Posted 4/21/2015 9:55 AM (GMT 0)
Hello! I've been a type 1diabetic for 28 years and have had GASTROPARESIS for the last 15 years. 15 years ago I was 21 years old, healthy and just had my first child. Then days after delivery I got sick. The usual, vomiting severe abdominal pain constipation weight loss and everything that we here all suffer with. The doctors told my mother that I was making it all up for attention, UCLA couldn't diagnose me. It took 2 1/2 years for my body to heal and then I had another baby. It all happened again, this time 18 months to heal up. Still no reason or diagnosis other than 'stomach nerve damage called gastroparesis'. So I got my tubes tied and was healthy for the next 8 years. In July 2014 I caught the FLU and have had my third reoccurrence. Since my second occurrence, my sister died with the exact same issues. This third occurrence I wasn't pregnant and had already watched my sister passed away and I refused to give up and die too!!! So I became very overly investigative and this is what I have learned.
-DIABETICS. blood sugar control is key! The better your sugar readings are (under 200) the quicker your body will be capable of healing. Drink and eat nutritious calories and cover with medication or insulin for everything you ingest. It's not fun, but where you are now is worse.
-you are vomiting from LOW GOOD STOMACH DIGESTIVE ACID. This causes your stomach to over produce the burning high acid that keeps the vomiting active. Once your anti-nausea medicine starts to work, sip Gatorade. The electrolyte salts and potassium will rebalance your stomachs good acid ph and you will recover faster and have fewer vomit attacks. I maintain with about 20oz. Per day, potassium supplements will also be a lot of help with this. WOMEN- your hormones can/do instigate the vomiting attacks (track the vomiting against your period and ovulating you will see the pattern) see your obgyn for options to limit hormonal fluctuations.
-you have a difficult time breathing even laying in bed YOUR BODY IS IN OXYGEN DISTRESS. A healthy body naturally makes NITRIC OXIDE that allows your body to absorb the oxygen you breathe. Our sick bodies don't make enough to absorb enough oxygen. Any drugstore sells NITRIC OXIDE supplement (I buy the bodybuilders version, it's 3times stronger) start with one, it works in about 20 minutes. You will feel more clear minded and the dizziness and shortness of breath will lessen after a few days of allowing your cells brain and blood to breathe again. This is also why when you sit or stand too fast you almost pass out, low blood pressure due to low blood oxygen.
-you can't heal without nutrition DRINK ENSURE and WEIGHT GAINER PROTIEN DRINKS. Stores sell generic cheaper versions, they work great. Sip, eating is hard trust me I know. But you can slowly sip 8oz of nutrition that will keep you from losing even more weight. Take a hot shower and slowly sip high PROTIEN meal replacement drinks. It's ok to not gain weight for a while as long as you don't lose anymore.
- PAIN MANAGEMENT- don't use opioid pain meds like norco, morphine or Vicodin. These slow your gut and nerve function down more. They constipated you and will eventually make you dependent. There are new SYNTHETIC OPIOID PAIN MEDS. They are non habit forming, promote gut nerve function and will not constipate you. They block the pain signal from your brain to where it hurts, instead of numbing you with endorphins that mask pain and slow everything down. Our digestion is already too slow, don't make it worse. One that works very well for me is TRAMADOL 50mg. Doctors are happy to prescribe it if it's not a narcotic. Look up a few online and print the information for your doc to read, many don't even know there are synthetic pain MEDS. If your not sure, go see a pain consultant. That's where I learned about this helpful alternative. Don't be fooled, they pack a punch!
-ORAL MEDICATION how are we supposed to swallow all this stuff if we just throw it back up? For nausea, get from your doctor the 'behind the ear' sea sickness patches. It will give you dry mouth but that's better than throwing up all day/night. Best trick ever- SUPPOSITORIES
I cannot explain how valuable learning how to do this in a sanitary and safe manner can benefit those who cannot swallow medication. If you have a family member or loved one who can help it is easier but completely do-able on your own. Wash hands, use a clean bit of lubricant and go slow and gentle. You must pass slightly further than the 1 1/2 to 2 inches beyond the sphincter to ensure medication stays in place. Wash hands immedietly after. I have used this method with every perscription and supplement I use and it works very well with all. The tissue inside your colon will absorb the medicine and supplements more quickly than your stomach would and you won't lose valuable medication if you continue to vomit. It sounds extreme and not pretty, but it is effective a will give your meds a chance to actually work and help you. Do not take multiple medications this way at once, pace yourself through out the day once you are comfortable with the process.
-BOWL MOVEMENTS half the problem is not being able to go #2 for me. A few spoons of good yogurt first thing in my stomach per day helps and about any natural Chinese stool softners. Find one that is all natural and you can take almost every day. If your problem is the opposite (diarrhea) make sure you are sipping electrolyte drinks, if you can keep it down try mashed potato or yams, applesauce, peanut butter or any type of cooked squash. These will 'firm it up' without blocking you up.
----THESE ARE ALL METHODS THAT HAVE PERSONALLY WORKED FOR MYSELF, I AM NOT A DOCTOR. ALL MY PERSONAL RECOMENDATIONS SHOULD BE WELL READ about AND LEARNED about BEFORE CONSIDERATION AND DISCUSSED WITH YOUR DOCTOR. THIS IS JUST WHAT IS WORKING FOR ME.
I sincerely hope anyone can find even a little relief from anything I've written. For 15 years I was told nothing, given pills to treat symptoms and didn't even know what was wrong with me. Read, Google, investigate. Take pages of information and questions to your next doctor visit. 15 years ago I was "making it up for attention", now nerve and cellular damage and healing is 'cutting edge medical research'. You have to fix yourself because American medicine is only barely identifying the causes and origins of gut, nerve and all the related endocrine damage. If you wait for the "cure" you will starve to death from lack of nutrition and cell death (from lack of oxygen). Your nails will grow back, your skin will be healthy again and you can get better. I'm on my third (hopefully last) time. This time it's taking less than one year!!! Goodluck, better health and please let me know if you have any healthy working answers you've learned!!!!
Andria