Gastroparesis/delayed stomach emptying?

Joel C

I’m two years, three months out from my MIE (unfortunately I’ve had recurrences) and over the past six months have suffered with frequent vomiting.  My doctors have diagnosed the issue as a gastroparesis and have recommended a dilation of the pyloric valve to allow food to empty into the intestines more rapidly.  We have made two attempts to do this procedure and in both cases it had to be aborted.  The first time due to an inability to inflate the balloon and the second time I did not respond to the conscious sedation.  We plan on trying one more time with general anesthesia this time.  I’m curious to know if others that have had an esophagectomy have suffered from gastroparesis and were they able to successfully treat it, and how?

Thanks,

Joel

Rickyr1219

Mine was dialated to 20mm

I had the procedure Jan 8th  at MD Anderson.  Anesthesiaologist Intubated me to prevent me possible aspiration into the lungs during the procedure.  It was a baloon dialation and the first scope they used didn't work right but I'm not exactly sure what the problem was but had something to do with the baloon.  They changed out scopes and was successful with the dialation.  It seemd to help some but not as much as I thought it would.  Mine was slow to empty after surgery and showed up on my leak test. 

birdiequeen

My husband has had some

My husband has had some issues with this.  He was given some enzymes to help digest food in addition to other meds for mobility.  Also changed his diet to a low fiber diet.  Joel, I know you maybe talking about a differnt level of gastroparesis then he has experianced.  I so hope your doctors and you can find some solution to the vomiting.

 

take care,

Lee Ann

Joel C

birdiequeen said:

My husband has had some

My husband has had some issues with this.  He was given some enzymes to help digest food in addition to other meds for mobility.  Also changed his diet to a low fiber diet.  Joel, I know you maybe talking about a differnt level of gastroparesis then he has experianced.  I so hope your doctors and you can find some solution to the vomiting.

 

take care,

Lee Ann

Thanks guys

Ricky,

It’s interesting to hear there was an issue with the balloon during your procedure too.  I wonder if it has something to do with our new anatomy that makes this procedure more difficult.  I’m happy to know you got some improvement with the dilation.  Has the delayed emptying continued to improve?

 

Lee Ann,

We also discussed the possibility of taking meds to increase mobility but my doctor feels that because the pyloric valve is so restricted that meds would actually make things worse.  To your point there may be more than a typical gastroparesis at play hear.  During the last scope attempt the doctor found that my stomach is “as hard as concrete and appears brittle”.  I have a feeling my stomach is just no longer functioning properly.  We’ll see what happens on the 4^th and I’ll report back for people that may need this info in the future.

Thank you Ricky and Lee Ann,

Joel

Rickyr1219

Joel C said:

Thanks guys

Ricky,

It’s interesting to hear there was an issue with the balloon during your procedure too.  I wonder if it has something to do with our new anatomy that makes this procedure more difficult.  I’m happy to know you got some improvement with the dilation.  Has the delayed emptying continued to improve?

 

Lee Ann,

We also discussed the possibility of taking meds to increase mobility but my doctor feels that because the pyloric valve is so restricted that meds would actually make things worse.  To your point there may be more than a typical gastroparesis at play hear.  During the last scope attempt the doctor found that my stomach is “as hard as concrete and appears brittle”.  I have a feeling my stomach is just no longer functioning properly.  We’ll see what happens on the 4^th and I’ll report back for people that may need this info in the future.

Thank you Ricky and Lee Ann,

Joel

Delayed Emptying about the same

Delayed emptying has not continued to improve but really not getting any worse either.  I just have to be careful about overeating and giving my body time between meals to do it's thing..  I believe the baloon problem was more related to the scope than the proceudre.   My wife is an endoscopy nurse and was allowed to be in the room during the procedure (After I was incubated though) and she said Doctor was really blaming the device more than having problems with the proceudre.

Joel C

Rickyr1219 said:

Delayed Emptying about the same

Delayed emptying has not continued to improve but really not getting any worse either.  I just have to be careful about overeating and giving my body time between meals to do it's thing..  I believe the baloon problem was more related to the scope than the proceudre.   My wife is an endoscopy nurse and was allowed to be in the room during the procedure (After I was incubated though) and she said Doctor was really blaming the device more than having problems with the proceudre.

Third time was a charm.

The third attempt to dilate my pyloric valve was a success and I’m now able to eat again.  My GI doctor said I had a total blockage so I guess that explains not being able to eat or drink.  I went 16 days with no food and very little water and dropped 14 pounds that I really didn’t have to lose.  I really thought it was the end this time but I guess you never know.  From what I understand delayed emptying is not uncommon for people that have had gastric surgery and dilating that pyloric valve can often provide relief.

Joel

Dad'sfight

Joel C said:

Third time was a charm.

The third attempt to dilate my pyloric valve was a success and I’m now able to eat again.  My GI doctor said I had a total blockage so I guess that explains not being able to eat or drink.  I went 16 days with no food and very little water and dropped 14 pounds that I really didn’t have to lose.  I really thought it was the end this time but I guess you never know.  From what I understand delayed emptying is not uncommon for people that have had gastric surgery and dilating that pyloric valve can often provide relief.

Joel

I'm glad to hear third time

I'm glad to hear third time was the charm .   I know it must have been so aggravating, but I'm glad your getting nutrients.  Dad is scheduled for sx 4-4-13.  He decided to go with it.  I read him what you wrote and it got him thinking, he said he's made it this far and wants to go the distance.  He too doesn't want to just keep getting chemo, he does understand that if a node comes back positive he will need it. He just said that if the cancer came back, he doesn't want chemo, and it would be easier for him knowing that he did everything he could do.  You are always in our thoughts and prayers!!!

JaneO

Joel C said:

Third time was a charm.

The third attempt to dilate my pyloric valve was a success and I’m now able to eat again.  My GI doctor said I had a total blockage so I guess that explains not being able to eat or drink.  I went 16 days with no food and very little water and dropped 14 pounds that I really didn’t have to lose.  I really thought it was the end this time but I guess you never know.  From what I understand delayed emptying is not uncommon for people that have had gastric surgery and dilating that pyloric valve can often provide relief.

Joel

Hello!

Hey Joel,

Glad to hear your procedure went well. I have been thinking of you and wondering how you have been doing.  I hope you can start to regain that weight you lost and feel better soon! Take care to you and your family.

JaneO