What is happening?

[Jim B.]

I am a 55 year old male.  I have been experiencing "stress" that is related to both the need to urinate and/or the need to have a bowel movement for several years - it is exhibited by significant perspiration.  In addition, about 6 months ago I noticed a change in the odor of my ejaculate from the normal
"salty" to "heavy and sweet".  Finally, for the last 4 to 8
weeks I have been experiencing relatively constant low level
pain in my right armpit that is always aggravated by sleeping
on my right side (my normal position).  I do not have other pain.
I do spend considerable time on my computer and my mouse is right side but I am concerned that it is not just repetitive stress.

[michael hughes]

I recently passed a gastric emptying test that was solid and liquid. I then 3 weeks later failed a solid test dramaticaly. No prokinetic drugs work for me and I am nauseaus all the time whether I eat or not. Could I have gastroparesis and have had no luck wtih zofran kytril or other antiemetics how do i get rid of the nauseau befor I go insane!

[by LA Tuesday, July 11th, 2000]

Two months ago, I felt a chest pain after four bites of salad with Italian dressing. I went to see my doctor and sent me to the  LAB to get an Upper GI Series test. The test was, I have Acid Reflux..

My doctor precribed Zantac 150mg twice a day. Also not to eat fried or fatty food, avoid alcohol, tomato products and other food that will trigger my acid reflux problem.

One of the things my doctor mentioned is do not lie down 2 hours after eating.

My question is: I work from 8-5:00 p.m. I got up at 5:30 a.m. everyday. I have 1-hour lunch. I use the 30 minutes for lunch and 30 minutes nap. I know that lying down is not good if you have acid reflux. But how about napping or sleeping on a SITTING POSITION? Will this consider okay or not okay?

Sometimes after napping/sleeping for 30 minutes, when I woke up my stomach feels heavy and feels like something stock in my throat. No pain and no trouble swallowing.

I appreciate any feedback. Please help!

[Doug]

My mom has had severe adominal cramps and diarreah for 6 weeks. Has has blood tests, cat scans, urine tests, and she has lost 15 pounds, which is 20% of her weight. She is 72. Always been healthy but has a higher than average colesteral level, and has been diagnosed with a small, unmoving gall stone. She is getting weaker by the day, and doesn't want to eat because it always ends up as painful diareah. Any ideas?

[Anne-Marie ([email protected])]

TO:  36yo FEMALE - MESSAGE POSTED 2/15/00

Please provide an e-mail address and/or name (initials if uncomfortable).  It's difficult addressing your specific posting without some identification.

I'm a 42yo female with some of the same symptoms you've described.  My health has been relatively good (some panic attack pains, cardiac, that ceased years ago)until the past six months. However, the primary symptom is incessant belching. There was a one 3-month period of dyspepsia (abdominal discomfort, like mild pre-menstrual cramping)and irregular constipation for a week at two separate times. The Gastroenterology Dept. performed Endoscopies, Upper GI, CAT scans, Pelvic Ultrasound, blood samples, stool samples - nothing unusual.  My primary MD and Gastroenterology believe it's chronic depression. (Nonsense!)  Last week my stools have been showing lighter discoloration, a little cramping too. Also, lightheadedness.  

Research various websites, if you've not already done so.  Some vague symptoms (e.g., cramps, dhiarria, constipation) may indicate a condition other than gastrointestinal trac (sp?).  Ovarian cancer can cause stomach related ailments.  Read up on those symptoms.

Good luck!

[Carol Guilford]

Hi,

In 1995, the FDA was forced to reveal, under the Freedom of Information Act, 92 symptoms caused by aspartame (Equal, NutraSweet)  No. 3 is vomiting and nausea and no. 4 is abdominal pain and cramps.  

Check the labels of everything you eat or drink or swallow.  Aspartame is now in 6,000 products including antacids, vitamins and prescription drugs such as Singulair.  Children are having seizures when they ingest Pedialyte and Children's Tylenol

For more information, please go to www.dorway.com and http://aspartamekills.com

Best,
Carol

[To Jessica from Kim]

Jessica, it sounds like you could have an ulcer. Vomiting blood is very serious and can happen with ulcers, you might want to get an endoscopy if you haven't had one yet. Good luck and I hope you feel better soon.

