Welcome to this blog. First of all, allow me to introduce myself.
I am Nathan Swanson. I am 30 years old as of the date of this posting. I was diagnosed with gastroparesis in March of 2013 (so, not that long ago). Before my diagnosis, I would have week long spells of nausea. I would feel fine one week, and then feel like throwing up for about a week, and then start feeling better. During each of these spells, I would lose 15 lbs. This had been happening on and off since Dec 8, 2012. The year before that, I had gotten sick to my stomach about 5-6 times. And before that, I hadn't been sick to my stomach in over 10 years (but I had a lot of acid reflux issues).
Around the times I was getting sick, I was taking omeprazole (Prilosec) for acid reflux issues. This comes into play eventually...
December 15, 2012, started out as a normal day for me. Felt fine most of the day. That night, our company had a Christmas party. I ate a decent meal with everyone. About 45 minutes to an hour after the meal, I started feeling very nauseated. I ended up leaving the party early and got across the street and then vomited. I managed to walk home, and then proceeded to spend an hour on and off vomiting about every 5 minutes. I figured that I must have had contracted some serious stomach bug.
Ever since then, I would feel fine, and then get the week of nausea. This leads me to believe that my gastroparesis was a result of this stomach bug that I had gotten.
I didn't get diagnosed with it until March when I finally decided to let my health insurance start working for me.
A lot of the people I had met with this disorder, had doctors claim that their illness was "in their heads." I was fortunate to get a referral to the gastroenterology clinic in Sioux Falls. After two tests, an esophagogastroduodenoscopy (upper gastric endoscopy), and a gastric emptying scintigraphy, I had my diagnosis, and a lot of confusion.
So, naturally, being of an insatiable sense of curiosity and my obsessive need to research and study EVERYTHING medical (I'm a hypochondriac)... I did a lot of research. I pretty much know a lot about this disorder. I have gone over medical studies and journals. I have done a lot of eastern treatments. I have joined a Facebook group of people who also have this disorder. And I am trying to stay positive.
I am here to report that I haven't had many bad flare-ups since I started trying things. I can eat most foods without issues (although, there are some foods that I have discovered will incapacitate me with nausea for a day or two). I find it hard to actually keep to the gastroparesis diet that was provided with me after my diagnosis. But I figure, as long as what I'm doing works... why should I? I am keep up with my nutritional needs. I can even eat nuts (a big no-no as nuts don't digest), as long as I do so in moderation. I can't eat hoards and hoards of nuts like I used to. Oh well.
Now, anyone looking at me, would not be able to tell I have this problem. I am overweight. I used to tell myself when I was nauseated for a week at a time, "Oh look, I lost 15 lbs. I could definitely use the weight loss, I just don't want to lose it THIS way." Being that I'm a hypochondriac as well, I have a tendency to overreact, and my fear of the rapid weight loss was... If I lose this weight too fast, I'll develop ketoacidosis (which can develop in anorexia and bulimic people as well as diabetics).
The medical reports I have read all ended in disappointment. The studies were cancelled prematurely in my opinion. However, they did provide some insight. And they allowed me to formulate theories. My mind always is coming up with theories and thoughts that I think are genius. I decided I had enough of just thinking of this stuff... I'm going to start posting it. Either others will share in my thoughts, or others will criticize. I am hoping that readers of this will share their input. Remember, I am not a doctor. My theories will sometimes border on the medical side, but being that there isn't a lot known about this disorder, a lot of the gastroparesis sufferers out there probably know just as much (if not more) than the doctors themselves. The doctors can test for it, but the sufferers truly know how it feels and how it works from a more personal perspective. But being that I'm not a doctor, if one of my theories just doesn't seem to agree with what you were told, then don't yell at me about it. Gastroparesis affects everyone differently. What works for one person will not work for another. With that in mind, good luck and I hope you find this blog helpful.
Also, if you have any theories of your own you would like to share, PLEASE share them with me. I would be glad to include them in this blog. Theories should be shared. Theories get tested... And that's how we define fact. I am looking to band together as a community, sharing ideas and remedies to minimize flare-ups and to improve overall quality of life. Thank you for reading!!! :)
GP is a tough disease and I too share your misery.I am beginning to believe that chemicals we are eating in processed foods and chemicals sprayed on our grains and fruits and stuff are killing our digestive systems.They have not studied anything about Gastroparesis so I have researched and this is my own theory.I did my search about Monsanto and it lead me into stuff that is frightening. I came across one page that gave digestive disorders as a symptom of the chemicals they use since the chemicals blow the stomachs of insects up why wouldn't it have some effect on us? Just a theory but one worth looking in to.I am going to try to eat GMO free as much as possible buying home grown local produce and meats and see what happens. We can not sit back and wait for Drs to take an interest in us and we can not rely on any pharmaceutical company to help us so maybe nature is the way to go.It is worth a try.I wish everyone well and pray that soon this disease has a cure.
