Gastric Test - Observation they put I am not sure what to think. help

[shgtwins]

I had a Gastric Emptying Study.  I basically recieved a radiotracer within some scrambled eggs and for 90 minutes they took xrays.  In summary they believe for me to have gastroparesis because I am only emptying at 26% when it should be 50% or greater.  That is not what I am worried about.  In the test they have written the following:
One additional obeservation is noted during the study, there appears to be some fragmentation of radiotracer activity exiting from the stomach.  Initially, it was thought that the patient's anatomy might have been altered, but the patient denies any prior surgeries.

The only thing I have had is 17 months ago I delievered twin girls naturally.  My ob/gyn nurse says everything should be back to normal.

I am VERY disappointed with my doctor and I am seeking a specialist.  But in the mean while, can anyone give me any idea what they could be seeing here and if I should be concerned.

[liz72]

Hi, I was wondering if your Docs thought about a Hiatal Hernia? Your symptoms really sound like that could be it. Seems like that would be a common thing for women , after having twins. Not much room in there for the babies. I could see how your stomache could get squished in your diaphram. Some people have it bad enough to have surgery. Hiatal Hernia's can hurt, and I know this from my experience with it.

[wrachet]

You're welcome.  I hope they find something that works for you soon.

Colleen

[karie]

Thank you for the information,
My concern is at 33 and having cardiac symptoms due to my Mitral valve prolapse,heart disease in my family. My cardiologist has had me on a diet,exercise routine for years.
Thanks,

[wrachet]

Propulsid is still available through a compassionate use study through Jannsen.  Your doctor would have to fill out a ton of paperwork for it.  The reason it caused sudden heart related deaths in some people is because Propulsid can cause heart problems in some people.  It can cause a condition called Long Q-T.  

There is no comparitive drug to propulsid.  There was the generic but they pulled that too.  The only motility drugs left that are widely available in the U.S. is Reglan and Erythromycin.  Erythromycin doesn't work for everybody and Reglan has some very bad side effects.

Domperidone is available in Canada and Mexico.  A 3 month supply can be imported for personal use according to the FDA.  The company that was researching Domperidone in the US stopped because they said the market wasn't big enough for it.

Colleen
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[karie]

My G.I. said Propulsid was causing sudden heart deaths and they no longer prescribe. What drug would work the same ?
Have you ever had a reaction to the H2's and or PPI's ?
Appreciate your insight,

[wrachet]

It could very well be Gastroparesis.  The image they may be seeing could very well be the small bowel.  It is very possible for it to wrap up around the stomach.  Many people take Reglan(Metoclopramide), Erythromycin, Domperidone, or Propulsid to increase stomach motility.  Please check out Carissa's Home Page...the website that was mentioned earlier.  She has some great information and is a great person!

Colleen
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[shgtwins]

The web page I mentioned.

http://www.monkeygirl.atfreeweb.com/

[shgtwins]

One Other thing -

I forgot to put a NOT somewhere.  The doctors are saying the twin pregnancy should NOT be affecting me now.

Also, I do get heartburn if I get stressed.  A lot of the time it just feels like my stomach is so big it is pressing against my rib cage making my chest hurts.  

Hopefully this wasn't too long.

[martyk]

I am interested in knowing what type of symptoms you are experiencing. I have had severe lower back pain, abdominal cramping, fatigue and weight loss and will be going to see a gi doctor this week. My connection to you is that I too delivered twins (girls) 13 months ago naturally and am wondering if there are any connections to what I am experiencing????

[shgtwins]

Here are my symptoms:
Pain - It moves around.  At first they thought it may be the gallbladder but I never really had the pain there.  A lot of times it would be behind my right shoulder blade.  Other times stomach, sharp pain in my lower abs (like near my overies).
I too dropped weight pretty quick.  I lost all the wieght I had when I got pregnant in only a few months after birth.  I started out before pregnant at 155, before birth 198 now 17 months later I am down to 140.  The weight loss is nice but puzzling.
I really notice that I wasn't able to eat very much.  It did not take me very long to get full.  My hunger lever didn't match what my stomach could take.  So, after a meal my stomach would feel bloated, uncomfortable.  I at times would have naseua but a lot of the times I just felt so full I wanted to get sick.  I am thirsty all the time and I have a lot a fatigue.  (I figured it was due to 2 toddler twins but sometimes I was beyond tired).  I would ignore everything until finally, it was just hard to get out of bed.
Medicines - I haven't tried any.  My doctor wants to put me on Reglan but from what I have found on the internet, I am not sure I feel bad enough to take the risks of the side effects (one is depression).  I am not a big pill person so I am pretty stubborn any way.
The test - REALLY EASY - You get a doce of tehnetium-99m sulfur colliod (radioactive tracer) in a breakfast consisting of 1 scrambled egg, 2 slices of bread, friut and milk.  Then for 90 minutes you lay under a machine and it takes pictures every so many minutes to see how well your stomach empties.  A normal person will empty after 90 minutes at a rate of 50% or greater.  I emptied at 26%.

I too am going to see a specialist (which from my recent experience if far better then relying on a general md).  

I will be interested what you both find out and expecially if you seem to have the same problems as me after twins.  

We finally called the doctor that did my test and put down the observation.  He basically said that things just didn't seem to be where they should be but the clearity of the test isn't the best so he could not give us any reason as to why.  All the doctors say that the twin pregnancy should be affecting me now since so much time has past.  Since I only have had this since the birth of my twins, I cannot believe that is true.  That is a lot of babies to shove into there.  I did have high blood pressure at the end (borderline preclampsia).

Keep me updated.  Best of luck.  There is a web page called Carissa's Home Page (I don't have the full string right now) I would recommed for you to look at.  It has helped me.

[karie]

Very interested on what drugs you tried ?
Pamine, Librax ?
What did this test involve as far as medication?
Did you have any heartburn or abdominal pain ?
Thanks