serious experience only please, with gastroparesis?

Question

my son is 17 years old, we have seen 4 doctors now, he has been diagnosed with gastroparesis. his symptoms are CONSTANT neausa, vomiting after ANY solid foods, he can no longer eat solids, and severe to at times excruciating pain in his stomach. we have tried all sorts of medicines, with no relief. they are talking feeding tubes now, and he is being sent to a childrens hospital for further testing. trust me when I say he has has every test know to man, and even some that I have not even heard of, just wanted to hear from others with this terriable disease that is distroying my sons life. he is so miserable and I feel so powerless.
thanks for any info or experiences.

just so everyone knows, I do know what gastoparesis is, I have reasearched it from top to bottom, and know full well all the details from seeing the suffering of my son. just would like to hear from others wtih this diease, their experiences, and how they cope. maybe it might help my son to hear from others. thanks

Answer 1

Dear God, did you people even READ this woman's question????

Babydoll, run a search for "gastroparesis support group" and at the top of the list is a website for an international support group. You can also check with your son's GI doc and your local hospital to find out if there's one in your city.

Your son may require a J-tube to circumvent his stomach altogether. My heart goes out to you both. I know that with gp there is often a primary condition that has caused the gp. While I & my family have no personal experience with this, as a nurse I feel obligated to help you in any way that I can. I hope I have. You and your son will be in my prayers tonight.

Answer 2

What is gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis means paralysis of the stomach. The stomach is a hollow organ composed primarily of muscle that serves as a storage container for food. Food in the stomach is ground into tiny pieces by the constant churning which is generated by the regular contractions of the stomach muscles. Once the food has been adequately ground, it slowly is emptied from the stomach into the intestine in a metered fashion. This process allows the emptied food to be well-mixed with the digestive juices of the intestine, pancreas, and liver (bile) and to be digested and absorbed well. When the stomach muscles are paralyzed, food is not thoroughly ground and does not empty into the intestine normally.

What causes gastroparesis?
Gastroparesis can be caused by either diseases of the stomach muscles or the nerves that control these muscles. Often there is no specific cause identified.

The most common cause of gastroparesis is diabetes mellitus, which damages the nerves controlling the stomach muscles. Gastroparesis can also result from the intentional nerve cutting (vagotomy) during surgery for peptic ulcer disease.

Occasionally, gastroparesis is caused by nervous reflexes, for example, when the pancreas is inflamed (pancreatitis). In such cases, neither the nerves nor the muscles are diseased, but messages are sent through the nerves of the stomach which prevent the muscles from working normally. Other causes of gastroparesis include potassium, calcium or magnesium imbalance, medications (such as narcotic pain-relievers), scleroderma, and thyroid disease.

Answer 3

What is gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis means paralysis of the muscles of the stomach. Gastroparesis results in delayed emptying of food from the stomach into the small intestine.

The stomach is a hollow organ composed primarily of muscle that serves as a storage container for food. Food in the stomach is ground into tiny pieces by the constant churning that is generated by the contractions of the stomach’s muscles. Once the food has been adequately ground, it slowly is emptied from the stomach into the intestine in a metered fashion. Only food ground into small particles can be emptied from the stomach in a normal fashion, and smaller particles are digested better in the intestine. Moreover, the metering process allows the emptied food to be well-mixed with the digestive juices of the intestine, pancreas, and liver (bile) and to be absorbed well from the intestine.

When the stomach’s muscles are paralyzed, food is not thoroughly ground and does not empty into the intestine normally. Since the muscular mechanisms whereby ground, solid food and liquid food are emptied from the stomach are different, there may be delayed emptying of solid food (most common), solid and liquid food (less common), or liquid food alone (least common).

Answer 4

Why not take the metoclopramide? It is very effective. As far as your "pearls" who knows what is in them. Just because something is labeled as being natural or organic doesn't mean it is good for you, effective, or even safe. Most of those so called natural remedies are good for only one thing: separating you from your money. You shouldn't need digestive enzymes for gastroparesis. Most of your digestive enzymes come into play when your food reaches the small bowel. Who diagnosed you with gastroparesis? Why don't you speak with your caregiver about these concerns. I'm sure he or she can give you some safe effective dietary advice.

Answer 5

http://www.medicinenet.com/gastroparesis/article.htm