Gastroparesis

[kat8649]

I was recently diagnosed with gastroparesis ,  the DR, said it  was  because I have   Hashimoto's disease and can be caused by hypothyroidism , but  TSH test have been   in the normal  range so  how could I still  get gastroparesis   ? Also is this condition reversible  ?

                     Thank You   Kathleen

[gnorb]

To answer your questions:

1) Gastroparesis can be caused by a number of things, and Hashimoto's is one of them. It's usually associated with damage to the vagus nerve. Note that 50% of cases are idiopathic, meaning they have no known cause.

2) GP is a chronic condition, and it's not generally reversed. There ARE some whose condition improves, but usually these tend to be cases where the GP onset is viral. That's not to say yours won't, but that's what the numbers say.

Having just found out you have GP, I highly recommend you go find a doctor with a lot of experience with GP. Don't know where you're at, but you might do well to research many of the research hospitals around you. Second, find a good GP support group. Yahoo Groups has a good one I recommend. You'll be able to connect with other people with the condition, and they'll likely be your best source of news and info about the condition. They'll also be your best support if it becomes bad and you need a shoulder to lean on.

I'm sure you've already heard the dietary suggestions -- low fat, low fiber -- so I won't bore you with it. What I will tell you is that there are a lot of treatments available out there (some better than others, some which may or may not be legal in your part of the world), and if you can manage the condition without drugs (not always possible) you stand a good chance at not letting this completely rule your life.

Take care.

[kat8649]

Thank you very much for your reply, it was  very helpful to me . Learning about the vagus nerve, I had to surgeries on my throat  ,I'm wondering if maybe that's how it became damaged.  

  Thank you again    Kathleen