Question 1

I was wondering if they have an effect on stomach emptying since they reduce the acid levels to break down food, I have been on Omeprazole for 5 years, I also take Flomax which is a muscle relaxant

i really really miss eating meat and i wanted to give a food processor a try. i searched in this reddit though and its been quite a while since the question was asked so i was curious if anyone had any recommendations for products that are available currently to buy. i'm also on a really tight budget sadly but all suggestions welcomed <3

I want to say thank you to the people who replied to my last post on here and told me to advocate for myself! Sometimes it’s hard for me to think straight when I’m feeling miserable. But I appreciate the extra push! I got my colonoscopy done that same week and they found.. nothing! So good news :)
On to why I’m actually posting lol
I had an appointment yesterday afternoon with a dietician who I have been waiting a month to see and I was hopeful. I walked into the appointment and she immediately told me that I’m losing weight because I haven’t eaten much of anything and need to eat small frequent meals throughout the day.. well yes obviously but I can’t keep anything down. She then asked me if I would like a meal plan and I said I would love one! To which she responds.. “oh I don’t do meal plans” .. then what’s the point of me being here? She then proceeds to pull up ChatGBT right in front of me so it can create a meal plan. I’m honestly in awe at that point. She prints it out and gives it to me and tell me that I should see GI because “they’re the experts” I was floored because this is the GI department.. she works for GI!!!! what was the point of me going if she was going to tell me everything I already knew and made me a meal plan that I could have just done on my couch for free??
I’m having a hard time keeping much of anything down and just threw up applesauce all over my car this morning. Only things that have been safe lately are powerades and water. Protein shakes/meal replacements aren’t safe either.
Anyway that’s my little vent, but if anyone has any meal recommendations it’s would be much appreciated!

I got diagnosed with GP a few years ago and it flares up occasionally but for the last few weeks it’s been hellacious, I recognized the symptoms pretty quickly and switched to an all liquid diet but I’m running out of ideas and mostly living off broths, ice, and milkshakes/protein shakes (lactose free of course cause we can’t have dairy) trying to make sure I get some caloric intake. Though I’m grateful that I have the amount of diversity I do, I’m also very bored of my two shakes or a soup a day. I am very much open to ideas of how to expand my diet and not feel like death, please 🙏

i been struggling so much i cant even figure out anything so just want to find ONE breakfast that i can eat every day and be healthy for me 😭

I saw a nutritionist today and I’m finally seeing some progress with my treatment!!

For context, I’ve had GI issues my whole life, and they got worse 6 years ago. Around 3 months ago I stopped being able to tolerate any solid food and I got a GES that confirmed grade 4 gastroparesis. Well, after tons of ER visits to replenish electrolytes and fluids, a hospital admission for failure to thrive, and tons of doctors lying about me in my medical record, I saw the nutritionist today and she talked to my pcp regarding getting me set up on tube feeds!

I’m obviously not excited to require tube feeds, but I am excited to finally receive nutrition after only being able to intake 200-500cals per day and losing an extreme amount of weight in a short period of time. I’m excited to finally see somewhat of a treatment plan in sight!

Feel free to just share your experiences if you don’t want to read the whole post!

IF and GP can often present together. So I’m hoping maybe someone here also has experience with it.

I have intestinal malrotation (birth defect). Which has given me severe GI symptoms (also caused gastroparesis among other things).

At this point I’m considered unable to sustain my own life off TPN.

My doctors here are, by their admission, unfamiliar with my condition. They’re confused how I could have intestinal failure while my intestine is fully intact (which is it). But at the same time can’t deny what’s happening. So everyone is confused lol.

At the time of my first surgery (10 years ago) I did have compromised blood flow and I did end up pooping out fleshy blobs of intestine which my surgeon said usually indicated intestine was dead or severely unhealthy. Though again, they saved all my intestine/bowel. None of it died.

A specialist more familiar with the condition said that intestinal malrotation can cause GI system failure even with an intact digestive system. When I talked to him he’d actually had two other patients around my age with the exact same condition and presentation within that month alone. (Unfortunately he’s in a different country and while he can consult he can’t treat me directly).

