Mom has gastroparesis, currently in hospital. Need advice!

[bbruce]

My mother has been in the hospital for 13 days without food or nutrition.  She has no insurance and the doctor assigned to her is very cold and seems to have no compassion.  A gastroenterologist has visited her and performed a stomach scope. They believe that she has gastroparesis but no other tests have been performed.  The cold doctor has said, "listen, you have to get a feeding tube.  It will be permanent, you will never eat food again".  Pretty much deal with it. I have tried to gather information about this condition and I have not read where the tube is always permanent and I feel that other studies should be done to determine what is wrong but on the other hand I want her to get some nutrition soon.  She is diabetic and has been not eating very much for a long time.  She is very anxious and rocking in the bed and I feel that this doctors actions have contributed to her state of anxiety.  I took her out of the county hospital in Fort Worth after they had overlooked her for a week and do not want to move her again but I do not know what I should do?


Any Advice?

[maryrc]

I am truly sorry to hear of yours and your mom's dilemma.  I am not a doctor, but yes, I would think more tests should be done.  I have recently gone through a 6 week battle with my mom.  She was hospitalized April 19th and after many tests, determine she had intestinal pseudo-obstruction.  Please see my question and the responses by virgo 57 and kimbacat. They were very helpful.  They also may have suggestions for more websites for you.  I pray everything will be all right for your mom and for you.

Maryrc

[Baseball_Mom]

So very sorry to hear about your mother.  I was born and raised in Ft. Worth, Texas and now live in Virginia.  You said that your mom has no insurance.  Go through the Department of Social Services and ask them about a Blue Card.  My sister had a stroke back in December and had no insurance.  She lives in Lubbock, Texas.  She inquired about the Blue Card and was able to get it atleast until she was able to get back on her feet.  She was hospitalized for 6 days and her $20K hospital bill was paid by the State of Texas.  If you have any other questions I can put you in contact with my sister who went through the application process.  Please feel free to email me.  Best of luck to your mother.  I personally know it is no fun to be ill, espeically when you have no insurance.  I can't imagine being without insurance.  Keep your chin up.  Things will get better.

Sue from Virginia
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[Lynn28]

There are treatments. Try to get her to see a good GI. Also, reasearch the web using, Google.Com

This is worth reading as well.

http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/gastro/gastro.htm

[Concerned lady]

I agree with the good advice everyone else has given you!

An additional idea, is to take your mother to a large teaching hospital's ER (Emergency Room), and tell them that she won't live unless they PUT HER INTO THAT HOSPITAL IMMEDIATELY, and immediately start some intravenous feedings, taking into account her diabetes, & any other conditions your mom may have!!!

This sounds like a MEDICAL EMERGENCY to me, and maybe your family doctor can help to have your mom admitted IMMEDIATELY to a GOOD hospital (if there are any near you!)to get some better medical care! She needs DIAGNOSIS AND EMERGENCY TREATMENTS NOW!!

Sincerely, Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[Concerned lady]

Contact the Cleveland Clinic for more advice about the gastroparesis treatments they do, and I'll do a "cut & paste" of ta website they have, about this. You can SPEAK WITH A REGISTERED NURSE (RN), by CALLING [phone], AT THE CLEVELAND CLINIC. Do this AFTER YOU HAVE YOUR MOM IN A BETTER HOSPITAL WITH NICER, SMARTER DOCS!!!

Here's a link that will get you to the "cut & paste" article below:

http://www.clevelandclinic.org/gastro/motility/paresis.htm

Also, when your mom is doing better, later on, read the book REVERSING DIABETES, by Dr. Julian Whittaker, M.D., because if the diabetes is improved, the gastroparesis MIGHT also improve.

But, NOW, go to a better Emergency Room at a better hospital, first.

Here's the "cut & paste". I hope this helps a little.

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      The term gastroparesis implies weakness of the stomach. Following a meal, the stomach starts a slow process of grinding the food so that only very small pieces pass into the small intestine, to be absorbed. This process may take a few hours to complete, depending on the size of the meal and the type of food. It requires a fine coordination between the muscle of the stomach, nerves and hormones. When any of these factors are impaired, the food takes a while to empty, resulting in nausea, vomiting and weight loss.

What causes gastroparesis?

One of the most common diseases causing gastroparesis is diabetes, particularly when it affects different parts of the body and when insulin is required. It also common in women after certain viral infections

What are the symptoms?

Initially patients may feel bloated and full after small amounts of food, and limit the size of their meals. Later, patients can experience nausea and vomiting after meals, which when severe may result in weight loss because of decreased food intake.

How is gastroparesis diagnosed?

Because blockage of the stomach or small bowel can produce the same symptoms, an endoscopy or x-ray study must be performed initially. If there is no blockage, then a gastric emptying study (which measures how quickly an egg sandwich is emptied from the stomach), manometry (measurement of the strength of contractions of the stomach) or an electrogastrogram (measurement of the electrical activity of the stomach, like an EKG) are performed.

How is gastroparesis treated?

• Special diet, avoiding those foods that are difficult for the stomach to empty

• Drugs that make the stomach muscle contract more strongly

• Tubes inserted into the small bowel so that liquid food can be given, and sometimes inserting tubes in the stomach to help empty secretions and air

• The latest treatment involves implantation of a pacemaker in the abdominal wall, with electrodes sutured to the stomach. This new treatment is offered at the Cleveland Clinic and the pacemaker can be inserted laparoscopically. The Cleveland Clinic is one of only a few centers in the United States to implant the pacemaker laparoscopically.

• In selective situations, surgery with removal of most of the stomach may need to be performed.

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  Cleveland Clinic Home   |   Department of Gastroenterology
Center for Motility Disorders

© Cleveland Clinic 2001  |   Contact Us  |   Privacy Statement  |   Disclaimer

August 7, 2001

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I hope this helps some.

Sincerely, Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com  

[Concerned lady]

I just checked out the "link" that Toccoah gave you, AND IT'S A VERY GOOD ONE, ALSO!! Definitely read that link too!

[Abbey]

You are definitely a nice person. I wish I could find the answers to my problems. Maybe the new Gastro doc and back surgeon can help me. I also made an app't for a Neurrologist. Since my pains can mimic other things as well I've been going through so much testing I feel like I'll never get an answer.

Thank you for being here.......

Sincerely,
Abbey

[Concerned lady]

Dear Abbey,

Thanks for your kind words. I know some things, but there's plenty I don't know. That's why it's good for you to try to find some medical experts to help sort out all your problems & symptoms!

What happened to you and your husband 4 months ago, that made you sick, when you hadn't been sick before?

Is this related to the toxic mold in your home? Are you still in that toxic house? If yes, you must get out of that house, and see if you get better!!!

Have you tried ALL the gastric reflux tips, EVERY DAY, FOR 2 WEEKS, yet? (without acid blockers). These "tips" often help get rid of H. Pylori too.

Maybe start another thread, so we won't take up too much of this gastroparesis thread. :-)

Sincerely, Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com

[Addie]

Can you get your Mother to Southwestern/Baylor in Dallas?

Doctor's attitudes can make a patient sicker.  Shame on this doctor for his cold and callous manner.  He needs his bottom spanked.

Also, like others have said, talk to the Social Worker at the hospital she is now and tell them about the uncaring doctor and you fear for your Mother's health and for them to get you moved into the larger hospital in Dallas.

Good Luck and God be with you.

[no where to turn to]

Does anyone no if this the  same as delayed gastric emptying.