gastroparisis

I amm 33 years old and was recently told that I have Gastroparisis of unknown origin.    My main complaint was a low-grade fever, nausea and abdominal pain.    Over the 6 months I've lost almost 30 pounds, the fever is still here, but I now go about 5 days without one.   I have nausea almost everyday, but the actual vomiting has gone away some.    My doctor prescribed domperidone, which I think has helped greatly, but I still have many of the symptoms as well as alot of abdominal pain and that low-grade fever.    My doctors have done just about every test in the book and I am frankly getting tired of being poked at and I also don't want to look like a constant complainer.   My latest stomach emptying test showed that it emptied at 18.1 percent.  Up from 12.8 percent taken in November - sot there is some improvement.

Will the pain ever go away?   I have learned to deal with the nausea, but the pain makes it hard to function and when I get a fever I get so tired I really can't do anything.   The pain on some days almost makes me pass out.   Is there hope that I'll be normal again?

I feel like I am always sick and hate that I feel I can't keep up with my peers.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Gastroparesis can be difficult to treat.  The initial medications would be something like Reglan or erythromycin.  Also treating any underlying disease leading to the gastroparesis (i.e. diabetes) can help.

If these initial steps aren't working, then more invasive options such as surgery, or gastric pacing, can be considered.

Experimental therapies can involve botulinum toxin injection into the pylorus.  

I would consider another GI opinion - preferably at a major academic medical center.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[holly1981]

I have had ideopathic gp for 2 years now. the naseua for me has gotten steadily more standable. Not better just grown accustom to it. The severe abdominal pain hasn't gotten better at all. I still  can't stand it to this day and i can't get a doc to help me with it. I have just learned to live with it and eat only what the dier calls for. I am now in the process of fighting for disability becuase the abdominal pain is so severe. just know that you are not alone. best of luck to you. holly
.

[Dixie girl]

Thank you for your kind words and it is nice to know that I'm not the only one out there.   I agree that that pain is very difficult to deal with and just recently had to quit my job of 15 years due to the pain and frequent hospitalizations, I too may file for medical disabilty, but have been told it will be hard to prove for such a random "issue".     I agree that that nausea and vomiting hasn't gotten better, but I seem to tolerate that more than the pain.  Since I am so young, I feel like people (and the doctors) think I am crazy.   I hide the pain as best as I can and just act as if there is nothing wrong, but most days that is impossible.
- Dixie girl

[drwilliamsjr]

I am 28 years old an just this past monday was told I have gastroparesis.  I was diabetic when I weighed 375 pounds, and also had high blood pressure.  I now weigh 225 pounds, and my dieabeties  has been in remission, along with my highblood pressure.  The sad thing is I would gladly take back the weight and the problems back just to feel better again.  I've been in pain for two years.  I was just wondering if anyone actually gets better from this disease.  Or will I just have to get used to the pain.

[wvgirl]

I am 20 years old and after five years of being told my symptoms were in general IBS, my symptoms got severely worse.  After seeing a second gastroenterologist and having many tests, I was told I have severe delayed gastric empyting.  I have either been allergic to the medicines to help this or a couple make me feel like my skin is crawling. I am in my third year of college and I miss tons of classes because either I am in too much pain or am vomiting. Sometimes, the vomiting and nausea get so bad that I have to go to an ER near campus and receive phenergran by IV.  That is the only medicine for nausea that I tolerate. I just want to live a somewhat normal life.  I want my doctor to test me for diabetes, thyroid disease, and scleroderma because there is a family history of all three. For my insurance to pay, either the gastroenterologist or my GP would have to order the test. Neither will do so. This is so frustrating and I am tired of being so sick.

[keeblerelf]

A related discussion, help me help my sister was started.

[stephanie1962]

I have also been diagnosed with
Gastroperesis the abdominal pain and
Nausea, and vomiting are unbearable
I have been admitted to the hospital on two
Two different occasions and have had
Every test imaginable. I am 48 years old
And don't know that I could deal with
This pain for too long.  
I was given Reglan but have yet to be
Discharged from the hospital.
This has caused me to be in the ICU for
A week and on regular floor for 3 additional
Days.  Now I've been here another week
And will let you all know how it turns out
Stephanie