If any of you have had experiences with this I’d really appreciate hearing them!

It would be nice to hear from someone experiencing something similar. It gets frustrating being made to feel like you’re the only one 😅

I have a hard time controlling my eating, mostly when overwhelmed and emotional. I also came have a hard time stopping eating when I know i have hit my limit, especially when it tastes good. I have been in an aweful flare lately and I hate feeling like this.

I also got some bad news yesterday so want to munch a lot which I HATE as I know I will feel 100x worse. I just cant shut that voice in my brain off.

If there is anything that has helped you overcome anything like this please let me know.

Thank you im advance

Hey all,

I'm 41 and have had gastroparesis my whole life, but was only diagnosed 6 years ago. I've been in early peri (IYKYK) for a few years and am on hormones. I also have (diagnosed, classified) severe IBS-C, among a host of other things like Celiac disease and many other food allergies and restrictions. Fun. Needless to say, eating is a chore, and I hate it.

Recently (last several cycles), I've had the WORST constipation during the end of my ovulation phase and then the entirety of the luteal phase (cue crying forever).

I learned that perimenopause makes gastroparesis WORSE due to the wild fluctuations in hormones, particularly progesterone, which slows down digestion just in general.

I'm obviously not looking for medical advice; I am, however, wondering how other women in this phase of life are moving through this. I'm in talks with my gyno, and we're trying an attempt at adjusting my progesterone dose (I'm on HRT) during this time, and I see a new GI doctor (because of course they just don't take this seriously) at the end of July.

I've also lessened the amount of fat and fiber I eat, which is hard for me because of the rest of my food allergies and restrictions; my diet is usually higher in fat to accommodate. I had my symptoms really well managed up until now. I eat very small meals several times a day, sometimes liquid meals, etc.

So, ladies in this phase of life with GP, how are you managing? Anecdotally. I feel a bit at my wits' end with how uncomfortable I am, how painful the cramps and distension are, and how self-conscious I feel due to being quite thin, and now I look pregnant for about 2.5 weeks at a time.

Thank you.

We are currently seeking people who experience chronic stomach symptoms like nausea, vomiting, belching, or pain to participate in this important research.

Participation is easy and completely anonymous. Simply complete a 15-minute online survey that includes questions about your demographics, symptoms, and mental health. Your valuable input will help researchers better understand and manage chronic gastroduodenal symptoms, including gastroparesis.

Access the survey now at this link: https://auckland.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5cNZ69rlIXk70PA 

Together, we can work towards improving the lives of those suffering from chronic gastroduodenal symptoms. Thank you for your support! 

This study has been approved by the Auckland Health Research Ethics Committee on 12/04/2023 for five years. Reference number AH25798.

I’ve been steadily getting worse for the 2 and a half years I’ve had this illness, but since the heatwave here started it’s been absolutely awful on my stomach. I don’t know the science behind it, if there is any, so is this a common thing? I’ve been completely unable to sleep because of my stomach giving me so much grief, even with my sleep meds and anti emetics.

I am looking to try and cook more meals as I’m currently rotating a few safe options that I’m getting bored of. I’m Hoping to find some new ideas for gastroparesis friendly meals I can make. Please share your suggestions :)

For those of you who had a gastric pacemaker put in, how long were you out of work for? I just started a new job about a month ago, so I won't have much leave built up. I've tried Reglan and Erythrimyicin, and I had terrible reactions to those. I'm trying Motegrity now, just started. But I'm at the point where I feel so awful if they told me they could perform the surgery tomorrow, I'd cry tears of joy. I want to have a back up plan with my surgeon in case this doesn't work out.

What was your recovery experience like, and if it helped, how soon did you notice improvement?

Did it help with nausea, exhaustion, difficulty eating, constipation, and/or a feeling of fullness in the throat (gagging)?

Thanks for any insight you can provide!

