Gastroparesis & Quality of Life

[VincentVols]

I am a 27 yr old female recently diagnosed with gastroparesis.  I had gallbladder surgery in Aug. 2007 and have seen a severe decline in the quality of life ever since.
I am only 3 weeks into my diagnosis and have already found it frustrating.

I spent the months after my surgery seeing doctors ever couple of weeks for fatigue, severe nausea, weight loss and chronic loose stools (sometimes 6 times a day).  I was told each time that those were the effects of the surgery and it would "take time" to get better.  After seeing the illness progress over the course of a couple of months, I went to get a second opinion. (THANK GOODNESS!!)  The doctor I began to see was determined to figure out what was wrong.  I went through 2 months of test (Upper GI, biopsies, CT scans, etc) all which indicated nothing was wrong.  It wasn't until I had the gastic emptying exam that my Dr. diagnosed me with Gastroparesis.  I also had a Hydrogen Breathe test which indicated large amounts of bacteria in my bowels (due to the excess of food that was not emptying from my stomach).

I am currently being treated with an antibiotic for the bacteria (which the Dr. explained that I could have to randomly take from here on out) and Reglan, along with phenegren and Zofran for nausea.  I have been advised to follow a liquid diet for the next couple of weeks so see how my symptoms react.  Since on the liquid diet, I have noticed a slight decrease in my nausea, but have been experiancing extreme fatigue and weakness.   Vomitting has decreased as well, however, still doing so 1-2 times per week.
When I have attempted "bites" of food - the pain comes back as well as the extreme nausea.  

My question for everyone is how long does this "extreme" feeling last. I have been out of work now close to 3 months.  Luckily I have a great insurance plan that is covering my disability, but I'm having a hard time letting them know "when things will get better".  I haven't seen any type of major improvement, however, I am in the early stages.  

After reading these post - I am a little discouraged as to how long this may take.
I am a very busy mother of two young kids (6 & 8).  I have found that if I rest all day before they get home from school, I will have a little energy to "play mom" until bedtime, but as we all know, that doesn't quite cut it for the role of "mother & wife".  I love my career, but now in fear of loosing it.
Does this disease have any time frames?  or it just a case by case basis?

I am intested in speaking to anyone with any advise.  My GI specialist did a great job of explaining to me that this whole process would be frustrating however, I had no idea how hard it would be.  My family calls daily to ask if I am "feeling better" and it would be so great...for just once..to answer "YES".

[VincentVols]

Just a word of caution and advice - Stick to going back to those Dr's no matter how frustrating it gets.  I'm not knocking all doctors out there, but it is a challenge to find the right one.  
My nausea and vomitting started in a similar pattern. I didn't feel this way all the time..just occassionally (nights and mornings being the worse times of day)...then a month later it would increase to maybe once a week...and Now...the nausea is 24/7 with occasional vomitting.
Once the sypmtoms started getting worse, it was all down hill from there.

The Gastric Emptying Exam (egg exam) was what officially got me diagnosed, but they also did a Hydrogen Breath Test the same weak. This measures the amount of bacteria in your body by a simple breath test.  It was easy and the test, out of all that I had done previously, finally showed something was wrong.  

I wouldn't jump to conclusions, but it seems that there have been several cases listed on this website that have both the gallbladder and gastroparesis problems.
Best of luck - Let me know how things go.

I have found one of the most frustrating things throughout being sick with a "mystery illness" is that all your family and friends (although concerned) call constantly to see "if you feel better" - Sometimes I just want to say - "I will let you know when something changes!" - It's very difficult and frustrating that you yourself don't know why your feeling better, but when noone else understands it - It makes it extra hard.

[chen60]

I have not been diagnosed with Gastropraresis but I have had some of the same things.  I started in 10/07 with nausea and dry heaves after 5 ER visits and CT Scans, Upper GI, Endoscopy, Colonoscopy, Gastric Emptying, bloodwork all normal.  Then I had a Hida Scan in 12/07 and the EF rate was 40% (back in June 07 it was 77%) so on 1-10-08 I had my gallbladder out thinking that was the problem and 2 days later I had nausea and dry heaves.  They started me on Reglan and Protonix and I have been just dealing with being sick every 10-12 days and then I feel ok for a few weeks and then sick again.  I just could not take it anymore and my doctor finally took me out on disabilty and I am going to see a doctor who specilizes in Nausea and vomiting.  This whole think has just made me so anxious and I just want my life back and no one can tell me why I feel like this.  I to wish I could just say I feel great when someone ask me how I am. Take care.