gastroparesis - anyone know about it?

[Gussie]

My 11 year old had a stomach virus a few weeks ago. After 2 days she continued to vomit but didn't empty her stomach. Her vomiting was really more like retching. The nausea never went away. Her pediatrician diagnosed post viral gastroparesis. The nerves in the stomach are damaged (partially paralyzed ) and can't move her food effectively to the intestine. At first he put her on bethanechol, zofran, and prilosec. She didn't improve much after a week. Now he is trying low dose arithromyacin. If that doesn't work she will see a gi specialist and maybe try reglan. He said it could be months before she is well. She is able to go to school but I have to pick her up occasionally. Have yall heard of this??? I feel awful for her! Homeopathic remedies for nausea, please.

 

[Karl_K]

ginger ale mixed with water 50/50 with all the fiz stirred out.
Fiz stirred out as not to cause burps.
Mixed with water to dilute the sugar and provide water to digest the sugar.

peppermint candy dissolved in water.
Warm water in nukerwave toss in a peppermint hard candy.
Stir occasionally until the candy is dissolved and it is not hot anymore.
Fish left over candy out to prevent choking.
Sip while stirring occasionally.

Alternatively a small amount of peppermint extract(few drops) and a 1/2 tea spoon of sugar in 8oz of heated but not boiling water.
Adjust sugar and peppermint to taste but dont make it to strong.

 

[kgizo]

I’m sorry your daughter isn’t feeling well and hope things improve for her soon. For nausea see if cola syrup or ginger ale. For the ginger ale I’ve been told not to drink it straight out of the fridge as the cold can make stomach muscles contract (no idea if this is really true or not).

 

[2Neezers]

Sorry to hear your kiddo is so sick. I would push to get the referral for the gastro doc and get her scheduled to see him asap. In my opinion, this is something a GI specialist should be diagnosing and treating. I have experience with general doctors misdiagnosing gastro related issues for years, that a GI specialist was able to diagnose and treat almost immediately. Best of luck!

 

[foxinsox]

I have mild gastroparesis/delayed stomach emptying (diagnosed from a gastroscopy) which flares up when I’m very stressed. After the initial occurrence which lasted for around 12 months and was basically constant nausea, it’s flared up again a few times when I’ve had periods of high stress. Nothing specific fixed it - it basically resolved itself over time after the initial episode but I was prescribed domperidone which helped a little with gastric motility.
While it was at its worst, I found low residue relatively mild low fat foods to be least nauseating. I second the suggestions for ginger and peppermint. I was usually able to tolerate liquids better than solids so smoothies could be a good way to get some nutrients/calories into her. I didn’t find fizzy drinks at all comfortable to drink but did enjoy cold still liquids.
Good luck! I was lucky to not be very bad but it was still a really grim experience. I hope your daughter’s resolves soon.

 

[MaisOuiMadame]

I am sorry your daughter is going through this @ceg. I don't have anything helpful regarding the gastroparesis, but I suffered from hyperemesis gravidarum for my pregnancies (hospital and all..). I know how nausea can weigh on your quality of life. Beyound the obvious (nothing upsetting like spicy food, fatty food , too hot or too cold beverages and food), I found it important not to let the stomach be completely empty. This aggravated the nausea. Please also closely monitor fluid intake.
In the beginning I thought not eating / drinking would mean no nausea and I manoeuvred myself into a worse situation.
Healing vibes!

 

[missy]

@ceg I am so sorry your daughter is dealing with this and I second the recommendation to see a GI specialist sooner rather than later. There are tests that can pinpoint certain issues and treatments that can bring relief. And a GI specialist is best suited to deal with this condition in the most efficient manner.

I agree with the other posters re nausea being a critical quality of life deterrent. Room temperature Ginger ale, cola, peppermint all helps me when I get nauseous. And there are some meds that can bring her relief re nausea. Included in my link below.

This link has some helpful info:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gastroparesis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355792


Sending your DD lots of good thoughts and healing vibes and gentle hugs. I hope she finds relief soon!

 

[Gussie]

Thanks yall for the advice! I have made an appointment with the pediatric GI doctor. Unfortunately she can't get in until Mar 27. We leave this Friday for skiing in Colorado. I really hope she's able to have at least a decent time. This is just terrible for her.

