Botox shots for treatment of Gastroparesis - looking KLW - Kristen in FL

[Kristy Mari]

Kristen on the JDF Forum   November 27th, 2003.   "Hi I'm a 34 old diabetic since age 5 - 14 year ago, I got Gastroparesis.  Which has main sysmtoms of nausia, vomiting, abdominal pain, early fulness or inability to eat.  I've spent the last 12 yrs of my life in & out of hospital every 3 to 6 weeks for 4 to 10 days at a time.  It's been awful.  6 mos ago I moved to Florida & got a SURGICAL PROCEDURE - where they put you to sleep - go down your throat  and give shots of BOTOX into the Pyloric Sphincter - the muscle that allow the digested food to go frm stomach into small intestine. I have so far been pain & nausia free for 3 1/2 mos with not 1 hospitalization!  If this applies to anyone - I'd would be glad to tell you anything I can."  Dear Kristen and/or others who've had BOTOX shots for treatment - PLEASE, Need to correspond with you ASAP!!!  Have daughter who is a mirror of you & needs something done SOON !!!   Sincerely & desperately...   Kristy Mari

[Think2connect]

I'm Sabrina who after having my gal bladder removed about 3 months ago experienced a paralyzed stomach.  I was hospitalized for about 8 days before I could hold food or fluids down.  After being released I was finally able to hold food and fluids down when I ate large portions. I believe after eating, although I would have immediate trips to bathroom wih nasuea half of the food would remain in my stomach is how I maintained my weight.  however, a couple of months after coming home  I became extremely constpated, unpredictable bowel movements and continuous nausea,  I was frustrated and called my doctor who scheduled an endoscope. Obviously a decision was made prior to my visit to treat me with Botox to help me have a more comfortable lifestyle.  It has been 6 days, I haven't had but a few pebbles of stool and only one vomitting episode last night after eating a plate of crab legs from a las vegas buffet I assume weight loss is a possibility with Botox if you follow the eating restrictions and because you can't hold as much food down. I also watched a video from the Doctor's  online were the actual doctor had the injection done personally to demonstrate her confidence in the treatment. She was not trying to loose weight, but lost 7lbs in two months without any effort.  My curiosity is does anyone really have sooner bowel movements than prior to the surgery? I've been reding other comments from a few who asked the question, "has anyone lost weight"?  Are we not answering because we're not focused on the weight loss issue?  Weight loss could be a positive or negative effect depending indivudal circumstances.  I too am curious and would also like to hear from those who personally had the procedure done.  I'm wanting feedback on bowel regularity and the weight loss?  Best wishes to us all with gastro paresis !

[sweetie375]

Dear suesan and anyone suffering from Gastroparesis.  Here is my story.  My daughter "had" suffered from nausea, vomiting, and extreme pain just below her left ribcage for the past 5 yrs.  We had been to 3 gastroenterologists and numerous E.R. visits (15 per month) in which all her labs, xrays, ultra sounds, CT, endoscopes were always normal, so doctors began to look at her as a drug seeker, which was certainly disheartening.  She does not have Diabetes so noone ever thought about Gastroparesis...the thing is "you don't have to be Diabetic to have it!  We eventually went to California Pacific Medical Center in SanFrancisco.  There they did a "Gastric Emptying test (not painful).   The next day she went for another endoscope....but this time they checked the pyloric sphicter muscle contractions...which in her case completely closed up!  Her diagnosis was then Severe Idiopathic Gastroparesis. At that time they injected Botox into the pyloric sphincter which instantly relaxed the muscle.  Now, so far it's only been a week as I write this, but she has had no symptoms of nausea, vomiting, or pain! She must take daily medications, such as erythromycin, reglan, acid reducer, and norco for any pain, and must follow a strict diet; such as, NO raw vegetables or fruit (fruit cups and applesauce are fine).  She can eat lean meats, low fat, low fiber (fiber is hard to digest).  For the most part...I have my daughter back and I couldn't be happier.  Prayer and lots of research work wonders:)  God be with you and I pray your situation has as wonderful of an outcome. Rhonda

[Cityofthelord]

Im over weight as well and im scheduled to have the Botox procedure done to, i was wondering the same things. Will this really help with my Gastroparesis? How often will i have to get this shot? And will i lose weight?

[suesan]

Dear Kristy,
We are going through the exact same thing with our daughter.  It is awful and painful to see her in such misery every 4-6 weeks.  We would give anything for a solution to end this miserable cycle.  Can you please let us know what hospital and who the doctor was who performed this procedure, so we can inquire for our daughter?

Many thanks and God Bless
~Suesan

[charli713]

I have also suffered with gastroparesis for over 6 years now.. That's when I began making trips to our local hosptal's emergency room.. The nausea is dibilating to say the least.. The E.R. physicians could do nothing but put me to sleep using 2 forms of medication.. I was always admitted and usually slept until the next day.. I would go home after 3 or 4 days but would end up on their doorstep no later than 4 to 6 weeks later..
My gastroenterologist informed me of a new procedure being tried with great results where he would go into my stomach with a scope and inject botox into the pyloric sphincter ( the muscle which allows food to enter into the intestines ).. I really didn't think it would work because it sounded to much like a miracle at such an easy price to me ( not money price ) ..
I was given the botox injection just after I went to sleep from the relaxing medication and woke up not long afterward.. The proceure does not take long at all. The relief from the nausea was almost immediate and I couldn't believe it.. My botox injections usually last me for 12 to 14 months.. I have had 2 injections thus far and am scheduled for another on November 1 st, 2010..
If you or anyone you know suffers this awful disease and has these symptoms, you should consult your physician and see if this treatment is right for you..

[Rmk]

I am an over weight 32 year old with NASH and Gastric paresis.
They will be doing surgery(endoscopy with botox)  for the gastricparesis soon, but what I want to know, is, will it help with the digestion and weight loss? I can't lose weight, as it all just sits there in my stomach. and How long does the botox last? Do I hold any hope out on even losing the weight without drinking nothin but water?
Even when I am vomiting or really sick with it, I still lose no weight.

Help

Rmk

[JDRF-Team-LRS]

Hello Kristy Mari,
Perhaps Kristen will check in, but if not perhaps this article - about the research from John Hopkins University - will help you begin to check into this possibility for your daughter

http://www.jhbmc.jhu.edu/healthcarenews04/04100401.html

Others might have some good experiences to share with you, so do check in again.  I found this article by entering "gastroparesis BOTOX" into a search engine. Many links came up, so I looked for non-advertising, non-hype links.  

We are not physicians here, but are all well-versed in diabetes.  My heart goes out to you & your daughter.  Gastro is the unkindest of diabetes complications.