Gastroparesis

[Duchess47]

I have been diagnosed with gastroparesis.  I understand that a lot of diabetics have this.  Can you explain to me the cause and also treatement.  I also need a specific diet to control the slow stomache emptying. I have gone to the E.R. in the past after eating someting with a lot of sugar and my heart rate went through the roof.  My glucose level was very high.  I have since been tested and I do not have diabetes.  I want to know if
Gastroparesis can lead to diabetes.  Thank you.

[JDRF-Team-BL]

Dear Duchess,
     i am not a doctor but just a diabetic. But i have been diagnosed with gastroparesis, which translated mean paralysis of the stomach. With diabetics it is caused by nerve damage to the nerves controlling the stomach and intestines. Eryththromyacin is one drug used for it but i am taking Zelnorm a prescription drug.  It can have serious effects on me as with the slowed digestion i sometimes go low after eating when i shouldn't. But any GI doctor should  be familiar with the disease. Wishing you the best because i know it is no picnic, bret

[lmroswell]

I am not a medical professional, but may have some advice.  My husband has delayed gastric emptying or gastroparesis.  He is currently on Reglan which causes the stomach to contract and get the digestion process going.  It has helped him.  He is currently having sugar level problems, but is awaiting diagnosis.  His sugar level, while not fasting was 46, and was discovered during blood testing.  He is and has not felt well for a year or more.  Diabetes and gastroparesis sometimes go hand in hand.  Ask your doctor about Reglan.  It is one of the cheaper medicines and works for my husband.  Good luck.

[Duchess47]

Thank you for replying.  I see an endocrinologist for Graves Disease with hyperthyroidism and he sees a lot of diabetic patients with gastroparesis.  He says that Reglan has a lot of side effects and has held off on the script.  My gastroenterologist says reglan is the only drug for gastroparesis and gave me a script for it.  I have been reluctant to take them though. I have not felt well for a very long time also.  So far my bloodwork is fine but I have days when I just can't get out of bed I am sooo tired and fatigued.  My gastro. doc. wants to rule out underlying causes for gastroparesis so we will see what happens.  Best wishes to those of you who do not feel well.  Keep me posted on any new developments as I will for you also.

[wheat]

I have had Gastroparesis for 12 years, but just found out about 6 months ago. Now it is in the really bad stages, and empties 700 x's slower than the normal persons. It started in my stomach, then over time has included the intestines and bowels. I just had a trip to the E.R. 2 weeks ago to have a very painful Baruim clot (don't know what else to call it), removed from my bowels, and intestines. The Dr. was trying to clear me for a "stomach pace-maker", and I guess did not think about how hard Barium is on someone like me.....he is the one who did the test for stomach emptying, so he was aware it was so severe. I was there for 3 days, and 2 weeks later, still have not healed. Does anybody agree with me that I should hold my Dr. responsible if I don't heal back up? There has been some serious damage (too embarrising to mention), that might never heal.....I am 37, and in awesome health otherwise. I am not a Diabitic, nor are there any other problems that have come back from the MANY tests that I have had. My Dr. has reffered me to a motility specialists in Utah to see about getting me the pacemaker for the stomach, but I feel, he feels responsible and knows that requesting the test without telling me the possible risks, was wrong on his part. Am I wrong in feeling he is responsible? Also, I wanted to let everyone know that Zelnorm does help some...I take a very high dose, 6mg. 4 x's a day, and have to have Miralax, 1/2 of a bottle every night...just to be semi-normal....that is to have a stomach that empties in 72 hours, sometimes longer. I can't have protein, in any form, unless I want to be in severe pain....has anyone else noticed this? Also fried food is a killer. Exercising helps ALOT! At least I feel better...mabye my gut doesn't. Reglan threw me for a loop! It made me feel terrible, and I could not take it. Please any feed back would help!