New Doctor

Kyle, I really hope this doctor can help you. He sounds like just what you need. Hoping that next year will be dramatically better for you than this one. Hang in.

Let us know how it goes on Thursday -- will be thinking of you.

Kyle - best of luck. I hope this Dr can help you out. Keep us posted and let us know how you are doing.

This guy sounds like the answer to your prays how terrible life must be with such a condition - may this be your new start for a great life for the year ahead. x

Hey everyone,

Thanks for your support!  I was exhausted yesterday and sick Thursday night when we got back home just from the long day traveling up there!  Dr. Schaefer seemed like a nice doctor, and I had no complaints.  I liked the fact that it was a small office.  For some reason, that always makes me feel more at home because his office is actually in Oak Park, surburb in Chicago.  Experience was much different than St. Louis.  I had to fill out a bunch of paperwork, and he reviewed my records before he came into the office.  I was telling him on how sick I have been with this disease, and he understood and was amazed at my 509 minute stomach transit test (bad!).  At least one thing I have going for me, my small bowels has always worked great!   

The doctor thinks I would make an excellent candidate for the gastric pacemaker procedure.  He answered my questions, and actually explained to me what it was, how long it has been around and everything.  It is not a cure all for everyone, but he said it has helped some people that have nausea and vomiting everday; for example, from 30 times a day to once a day.

After the appointment, the nurse was nice, too.  I was just letting out my frustrations on everything I have been through this year.  At the end, she was like, it looks like you could use a hug and gave me one.  She said everything will be okay!  The nurse has to process my paperwork and send in my information with the company that makes the stimulator, medtronic.  The doctor explained that medtronic reviews my records as well before they get the device.  If everything comes back okay, (nurse said people that are on medical cards go through quick-good thing the state finally realized I have been sick this year and got one!), then I guess this is road I am heading down.  So, in another couple weeks, I should have my answers! 

I told the doctor I didn't even care if I was never 100% better, just to be able to eat more things again (not just crackers, maybe some baby foods and small servings of non-fat yogurt-just really nothing), not be bloated, gassy, nausea, burping, left side-hurting, still have problems going to the bathroom; just to lead a more functional life, I would take it!  So, let's all hope 2012 will finally bring me some relief after all the years I have suffered with GI distress! 

Kyle

2009-Dx with IBS

2010 - Dx with Colon inertia

Feb. 2011 - Left hemicolectomy

June 2011 - Total colectomy

August 2011 - Dx with Gastroparesis

Kyle, This is great. I emailed you back too. BUt seeing this post made me really happy for you. That was so nice the nurse really tuned in also and gave you a hug. YOu have had a very long haul.

So glad you got your med card. ONe look at you so thin and I would think ANYONE would give you a med card.

On your bio it is very interesting that in 2009 you were dx'd ibs, then 2010 colon inertia, feb 11 left hemicolectomy, june 2011 total colectomy, aug 11 dx gastroparesis.

THOUGH I ended up at Mayo AFTER all my wreckage from my disaster surgery in my end of the state, I did notice that at Mayo they do a FULL work up. They do the geiger counter egg test which shows emptying of stomach, transit of small bowel and large bowel. All their other tests are extremely comprehensive too. Had I known I would have gone there FIRST! BUT they sure were not into helping with adhesions after my wreckage, so I thank God for my adhesion and ileo doc here in Mass at the other end of the state from me who fixed the wreckage the best that could be done.

But also interesting that with colon inertia whoever did your left hemicolectomy did not just take out your whole colon. It looks like you were dx'd in "parts" too. I really wonder why there is no standard formula like Mayo has for dx'ing gut stuff. You would think all places would follow the same set of very comprehensive tests.

So with your small bowel working and that successfully hooked to your rectum (right?) I don't think you have an ileostomy from our emails?

Then with the gastric pacemaker you should be pretty much all set. Maybe Allie, Lizzie's friend, would benefit by seeing Dr. Shaefer?

Here's hoping for you. Glad things are looking up for you. Like I said of your fb pics, you are a young man just ready to feel good and start living life. Love your smile. It must light up whatever room you walk into.

Rosemary

Thanks for all your encouragement everybody.  It is funny how some days are better than others with excessive gas and bloating, intestine spasms, but I still suffer from a constant gurgle and bloat on my left abdomen everyday.  I am getting very ancy now-a-days because I am so ready to feel better.  I am tired of staying at home not feeling very good everyday; not having any energy.  I can't wait till I hear back from the doctor's office next week about them submitting my paper-work for the pacemaker.  I am pretty sure things will go through because I know something has to be done!  I have lost so much weight, but it is funny how my tummy can be such a disaster!  The only thing I am scared about is more surgery, but Dr. Schaefer said people are usually in the hospital for a couple days.  Then, if the strength needs to upped, you are not cut-up again.  Plus, since my total colectomy in June was open, this would be open. 

