r/Gastroparesis

A lot of times after I have a complete bowel movement I feel quite queasy a few minutes after. At first I feel great. Empty finally. Like I could eat normally. And mentally I feel great because of that. But very soon I notice that I don’t have an appetite and that my stomach is churning.

Can anyone relate to this?

Does it make sense that if I have a complex bowel movement my intestines and this colon begin to move and my stomach is able to empty contents and that stomach evacuation is disrupting the stomach itself and causing this? Just an idea. I don’t know.

Hello, I've posted here before but this is more desperate. I've been diagnosed with gastroparesis for 2 years, and recently this year, I find myself in a never ending pattern of eating (knowing it physically cannot/will not stay down for over 30 minutes), being sick, and then eating more right after. The cycle never ends; as a teenager I did struggle with bulimia, but in my twenties I thought I would be past that. My health insurance is running out in a few months, and the grief is too much. I don't know what I'm supposed to do, I'm in therapy, but I feel like no one can understand the pain of this besides for the community. I don't know if I should even ask for help; maybe this is a confession; a cry for help. I'm just so sick and tired of living like this. I so badly wish one day I can just wake up and be able to eat again. I hate that I'm doing this to myself, it is in every way self harm, but I can't stop. Please tell me someone else here has dealt with this and I'm not going crazy. I'm surrounded by family and coworkers openly talking about how badly they wished they had my body, and no one takes me seriously when I say I would do anything to be overweight again. My legs can't touch, all of my bones pop out, I feel disgusted in my own skin I can't deal with the suffering this cycle is causing me, but I can't stop. I feel utterly hopeless and alone. My teeth are even more chipped. I know I'm ruining my body more but I don't know how I'm supposed to deal with this. I'm having referral troubles getting my peg gj tube back, solely because of the short time I have left on insurance, I don't know what I'm supposed to do. Please someone tell me I'm not alone. If anyone has advice I'd really appreciate it. Thank you so much everyone for everything

I have very severe gastroparesis (85% left in my stomach at 4hrs after a GES) and I already have a surgical G tube but it basically doesn’t work for feeds bc my stomach just refuses to empty properly so I’m not even sure why they pushed to place it, but my GI did. It’s basically just a vent/drain tube.

I’ve been on NJ feeds for like 2 years which has been a lot but it’s what works. now my team is saying I should probably switch to something more permanent and they’re like throwing around: either convert my G tube into a GJ OR place a separate surgical J tube. and I’m genuinely confused because like aren’t those kind of similar?? but also not??

I’m just trying to not make a dumb decision because both options sound kinda scary in different ways. I don’t need any medical advice I was just wondering if anybody could share their experiences with either a GJ tube or a separate J

I (30F) was diagnosed with Gastroparesis today after a GES showed only 27% emptying from my stomach by hour four. Up until four months ago I had absolutely no symptoms or knowledge of it, and suddenly I’m faced with the very scary possibility of potentially needing a feeding tube quite soon. I can’t stop crying about it, because I’ve already been hospitalized for the last week with no increase in oral intake. I want to go back home to my dogs and husband, but I might be here for weeks with a surgery and new way of life I don’t feel ready for. Basically…I’m scared. Can anyone who has been through the same thing please tell me, I feel so alone. My logical mind knows it will probably be alright, but hearing from others who made it out the other side to a happier life would really lift my spirits. Thanks yall

I recently had an upper endoscopy/colonoscopy after long-standing reflux, nausea, and other GI symptoms. One unexpected finding was retained solid food in my stomach after following the prep closely (36 hrs, just gatorade, water, allowed hard candy + laxatives etc..). The report mentioned “copious solids” and noted that GLP-1 agonist use and marijuana may be contributing to impaired gastric emptying and worse GERD symptoms.

For context, I held tirzepatide for 1 week as instructed and did not use cannabis on procedure day. I had only inhaled a small amount the night before, not edibles. I also took the prep as directed, though I finished part of the MiraLAX later in the evening than scheduled.

Biopsies were otherwise unrevealing, and I’m now trying to figure out what follow-up makes the most sense. I’ve had GERD and other GI issues for many years, well before starting GLP-1s or cannabis, although I know both could affect motility.

I’m not asking anyone here to diagnose me. I’m mainly wondering:

• If you had retained food seen on EGD, what testing was done next?
• Did your doctor send you for a gastric emptying study, motility specialist, or neuroGI?
• If you were using a GLP-1 or cannabis, how did your doctors think about those as contributors vs pre-existing motility problems?
• If you felt those meds were helping overall quality of life, how did you approach the tradeoffs?

I’d appreciate hearing what the diagnostic/workup path looked like for others.

Is anyone here from the UK?

I have a meeting in Parliament in a few weeks time where I'm raising the lack of appropriate treatment for GP in England. Would love to connection and hear your stories if you are happy for me to share them with law makers.

