Gastroparesis

Just checking to see who all is dealing with gastroparesis, your symptoms and treatment.  I would also like to know if it has progressed and to what stage.

Recently, I had an upper endoscopy.  I hadn't eaten in twelve hours and the dr. said my stomach was filled with food and he couldn't look around.  I seem to have all the symptoms, severe bloating, getting weak, sweating and having to lay down after eating.  

I believe I am having issues with my intestines also.  Let me know if any of you have had a problem with this, what it is called and what can be done.

Thank you so much!

Cathy

[AireScottie]

I have gastroparesis.  My main symptoms before treatment were sharp stomach pain, terrible bloating, gas that smelled like something rotten, and belches that would win a contest.  I also had more trouble with dizziness and passing out for a few hours after eating.  I tried a couple antibiotics that happen to help move food through faster, and they didn't help at all.  My doctor does not want to put me on Reglan, because it can also mess with your autonomic system, potentially making my syncope worse.  At my doctor's suggestion, I have cut out almost all fat, spices, and fiber out of my diet, and this has helped some.  I no longer have the stomach pain, and the gas doesn't smell rotten any more.  I have also had my dose of Mestinon increased for other reasons, and I think this helps as well, as it causes all muscles to contract more.  I didn't have any trouble with my intestines when I was diagnosed 1.5 years ago, but they have definitely slowed down in the last 6 months.

Have you had a gastric emptying test done to confirm gastroparesis?  I would have thought your doctor would order one as soon as he saw all that food sitting in your stomach.  In addition to the massive discomfort it causes us, gastroparesis can also cause bezoars to form in your stomach.  They are small stone-like accumulations of the undigested food that has been sitting around in your stomach, and they have to be removed surgically.  They other problem, of course, is that if your stomach is totally full of food, any medication you're taking could also be sitting around in your stomach not doing you any good.

[tonyad]

Agreeing w/ AireScottie,
Did your doc not order a Gastric Emptying Test to confirm? How is he basing his dx?
soley on the Endoscopy?

I was also dx w/ Gastro - Paresis several years ago. medication at that time I was taking was taken off the market by FDA?  or by someone saying not safe.......Scottie do you remember the name of that med?

Anyhow, I had a lot of stomach problems but gastro doc just contributed them to IBS at first until I had actual test done.
I wish you well and hope that you can get some answers.

Oh ya, I stay clear from fried foods and anything w /a tomato base or tomato's period.
ex; pizza, spaghetti, and so on.  While I do miss these foods, Not enough to deal with the sx they bring w/ it.

Take Care,
~Tonya

[cathyst]

Thank you for your help.  Yes, my GI said gastroparesis.  I hadn't eaten for twelve hours before the test and he said there was a lot of food in there.  This combined with my symptoms, led him to this dx.  I have had the gastric emptying test nine years for another issue.  As embarrassing as this is to admit - I hate eggs and can't imagine getting it down.  I put the University of PA through hell trying to accomodate me.  It was like a scene from a sitcom.   Also, I cannot imagine the point, since obviously my food isn't moving in my stomach or intestines.  I have heard people mention a pace maker for the stomach.  At this point, I swear I would take a feeding tube and colostomy.  I have so man issues with this disorder and not sure where to turn, knowing that a cure or reversal will never happen.  I'm at my wits end and praying for a miracle.

[AireScottie]

Yeah, that's a pretty good sign of gastroparesis!  A pacemaker might be a good idea.  What did the doc say?  I had to start out by cutting ALL fiber from my diet, including fruit and veggies temporarily.  Once the inflammation and excess food calmed down, I was able to add back pureed veggies.  Have you tried modifying your diet yet?  I know your case is more severe than mine, so it might not be enough.

I'm praying for you too!

