Looking 4 Gastroparesis Diabetics to compare notes...

[Kristy Mari]

My daughter, Kristy, got diabetes when she was 6 yrs old. She is now 30 - has had Gastroparesis since the end of August '04.  She's looking to talk with any/all who are in the similar boat for conversations - to put two or more heads together - to help one another to COPE in the best ways there are with this horrific disease !!!   We need a Gastroparesis Support Group...    GOD bless all who partake in these Forums...   those asking the questions - their families & friends -AND- all who take upon their hearts to respond/reply...   I hold you all in my prayers - everyday.

[Randi12]

I have been a diabetic since the age of 2.  A year ago I was dx with gastroparesis, we tried meds and they did not work.  I had the gastric pace maker and that also failed.  In May of 2008 I had part of my stomach removed and had been fed by my vein since March.  By this point I was really wondering why me!  So I got several infections and spent lots of time in the hospital, finally in September I went back in the hospital with another infection and guess what, they had to remove the rest of my stomach.  So now I am fed by a feeding tube 24/7 and I feel like I have NO life.  I have 2 children but I feel like I am not much of a mom or a wife.  I really cant believe this has happened to me.  Pleas someone respond, I need to talk.  

[Kristy Mari]

Thank you for your feedback...  our daughter has been stabilized once again & hopes to get out of the hospital this Thursday.  We also go on Monday to Schenectady to see 2 specialists that will entertain our daughter to be a receipient for a Pace Maker in her Stomach...   If at any time you'd like to talk with our daughter - please let me know...   I'll be keeping you posted, and I hold you in my daily prayers...   GOD bless & bye for now...

[red78]

I was diagnosed 2 years ago w/gastroparesis.  I too was diagnosed as a diabetic when I was 6 years old.  Im now 26. The road traveled down w/gastroparesis has not been an easy one. None of the meds have worked for me and I feel pretty ill most days.  Not many people understand gastroparesis except for those going thru it also.  I am now on social security disability because of it....I am just to ill with it.  I sincerely hope that your daughter finds a support group, I haven't found one here but I should look harder. I sincerely wish her all of the best and that she will be able to fight this better than I have been able to. Its scary to go thru == let her know she's not in it alone.

[JDRF-Team-LRS]

Hello again,
Your daughter is fortunate to have a champion mom helping her along the way.  To find/start a Gastro support group in your area, perhaps you can contact your local chapter of JDRF.  Those folks often have great connections to the medical professionals who specialize in diabetes care -- and those folks often are willing to come to a group meeting to offer information, tips from the field, etc.  Having the pro's there is very important so that a support group CAN offer support.  The group members will have enormous amounts to share from their daily struggles and victories with this most unkind complication.

Good luck and let us know how the support group initiative works out!

[JDRF-Team-sgg]

There have been many write-ins about this terrible complication that some type 1 diabetics suffer from. Here are some websites that may offer some support and information:
http://www.g-pact.org/
http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/gastroparesis/

The second site is for a Yahoo support group for gastroparesis sufferers. Perhaps this kind of chat possibility will be of help to you.

Another suggestion I want to make is to send your daughter to the jdrf.org website so she can contact the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Online Diabetes Support Team (ODST) for one-on-one support. We have volunteers who have experience with this complication and would match her directly with one for personal support and information. When the home page loads, she should click on the link on the left side of the page for the ODST and then simply needs to fill out the form with her request and send it to us. A response should be sent within 48 hours of her request being entered.

Meanwhile, all of you other folks out there who suffer from this complication or who have loved ones who suffer from it, please check in here and give Kristy's mom some support. I hope we end up with a lengthy message thread on this one.