I’m just so tired of all of the rules I’m being told to follow

“low fat, low fiber, low fodmap, low salt but also increased salt (Dr.’s who disagree with one another on the salt), Mediterranean diet, avoid chocolate and sorbitol, avoid greasy and fried foods, no dairy, avoid NSAID’s, elevate head of bed, increase fluid intake (like my stomach isn’t full enough), avoid tight clothing, and avoid late meals right before bed”

These are just the rules I can remember!!

I feel so overwhelmed and limited like I’m stuffed into a box and I just want to be free

My whole life I’ve had gut (intestine) problems, but it used to be on and off, like maybe 1 month per year. But for the past year it’s been nonstop and it just doesn’t get better.

All my exams come back normal. For this whole year, every single day I feel sick, like this constant nausea in my gut, and every week I get really bad pain crises (like 10/10).

The only thing that helped was Cholestyramine. I actually felt normal for like 2 months, but then the “gut nausea” came back again. And now days if i eat a pizza or anything like that i get the 10/10 pain again.

I’ve been to 4 doctors and they basically gave up on me. Now I’m with a doctor that honestly doesn’t seem to care.

The only thing I haven’t tested yet is SIBO/IMO.

I’m not really living, I’m just surviving at this point. I seriously can’t take this anymore, so pls, if anyone has any idea or went through something similar, help me.

Quick overview: I’m curious for those designated as having severe Gastroparesis. I am , as my GES was 99% until hour four at which it was 95%. I have been to six gastroswithout any help. It’s too severe and they can’t help me they say. Or deny that I have it at all or ask me what to do. I cant take meds, I’m allergic to them. I had one doctor, a gastro at Mayos, that was the first willing to help me but my insurance pulled out and that was in December. We rescheduled for January. Only a multitude of tests no mention of specific interventions yet. But as of the new year Medicare and Medicaid don’t work with Mayo any longer so I lost the only doc to help me.

I see a new gastro finally next week and he is supposed to be amazing.

In short, I’m wondering if this GJ tube or G tube or J tube of NJ was a first line of treatment for any of you? It’s been almost three years since my diagnosis and the disease has gotten a horrible. I don’t digest most food at all. Even if puréed. Even soggy rice cereal doesn’t digest fully. Baked lays seem to be my true safe food. But I need nutrition. I take supplements and drink ensure but who knows what gets absorbed. It’s also been suggested to me by more than one doctor that ibhaveEDS. of NJ was a first line of treatment for any of you?

What was your treatment journey?

I had my first couple bites of a pretty plain sub, first thing I ate today. Also the most proper thing I’ve eaten since I’ve had those eggs from the GES. Now I have diarrhea and it’s been a common thing.

I’ll go from constipation for weeks and then boom, outta nowhere diarrhea/soft stools. It makes my stomach feel worse than before and there is no in between.

I was given stuff for my constipation but it made me so sick and constantly having diarrhea, that I stopped taking it. I might need to go to a lower dose but I’m afraid if I go lower it won’t do anything. I’ve tried stool softeners and laxatives but they did nothing.

I’m so tired of this all and I just wanna function normally without fearing I might get sick or have no energy in my day to day routines, including work.

This has been going on for a while now. I just feel like I always have the potential to throw up. (And, I do too) I feel like the food I eat isn’t digested (and I eat VERY healthy) . I always feel like it resurfaces and it sounds gross but it often does. Whole food chunks which I chew and swallow again. I mean I can’t just spit it out in a room full of people if it happens all the time. I also feel like vomiting when I have to shit. But I don’t feel nauseous. Ever . And that’s weird because I often vomit is associated w nausea but that isn’t the case for me. (If I’m in the wrong community pls kindly direct me where I Can get the help I really need)

Thank you.

has anyone here had it? i recently went from eating about 400-800 calories a day to all of a sudden being able to eat like 2000. i only did this for 2 days, but i’ve felt really weak/fatigued since then along with body aches and chills and idk if it’s cause for concern or not. urgent care just told me to talk to my specialist who takes up to 48hrs to respond

I had one done yesterday and I had some chest pain after in recovery and they did an EKG and said it was fine, that the pain would be gone by today but I woke up today, the pain is worse. it's like inhaling and exhaling, laughing, literally just breathing hurts so bad? it's like mid to upper back all the way up my throat/chest, shoulders, jaw, my head hurts etc. I assumed there would be the sore throat but like idk if this amount is normal?

maybe it's nothing but I'm gonna just be anxious if I don't ask so I'd rather be able to reassure myself ig

it hurts so bad tho like its becoming a problem, minor movements make me feel like every inch of the areas in pain are being stabbed repeatedly

idk like I expected some amount of throat discomfort and maybe a stomach ache but I can't understand why I'm having pain elsewhere bc they looked in my esophagus/stomach and small intestines like what about that is causing this pain lol

Just finished it and I think it made me worse not better, made my appetite was non existent.

