Gastropareisis from chemo

imackie48

I had TAH 11/8/11. Had lymph nodes removed by my para aortic, I have been fine, now since April of this year problems with gastritis and pain and couldn't eat anything rough, just a bland diet. Well I had  a test called gastric emptying test, you eat eggs with a nuclear tracer on it, and every hr for 4 they monitor where the food is. Well after 4 hrs, only 17 % of the food emptied. They call this condition gastropareisis, the main nerve, Vargas which contracts the muscles in the stomach to move the food. There is no cure for this disease, it's awful,, have to eat 6 small meals and no fats or fibar,, sugar gluten or dairy free. What the GI specialist told me that this could have been damaged from the surgery or chemo?! since people with diabetes get this illness. Has anyone heard of having this after there surgery. I've lost 30 lbs so far, because my stomach fills up so fast. There's only one drug out there that comes from canada not FDA approved. I'm 66 yrs old and it's hard to hear my prognosis, since I was such a active person, not I'm limited to where I go and what I eat. I use to travel every 2 months, now that I have the abd pain and discomfort can't do it anymore, just feeling sorry for myself. Now I have to wait for this drug don't know when it will come. I was stage 1a, grade 2/3, UPSC 

Ro10

Irene

I am so sorry to hear this news.  I have been wondering how you have been.   I have heard of gastroparesesis in diabetics.  I think they also call it "dumping syndrome".  If you google that it might give you some tips on eating.   I have never heard of it as a result of chemo.    Since it is  the vagus nerve that is affected I guess it is like  a neuropathy.  It must be very hard to know what to eat.  I am sorry you can't make your trips to Florida to see your beautiful granddaughter.  Do you have Skype or some sort of video camera on your computer so you can see her?  I hope so.  

I am sorry you are having such a rough time.  I hope the medication becomes available for you soon.  You remain in my prayers.  I peace and caring.

nancibee

Linzess

Have you tried taking Linzess? It is not a laxative. It is approved for IBS-C and CIC. I am taking some samples from my doctor. Seems to help. I am just hoping I don't get diarrhea. That is the only side effect. Www.linzess.com. 

imackie48

Ro10 said:

Irene

I am so sorry to hear this news.  I have been wondering how you have been.   I have heard of gastroparesesis in diabetics.  I think they also call it "dumping syndrome".  If you google that it might give you some tips on eating.   I have never heard of it as a result of chemo.    Since it is  the vagus nerve that is affected I guess it is like  a neuropathy.  It must be very hard to know what to eat.  I am sorry you can't make your trips to Florida to see your beautiful granddaughter.  Do you have Skype or some sort of video camera on your computer so you can see her?  I hope so.  

I am sorry you are having such a rough time.  I hope the medication becomes available for you soon.  You remain in my prayers.  I peace and caring.

Follow up

Hi Ro,

not being able to visit my granddaughter has been the hardest for me to accept. I miss her so much, prior to this I was going down every two months.

im thinking this gastroparesis came from my stomach surgery, or my thyroid disease. First it started with my post nasal drip in January non stop, all that mucus going into my stomach, but is was still able to eat everything, never had any GI problems, even during my chemo and radiation.

i have been going to Nathropath dr and accupucture for treatments, and I take Juice plus it's a capsule full of nutrients of fruits and vegetable in a concentrated form, to get my nutrients.

another form of treatment for this disease, is a low dose Erythromycin everyday. The side effects from Dompedine are cardiac arrhythmia's.  I wish I had bought a place in Florida years ago, but I was always taking care of other members of my family, ie, father in law 93, my husband had a MI last year, that I was taking care of myself, now I'm stuck in terrible CT with our cold winters, I'm praying that this medication will work for me, so I can go down to Florida and I'll stay with my son and daughter in law, my husband has learned now to cook his meals, since we both have different diets, I cook my food and he cooks his.

how are you doing? Staying positive and strong. Thank you for your prayers and concern.