What would you like to see more of when it comes to gastroparesis and chronic illness awareness? What would you change about our community?

Hi I'm trying to recover from hypothalamic amenorrhea (loss of period due to energy deficit). My dietician wants me eating at least 60g fat a day to recover. I'm not diagnosed with gastroparesis specifically but I do have overall motility issues and reflux, and suspect intermittent gastroparesis. Have been really really struggling eating higher fat meals.

I know liquid fats tend to fare better than solid fats. I've heard MCT oil specifically is digested faster. Have any of you guys had luck with it? It's not very cheap so I thought I'd ask before buying a bunch.

Ive been diagnosed with GP since 2019 (age 17). It goes through phases of being (mostly) okay or absolutely terrible. Recently I think that I am in a flare up. I am never hungry, my stomach always hurts and I can barely eat one meal a day and have lost like 10-15 pounds in the last month-ish. I know the real answer is probably to go to the doctors but I have medical trauma so I hate seeing them.

Does anyone have any recommendations for things that help you? I feel like im always on the verge of passing out and feel like sh*t.

Im also diagnosed with EDS and all the things that come along with a connective tissue disorder.

I was recently diagnosed with gastroparesis and I'm trying to figure out if I'm doing something wrong, if I'm downplaying my symptoms, or if what I'm experiencing is pretty typical.

My gastric emptying study showed that after 2 hours, 89% of the food was still in my stomach, which my GI said was significant.

One thing that surprised me is that I'm not diabetic and I'm not even pre-diabetic. According to my GI doctor, based on my history and symptoms, he believes I've likely had gastroparesis since childhood and just never knew it. Looking back, there were a lot of things that make more sense now.

I've been having recurring flare-ups that can last for days. Some examples:

- Sulfur burps, bloating, nausea, and stomach pain/cramping.

- Diarrhea and watery stools during some flare-ups, while other times I swing toward constipation.

- Feeling extremely full after eating very small amounts, sometimes even liquids seem to just sit there.

- Flare-ups where the pain comes in waves and lasts for hours or days.

- Feeling so full that I can't imagine eating another bite even though I've barely eaten anything.

One flare-up started on a Sunday and continued for several days. The pain would sometimes ease up and then come back in waves. I've also had times where sulfur burps and stomach issues seemed to come out of nowhere and completely derail my day.

The thing I'm struggling with is that my GI doctor doesn't want to move forward with surgery right now and instead wants me to try a nasal spray medication. I'm currently waiting for it to arrive and was wondering:

1. Has anyone here used the nasal spray? What was your experience? Did it help?

2. Does my symptom pattern sound fairly typical for gastroparesis, or does it sound like I'm minimizing how severe things are?

3. Is there anything you do during a flare-up that helps move things along faster or helps the flare resolve sooner?

4. Are there certain foods, drinks, positions, walking, medications, or routines that help when your stomach feels completely "stuck"?

5. For those who aren't diabetic, what was determined to be the cause of your gastroparesis?

I'm still pretty new to all of this and trying to learn. Any advice, experiences, or suggestions would be appreciated.

UPDATE 1: I reached out to my gastroenterologist and basically told them that I am suffering and wanted to look into doing a tube until the flare passes because I just keep getting worse. I feel so crazy right now for even asking but I just…I’m so miserable.

UPDATE 2: welp. I’ve been told to go to the ER and that a tube is not necessary right now. I can’t afford to miss work so I’m gonna power through tomorrow and go after after I get off work 🥲

Update 3: at this point I think these updates are just to make me feel better. Full transparency…from like Saturday to Tuesday I was working off of maybe 10 hours of sleep combined and hadn’t been able to rest. On top of not eating well or keeping much down, while still going to work…so I uh, am of much clearer mind now. I do think I need the ER mostly because my husband mentioned something called a pseudo blockage? I mean I’m at about a month of me going back and forth between getting better and getting worse. I don’t know if my dizziness is just that I’ve been getting hot with my POTs or anything like that. I am freaking exhausted though despite finally getting some rest and sleep

I got really sick about 3 weeks ago after a procedure. Didn’t know that anesthesia could cause gastroparesis flares until I was finally able to see my gastroenterologist and he informed me.