Today is my first day off it and this evening I am really hungry.

Anyone else found it made them worse?

Getting a Gastric Pacemaker refitted on Monday. Anyone else with one? Did it work for you?

**not looking for medical advice, just want to know I’m not alone**

For a few years I’ve been puking daily from the grazing I do throughout the day, but I’ve always called it a “good puke” because it was so easy. I don’t like it obviously, but I mean I just come up so easily and I can move on with my day.

If I over eat, or make myself puke for a different reason, it’s usually painful, gives me hot flashes, makes me panic, all that fun stuff. It’s much different from my “normal” puking, but it’s what I’d assume the average person means when they say puking.

I also have bad constant regurgitation, like if I had a small snack I had at 10am I’d still be regurgitating it by 3pm at least.

I used to have really bad heart burn, but one of my medications stops it.

After waiting almost 6 months I finally saw the director of a university research hospital GI department. It was one of the worst experiences I’ve had so far. She said because my GES (from 6 years ago when my symptoms were much less severe) was close to normal by hour 4, despite severe retention up to that point, that means I probably don’t have gastroparesis. I was diagnosed by a doctor. I recently had an NJ tube because I’ve lost 20+ pounds and am severely under weight and can’t keep solid food down.

She gave me prescription for motegrity, which I did want, but told me to do pelvic floor therapy (which I told her I’ve already been doing for over a year) and to keep taking zofran. And see her again in 8 weeks to see if I continue to lose weight. I asked what happens when that doesn’t work. She said I might be a candidate for a gastric pacemaker but I’d need a repeat GES for insurance (fair enough). But she then mentioned that if my results were even slightly normal at any point, she’d remove my diagnosis and would refuse any treatment other than constipation management and CBT (which I’ve also been doing for years and told her that earlier in the appointment).

I’m just at such a loss and I feel so hopeless and insane. My last GI said I need a PEG-J because my health was extremely compromised from the gastroparesis, but that he didn’t have the skill set to manage that. All my other GI doctors have agreed I have gastroparesis but am too complex for them to handle. I was recommended this doctor from them. How could this have gone so wrong?

I guess I’m just wondering if by any chance someone here is from colorado and has a motility specialist or just GI doctor that actually cares and knows what they’re doing? I don’t care where in Colorado, I’ll drive anywhere at this point. Thank you if you read all that.

Had a laparoscopy in October apparently I had adhesions and my bowel was stuck to the bowel wall or something along those lines which they supposedly sorted. According to the gyne it wasn't endo (altho he's not a specialist so who knows).

I've never been a big eater but my appetite has got worse and worse until I was just living off a packet of crisps and handful of dry cornflakes, struggling to stay hydrated ect until eventually my body just gave up and I couldn't even sit up or open my eyes properly for several days. Doctor says I've got clinical malnutrition and I'm surviving off fortisip now as well as the few beige things I seem to be able to tolerate. I suggested gastro as I seem to have all the symptoms but doctor doesn't think it's that.

I have noticed that this also seems to overlap with people who have some form of hyper mobility which I also have. Just interested to see if this is something other people have experienced as the doctors never seem to take me seriously.

(PS: did literally beg my GP for help before the collapse but he just weighed me went 🤷‍♀️ and then said it was my mental health sooo)

Hi all I’m 21f. I’ve been dealing with nonstop gastro issues since November 25’ now and I’m so exhausted and looking for recommendations. I’ve read through a LOT in this subreddit but have some questions I haven’t seen answered yet. Originally had a gallbladder attack in nov. had some small stones/small polyp but surgeons and docs weren’t concerned (no surgery), then I had peptic ulcers but no hpylori

, just got out of the ER and ulcers are gone thankfully but now I have been diagnosed with GP. I’m currently waiting to call my pcp and get the testing done. I’ve lost 15lbs in 3 weeks and I’m so dehydrated. But I CANT DRINK WATER! I get so nauseous but I’m trying to take baby sips every few minutes. How do we get through this? I believe the medications I was on for my ulcers have caused my stomach to stop functioning properly, I’ve never had issues like this before. This is all over the place sorry but It’s brought on horrible depression and health anxiety. My pee has been slightly orange since being back home the last day or so but I lived off of orange jello in the hospital. I’m trying not to panic over every tiny thing. I know everyone’s triggers/safe foods are different and I bought a journal to start keeping track, is there some universal snacks that work well? I can’t do meals anymore. I’m currently drinking a max protein ensure and it seems to be okay. I was taking Reglan for the symptoms, it was the only thing that helped, but the reaction I had to it almost put me in a psych ward😭 taking zofran now but it’s just not as effective. any words of encouragement or advice I’d love 🥲

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but I’m having trouble understanding whether fecal loading can be caused by gastroparesis, or if it’s separate and just has similar symptoms. Can they coincide together?