ReplyDeleteYes, I shall do research into that too. After all, people never really ever complained about stuff like this back before genetically modified foods came into the picture. So, those are very valid points.
ReplyDeleteDo you have your gallbladder? A lot of people I've asked, especially on the GP Facebook Page, had their gallbladder out before they were diagnosed with GP. I just find that link interesting. GP is caused by vagas nerve damage - but how does one sever or damage that nerve besides abdominal surgery and diabetes? I have some studies cited on my blog if you would care to look. I'm always on the lookout for new info - www.emilysstomach.blogspot.com.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the delay in posting. I have been incredibly busy. I do still have my gallbladder (no pain from gallstones or anything). I have been managing my GP fairly well and can still eat most foods. I go very far and few in between before I get spells of nausea any more. I do seem to have some lower GI issues (irregularity, etc), but I am still doing all right. Now, as far as other damage to the vagas nerve, from what I've read in studies, etc, I have found that there are MANY causes of vagus nerve damage. For instance, consider the fact that the vagas nerve IS a nerve, and therefore, any illness or chronic health condition that can cause nerve damage, could cause gastroparesis. This means that things like multiple sclerosis can on rare occasions cause damage to the nerve. Drug use (or even those who take lots of pain killers for pain) can cause damage to the vagas nerve. Now, things like stomach acid, etc... I would GUESS would be more likely to the valve itself vs. the nerve. (Again, a theory). When I would get nauseated, I would try everything in my power to NOT throw up, because I have this theory that excessive retching and vomiting can actually cause damage to the MUSCLES of the stomach. It doesn't matter how good your nerves are, if muscles are damaged or strained, they will not work as well either. (Imagine trying to lift a heavy object if you strained or pulled a muscle in your arm... you may have been able to lift it before, but you'll find that your muscles are significantly weaker when hurt). So, my theory is that gastroparesis isn't just tied into nerve function (or dysfunction). My theory is that there are many different possibilities that all cause of the symptoms of gastroparesis. For a lot of people who get is as a result of diabetes, for instance, it would be most likely nerve damage. For someone who developed it as a result of a stomach infection, it COULD be a nerve issue or it COULD be a muscle issue (which would explain why some people who get it as a result of a stomach bug recover). And being that muscle is involved, this partially explains why a lot of people who develop gastroparesis as a result of pain relievers also recover. A lot of pain relievers work on the principle that they will relax muscles... being that the stomach is a series of muscle that must contract and relax, a stomach that is too relaxed due to pain relievers won't contract as well (limiting motility). So, there are a lot of theories on this. And part of the reason that treatments are inconsistent from one person to another is because I feel that this has more causes than just simply vagas nerve damage.
DeleteHi Nathan, it's really interesting what you're doing and I am looking forward to your theories. My own personal theory is that my Gastroparesis might have been caused by taking antibiotics. I took them, got incredibly sick and ended up in the ER. I recovered from this whole thing and month later I got spells of nausea, which quickly developed in full blown Gastroparesis symptoms (nausea, throwing up, bloating, constipation, etc). It took the doctors half a year to figure out what was wrong and in the meantime I also got sent to a psychiatrist. With medication and a diet I am finally getting things under control now. So that's one of my theories, that it can be caused by antibiotics.
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ReplyDeleteI have no GP symptoms, yet according to the test (eating food with traces, and lying under xray) have been diagnosed GP. At the time I was under investigation for a mystery berthing problem. Respiratory and heart had been ruled out. I suddenly became very thirsty, and my amylase & lipase levels were up. A CT scan showed a bulky pancreas . I consulted the internet and started taking grapefruit juice and grape seed extract. Went off to gastro specialist, and MRI showed pancreas OK. GP was diagnosed after xray test. Breathing is now OK. Seems that my breathing difficulty was a temporarily bulky pancreas (unknown cause. I suspect oestrogen, my doctor says impossible). I also have a hiatus hernia that was diagnosed years ago, and of course the bulk from the food sitting in my stomach. All of these, I now know (mainly through my own research) can cause upward pressure into the lungs. The gastro specialist still seems confused that I came to him for a breathing problem. An endoscopy/colonoscopy has showed only signs of reflux (you get that with hiatus hernia).
