Need support....health problems

[Fraurloth]

Have you been checked for Helicobacter Pylori?

 

[Anianna]

I'm so sorry to hear you are suffering this!

I am concerned about the knowledge of your health care professional on the matter. There is no one muscle that "grinds" your food. There is a series of muscles in the stomach and intestines that act to reduce and move food. Also Gastroparesis is not limited to women. My husband was diagnosed with Gastroparesis a few years ago, though his case is not as severe as yours. If I remember correctly, he was at 52%. I have done a great deal of research on the subject, including in medical journals and I used to follow the studies. I am not a medical professional, so I encourage you to research anything I have to say.

In many cases that include diabetes, it is the diabetes that has damaged the vagus nerve and that is the cause of the Gastroparesis. This can result in severely delayed gastric emptying due to the muscles not contracting properly and the constriction of transition points such as the pylorus.

Reglan was the primary medication used to treat Gastroparesis, but it is not the only one. Erythromycin is an antibiotic, but also has been found to increase stomach contractions to move food through in some cases. It also has the added benefit of reducing the risk of bacterial infection associated with the condition. I don't know if it has been approved in the US yet, but Domperidone was being reviewed by the FDA some time ago. It is used in other countries as an effective Gastroparesis treatment, particularly in cases that include Diabetes.

For many, dietary changes are sufficient, including many very small meals throughout the day that are easily digestible. Liquid supplements and pureed food are recommended. You get the same nutrients form food whether it is solid or pureed, so if you are already on a diet adjusted for diabetes, you may be able to stick with it if the items can be effectively pureed. I personally would look into FRS, which is a health drink that was originally designed for cancer patients suffering the effects of chemotherapy. It also helps give some boost to energy. I have a condition that causes me to be sensitive to some foods (causes bowel troubles) and causes extreme fatigue. My current doctor thinks it is Fibromyalgia and I take FRS and have found it easy on the gut and a good gentle boost to my energy that lasts about half the day.

In cases that include constriction of the pylorus, Botox has been found to be an effective treatment encouraging it to relax and allow better movement of food. In some cases, a gastroenterostomy is effective and might be worth looking into. When none of these options work, there is still the option of a feeding tube or even parenteral nutrition (nutrients introduced directly into the blood stream). I know those aren't exactly ideal solutions when you want to feel normal, but it may improve how you feel and improve your strength. Also, if you are still having a lot of problem with vomiting, there are a few places in the States that will do gastric electrical stimulation, which helps control nausea and vomiting in cases that can not be reduced with diet and medication.

I would encourage you to find liquid nutritional supplements and foods that you feel you can handle. Don't discount those designed for children such as Pediasure. When my mother had cancer and couldn't stomach much, she lived on baby food, though liquid supplements were not readily available back then. However, the nutrients in childrens' supplements may be easier to digest and absorb than in some adult supplements. My husband got so tired of the discomfort that he doesn't eat except one meal a day anymore and I don't think that is healthy, especially since he doesn't always eat a healthy meal. I try to encourage him to eat a little bit at a time throughout the day. He doesn't seem to have trouble with Nature Valley trail mix bars, so I buy big boxes of those from Sam's Club so he always has a small, healthy snack to munch at work. I am trying to find other small healthy snacks that he is willing to eat, but he is very picky.

If you want to research the condition more, I highly recommend starting at www.MedlinePlus.gov which is information provided to the public by the National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine. I hope this is helpful to you.

 

[chickenzoo]

to you, I hope you can find other options.

 

[turney31]

hugs and prayers!

Micah

 

[Frogtown]

Anianna,

WoW. My gastrologist told me it only affected women, there was no cure, there was only Reglan(which he wasn't going to give me), and that I might or might not get better. He also said the only thing I could do was eat smaller more frequent meals. When I fell bloated, am at work, or sick eating that much just doesn't happen.

In the begining of my post I writing about going to a nurse practioner. That changed in March. I hurt my back really bad that month. Pulled most of the muscles on the right side of my back. He, the nurse practioner, put me on Loratab 10, muscles relaxors, antiflamatories,etc. I point blank asked him if it would affect my stomach. He looked me straight in the eye and said no. Just so happened I had an appiontment with the gastro doc. he said come off all that because what little use of my stomach i hat left was shot with those meds. Went back to nurse practioner and asked him about this. "Did you not know that these meds would affect my stomach?" His reply Yes but D**ned if you do and D**ned if you don't. I haven't been back. I can't take any pain meds for my back now except for over the counter stuff. I also had 5 mri's last year to find out why I am still in pain. Found 3 bulging disc and lots of artritis. BTW I am only 26 years old

 

[sfw2]

No advice, just

. I am so sorry you're going through this.

 

[mulia24]

I'm sorry to hear that

can't do anything to help.

Have you try to use traditional way of treating thing? like acupuncture? honestly, I haven't use acupuncture for my whole life ( I sure want to try it), it's hard to find and rare in my country (due to discrimina**** of ra** here)

. but, I've heard many people that have tried acupuncture found their life better, it can cure almost all kind of disease, it's safe and give no pain at all.

I heard it will be combined with traditional herbal medicine of china, it sure bitter medicine but many said it will make you better soon. that's why I suggest you to take acupuncture, I'm sure in US that's not hard to find acupuncture since I notice (well, from movie and story) that there are many china towns in US, and that will be easy to find some acupuncturist. I'm not expert in health field, just trying to help (an alternative is better than nothing).

 

[Anianna]

Quote:
I have to be honest with you, I really hate doctors and for the same basic reasons. I have had the same sort of experience for the last twenty years. They will often act knowledgeable without being so and don't bother researching to brush up on a subject. I do a lot of my own research any time a doctor gives me or somebody in my family a diagnosis.

Something else that you may consider that no doctor is likely to tell you about is alternative medicines. Acupuncture is very effective for any number of ailments. I even used it as a natural alternative to drugs to induce labor when my doc insisted I was overdue (I wasn't, but they won't use anything but that stupid wheel to calculate due dates). A knowledgeable practitioner will know what points will encourage the muscles in your gut to work more effectively. If I were you, I would research area acupuncturists and give it a try.