 

[Karl_K]

Thoughts and prayers outgoing that she is feeling better and has a good time skiing as well as quick healing.

 

[whitewave]

To me, if gasteoparesis is mentioned,it is time to go straight to the peds GI. Don't wait. My 2 cents

 

[monarch64]

Thanks yall for the advice! I have made an appointment with the pediatric GI doctor. Unfortunately she can't get in until Mar 27. We leave this Friday for skiing in Colorado. I really hope she's able to have at least a decent time. This is just terrible for her.

Maybe she’s used to altitude and won’t be affected...I was in Park City when I was about 6 months pregnant and did not feel great while up there. I can’t imagine being at a high alt while suffering from constant nausea. Is this a trip she has her heart set on, or is it possible to cancel and do something fun but not so strenuous as skiing around where you live? I just...gastroparesis sounds like no joke and I don’t know that I would be comfortable taking the chance of traveling and doing a pretty strenuous physical activity with that diagnosis whether it’s correct or not. Obviously you are her parent and know what’s best! Good luck and I hope everything works out and that she is on the mend soon.

 

[Gussie]

This is one of two major family vacation this year. We meet cousins and lots of family for a week. It would kill us all not to go. We usually rent an oxygen tank for anyone who needs it. She may not want to ski as much but she is also my toughest kid so we'll see. She and I could always fly back home. I don't think she would handle it well at all to think of not going.

 

[monarch64]

Fingers crossed for you all, @ceg !

 

[Gussie]

@monarch64 I asked her if she thought we should stay home. She looked at me like I was crazy and said, "well if it gets too bad, I will just take a spa day or two." Lol, love that girl!

 

[monarch64]

Hahaha, that’s awesome! My kind of girl!

 

[Arkteia]

Well I just wish her good luck, and full recovery.

 

[princessandthepear]

I have gastroparesis as a result of diabetic nerve damage. The last thing that she needs to be on is zofran. Zofran lessens nausea by slowing the contractions of the stomach thereby preventing it from emptying quickly. Her stomach is emptying extremely slowly already so zofran is the absolute worst. Reglan helps with contractions in the stomach. It will help lessen her nausea. As for diet, liquids and bland, starchy foods like cream of wheat are easier for me to keep down.
Good luck to your daughter. I hope that she starts feeling better soon.

 

[Begonia]

If it’s available where you are, try Iberogast. It’s an herbal tincture from Europe (available in Canada so hopefully where you are?). It has many herbs and peppermint is one of them. My gastroenterologist recommended it a few years back for my GERD and delayed stomach emptying. It takes a while to kick in and you need lifestyle adjustments, but it seemed to help. I don’t tolerate PPI’s and H2 inhibitors.

 

[foxinsox]

If it’s available where you are, try Iberogast. It’s an herbal tincture from Europe (available in Canada so hopefully where you are?). It has many herbs and peppermint is one of them. My gastroenterologist recommended it a few years back for my GERD and delayed stomach emptying. It takes a while to kick in and you need lifestyle adjustments, but it seemed to help. I don’t tolerate PPI’s and H2 inhibitors.

I used this too and does help - I’d forgotten that one

 

[Gussie]

Found iberogast on amazon. Will give it a try! Thanks!

 

[foxinsox]

Tastes a bit wierd but effective if you keep using it.

 

[rocks]

Thanks yall for the advice! I have made an appointment with the pediatric GI doctor. Unfortunately she can't get in until Mar 27. We leave this Friday for skiing in Colorado. I really hope she's able to have at least a decent time. This is just terrible for her.

Pediatric appointments are cancelled all the time. Call the office every morning to see whether there were any cancellations.

 

[Gussie]

Update - the erithromycin seems to be helping. We are in Colo for our annual ski trip and she's been pretty good even with the altitude. Skiing and happy as can be. Nauseous only sometimes. Yay for that!

 

[missy]

Update - the erithromycin seems to be helping. We are in Colo for our annual ski trip and she's been pretty good even with the altitude. Skiing and happy as can be. Nauseous only sometimes. Yay for that!

YAY!!! So happy to hear she is doing much better. Hoping she keeps improving and also enjoying your annual ski trip. Great kid and a great attitude and that will serve her very well! Continued good thoughts being sent her way!