I have many medical problems including hashimoto's disease (a type of hypothyroidism). In fact I had had low thyroid symptoms most of my life, and finally identified the problem when I was in my fourties. It took me around 5 years to convince the doctor, who kept declaring me 'normal'. It was eventually someone on a messageboard who informed me that I needed the thyroid antibody tests. I requested this test, and finally the problem showed up. Stangely, hashimoto's is the most common thyroid disease in western civilisation, yet doctors seem to have incredible difficulty diagnosing it.
I'm afraid doctors are really lagging behind in quite a few areas, not just G.P.
Anyhow, what I wanted to say is that I'm wandering now whether I actually have G.P., or could it possibly be just low stomach acid? Hypothyroidism causes both low stomach acid, and neuropathies(nerve damage including vagus nerve). I get reflux from the H. hernia, but no burning. I went to an alternative doc years ago. After looking at my fingernails and tongue, he advised me to take betain. I did this for some time without problems, but started to get swallowing issues (a common problem for me, perhaps due to thyroid). I switched to digestive enzymes.
I've tried two of the G.P. medications. One gave me twitching. It was lucky that I stopped taking it, as I found out it can cause permanent nerve damage. I'm suspicious that I have been slightly affected. The other was an antibiotic, and I felt no difference, so the specialist agreed that I could stop taking it.
I'm back to see the specialist in February for follow up. Think I'll ask him about the low stomach acid. Will be interesting to see if he listens or just blows me off. He seems an OK guy. His testing so far seems quite thorough, but he's keen put me on nasty drugs. He put me on proton pump inhibitors for 6 months, and now my osteoporosis is much worse.
I agree with the guy above regarding food. Even livestock is fed GM food. I live in Australia and I questioned my butcher about chemicals in the chicken. He recommended I check his suppliers' website, which was steggles. I was happy to see it free of growth hormones, but put off when I saw they are fed someGM food, and also canola, which I believe to be bad for health.
Yet another concern is the fluoride in our water. This was once used as a drug for overactive thyroid, now it's in our water supply. We're being bombarded by many chemicals. I have been astounded since I started looking at these issues.
I wish you well.
R
Low stomach acid is something doctors do not regularly suggest. But surprisingly enough, breathing issues CAN also be connected to acid reflux (another symptom of low stomach acid). Low stomach acid can also cause slower rates of food emptying. Betaine HCL is one of those medications that has to be taken with high protein foods (like beef or other meat), because those foods are harder to break down, and betaine can be used to "reprogram" the stomach to produce more stomach acid on its own (associate high protein with the need to produce more stomach acid). Betaine is typically not something you would take for life. You would take it until you start to get heart burn from too much acid, and then stop taking it until your acid gets low again. I used to be on proton pump inhibitors as well (Prilosec OTC). However, I actually developed my gastroparesis symptoms as a result of my stomach acid getting too low, and my becoming susceptible to a stomach bug. But I will sum it up like this, for 10 years before I started getting the spells of nausea, I had acid reflux. And it was bad acid reflux as well. I couldn't even hardly bend down half the time without acid churning up into my throat. I was eating Tums (or the generic equivalent) like candy. And then I was taking ranitidine (Zantac). And then Prilosec OTC and then the prescription version of that... Then I got sick and got diagnosed with gastroparesis. I decided to test out the low stomach acid theory and went on betaine for a while. The whole year last year, I did not need a single antacid.
DeleteThe main goals of the Gastroparesis Treatment are to provide diet that is easily emptied from the stomach, relive symptoms, stimulation of stomach muscular activity, maintenance of adequate nutrition and controlling underlying conditions. Well chewed food which is low in fiber is recommended and is to be taken in the form of smaller, frequent portions to aid in emptying. Drugs used to relieve nausea and vomiting includes pro-motility drugs such as metoclopramide and doperidone, anti nausea drugs such as prochlorperazine and promethazine, serotonin antagonists such as ondansetron, anticholinergic drugs such as ascopolamine patch. The drugs used for treating nausea in cancer chemotherapy patients include aprepitant and medical marijuana. Drugs given to stimulate muscle activity include: cisapride, doperidone, metoclopramide and erythromycin.
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