Gastroparesis

[gooberpea]

Hi
I'm a 40 year old who has just been diagnosed this year with idiopathic gastroparesis, after 5 years of gradually worsening GERD.  In Feb. this year I had a nissan fundalplication for the GERD. After that I had a bloating problem. The doctors finally diagnosed gastroparesis after several stomach emptying studies. The last one showed that after 4 hours I still had 42% of the meal in my stomach. I have tried propulsid, but it causes me to have too many arrhythmias.  I then tried erythromycin for 2 months but even in low doses it caused too much irritation and discomfort.  I am presently on reglan 5mg ac and hs. This seems to be working fine.  I still cannot burp since surgery, one Dr thought this is a problem the other says it isn't. I still have some problems with early satiety and bloating. My questions are:  will the gastroparesis get better or worse? and where can I find more information on the disease?  I have tried NORD and APHS.  Nord had a little info. Do you know when they will approve Domperidone?
Thanks  Sheila

[mgabrielle]

A related discussion, Abdominal Migraines and Gastroparesis was started.

[StormyKyFla]

A related discussion, DOES ANYONE HAVE DIET IDEA'S OR RECIPES FOR GASTROPARESIS? was started.

[Shar190]

A related discussion, fundoplication,gastroparesis, hiatal hernia surgery or not was started.

[swtest1]

A related discussion, Herbal Choices for Treating Gastroparesis was started.

[kara686]

A related discussion, nutrition and other symptoms of gastroparesis was started.

[kate2383]

A related discussion, dr recommended domperidone unsure to take it was started.

[SarahStof]

I am 43 years old and have been diagnosed with Gastroparesis about 6 months ago. Always feel nauseous and vomit every 10 days or so. Even when I am not vomiting I feel terrible and extremely tired. I am on Reglan and Domperidone, neither of which seem to be helping. It is extremely frustrating and depressing. I have lost weight and do not feel like eating. Any foods seem to work well for anyone out there?

[Julie]

Hi all!  My heart goes out to you all!  Heavy sigh.  I have gastroparesis, colonic inertia, PVC's (heart palpiations), and lots of ANXIETY!  You are all in my thoughts and prayers.  I am 36, live in WI, am married with a child.  Would like to hear from you rw-***@****

[Alison]

I am 36 with Gastroparesis and have been on cisapride and now switching to Domperidone.  

In terms of natural alternatives, I have found some significant improvement with papaya enzymes,  as well as activated charcoal when an acute episode hits (this also seem to help with constipation and bloating). Ginger also helps with the nausea.

I also have esphogeal reflux which has been helped significantly by the prescription medication Losec.

[ARLENE]

This is in response to Mary's posting of 10/27/99.  I have recently begun to suffer from gastroparesis and believe my condition is directly linked to my hormones.  (Basically, I get sick about two days before my period and the last time landed me in the hospital for about a week.)  Please post any info. you have on the study you participated in or any other info. on the gastroparesis-hormone connection.  Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[connie]

Have had GASTROPARESIS for over 5 years and am looking to converse with anyone who would trade information.  Have had
stomach pacemaker implanted,sub-total colectomy and still
have problems.  Have been reading horror stories on internet
and would like to let people know that there is a support
group and also can be started in your area.  ***@****

[jennifer]

Dear Sheila,

As I looked throught the messages,  I was suprised to see no one mention Papaya and Bromelain enzymes.

  This is going to sound a bit strange but I have a 12yr Rottweiler that was on Reglan for 4 years.  She was having great discomfort with bloating and vomiting undigested food even on the Reglan and was showing sighs of dementia  ( not a good thing in Rotties!).   I was working at a Pharmacy at that time and the Pharmacist asked if we had ever tried papaya enzymes.

With- in a weeks time  the dog was off the Reglan and florishing. After time her dementia went away and she is a completely new dog.  We are going on 1 1/2 years on this regiment and even her vet is now recommending this treatment.

Pleas do not think that I am down playing the seriousness of your illnesses or that I am comparing anyone here with a dog,  but it sounds like it would be worth trying!  

Good Luck
Jennifer

[Brandon]

You are reading very important message!!!

I have been suffering from gastroparesis for one year.  I was taking Reglan,Erythromycin,Prilosec,Domperidone,etc.  However, since I received Qi gong treatment,I have been off all medications and healed about 90 %.  His office is in the northern virginia.  You can contact him at [phone] or [phone].  Tell him that you have a stomach problem and how long you had this disease.  and if you want to talk to me, ask him if Brandon is there.

Qi Gong Center/Quantum FAFA
4231 Markham Street #219
Annandale, VA 22003

[Beth]

I was also just recently diagnosed with gastroparesis.  I was diagnosed with GERD five years ago and am only 22.  Four months ago I had my gallbladder removed because it too did not want to empty.  I am currently on 20 mg of Propulsid four times a day and 10 mg of Reglan at lunch time and Prevacid for the GERD.  I'm still having symptoms and like you Jan, have also gained weight. I wonder if it'll ever get better.  But it's nice to know I'm not the only one.

