diagnosed with slow emptying of stomach

I was recently diagnosed with slow emptying of the stomach.  About a year ago I was having breathing problems after a really bad cold and the doctor gave me steroids.  It fixed the asmtha like symptoms but then a few weeks later I had horrible heartburn.  I was put on nexium for about a year and just had a follow up endoscopy and the doctor found lots of food in my stomach.  He did the time test scan and said that I had significant gastroparesis.  However, other than the acid reflux which I now have under control... I have no symptoms.  I don't have diabetes and I will check my thyroid.  He said everything else looks fine?  I am very puzzled about the diagnosis and the lack of symptoms.  I am not eating fat but if I don't have fiber in my diet I am really hungry. Again very puzzled because I don't seem to fit the classic symptoms.  

[patient915]

I too have gastroparesis and my only symptoms were acid reflux and nausea.  I have many other symptoms which are all caused by other things, and the doctors don't think the gastroparesis is causing the other symptoms.  You could have mild gastroparesis or just got lucky and don't have any of the associated symptoms.

[jake75]

gastroparesis is a life changing condition that is hard to cope with and vary little options on helping it, i would disscus options with your doctor and eat smaller portions of food by giving your stomach that extra time it needs to digest. and that heartburn gos along with the acid reflex becuase it can jump back up the asoghus

[patient915]

I just wanted to say that for me, gastroparesis was not a life changing condition and it hasn't been hard to cope with and there are many things to do to help it.  However, there are people where gastroparesis is a life changing condition and it is difficult to deal with.  I have other medical problems which have changed my life, but the gastroparesis has not changed my day to day life.  I have found it easy to cope with by using medications (I am on reglan, but will soon switch to domperidone, and I also take prevacid) and changing my diet.  The things to do to help it are to 1) eat a diet that is low in fiber and low in fat, 2) eat smaller more frequent meals, 3) try a medicine like reglan or domperidone or others, 4) try medicines that help reflux, and 5) if all else fails the a stomach pacemaker can be implanted.  If your not having very many symptoms from the gastroparesis then it is not something that you have to worry about.  Gastroparesis is a lot about managing the symptoms and as long as you are not a diabetic, you are eating enough, and you are not vomiting, there are rarely any complications from it.

[booth1969]

My son has gastroparesis he was diagnosed with it 6 mos. ago but has been sick for over a year . He has lost alot of wt. and can not keep any food down.He vomits 10-20 times a day as he is constantly eating and drinking. He say' s he's always hungry and thirsty! Nothing has worked for him he's allergic to Reglan and Domperidone has not worked at all.Can anyone help! None of the meds work that we have tried and even when he eats small meals he still can not keep down (he can't even keep water down.) I'am afraid that he will not be living long if something is not done.He's been in the hospital 5 times in the last 6 mos. Due to dehydration and low potassium.Can anyone give any advise .

[patient915]

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