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

[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 ***@****

[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.

[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

[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..

[bill]

Juli

I am sorry to hear about your husband, especially having these problems at 28. I am 36 and I thought I was just getting old. Sounds silly but the heavy stress these days, especially on young adults is incredible. Proving yourself at work, kids and just dealing with day to day situations, driving, bills, doctors appiontments. I went to a specialist for a year and you remember all the tests and medication I took. I still have my problems and am still looking for answers. Doctors though it was stress, but I took paxil and celexa. They seemed to help a little in a way I cannot decribe, but these are very unpleasant medications, I stopped taking them. I think stress may have helped to form this condition, but I need help. I don't have all of the symtoms your husband has, but everyday is a fight. I wish I could do more but right now I don't know what to do. I will keep searching, and I if I find something I will post.

Take care,

Bill