It's official. I've got Gastroparesis.

My daughter has gastroparesis, but also another disorder called SMA Syndrome.  She is always nauseous, and cannot keep down any solid foods for over 2 yrs now.  She gets TPN for nutrition.  She couldn't tolerate Reglan, so basically they haven't done much for her but keep her alive on TPN.

SMA is very rare, and not something doctors look for.  We are now in the process of getting her out to the Mayo Clinic for treatment.

I remember reading about a pacemaker for the stomach that helps it to digest food faster back when I was researching gastroparesis.  Our hospital (U of M) didn't use it for some reason. 

Wow Deb,

You've been through the wringer that's for sure.  As if BC wasn't enough to have this added bonus.  But I'm glad they finally put their finger on it and can start treating it properly!  I've had stomach issues too since chemo, but they are thinking it may be from the untreated daily aspirin I was taking (I had a colonoscopy/endoscopy a few weeks ago).  It's gotten better, but I still have bad days, so I wonder too if it has to do with the BC tx.

I sure hope your day improves tomorrow.  ENOUGH already!

Take care,

Sharon

Deb,

I am so sorry that you are suffering from gastroparesis.  None of us need another "condition" to add to our situation.

 Gastroparesis is a common side effect for people with diabetes.  You can learn more from any diabetes website and here is a site that offers some suggestions for controlling it while you await any additional treatment:

http://gicare.com/Diets/Gastroparesis.aspx

 I hope this helps you a bit.

Michelle

Hey Deb! Do you feel any better today? Let us know what Oschner's says, ok? I go to my doc tomorrow, but I probably won't find out anything. He'll just want to set up some tests I imagine.

Michelle---thanks for the website. I'm gonna take a look.

Hugs to all!!

Hi Deb----how are you feeling?

I had my gastric emptying test last Friday. I see the doctor this Friday to find out results.

I'm thinking it went ok though.....the tech said that after the 3rd scan if it seems to be 90% or better, the 4th scan isn't necessary, and I didn't have to do the 4th. Soooooooooooo.......I guess we'll rule this out. I'm thinking I just might be allergic to Arimidex

Sending big hugs to you!!!!!

Deb, i just saw this thread today.  I also have gastroparesis.  I am a diabetic with neuropathy of the vagus nerve.  For the last 3 years i have been throwing up multiple times a day after i eat.  My doctor thought it was from GERD and he changed my medication several times but that didn't solve the problem.  I became aware that certain foods were giving me the most trouble, a lot of the foods on the GERD list (coffee, chocolate, Italian red sauce, etc.) and some other surprising ones like lettuce and cabbage.  He did not give me the tests for gastroparesis but he diagnosed me with it. He prescribed Reglan for me and it worked immediately and like a miracle.  I researched on the internet about Reglan and decided that the side effects were too risky for me and stopped taking it.  I researched the lists of foods that cause problems for gastroparesis and stopped eating them, and i stopped eating fatty foods.  I am also eating very small portions of food a number of times a day, rather than three meals.I have been doing this for about 2 months now and have thrown up only once in all that time, after 3 years of throwing up multiple times a day.    Eating only small portions of food makes a huge difference, and when i eat one bite too much, i can feel the nausea starting.  I have lost 10 lbs in the last 2 months which is a good thing for me. I regularly now cut my lunch or dinner in half and take half home to eat later.  

I hope that this is helpful for you.  If you have any questions, PM me and i will try to help.  

Michelle, i did not have to have chemo (DCIS with 2 lumpectomies, then a mastectomy) so the gastroparesis is totally a result of being diabetic for almost 2 decades.  i have no other neuropathies so it was quite a shock.  I have read that 12% of diabetics get gastroparesis which i thought was very high.

I do know of a number of diabetics who have had chemo but have not had any unusual problems because of being diabetic. I know that taking the steroids that go with the chemos can temporarily raise your blood sugars quite high.  I get a steroid shot in my shoulder which does the same thing to my blood sugars for about one week. And if chemo makes you too nauseous to eat, then you can have problems with your blood sugars, but your onc can address and solve all of that with you.  Chemo is a very important tool in fighting breast cancer!!!.

Good luck with the onc!!

I have gastroparesis also.  Just found out three weeks ago.   I completed chemo and radiation, then I started getting sick.  Eventually, every time I ate food it would feel like it was coming back up my throat and I would constantly have to drink water to keep the food down.  My dr. sent me to specialist who did an EGD and noticed food still in my belly.  Then, I had to do the gastric emptying study and was confirmed also.  I take reglan and it helps.  I had to struggle within myself to accept that my digestive system wasn't working, and I analyzed it too much, wondering -- is it the chemo or cancer.  My cancer dr. said that chemo damaged my nerves and muscles. I can only be on reglan for three months, then I will look at other alternatives.  Next week is my cancerversary and all my tests and scans are next month.  Keep positive and when you down,  call a friend, play music loud and dance, or get on this website, because it sure helps me out!  Just remember that you are not alone....and we are strong!

Debbie,

Thanks for helping me out.  Keep me posted on the surgery, as that will be something I will be doing in the near future.

Lots of hugs..

Kris 

That's great news!  I've been following your posts and I just can't imagine the hell it must of been with the constant nausea.  I sure hope this is the fix that you desire!

So glad that you are doing well!!!

Kris