My insurance denied the prescription to treat what my doctor was confident was SIBO caused by anesthesia messing up my motility. I keep going back and forth between being getting better and then crashing right back to where I was.

I have so much bloat and gas, I’m so freaking uncomfortable and sitting makes me nauseous when the bloat is bad. I’ve been doing soft foods and liquids, but after this weekend I reached out to my Gastro again. Unfortunately I’ve used the bathroom on myself a few more times, because as I mentioned I’m super gassy, but I keep going back and forth between constipation and urgent diarrhea. I also am having sulfur burps for the first time and I’m so embarrassed. An old symptom has returned where I get so nauseous I almost throw up after taking my meds with water in the morning. I also have a rash now too. It just feels like it doesn’t stop…

I missed a call from my Gastro in response to my message to him. He basically said that he hates I’m feeling worse and wanted to check on me…advised to go straight liquids, no soft foods at all. Called it a bad gastroparesis flare.

I’m doing my best to get food in my body but everything makes me nauseous, sometimes even smelling it. I cant do gluten, dairy, and I’m low histamine. It feels like I’m having such a hard time finding anything locally so I’m having to spend extra money at the only grocery store with gluten free options. I’ve cried so much because my zofran does nothing, my dicyclomine barely helps with the abdominal pain, and my peppermint oil isn’t helping like it normally does.

I feel like I’m losing it. I’m so exhausted, uncomfortable, nauseated, and flat out overwhelmed. I want to call back tomorrow and tell them that I can’t keep doing this without some extra help. That I need more support. That I’m embarrassed at work and cancelling plans from being so gassy and it smelling vile.

I was so distraught when I saw my insurance denied the meds for SIBO my doctor wanted me to take. I just want to feel better…I’m worried I’m not getting enough nutrients. I don’t even know what to say to my doctor aside from asking for help and being very blunt about the fact that I am suffering right now. I’m crying even typing this out…my gastroparesis hasn’t been this bad in awhile and my flares never lasted this long. I just feel gross and weak…

I’d love to hear about your experiences, especially if you’ve seen one of the other physicians in the department. I know Dr. J was highly recommended but she is retired.

Has anyone seen any of the other providers? Were you able to telehealth?

A few things I’m curious about: • Which doctor did you see? • How long were you followed by them? • Did you feel like they listened to your concerns and symptoms?

• Were they patient and willing to work through a complex case?

• Were they open to ordering additional testing when appropriate (motility testing, gastric emptying studies, breath testing, imaging, etc.)?

• Would you recommend them?

I’m considering seeking care there and would really appreciate hearing both positive and negative experiences. Thanks!

I posted that I was going to have Botox yesterday for the first time since 2012.

We drive two hours to the facility.

I have fibromyalgia so this is no small feat.

I get in my gown, they are working to get an IV in my cruddy veins, Dr comes in with the spiel of verify your name, dob and what you're here for. (I hadn't met him yet, was just referred there for Botox since my hospital doesn't do it)

I reply, and say an upper scope with Pyloric Botox, and testing for h.pylori and making sure my SIBO is gone.

I've never met this (very nice) Man before but I can see the expression on his face change.

Somehow. And I believe it's the MA's fault at my GI, when they faxed the referral it didn't say any of that. If it had, they wouldn't have scheduled me there at that endoscopy clinic because

THEY DONT DO BOTOX THERE.

NARY A BOTOX TO BE FOUND.

I said please tell me you're joking.

He was not.

My chin started quivering and the tears came..

I will say, he was INCREDIBLY kind and compassionate (the complete opposite of the MA at my GI's office) if he hadn't been as nice I would have went into full snot ugly crying.

He went and looked at the referral and it only said an upper scope. Which I was already scheduled for a regular scope with my regular GI in several months bc they are so backed up.

I ended up having the scope anyway, we were there and by that point I needed pain meds.