[Jesssica]

Dear readers,
  I am 18 years old. Last year, in January of 99, I delivered a beautiful baby girl. Shortly afterward I made constant visits to the E.R. with severe abdominal pain. Shortly afterward had my gall bladder removed. Still to this day I have the same persistent pain. At first I thought it was because of my diet so I started watching what I was eating. Still the pain persisted. Now I've resorted to one small meal a day. I've lost a considerable amount of weight. Still the pain pesists. I've had the upper GI done, the cat scans, you name it it's been done.The pain is unbearable. It starts off feeling like a pulsation right below my rib cage, then like a knife tearing me apart. Shortly afterward I began vomiting.(sometimes even blood)If at all possible I avoid eating. I also have problems sleep on my stomach because of the pain.My body is giving out on me. I'm restless and starving. The doctors can't help me.They have given me everything from  Zantac, Prilosec, Tums, you name it I've taken it. Is there anyone out there who can? Any suggestions? Thank you for your time.
Sincerly, Jessica

Sincerly,
Jessica

[Comment to Rita from AJ,March7,2000]

To Rita:
     I have had gastroparesis for 10 years but not due to Diabetes.I spent much time reading on this by going to a nearby University Medical Center to the medical library. They let anyone use it regular hours. Libarians usually will assist you in finding textbooks and show you how to use Medline to read articles. If you spend enough time there you will know as much as most Dr.s in the field.
     My gastroparesis  is worse after evening meals, up to 5am sometimes. Your Metro-- med is called Reglan. Been around many years but has central nervous system effect in many people, makes one hyper , restless and can cause abnormal muscle spasms.
  Past few years a med called cisapride(propulsid) has been used a lot. I havent talked to anyone with my problem that got results. However , have been several deaths reported,sudden cardiac. FDA told drug co. to put more warnings on it.But still on market. Dont know if appropriate for diabetic.
     My small routine in am is to take about 1/3 glass prune juice WITH PULP with breakfast. Dont get as distended and keeps G.I. tract open which I think helps. Cant take it after supper cause dont want to be in bathroom late at night you know.
  I have scrip for Ativan, take afetr evening meal seems to empty stomache slightly better than without anything. Take small dose. Im in 70s.

[Rita]

Hi I am a 55 year old woman. I am franticly searching for all the information concerning my ailment. I have been told by my doctor that the muscles in my stomach are not working, due to my diabetis. I am in constant severe stomach pain. Nothing seems to work. I have had the endoscopy for the doctor to find this out.
He has put me on IC METOCLOPRAMIDE 10MG TABLET TEV. This is not working either. No difference. Prilosec does not work either. He has said I have diabetic gastroparesis. The only symptoms that I have is severe burning in my stomach, and a feeling to have a bowel movement quite frequently. I am almost afraid to leave the house. The burning in my stomach is constant with no relief. Can anyone tell me if this is the best it gets. No medication is working at all. No relief. Is there anything that can be done? What should I be asking my doctor about concerning my treatment. Is there any other resources where I may get more information?
I was afraid to post here, but I am desperate for relief. Thanks to anyone who can help with any of these many and varied questions. May God bless you all.

[cara]

COMMENT TO KAREN AND APRIL

MY ENDOSCOPY SHOWED THE SAME THING AS YOUR DAUGHTER KAREN. MY DR DIDN'T SEEM TO MAKE A BIG DEAL OF THE PROBLEM. LIKE A SLIDING HIALAL HERNIA AND INFLAMMATION WASN'T THAT BAD. I DO NOT TAKE ANY DRUGS UNLESS I AM DYING BUT THEY DON'T HELP ANYWAY. YOU MUST EAT IN SMALL MEALS. AND NOT AT NIGHT. IF I EAT AT NIGHT I WILL BE SICK ALL NIGHT. I EXPERIENCE HORRIBLE NAUSEA, ABDOMINAL PAIN, AND MY STOMACH BLOATS. YOU MUST CHANGE YOUR WAY OF EATING. IF YOU EAT IN SMALL MEALS I AM TELLING YOU THE SYMPTOMS WILL IMPROVE.

