About
Me
Gastroparesis Info
E-mail
"Monkey Girl"
Gastroparesis Food Ideas
Feeling Crappy?
Gastroparesis
FAQ's
Q: What are the causes of gastroparesis?
A: Gastroparesis is a common complication of diabetes. Other less common causes include post-surgical, idiopathic (unknown), genetics (rare), and neurological disorders.
Q: Why is abdominal pain a symptom of GP?
A. Good Question! The weird thing about GP pain is that it is not necessarily confined to the stomach. In fact, it usually jumps around. I have been doubled over in pain after eating in the past. It jumped around from my gall bladder area, to my appendix area, over to my side, stomach, back, etc. I do not know why patients with GP have abdominal pain, but it is certainly a symptom as the majority of people I talk to with GP list it as a major symptom, if not the worst symptom. Could be caused by food sitting in there for so long and getting hard, or from build up of acid as the food sits in there. If anybody has a more medical explanation then please let me know!
Q: What do you know about the gastric pacemaker?
A: Not very much! Although I was involved in a temporary pacing study with Dr. Richard McCallum five years ago, I have not tested the permanent gastric pacer. I have heard mixed stories. In some cases it has been very successful, and in others not successful at all. It seems that all the treatment for GP is the same way! I know it is being tested at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, as well as some other major medical centers. It could be promising in the future.
Q: Why can I eat something one day and be fine, then the next day eat the same thing and get sick?
A: This is a baffling question. One of the most frustrating things about GP is the unpredictability of it. It is very common for a person with GP to have good days, and bad days, weeks, and even months! It is also very common for us to have a good half day or bad half day, or even fluctuate from one hour to the next. It makes it difficult to make any plans or commitments. This can't really be explained.
Q: Why is gastroparesis so difficult to treat?
A: Gastroparesis is more difficult to treat than other gastrointestinal disorders for a number of reasons. First of all, there are really no drugs available in the US to help with motility. Patients are typically treated with medication to help the symptoms, but they do not get to the underlying cause of the nausea and vomiting, so they are not very helpful in most cases. Also, patients may not be able to tolerate oral medication. Depending on the severity of the GP, patients may throw up any medication taken by mouth. Often GP'ers take IV medication as the only option. Some often develop complications from medication, and in many cases suffer very serious side effects. Also, gastroparesis is helped by modification of the diet, but in spite of a modified diet, a patient may not be able to tolerate any food or liquid orally. Although some food are easier to digest, all foods digest slowly and can cause symptoms. Also, for unknown reasons, GP'ers can suffer symptoms without eating anything. Symptoms may last for days and at times are so uncontrollable that hospitalization is necessary in order to get them under control.
My Artwork
Meet Others With Gastroparesis
Gastroparesis Links
Domperidone Info
Home
Update on Me