diaries for years and tried everything. I tried gluten-free. I eliminated "toxic" chemicals (those found in diet pop), caffeine- you name it, I've tried it BEFORE this took over my llfe in January and I'm continuing to eat as tolerated but I'm in hell. Does anyone else have a gastric emptying test that shows mild delay, yet you have severe symptoms? If so, I would love to hear from you. I hate the marinol b/c it doesn't help much with the nausea and makes me want to eat, after which I feel horrible. Please please tell me there is someone like me out there, and that help is available. Any and all replies are appreciated. <br />~Stephanie~ <br />P.S. I was in the ER last twice last week due to dehydration and pain that is unbelievable and off the charts. I don't understand :(</p>

Jump to this post

PLEASE look into vascular compressions - MALS - Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome and other abdominal compressions.

REPLY
@katmandoo

I have idiopathic gastroparesis and am not diabetic. I have had the gastric pacemaker implanted in my stomach since 2012 and it’s going well. My Dr. told me not to take Raglan because it can cause Parkinson’s disease. If you have any questions feel free to ask me. Kathy

Jump to this post

Glad to hear the pacemaker is working for you and thanks for info on Raglan

REPLY
@katmandoo

I have idiopathic gastroparesis and am not diabetic. I have had the gastric pacemaker implanted in my stomach since 2012 and it’s going well. My Dr. told me not to take Raglan because it can cause Parkinson’s disease. If you have any questions feel free to ask me. Kathy

Jump to this post

Your so welcome:)

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.