[TO KAREN]

Karen,

Possibly another doctor and opinion is in order?Pain killers
are very irritating to the GI system and can slow gastric motility also.I have ideopathic gastroparesis and
chronic abdominal pain and pain killers were never an option.
Sometimes Tricyclic antidepressants are usefull in treating pain.
It sounds like there is a issue needing resolution, not
"cover up drugs".A web site you may want to try for a diet
that may be more tolerable for your daughter is the
Jackson Gastroenterology site. They have diet plans for
people with gastroparesis but I think it would still be helpful
for your daughter.I hope she is feeling better soon.

Jeannine
P.S.-to get your question in,try in the morning.If there are
no posts for that date and you can't post, its probably because
they haven't "re-set" the system,so just keep trying.
Between 8 and 9:30 or so is a good time to try.Good Luck.

[comment from Karen]

Sorry- will move this to a question area.

[Karen]

I have 22 year old daughter trying to finish her last year of college. For about a month she has pain after eating..anything. So she would skip meals.  First she self-treated for ulcer. watched what she ate etc. The pain continued. She saw a Dr and he ordered upper GI and gall bladded ultrasound. All normal. Pain was bad enough one evening she was in emergency room. they just ruled out appendix etc.  They ordered nuclear skan of gall bladder. It was normal.  She saw a specialist GI and he did upper endoscopy. Saw small hiatel hernia with some inflamation. we don't have lab work back yet, but he prescribes a pain medicine to take prior to eating.  this makes her very tired. She can't drive and can't keep up with homework. the pain is still bad enough he added another pain med to make her even more tired. She continues to try to live on 1 small meal a day so she avoids pain. most of the time just does not feel good.  The most recent Dr just seems to have the attitude if it hurts, take the pill or don't eat.  I think her overall health is downhill a lot in the past month.  Is there anything else that can be done beside living on pain meds that make you tired?

[Gastroparesis mom]

Hi Jeannine --

Yes the doctors think there is a connection, but they don't know what it is.  I have met another mom and daughter and also a grandmother and grandaughter who have gastroparesis.  Re my daughter and me:  Some drs think that there may be an underlying autoimmune disorder that is as yet undiagnosed.  Others think there may be a genetic tendency to develop this condition that may be passed on.  There has never been a gene marker identified for gastroparesis or anything like that.  So drs just have different theories.

I've done quite a bit of research, as you can imagine, but haven't really learned anything terribly useful.  I hope that there are docs out there working on this.  We had hoped that the doctors at the Mayo Clinic might have some answers, but they did not.  

Thanks for your concern.  Good luck.

Deb

[Jeannine]

Hi Gastroparesis Mom,

I am sorry to hear that you and your daughter have gastroparesis.
I am a 29yo female and have had ideopathic gastroparesis since 2/98 and intestinal dysmotility.
I am curious as to if the doctors thought there was some kind
of connection? Maby hereditary or something? Have they found
something you both have in common that might cause the gastroparesis?I have not yet encountered two family members,
especialy Mom and daughter,that have gastroparesis.Maby there
is some link that could help them understand the condition
better than they do at this time?I am sorry to ask all these
questions,I don't mean to intrude.

Jeannine   ***@****

[Gastroparesis mom]

April,
I am a 45 year old female with ideopathic gastroparesis.  My daughter began experiencing symptoms similar to yours at age 13.  After extensive GI work-up, the doctors decided to evaluate her stomach emptying to check for possible gastroparesis.  She was found to have the same condition that I have.
It is very difficult sometimes for women, especially young ones, to get a correct diagnosis of GI diseases.  You need to see a really good specialist in GI disorders who can do a thorough work-up.  If they are unable to find the problem, you must persist.  Do not allow anyone to make you think it is all in your head.  Some doctors may even think you are bulimic and throwing up on purpose, although it is quite obvious that is not the case.
Not all medical centers have the proper equipment to diagnose the full range of GI disorders.  Check around.  Write me back if you need to.

