Need info on gastric by-pass

[nancy75012]

I am 62 yrs. old .I had Gall Bladder surgery in 2009 and was still very sick and in severe pain. I then found out i had Gastro Paresis. I am on lots of medications but none seem to help. I live with severe pain and can hardly eat anything at all.I only take percocet10 because my Pain  dr. doesn't agree that i need anything stronger. My gastrol dr. would like me to be on a regular stronger pain patch. She saids this is the only way i will ever be able to live a normal life with the pain i have. Do you think the Gastric Pacemaker would help in any way at my age? I don't want to live with this pain everyday and i hate taking the meds so much. Could you please help me with an answer. Is there any site i could go to to learn more about this pacemaker? I live close to U K hospital in Lexington Ky. Do you know of any Dr. that would consider doing this kind of surgery.My Dr. is also trying to get me on Pallitative care,Is this a good option to give me some type relief with the pain and being able to eat? Thank you. Nancy Bailey  I also have a list of medications i take if you need them, including the GI cocktal. Can not take the reglan because of side effects.

[patient915]

What is the GI "cocktail" you are on?  Have you ever tried domperidone?  Have you tried neurontin (or something similar)?  What other medical conditions do you have?

What type of pain pump are you talking about?

[nancy75012]

here are the meds.I take..G I cocktail-Amoloipine-carvedilol-plavix-megestro;-misoprostel-Pravastatin-percocet 10-promethazine Beledonna.I  also take relistor as needed but not often because of the direah. I have tried reglan and now tramadol but have very bad reactions with these. My dr. would like me on a pain patch that doesn't go straight into the stomach and would also help with the chronic back pain i have. I am now at my witts end as i don't know what to do about the pain and my dr. at the pain clinic doesn't believe in pain patches so would a pain pump be better? Someone please help.

[patient915]

Laparoscopic pyloroplasty has been around for a long time as a treatment for gastroparesis.  However, the big problem with this is that it is permanent and has many risks (such as dumping syndrome and worsening in symptoms if there is also small bowel dysmotility).  Diet and medications should definitely be tried first.  Botox injections are also a very good thing to try before a pyloroplasty and they are a good indicator if the pyloroplasty will be helpful.

[drpittsburgh]

The new treatment, that not even most surgeons and gastroenterologists know, is laparoscopic pyloroplasty.  The first study was quietly published in the medical literature in July 2011.  I am presently writing up our study, where we found the same results.  All patients improved, some cured.  No mechanical devices.  Two nights in the hospital.  No leaks.  No dumping.  I am thrilled about this and it is my personal mission to bring the information to the public sooner.  It takes too long for multiple studies to get published...and hopefully even read by your doctors.  
Also, narcotics should be a LAST resort...

[patient915]

Welcome to the gastroenterology community!  I also have gastroparesis and I am currently 100% fed through a J tube.  Yes the gastric pacemaker might help you, but it is unlikely to relieve any of your pain (it helps with vomiting and nausea but nothing else).  Have you had testing to see if your small intestine is working okay?  Have you tried botox injections?  What meds have you tried?  Also, I understand that you can have a lot of pain with gastroparesis and often doctors are reluctant to treat this with stronger pain meds.  However, narcotics can make all of your symptoms worse and sometimes even cause more pain.  I would recommend that you try all other ossible other medications to help pain before trying strong narcotics.  This includes things like neurontin or tramadol (which is better than other narcotics).