Re: Gastroparesis

Posted By HFHSM.D.-rf on October 15, 1998 at 22:38:39:

In Reply to: Gastroparesis posted by Pam Coon on October 09, 1998 at 23:11:45:






Dear Doctor,
I wrote you about my sister who is 43 and was diagnosed
with gastroparesis last July. She also has Ankylosing
spondylitis, which she has had for years, & now on top
of that has irritable bowel syndrome. She is with a
Gastroentenologist, and he has her on medication, but
she is still vomiting and losing weight. She is not thinking
right, and it worries me for her to be alone. I know one of the
medications have a side affect that could cause that,
but I feel this is even beyond the side affects! She
is like a small child. I worry she is not getting enough
nutrition into her brain, and possibly will end up with brain
damage. Can this happen? Is this a death sentence for her? How
long can someone live with this diease,when they can't eat
and what the do eat, most often is vomited up. She has slept
for the last two days, but the 7 days before she could only
sleep maybe an hour or two a night. She say's her brain wont
shut off.
I just have so many questions! She is very special!!  
It is as if she is just wasting away! Is there a really good
doctor in our area? I would appreciate any information you can
give. Even a good informative book would help me and our family
help her!
Thank you,
Pam
__
Dear Pam.
If your sister is unablr to take enteral nutrition ( via the GI tract) despite being on the Propulsid, she can be started on intravenous nutrition.  This approach will build her up while allowing her physicians to experiment to find the best approach for enteral nutrition.  It is important that your sister be treated by a gastroenterologist with expertise in nutrition.
This information is presented for educational purposes.  Always ask specific medical questions to your personal physician.
HFHSN.D.-rf
*keywords: gastroparesis, malnutrition
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