gastroparesis Archives - A New Kind of Normal

“Maybe” was the word of the appointment Tuesday at my gastroenterologist’s office.

Maybe my system is just a little sluggish.

Maybe my gastroparesis has just gotten worse.

Maybe there is in fact another obstruction on the horizon.

The last one scares me the most.

We did several x-rays in the office and they didn’t show an obstruction at that moment but my symptoms combined with my history raised some alarms. Before an obstruction forms, there is often some kinking and unkinking as scar tissue is working its magic so that could be what is causing the variance in symptoms and why nothing could be seen at the time. I had all of the same tests that showed similar results 3 weeks before my emergency surgery.

In effort to give my system a break, I’ve been on clear liquids only the last 48 hours and starting tomorrow I can transition to soft foods for the next week (the delicious gluten-free glazed donuts I ordered that were delivered today will just have to wait unfortunately). The clear liquids seemed to provide some relief from the pain and nausea but if reintroducing even soft foods causes symptoms to return, I am to call immediately. Any sudden increase or intensity of pain means I get my hiney to their ER immediately. She mentioned the two words NG Tube and I’ve been having nightmares ever since.

It really is a waiting game and its a game I am not very good at.

My Hospital Saga – Part 2

Yesterday I headed to Charlotte with my husband for my follow-up visit with my gastroenterologist after my weekend trip to the ER. I wasn’t able to see my primary GI doctor because they wanted me to get in as soon as possible so my appointment was set up with one of his associates so I really wasn’t sure what to expect.

Right off the bat, they ruled out pancreatitis. While I had slightly elevated levels, it was nothing close to what would indicate pancreatitis so we were able to mark that off the list. We next did a brief overview of my medical history. He immediately apologized when I told him about my journey with endo. He said that endometriosis is like the black plague for women. I have never heard a better description. That man deserves a medal.

We went over the blood work taken at the ER and compared it to my blood work done at my previous visit. My liver enzymes are a little up but not anything crazy – just something to keep an eye on. He sent me for more blood work as well as an abdominal xray and then met me back in the office. At my latest EGD, they discovered my gastroparesis. After confirming with the xray, it seems that its not only my stomach that is paralyzed but pretty much my entire GI system. This coupled with existing chronic pelvic pain (endo/adhestions/etc) was probably the source of my severe abdominal pain.

So the plan is to attempt to jump start my GI system with back-to-back bowel preps (I started the 2nd this morning). I will also start a new medicine that will try to help stimulate my system which will help the gastroparesis as well. We also dropped to the two new medications I started last week as they were likely adding to the irritation. Not sure what that will mean for my pain levels but hopefully once things get moving again I will notice a big difference!