Yes, Rosemary, I do not have a bag.  I know my small intestine works great because it sure spasms a lot, and I have problems getting out the excessive gas (I think it comes sometimes if I especially eat a wrong food or drink, ferments in my stomach forever! Then, it seems to take a whole day just to feel somewhat better!) and stool at times (milk of magnesia).  However, I think my surgeon in Springfield thinks a lot of those issues will resolve if my stomach got better.  

Also, yes, there should be a protocol for gut issues.  It does make me mad that not all my tests were done right away before my condition has gotten so bad this year that I am just not eating basically most days, or I try to force something down me a little bit at meal-times because I am like, I have to!  I wished I joined this forum back in 2009 when I decided to start trying to fix my problems because I was tired of feeling horrible everyday.  You live you learn! 

  

Kyle

2009 - Dx with IBS

2010- Dx with Colon inertia

Feb. 2011 - Left hemicolectomy

June 2011 - Total colectomy

August 2011 - Dx with Gastroparesis

Dec. 2011 - Met with doctor; might be getting gastric pacemaker

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to say thank you again for your support! I am sure glad that I got my medical card because it has enabled me to get nauseous medicine (doesn't always help though!), and now, yes, I am scheduled for the gastric pacemaker procedure next Friday, Jan. 20th; nurse called me yesterday! I hope this will help move some of the gas, stools, etc. now. I don't even have to be 100% better, just to be able to live a more functional life. Long enough dealing with stomach and poo problems really bad for the past 3 years, enough! Thanks for your support everyone!

Kyle
2009 - Dx with IBS
2010- Dx with Colon inertia
Feb. 2011 - Left hemicolectomy
June 2011 - Total colectomy
August 2011 - Dx with Gastroparesis
Dec. 2011 - Met with doctor; might be getting gastric pacemaker
Jan. 20th, 2012 - Gastric pacemaker surgery!

Thanks!  Yeah, it is a surgery.  As far as I know, I should be in the hospital for at most a couple days.  I hope I recover fast.  I have another doctor helping in on the surgery plus I meet with the rep from the company, medtronic, that makes the pacemaker that day.  After that, if I need readjustments from the pacemaker, then they don't have to cut me open again.  Hoping for a speedy recovery!  Here is the website about the pacemaker if you're curious.  Yes, I do deserve a break! lol, my first job ever was at McDonald's!

http://www.medtronic.com/patients/gastroparesis/device/what-is-it/index.htm

Kyle
2009 - Dx with IBS
2010- Dx with Colon inertia
Feb. 2011 - Left hemicolectomy
June 2011 - Total colectomy
August 2011 - Dx with Gastroparesis
Dec. 2011 - Met with doctor; might be getting gastric pacemaker
Jan. 20th, 2012 - Gastric pacemaker surgery!

Kyle - good luck. I hope this is the answer to your problems. Keep us informed how things are going.

so glad you are scheduled already! wishing you best of luck!!!

Christine,

I appreciate all your help!  Yeah, still trying to work out things.  We are trying to get a plan of action by the end of the day, especially with my family and friends work schedule.  I just wish the hospital didn't call me till the day before surgery to tell me what time.  I am ready, and I have felt really bad the past couple days.  My stomach and intestines are so full of gas trying to escape, and it hurts!  It is like I am hungry, but full at the same time because of all the gas.  Sometimes I wonder if the years of constipation and stomach problems have contributed to a small bowel overgrowth, too.  Are you on facebook, and maybe we can start talking a little bit more?  It would be great to meet you, and if you wanted to see me in the hospital to meet.  Granted I would be in pain, but it would great to meet other people from this forum.  I think healingwell needs to develop a gastroparesis forum as well now.  =)

Kyle
2009 - Dx with IBS
2010- Dx with Colon inertia
Feb. 2011 - Left hemicolectomy
June 2011 - Total colectomy
August 2011 - Dx with Gastroparesis
Dec. 2011 - Met with doctor; might be getting gastric pacemaker
Jan. 20th, 2012 - Gastric pacemaker surgery!<!-- Edit -->

Brian, my mom lives in Montgomery now.... hoping to get out there this spring some time, so maybe we can get together then; I think that's very close (I grew up further north, and barely know the Aurora area at all)