[HFHSm.D.-Gastro-rf]

Dear Jim B,
I suggest that you arrange for a routine evaluation by your primary physician. Going through the appropriate tests may reassure you regarding your symptoms.  The constellation of symptoms are not suggestive of gastrointestinal disease.

[Kathy to CJ]

Glad to hear things are looking up somewhat after all your friend has been through. Maybe one of these days insurance companies will realize they are releasing mothers and babies too early, and sometimes before the time when such problems arise. You would not believe the rate of "hospital returns" that newborns suffer, simply because they went home before many common, and uncommon, problems set in. That's to say nothing for moms going through C-sections and episiotomies.

I pray all continues to go well, and that dear Mommie is completely healed so she can devote her attention to baby. They will be in our prayers, as well.

[Jeannine]

CJ,

I am so glad things are looking better for your friend!
I will be praying for her.............and everyone here
who is suffering. Its good to hear the baby is ok ! :)
Best wishes,
Jeannine

[AS]

Dear CJ and please help us,
I have a friend of a friend who had a normal vaginal delivery but required an episiotomy. She went home within 48 hours and was given the "every thing is ok" release. Within 24-48 hours she was having extreme vaginal pain and high fevers. After being admitted to the hospital immediately, they reopened her repaired episiotomy only to find that she had a flesh eating bacteria (necrotizing fachitis-not sure how to spell). She was put on high dose antibiotics and taken to the O.R. daily or every other day for debridement of the dead tissues in hopes of saving her life from septic shock (overwhelming infection). She had a colostomy was on a respirator and in a "coma". Her hospitilzation lasted 6 weeks and was touch and go the first 3 weeks. She improved, came off the respirator and was released. She has since had surgeries to reverse the colostomy and cosmetic type surgery to reform and shape her vaginal wall. She is doing wonderfully today and may be trying for another child soon. It was determined that this bacteria was something she was exposed to at the hospital during her delivery. I don't know if she ever experienced any of the bloating you were talking about though. Good luck, and your friend is in our prayers.

[to please help us]

comment for you posted under as

[Concerned read to Aprill Nunn]

Dear April:

To receive an answer from a physician, you have to post your question FIRST thing in the morning. This way, you might get some answers from other readers, such as myself. The Forum only takes a few questions per day and closes to new ones.

Have you been checked for an ulcer? Do you ever have any bleeding or are your stools discolored, i.e., dark or with a reddish tinge? You definitely need to see a doctor. You're too young to suffer like this. And you must be compliant with your medications and instructions. It is imperative for your health.

If you are suffering from severe reflux, there is a medication you could ask your doctor about. It is called Prilosec and works very well for reflux, acid indigestion, etc. I had a terrible problem for years with reflux, which became so severe, I would wake up in the middle of the night choking on the reflux, unable to breathe or cough, because I had aspirated in my sleep. There are many other medications for ulcers, etc. And testing for ulcers is quite simple. They are caused by a bacteria called H. Pylori.

I urge you to contact a physician and get yourself checked out. Otherwise, if you want to ask questions here, get on the site as early as possible.

Good luck!!

[aprill...19 years old need advice soon]

my name is aprill nunn i am a 19 year old with many health conditions, which in many ways ive choose to ignore due to my own stuburness. about 4 years ago i was diagnosed with a hiatel hernia. i was put on medication and curently i discontinued. the doctor at the time said i was to young to have surgery. i have been experiancing alot of gastric reflex. i try and take zantac...pepcid...anything that will help but its only working for a short period. at night my when i go to sleep i have difficulty sleeping my stomach hurts to much. i try and drink milk to coat my stomach but it doesnt help. i throw up often at times theres weeks where i cant eat because its to painful. i also have asthma and i never know if its the hernia or the asthma. is there any advice you can give me plaese do. thank you for your time.

sincerly,
aprill nunn

[To "you're right" by Kathy]

Now that's a wonderful answer!! This is the kind of response that gets noticed by God and everyone else. Good for you!! That took a lot of courage and you will reap your rewards for your kindness.