do i have gastroparesis?

[needanewbelly]

About 4 years ago, i started getting very full, bloated and extremely naseaus after eating ANYTHING. I had a barium xray and was told I had reflux. (I really don't think it was reflux - if it was, that was only part of the problem) I took the medicine they gave me and it didn't really do much. I stayed away from fried foods, chocolate, fatty foods and all the other stuff i wasn't supposed to eat and the problem still hung around for several months before things got back to normal - but still today, ocassionally my stomach feels really gross after I eat. It's  a general discomfort I feel and it doesn't matter what it is that I eat. I can have something very boring and bland, and my stomach just won't feel right and this discomfort and fullness that I feel almost ALWAYS leads to SEVERE nausea. I rarely vomit but I wish I would - I'd probably feel a lot better.  I think my food just sits there in my stomach. It doesn't move on to the next step in the process. The nausea is so intense and it is usually  accompanied with shaking and diahrea. It has happened to me 4 times in the last month. I'm getting very frustrated. I think it started with something I ate a few weeks ago. It was delicious, but didn't sit well - again stomach discomfort that led to crazy nausea. I think maybe I have a bug that's still in there. I read in one of the postings that this is possible.

Also, yesterday I woke up with a cramp in my lower left abdomen. And the pain was so intense last night that it woke me up. Is this related? what the heck is going on with me?

[wrachet]

I was diagnosed with GP a year ago but dealt with the
symptoms much longer.  

As for surgeries with GP.  Ok let me start with the
Nissen Fundoplication.  This surgery is most commonly
used with patients that have GERD(Gastroesophegeal
Reflux Disease).  While it stops acid reflux, it also
eliminates the ability to throw up.

The Gastroenterostomy is not done as often as some
people might think.  I feel that it should be used
more as a last resort.  You never know when the
stomach might start working again.  In your case, a
very large stomach, it might do a great bit of good.
Many overweight people go through this surgery to lose
weight because they are not able to eat as much.

The Gastric Pacer is a fairly new device here in the
US.  Many people are opting for this device.  It has
been shown to give some people improvement but it is
not a cure.  Some doctors here say it could be a
couple of months to over a year before someone sees
results.  It can be paced laproscopically or through
an open incision.  I would opt for the pacer over the
Gastroenterostomy.

Many people that can no longer eat due to the severe
symptoms of GP opt for some type of nutritional
support.  Jejunostomy tube(j-tube) is one option.
This is where a catheter/tube is inserted into the
jejunem.  Some people have a G-tube or Gastric tube
going directly into the stomach.  Personally I think
the G-tube alone is not a good idea.  I would go for a
combination g/j-tube.  This would allow you to take
your feedings through the j-tube and the g part would
be used to empty the contents of your stomach.  This
would allow you to control nausea to some degree.
These enteral feedings are not permanent and can be
removed.  They are however a more permanent solution
but again not a cure.

Parenteral feeding also known as TPN goes through a
vein.  The intravenuos feeding is more of a temporary
solution.  The TPN usually goes in your arm.  The
catheter itself is threaded through the vein and ends
near your heart or upper chest area.

Other treatments for GP are medications.  The
prokinetic medications that are out there are
Metoclopramide(Reglan), Domperidone(Motilium), and
Cisapride/Propulsid.  Cisapride/Propulsid was pulled
from the US market due to side effects affecting the
heart.  It is now available through a compassionate
use program here in the US.  It is easier to obtain in
other countries.  Some docs use Erythromycin along
with the prokinetic drugs to facilitate emptying.

I would go for minimally invasive before opting for
something major.  Everything has its advantages and
disadvantages.  There is very little research being
done at this time so our options are limited.

I do not have a very large stomach.  Or at least I
have never been told this.  I've been lucky and thus
far can still eat.  Granted that I only eat once a day
and take prokinetic drugs to help.  I'm not a medical
expert but I've done a lot of research and am glad
that I am able to pass on the knowledge that I have.
I hope this helps you and that you know that you are
not alone in this.  

[Veronica]

I need to know more about available operations for Gastroparesis.  I had marked delay in emptying of the scan test which was done.  As I've had this problem for over ten years and it's not getting any better my Gastro. specialist said I needed an operation.  He wanted to do a Gastroenterostomy.  I'd like to know of other people who have had operations and what was done.  Two other surgeons mentioned a Fundoplication and the other a pacemaker.  My friends reckon less invasive surgery for a while by a jejunostomy tube.  Any comments???  Also wrachet you said you have Gastro.  did you have an very large stomach or do you know of others with a large stomach??  This is also another problem I have.  All the best and hope everyone can get their problems sorted out...

[wrachet]

It does sound like Gastroparesis.  I would ask your doctor for a Gastric Emptying test.  This test will tell the doctor whether or not you have Gastroparesis.  Symptoms of Gastroparesis are :  early satiety(feeling full after a few bites), nausea, vomiting, weight loss(in some cases weight gain).  A lot of people that have gastroparesis do complain of stomach pain.

I have Idiopathic Gastroparesis and I rarely vomit.  So it is possible to have it and not vomit.  Hope this helps.

Colleen
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