Hope Restored

It's has become a sad symptom of my gastroparesis (GP) that I had entirely lost hope for a cure or receiving the nuero-simulator I need so much to help alleviate the 24-hr nausea. This situation is not something easily spoken of by me. I hate being a shut-in or not being able to make plans for any appointments (as I will most likely cancel).  The worst  part is that I have lost touch with everything that was in my life prior to GP.  I was on the road to becoming ordained.  No longer.  I do not have the option to visit with any of my family, all of my friends but one, and the loss of my church family.  Simple things like going to Christmas Eve at my in-laws or going to visit with my brother are no longer viable choices for me. Let me put it to you this way, my brother has a young son, well over a year and a half years old, and I have never met him.  Not once.  I am always ill.

Please do not think that I am in some deep dark depression.  I get through each day as every other GP sufferer does.  Each hour, each minute is lived by treating each GP symptom as it comes.  The problem is that is all I do, ever.

Thus I have lived without hope for years.  How long I have been dampened is unknown.  For me time is one long blur of nausea. Yet, hope has been rekindled!  I have been loathe to talk about this until it was official, I did not want to jinx anything.  Here it is:  I have been officially entered into a GP medical study at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  The initial part of the study will begin with an endoscopy, a 6-hour gastric emptying test, swallowing a "smart pill" and frequent discussions and visits with the doctor and his staff.  I was given a long questionnaire about my GP and their symptoms.  I received a physical exam by the gastroenterologist in charge of the study.  All the prerequisites (blood sugar, A1C levels, etc.) I had for entering the study have been fulfilled.  

"Smart Pill/Capsule"

What is so exciting for me is that I finally have a team of doctors working to relieve my GP symptoms.  I have been officially accepted by U of M by gastroenterologists and researchers who truly understand how severe my GP is and whom actually desire to help.  They understand I am not a drug seeker!

Thus, for me, hope has been restored.  What keeps me going is:

my wife,

my daughter,

my pup Tess,

my best friend C,

my best friend Yeshua,

a hope for treatment,

and the desire to live a life and not be a shut-in!

How do you manage?

God bless you all.

To Have Somewhat of an Awesome Opportunity

University of Michigan Hospital.  Ann Arbor, Michigan

For the first time in a long time, I have some good news concerning my gastroparesis (GP).  I have been accepted into an University of Michigan Hospital device & observational study of my GP.  This entails swallowing a "smart pill" that tracks everything that goes on in my digestive system. This study will be centered at the main hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  I am hopeful that some form of breakthrough may be found that may decrease my levels of nausea, retching and vomiting.

There is one huge drawback to this good news, for I will have to retake the gastric emptying nuclear medicine test again.  For me this is no easy feet.  Last time the CT scans ended up with me vomiting in the radiology department at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan.  It literally took me three tries to get through the exam as I could not hold the radiated food down.  I pray that this will not be the case here.

An illustrated example of a "smart pill."

My question is simple, has anyone else taken a "smart pill?"  If so please share with us.

Episodes of Gastroparesis

I define "episodes" as a day or week long attack on my stomach via GP.  Symptoms include 24-hour severe nausea, relentless vomiting, and severe pain.  The current episode that I am in is a doosey!  Somehow, and I am not sure how, I have persevered through the worst symptoms without going to the hospital.  I term this episode as my Christmas gift from my nervous system.  Fun-Fun-Fun!!!  How is your GP acting this holiday season?

Quick Holiday Prayer Note

I just wanted to say that I truly pray for all of us people who suffer from gastroparesis.  May we all be at peace.  May our pains subside.  May our never-ending nausea lesson.  May we all find the peace of Yeshua ha Mashiach (Jesus the Christ).  Be well.

Shut-In

For over six years now, I have become a social recluse, in truth a shut-in.  I have reached the point in my GP that I am actually afraid to leave the house.  I haven't been to visit my family in a long long time.  The only time I have seen my parents is when they drove me to and from the emergency room.  In fact, I have yet to meet my youngest nephew who is over one years old.  I have missed Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations year after year. It is very depressing, trust me.

Six years ago I was on the fast-track to becoming an ordained minister through my General Baptist church.  I was ministering to people around the world with the organization I created and ran, The Road to God Ministry.  I was giving sermons in church and evangelizing through the internet, the distribution of tracts in Jewish newspapers and working city and county fairs.  And I absolutely loved it!

