Rapid Gastric Emptying

[ErinAnn]

I have been experiencing chronic nausea since 2006.  Finally last year after much testing they ordered a gastric emptying study believing me to have delayed gastric emptying based upon symptoms of early fullness, food coming back up on me, gastritis, acid reflux.  The study came back with rapid gastric emptying.  My food was leaving my stomach before I was even finished eating.  The doctors did not find a cause for this and didn't seem too concerned about it since I do not have any ulcers but I have also been taking prilosec for acid reflux for years.  I cannot eat a lot of hamburg or greasy foods without getting sulfur burps and stomach pain.  Should I be concerned or just accept this as part of my life and move on?  FYI i have never had any kind of gastric surgery or anything.

[Margot49]

I see this is an old thread but I have been really sick. Was sent to a soecialist over 2 hrs away, barostat test and told I have rapid gastric emptying.  I have not had abdominal surgery either. Nothing they give me helps or I react to it.  Now have Carafate which worsens my dry mouth and throat issues and is not helping.
I will wake up Around 5:00 AM, sweating then the Hello and nausea start.  I don't have dumping syndrome either.  

[patient915]

How low does it drop?  What does your pulse do?  Does this happen if you stand up slowly, taking your time?

[ErinAnn]

I can have several blackouts a day.  I realize it is normal for a small drop in blood pressure.  For me it does not usually remain low for 10 minutes.  That is why it is called instantaneous or sometimes initial orthostatic hypotension.  What happens with me is I will get up take a couple steps and black out, I dont fully lose consciousness but I do lose sight and my hearing becomes dulled.  Usually I am able to sit down and by the time I sit I am already coming out of it then when I get up I have a massive pounding headache for a couple minutes.  Then my blood pressure is read as high right after this because it is over compensating for the drop.  

[patient915]

I'm not sure what you are talking about. A small drop in blood pressure immediately after standing is normal.  Does your blood pressure remain low 10 minutes after standing?

[ErinAnn]

I have instantaneous orthostatic hypotension and I did see an autonomic specialist from Boston.  He basically told me he doesn't think it's autonomic and usually its delayed gastric emptying for autonomic dysfunction but then I see contradicting info online.  The gastro and the autonomic specialist both say they don't believe it is autonomic.  Apparently I am just lucky and have all these health problems (I have other issues as well) and none of them are related.  There is a disorder I read about called Zollinger-Ellison syndrome and I do have acid problems but never had any ulcers or anything so they aren't concerned about that.  

[patient915]

It isn't always caused by surgery.  Do you have any other autonomic symptoms?

[ErinAnn]

Thank you.  I did see a gastroenterologist and that is who diagnosed me.  Everything I have read talks about it being caused by surgery and  I have not had surgery.  They said they didn't believe my problem was autonomic but yet no one can tell me what is causing this.

[patient915]

Welcome to the gastroenterology community!  It sounds like you might have dumping syndrome.  I would recommend seeing a gastroenterologist about this.  You can also read about it here to learn more: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dumping-syndrome/DS00715