Gastroparesis

[Tiffany424200]

I have recently been diagnosed with mild gastroparesis after gallbladder surgery. I am frightened and scared. Will it possibly heal? My gastric emptying study showed that it took 112 minutes to digest half of the radioactive egg sandwhich. During the test I peed 3 times and had a bowel movement. Could this have affected the results. Should I be getting a second opinion? Normal is anywhere between 60-90min so how could something so mild cause all my symtoms? My symtoms are nausea, stomach gurlging, bloating pain in upper stomach and lower abdomen near the pelivs. I have always suspected an ovarian cyst but the surgeon who removed my gallbladder ordered and cat scan and hida scan and said everything was fine. Could there be an infection? The surgeon failed to mention reflux showed on the Hida scan which i found out from my primary care physician after making a phone call. My gastrointerologist T want to perscribe me Reglan. The doctor did not even call me in for an appointment to be told this. His assistant who books the appointment called and said you have gastroparesis and were calling in Reglan to your pharmacy. I called back and tried to ask her for diet recommendations and she says "EAT WHATEVER YOU WANT" "THE FOOD YOU EAT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT". Okay I know this is untrue as your supposed to eat low fat, no fiber and smaller meals throughout the day(smaller meals only thing she mentioned). The only time I have ever seen the doctor was for a colonoscopy and upper gi endoscopy before my gallbladder removal and everything was fine. Everytime I visit the office I see the crnp who thinks im nuts. I guess my question is could something be causing such a mild delay in my stomach emptying like an infection? I am getting little muscle twitches and spasms all over my arms, legs, feet and shoulder as well as my stomach. Is it normal for a my gastro's office to never have met with a doctor only for tests? Do thephysician assistant usually just call you up and tell you youv got a chronic illness youl never get rid of over the phone like its nothing? Should I continue with a second opinion? I weight 191 pounds since come down from 195. If I lost some weight and got healthy and started excersing could the gastroparesis heal or improve....SOME HELP ME PLEASE.

[Mistypax]

Tiffany, I have been suffering for years with severe pain that was recently (this year) diagnosed as gastroparesis. I had to advocate for myself. It seems the doctors do not look for this …. at all. A physician’s assistant actually requested the test and it came back that mine takes 278 minutes (instead of 90 minutes) to empty. I have been conducting a lot of research about this topic. There is VERY limited information and help. So many people have this and yet it seems to not be a priority. I am advocating and plan to make this a priority. I am not sure where you are located but there are a handful (or less) of places in this country that will help with medication and a Gastric Electrical Stimulation (GES) machine that is like a pacemaker for the stomach. If the stomach ever starts to work right again this can be reversed. Some doctors are telling people like me to get a Gastric Bypass, which is nonsense. The weight is not the problem, when the stomach does operate currently to begin with.

Anyway, I am trying to inform people about this issue. Here is a link to place that can help: http://www.gastroenterologyassociatesinc.com/    if you call - ask for Mary Beaves @ 412-623-1309.    If the distance is the problem, let me know because like I said there are a few….but in the northeast this is the best. If you have the test that shows the 112 minutes, then call them. PLEASE do NOT listen to the others, they are uninformed and are acting like it is not an issue. And please do your research about the Reglan, I was also prescribed that…look at the FDA website. It has many black marks against it. I am getting the GES implant and will take medicine. I hope all this helps and if you need anything further please let me know. It is an issue that you can pursue until someone helps you! Good Luck! Melissa    

[halfmoon403]

Tiffany, hey, I have gastroparesis also, and it took years before they found it. Everyone thought I was just not wanting to eat. It does matter what you eat and how much. Get second and third opinions and make them believe you.