So for about 4 weeks now I’ve had worsening GI symptoms. Started the week after Easter. First symptom was abdominal epigastric pain that felt like a gas bubble stuck in my stomach that wouldn’t go away. Then other symptoms appeared, nausea, vomitting, constipation, incomplete bowel movements and low appetite. Went to the ER for another epigastric pain episode as advised by my surgeon as I had gall bladder surgery in December. He wanted CT done of the abdomen to make sure no structures are causing the problem. Of course it came out negative, I was sent home. 5 days later I end up the ER again as I have not been eating, nausea with vomitting at times. I ended up being admitted this time under a GI doc. GI doc ended up doing an EGD, Colonoscopy, and an MRCP. All that negative. I follow up in his office and see his NP. She suspects I have gastroparesis and SIBO. She said that gastroparesis is fairly common to those who undergo any abdominal surgery. I feel satisfied because I got a possible answer but depressed because gastroparesis will be challenging to manage.
But what also was happening all throughout this is that I could not sleep. My brain didn’t seem to want to shut off. I was able to sleep good at the hospital as I was given 1mg Xanax but if it wasn’t for the medication I wouldn’t be able to sleep. Since coming home from the hospital I did my normal sleep routine and no matter what I was not able to sleep deep and would only make 2-3hours of sleep. During the day my body would feel tired and I would seriously feel like I could nap and I would try and everytime I would wake up like my brain is trying to wake me. Same at night. I’d take my melatonin, fall asleep and get jolted awake. It was driving me nuts because before all this I literally can make sleep anywhere!!
Looking back from start, there was another thing that happened before all of this started. I got a stiff neck on Easter Day. I was doing my make up and looked over to my husband when he called. That sudden turn of my neck set it in pain. I did some stretches to relieve the pain and improve mobility but even until now the mobility in my neck just feels off.
Linking the gastroparesis and insomnia I’m think my vagus nerve is damaged or pinched. Now the challenge is to convince my MD to get on board with my theory and test if I have any cervical nerve damage because I don’t want to live like this, unable to eat or sleep the two things you need to function.
Sorry if long you guys!