[shell0726]

Digestive symtoms (symptoms) seem to be one of the first signs that my nervous system is going out of whack.  It just stops.  I can't eat without pain.  I am only having fluids right now.  Shelley

[cathyst]

Hi Shelley-

Sorry to hear about your pain.  How long have you been living on fluids?  Can you give me examples of what fluids you are drinking, aside from water, coffee/tea and broth?
I have thought of giving that a try.

Thank you-
Cathy

[shell0726]

They have those nutritional drinks at the pharmacy-(ensure).  They still hurt though.  Anything that goes in there hurts.  I burp for about 2 hours first- then the pain.  I am going to the neurologist today- I will tell you what he says as far as medications.   When it does get a little better I start with saltine crackers or white toast. (with margerine/butter)  I tested only mild gastroparesis two years ago- but I think my intestines were slowing way down also.  This is what is happening again.  Shelley

[cathyst]

Thank you Shelley. I know what you mean, I could have a small container of pudding and twenty minutes later, be bent over with stomach (not abdomen) pain. Then, there are times that I could eat a normal meal and not have a problem.  I believe that my intestines have slowed also - not to be confused with constipation.

Hopefully, you'll be back to toast soon!

[halbashes]

I have mild gastroparesis associated with my Dysautonomia.  I've tried Reglan, which was somewhat helpful, but I was unable to tolerate the side effects.  Zofran has been somewhat helpful as well, and I continue to take that.  Unfortunately though, Zofran is a very expensive medication.  One that medical insurance doesn't often seem keen on covering.

I try to keep liquid nutrition on-hand.  The chocolate flavored Pediasure is actually somewhat tolerable.  Though if you are watching your sugar intake, you may want to ask your doctor about other options.

Another drug that helped me is Mestinon, (Pyridostigmine).

Reglan:
http://www.medhelp.org/drugs/Reglan/show/9433

Zofran:
http://www.medhelp.org/drugs/Zofran/show/1031

Mestinon:
http://www.medhelp.org/drugs/Mestinon/show/526

Gastroparesis:
http://www.medhelp.org/medical-information/show/2291

Dysautonomia Treatments:
http://www.medhelp.org/tags/health_page/39830/neurological-disorders/Dysautonomia-Treatments?hp_id=171

[Dejibo]

I am new here, and have MS but also suffering from GP. I was admitted to the hospital with pancreatitis, and they did an endoscopy and found that the muscle in my stomach wasnt responding. Since I had not eaten anything in 3 days, they were amazed to see food still there! They biopsied my stomach, did celiac biopsies, and tried to stretch the sphincter at the bottom of the tummy without success. It seems frozen shut, and not getting the message.I spent a MONTH in the hospital on a Picc line getting parenteral nutrition. They did Gastric empty tests, a  small bowel follow thru, and so on. No one seems to know why my tummy just quit.

There are theories about my trouble that my MS may be now affecting my autonomic systems, and not just my central nervous system. I am scheduled for some tilt table tests, emgs, and so on in July.

In America we have reglan, or erythromyican, as they took zelnorm off the market, and you cant get motillium here. I have trouble with a normal dose of reglan, as it gives me "tartive dyskinesia" and "restless leg syndrome" very badly. If this happens, benedryl really helps. I have just picked up a homeopathic med called Nux vomica and will let you know what I think after I give it a few tries. It can be gotten OTC at most health food stores.

I actually wondered if I was going to starve to death in the land of plenty. I kept putting on weight, even tho I wasnt able to eat. It was explained that the longer food stays, the more and more your metabolism will shut down, as it fears starvation is at hand. Also more than 70% of your immune system lives in your guts, so if they are not working, its trouble! I made sure to add miralax to my routine to be able to keep things moving at the other end. I felt like I was so bloated, and full that my tummy wasnt getting the message that  there was too much down below, stop sending stuff. Clearing out below seems to help me.

What an awful affliction. Oh BTW, Medicare is no longer paying if your primary dx is "idopathic gastroparesis" so be careful on how your MD fills out the paperwork. Please see G-pact.org for good info and a message board there too full of folks well versed in this disease.