[carissa]

I am a 22 year old college senior who has been suffering from
idiopathic gastroparesis for 6 years.  Ever since I first got
sick I have had mild problems with reflux, regurgitation, and
burping food up hours after eating, along with the normal nausea,
early satiety, and bloating.  Recently the reflux has gotten out
of control and I am regurgitating food and bile up anywhere from
half an hour after eating up to 14 hours later, and that's only
eating very small portions.  I was recently in the ER with
dehydration and low potassium because I can't even keep liquids
down.  Even very soft foods that I can normally handle pretty well
with gastroparesis are coming back up. I can't keep anything down
and am very sick.  I have been on domperidone for five years, and
cannot take propulsid, reglan, or e-mycin because of a heart problem
and I have gone into cardiac arrest six times and those drugs make
it worse.  I was on a J-tube for two years but they had to take it out
because I was in so much pain from it.  I have also been on TPN in the
past. (I've been through about everything)Last week at the hospital,
my doctor started me on Prilosec for the reflux and I thought it
was helping at first, but now my problems are getting worse again.
I'm concerned because I can't keep stuff down and when my potassium
gets low it also increases my risk of going into cardiac arrest.  I
am extremely limited as to what drugs I can take because of my
heart problem.  I'm very distressed that this medication is not
helping like it is supposed to.  Does anyone else with gastroparesis
have problems with severe regurgitation of bile and food for hours
after eating, and if so, what helps?

Please e-mail me at ***@****.  I would also love to
communicate with anyone else with gastroparesis.  

Thanks.

[Brandon]

Hi.

My email address is ***@****
It's Qi-Gong treatment.  I think you can find some info in the internet.  There are great and very poor (or fake) qigong masters who perform it.  Well...I know many ppl are skeptical about it but it is working for me.  (much better than acupucture treament)

[sue]

Brandon What is your e-mail address. I'm interested in hearing how you are doing it and who your doctor is. Please e-mail me at ***@****.

[Mary]

Brandon:
Tell us more about this treatment you are on.  We could use some help as the doctors offer little hope.

[Pat]

I was diagnosed with gastroparesis a couple of months ago.  My stomach hadn't emptied after 14 hours.  I have continual URQ pain. However - I had observed that the situation, including GERD, first became severe about a month after starting Allegra-D for allergies.  It got continually worse until I woke up aspirating from the GERD and finally went to the Dr.  Having stopped Allegra-D, and begun taking Prevacid on an intermittent basis, the GERD has all but gone away, and the motility has improved.  Endoscopy in 2 days - we'll see.  Also interested in suggestions for diet changes, alternative medicine, please email me at ***@****

[Sheila]

Brandon     What is your e-mail address. It does not show up on the forum unless you write it.  I'm interested in hearing how you are doing it and who your doctor is. Please e-mail me at ***@****    Sheila

[Brandon]

I am beating gastroparesis.

no medications!!!!!!!!!

I have been on Prilosec 40mg and domperidone.
I am not taking them and will never again!!!!!!!
Great, isn't it?

People who want to have a normal life again....
or interested in this treatment, email me.

p.s. medical doctors fear this doctor and he is for real.

[courtney]

I think I may have gastropresis from reading the symptoms.  I have had upper and lower GI studies but have been unable to hold down the barium and it appears that the barium was not leaving my stomach in the right amount of time.  I had a stomach emptying test and after the 90 minutes my stomach was still full.  I'm hungry but I can't eat without my stomach hurting - if I eat too much I get sick.  I am on prolosec and an anxiety medication.   I'm not one bit better after two months.  I'm off work and feel helpless.

[Lorna]

Hi my name is Lorna and I too have Gastroparesis, I was told after vomiting for 12 months, had my gall bladder out and  a division of adhesions that oppps!! it was not the gall bladder or adhesion, but was Gastroparesis that was causing me problems.

I have been on Prepulsid 20mg 3 times a day, which has stopped the vomiting, but I too seem to be puting on a lot of weight and I have also had my large bowel removed, and I'm still am very comstipated. I take lots of stool softeners and other laxatives but still I end up blocked.

I get small bowel obstructions every 2 or 3 months, which I end up in hospital for about a week on IV fluids, they just don't know what to do...

I'm truly sick of being sick.  I can sympathise with you all as I know bad this disease is..

I would love to hear from anyone who has the same type of problems as I do..

[Jeannine]

Hello to everyone,

I am 29 and have had gastroparesis since I had my
gallbladder/appendix & adhesions removed
in Feb. of 98. I have found that propulsid
does not really help my stomach but helps
with constipation a little. I was on Domperidone
for about a year,having to increase the dose
to 30mg 3x a day. I had to discontinue it due
to lactation and irregular menstural cycles.
I did see some improvement of symptoms for a while.
I have found Zofran to be a great help with
nausea, unfortunatley it causes severe constipation
for me and then my stomach gets worse.
Ive found massage to be helpfull for my general
well being.

I have some questions...for anyone:
When you get a cold or flu does your
stomach get worse?

Anybody out there get gastroparesis after
gallbladder or appendix surgery?
I would also like to suggest a good web site:
www.dailyfutures.com/gastro.html
Im sorry to hear of so many people suffering
I hope we all get better soon!
To all...hang in there!
Jeannine (***@****)