Welcome to my Gastroparesis Theories Blog...

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!!! :)