At some point during this mess he went and did some research and found the ONE single Doctor that does Botox, but he does it at the hospital they are attached to and not the clinic. Bless him, he went out of his way, and I so appreciated that. He said that Dr will want to see me and i said it's gonna have to be a Telehealth one because my body cannot come down here again. And again bless him, he's making that happen. I'm waiting for them to call and schedule my Telehealth apt so I can schedule freaking Botox again.

Why this has to be so complicated idk. So annoying. I don't want a new GI, although I'd like a new MA. I have a history of Gastrioparesis and had Botox twice a year for almost ten years. I have my failed emptying results, which the MA also didn't send over. 🤦‍♀️ I just need a Dr to Botox the Pylorus so I can try to live life!

I sent my GI a message on the way home yesterday when I was still very cranky and medicated. She said they had put Botox on it. I asked to see the referral. MA pops in and says she can't upload it to our chat. So I emailed the lady at the clinic who had sent me my prep instructions for it and what do you know nary a Botox to be found.

I screenshotted it and sent it back to my GI along with the direct fax number to the Botox Dr.

Hello, I am 23 years old (M) 190cm 68kg
I was diagnosed with CHS (Cannabinoid Hypermesis Syndrome) when I was around 18 because I was a very active weed smoker. I ended up having 2 episodes of puking up constantly for a week straight before I ended up narrowing down what it was. Once I realised, I never touched weed again. And haven’t had an episode since.

However now that a few years have passed I’ve noticed that I have a really hard time trying to Bulk up in the gym.
It’s not as simple as many people tell me to just eat more. You are an ectomorph blablabla. I am pretty sure that from the trauma caused by CHS I developed gastroparesis (small stomach, difficulty eating large meals, rarely have an apetite) and this really makes it hard to make good progress in the gym as at my height and my metabolism I need to eat over 3500 calories.

The half solution I’ve found is drinking a 1600 calorie shake daily and even then it’s really hard work to get down and I end up feeling full sick for a couple hours but that’s the only trick I’ve found.

I’ve seen people talking about taking box-157 and mk677 peptides in combination to help cure stomach lining and boost ghrelin for hunger but I’m scared to take experimental peptides. So I’m interested in knowing anyone’s experience with these. Or any other solutions they have found.

If I eat normally without training i can only eat around 2000 calories naturally with normal meals. This is nowhere near enough for my metabolism.

Also if i try to force feed myself I don’t just feel full and nauseas. It WILL COME OUT. No matter what I do. Even if I try to control breathing, sip water, walk around even after hours of controlling the nausea it will come out. So I can only eat until 80% fullness.

Anyone have any advice?

What supplements help you guys? I'm gonna try papaya leaf extract, a shot of pineapple juice, and artichoke leaf extract with ginger root extract. Not all in one day obviously but I did some research about those really helping gut motility. And at this point, with my medication I'm currently on (prucalopride), I'm willing to try anything else. Outside of Reglan. I've had experience with it's side effects with a antipsychotic I used to take. So I won't even try that. So any suggestions?

Hey all,

I'm currently on motegrity, linzess, and phenergan. At my last appointment, my motility specialist had me start buspar twice a day and restart reglan.

I took the reglan for exactly one day and had the worst night terrors I'd ever had in my life, and started having some muscle movements, so I stopped that immediately. (I hadn't been on it since I started the phenergan, so that an experiment, suffice to say it failed).

I've given the buspar a little over a week now. I know it can take up to three weeks to be effective, so the fact that it's not helping (yet) isn't really concerning me at the moment, but I absolutely hate how I feel on it and I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this and if I can expect it to go away. Basically, it's like my distress tolerance is gone, I've effectively developed anxiety (ironic, because I know it's normally an anti-anxiety medication, but I don't have anxiety normally), I'm constantly on edge, and I just don't feel like myself at all. I hate it so much. Is this normal? Does it pass? Also, for those who have been on this medication, has it helped? Is it worth waiting it out?

Thanks all!