What is Gastroparesis?

Gastroparesis is also known as "delayed stomach emptying". It is where the stomach doesnt work to digest the foods you eat as quickly as they are supposed to, or at all.
Symptoms include feeling fullness after eating little, nausea, vomiting, etc.
It effects over 5 million people in america, yet very little is known about it. There is no cure, and it is a chronic illness.
Imagine the feeling of eating thanksgiving dinner times 5, then vomiting 10 times worse than your worst stomach flu, followed by extreme fatigue for days.

Friday, March 4, 2011

its back

my life improved greatly being pregnant.  I have no idea the cause, but from speaking to others who have been pregnant with gastroparesis, its been the same.  I have been able to eat normally again, i have gained weight.  I am now 22 weeks into my pregnancy, and at the weight i was when i was first married, and feeling healthy and fit.
I am still so weak, and my body is so tired from the work of growing a baby.  I still cant manage to do very much, having no energy, but atleast i can eat and give this child the nutrition he needs.  Until recently.


The last couple days i have been struggling again with my gastroparesis.  I had a flare up (mild, but still painful, i only vomited 3 times) the other night, and havent been able to eat much since.  The constant pain in my gut is back, and i can only eat a little at a time and feel full for hours.  I had overwhelming stress and emotions that i think caused the flare up.  I am hoping when the stress passes, the gastroparesis will fade as well, atleast while i am pregnant.  If not, I will be devastated, but I will get through it.  I have a great support group of family, friends, and even others that are suffering from gp.

Atleast with this pregnancy i have insurance, so i can be sure to get the medical help i need to help keep this baby alive.