Gastroparesis .. does anyone suffer from this ?

Question

Apparently it's mosty found in diabetics ( which I'm not) but I've been told it's quite rare, incurable and difficult to manage. Does anyone suffer from it (or know of anyone who does) and can tell me how they deal with it ? Particularly in the UK ..

Answer 1

I feel for you! I have suffered from this stupid disease for 18 months now. They injected my stomach with Botox last year, which helped me eat, but only for 5-6 months. I am resigned to the fact I will never eat another meal again.

I find it comes and goes. When there was no food intake for 2 weeks, I used to take myself off to hospital and spend 24 hours on a saline drip, until I realised I couldnt spend my life doing that. Now, what helps me, is iced water and sleep. If I can do that for 2-3 days, I can finally keep food down.

It's a circle, you don't feel like eating, therefore you don't, so you're weak, and because your stomach is so empty, all that comes up is bile. I have tried all the meds, maybe some will work for you, none did for me. Only Zofran, the anti nausea drug, is a wonder drug, however it is very expensive.

This illness is horrible, the vomiting, being full after 3 bites of food....I spent my life on stupid diets, now I'd give my right arm to eat a full meal. Just a tip before I go, ALWAYS keep a plastic bag handy, you never know when it's going to hit you. Good luck!

Answer 2

I'm sorry to hear that you suffer with gastroparesis, topgirl1512. I, too, suffer with it, but I am diabetic.

For people who aren't aware what gastroparesis is, it's where the contents of your stomach don't empty regularly, usually caused by nerve damage.

Generally speaking, topgirl1512, it's the symptoms that are treated rather than the cause. I take Metoclopramide 3 times a day to prevent vomiting, and Lansoprazole (a proton pump inhibitor), which reduces the amount of acid produced by the stomach. (I don't know if there's any way that they can treat nerve damage ... usually the vagus nerve, but there are treatment options available ... depending on the severity of the gastroparesis.)

No doubt, topgirl1512, you appreciate that I haven't given a full list of symptoms that can affect someone who suffers with gastroparesis. This was primarily due to respect that you have no wish to be embarrassed. If you're not sure what these other symptoms are, send me an email and I'll explain them ... and tell you what other medications I take to combat them. (Just click on my photograph/avatar and send me an email.)

My understanding, due to there being no way to treat damaged nerves, is that the condition is incurable, and I can tell you that it can be difficult to manage. I've been hospitalised several times because of it.

Addendum:

As an afterthought, you might like to take a look at the following sites, both of which give a pretty good description of gastroparesis.

I've just taken a look at the site indicated by kristen_coffaro, and seen that it's a good site too. Do take a look.

Answer 3

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

I hope you get what you need