But then it happened...I got sick.  I thought it was the stomach flu, but it never went away.  What is GP to me?  It is the stomach flu for life.  Never knowing when I would vomit without warning.  Never knowing if I could tolerate the unrelenting nausea.  Never knowing if I could take pain medication for the agony GP puts me through.  Never knowing if I should go to the local emergency room, even though they see me as a habitual drug seeker instead of a patient in intense pain.

I know I am ranting here, but I am hoping there are others out there who could pass on some good advice as to how to be properly social while being ill.  Please leave comments or send me a message.

Happy Hanukkah everyone.

So What's Your Trick in Overcoming Nausea

Over the past six years or so I have embarked upon a great campaign in the hopes of finding some nausea relief.  In doing so I have encountered a menagerie of opinions as to what works best for these symptoms.  I have compiled a list of items below.  These items have either been recommended, prescribed or otherwise asked to try.  The items unlined are what I presently use as needed.  The bold print items are one that I RECOMMEND.  Items #1-8 are only available via prescription.

1. Zofran.  The great and powerful anti-emetic.  This is what is give to chemo-therapy patients to combat their nausea issues.  This medication works best as an IV.  
2. Phenergan.  This drug has more and more warnings attached to it.  Yet, it really works for me.
3. Compazine  
4. Emend (brand new)
5. Tigan (tough to get)
6. Ativan
7. Bentyl
8. Reglan
9. Benadryl
10. Ginger:  crystallized, raw, tea, Diet Canadian Dry, etc.
11. Tea:  Oolong
12. Water, Water and drink more Water
13. Pressure point braclets (useless!)
14. Marijuana (assuming you have a state-licence to use and own).  I have been told by several ER doctors that marijuana can have a polar effect on gastroparesis, causing the motility in the stomach fail further.  I have never had this effect.  My opinion on medical marijuana is simple; it should be accessible and legal for needed patients. Keep in mind that there is a nasty price to pay for using this course of action.  I do not know if the "false guilt" I feel after smoking is worth it.  Personally, this is my least favorite alternative, for I always feel hypocritical from my head to my toes when I return to the use of this item.  I will never recommend this option.  It's a personal choice. (I will blog about this in the future)
15. Nausatrol.  An OTC sugar syrup liquid.  It may work for some people, but never myself.  There is so much sugar on this elixir that if it does not aid the nausea, then it will be a great leap for your blood glucose level.
16. Coca-Cola Syrup.  An OTC sugar syrup liquid.  It may work for some people, but never myself.  There is so much sugar on this elixir that if it does not aid the nausea, then it will be a great leap for your blood glucose level.
17. Maintaining a consistent blood sugar level.  This item is huge!  I am a Type 1 diabetic and as such  I have continual issues with my pancreas.  This is a tough one, but essential to healthy living.  I believe and diabetic can attest to the fact that when sugar levels are off, then EVERYTHING about you is "off."  The high or low sugar levels change the way our anatomy functions.  My GP was caused by not having consistent blood glucose levels.  Good sugars create stability.  High sugars create anatomical chaos(I will blog about this in the future)
18. Gatorade or G2.  I do use this, but I have never seen any improvement of the nausea.
19. Apple Cider Vinegar.  Never tried it.
20. The great daddy here!!! Nuerostimulator for your stomach.  I haven't had it yet, bu as soon as BCBS comes to reason, then it will be mine!

Well, that is it for now.  But please message me or leave a comment on how YOU handle this "green demon" that lives in our belly.

"Drug Seeker"

The question is simple, when should I, if at all, go to the ER's for symptom relief?  In the past I would would just "wing it" and go if I felt it needed.  But that is no longer a viable option.  I have spent so much time in area ER's looking for nausea, vomiting and pain relief that most area hospitals believe I am a "drug seeker."  It probably doesn't help that I walk into the emergency room KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT I NEED AND WHAT WILL NOT WORK.  The best example of this issue is the drug Tordol, an anti-inflammatory.  I know it will not work on my belly, its been tried over and over.  But what can I do, just walk into the ER declaring that I need an immediate IV and a 4mg dose of Zofran and a minimal dose of Dilaudid. Most ER's are just following their narcotic usage protocols, I really cannot be too angry, except for the fact that I am suffering and all I want is relief.

Anyone else having this issue and what did you do?