Permanent Gastric Stimulator

In my last blog I discussed the placement of a temporary gastric pacemaker.  This blog is about the permanent one.  Others will have different views this is how I have responded so far.  Remember I have only been living with this 5 months so I am still learning a lot.

For starters, would I have done the surgery if I knew then what I know now?  The answer is a resounding yes.  Does that mean I am cured?  No I still have good days and bad days.  I still have nausea but nothing like I did before the surgery.  When I have my worse days now they are about the same as my bad days before.  You might be asking what does that mean?  My worse days before were those when a drop of water or a little puree mad me deathly ill.  Now my worse days are filled with nausea and bloating.  Do I still have days when  I can't eat?  Yes, and I know as soon as I wake up if it is going to be one of those days because me and an my old friend have a morning conversation.  (For those of you with DTP you know exactly who I am talking about, but the only thing that my friend can do is listen and flush the bad news away.)

Since I had already had the temporary we knew that I would more than likely respond to the permanent one.  I am glad I went through with the temporary placement first.  The permanent surgery is painful and I spent 5 days in the hospital.  I came home on pain pills.  I also had to be careful coming home when it came to lifting and bending.  I don't feel like I am back to where I was before the surgery as far as strength and energy.  But this might be my new norm which we all know changes over time with Gastroparesis and Menieres. (Menieres has decided to go into a 5 month flare up without a day of not spinning or being off balance.  Sometimes I wonder if having 3 surgeries in two months was just too much for my body to handle.)   

I also have pain on my right side where the pacer was placed.  This is very annoying and uncomfortable for me. Yet, this is the way I usually handle surgery so it might only be me that would be hurting this long after surgery. For those of you that have read Harry Potter my scar and his act the same.  But my It who should not be named is my hand.  I have self diagnosed myself with a bad case of Twiddler's Syndrome.  (Will have to do a whole blog on that.)  If you haven't read the Potter series this example may be more for you. Three years ago I had a endolymphatic shunt placed for Menieres disease and over the last month and a half the stitches have decided to surface behind my ear. Which means my body doesn't like them.  Because of the type of stitch I am pretty positive that it was used during this surgery. I wonder how many years it will take for them to start surfacing. 

Dr. Thomas Abell is my motility specialists and did the programming and placement of the temporary pacer.   He is handling all the motility issues.  I also have another GI doctor Dr. Martin Mark, that works with my GERD issues.   Dr Robert Cacchione was the actual general surgeon.  During my procedure they not only placed the pacer but also did a biopsy of my stomach muscle to help determine the cause of my Gastroparesis.  Lucky me, not really, I am one of the patients that is listed as having idiopathic Gastroparesis.  The hope is that once the biopsy results come back we have a cause so that I can be treated for that which should help with the Gastroparesis.

Due to the pain medicines I also started having a major change in other areas of my digestive tract.  I know now that even though my stomach empties slowly now my colon empties extremely fast.  (Smart pills can detect things that other test might have missed.)  So we are going to start looking into that and why it empties in less than a half an hour.  

Make sure to read the patient manual if you aren't given one at the time of the surgery you can get the information from the website.  http://www.medtronic.com/wcm/groups/mdtcom_sg/@mdt/@neuro/documents/documents/ges-ent3116-ptmanl.pdf .  If you still have concerns talk to your doctor and they can answer your questions.

I did go back to work for a few days, but the Menieres and the surgery were just too much this time.  Between my head spinning and recovering from the surgery I just could not pull it off.  It is devastating to have to throw in the towel.  But, I know I fought as long as I could.  My ENT wanted me to stop working about this time last year, but i tried to keep going.  So it isn't as much giving up.  I actually fought the battle until my body said time to rest.

One of the other changes that has happened effects my stress reliever photography.  I am one of those people that likes to take pictures as close as I can.  My favorite setting is super micro because I get a thrill of catching the smallest of God's creatures and plants doing their daily chores.  I know it is crazy but if they can do it so can I.  Now that I have my stimulator bending down to get those shots is impossible.  I wish I could do it, but there is no way.  (Plus with the Menieres if I bend I am going to hit the ground.)  Thank goodness for telescopic lenses and a very good camera...also thanks to a friend who scouts out places and drives me to the right spot so I do not even have to get out of the car.

I have had several visits so far adjusting the stimulator seems mine decided to turn itself off at one point.  Which scared me when it was discovered during a visit.  We are not sure how long it was off, but I do know for a few weeks I thought that I had done this crazy surgery and now it isn't working.  I keep a sharp eye on it now.  More than two or three days feeling bad and the Doctor will be hearing from me.  

So I already know the question you are going to ask would I recommend the procedure for everyone?  (I know why you are looking at this you want to know if it is your best option.)  That recommendation is not mine to make.  The physician will do test and will lead you on what options are best for your individual case.  Remember some people respond absolutely wonderful to the stimulator.  While others get a temporary reprieve only for it to wear off and they go searching for more answers.  There are others that it did not help or they had to have it removed for various reasons.  You and your doctor know you best and the decision to undergo this or any other surgery should come from them.  It is still your decision after weighing all options.

Well, that is my take on my pacer.  I am glad to have had a physician that guided me to something that would work.  I am not cured.  Yet, I am hoping to make it until that happens or at least enjoy what time I do have a little better than before the pacer.  I keep praying that everyday it works and thank God for both good and bad days.  I am tired, head spinning and tummy wants to start acting out so I am out of here.  

For my fellow fighters keep on fighting and remember one day they will figure this out and we will have won.  Until then don't give up hope.  It is okay to rest on bad days,  but on the good days enjoy life to your fullest because you deserve it.    

There is so much more and remember this is something that I live with and am writing from my perspective.  Talk to a doctor if you feel you may have this or any other disease because without proper diagnosis you will never get the treatment you deserve. 

Temporary Gastric Stimulator

Me and My Temporary Pacer

You may have heard of the Gastric Stimulator often times called Gastric Pacemaker.  If you look at the picture above you will see what the actual stimulator looks like.  It is amazing what this little thing can do.  But before  I talk about the permanent  pacer.  I wanted to give information about the temporary pacer.

Not all physicians perform the placement of a temporary pacer.  My physician is using this method and I was glad to know that it would benefit me before proceeding with the surgery.  On the other hand most physicians will not offer the pacer if they do not think it will work.  So it is up to you and the physician if a temporary pacer is needed.

The temporary Pacer allows physicians to know if the permanent pacer is right for you.  It works like the permanent and actually is the same machine. The procedure is very different and since this is a temporary pacer the effects will only last as long as the wires are attached to your stomach.

Before the pacer is placed the physician will need a baseline gastric emptying study and a EGG. This will help with both the diagnosis and information on whether or not the pacer works for you. This test are relatively easy you can go back to my blog on the emptying study if you have questions on that.  The EGG is a very simple test in which electrodes are placed on your abdomen and the electric frequency of the stomach is monitored.

The procedure to place the temporary stimulator is performed by an upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.  The procedure is usually performed under conscious anesthesia.  When I had mine placed they had to use general anesthesia, but that is basically due to the fact that I do not do well with conscious sedation.  (Imagine telling your physician, "So that is what my Colon looks like."  When you are in the middle of a colonoscopy.  Been there and bought the t-shirt so they do not even use it for minor procedures.)   This is an outpatient procedure and only side effect is dealing with normal anesthesia affects.

The surgeon places two sets of temporary leads in your stomach.  This way if one detaches or doesn't work as well you will have a backup.  The wires are then brought back up your esophagus and brought out your nose.  If you have had a NG-Tube you will understand the effects.  The wires then are attached to a stimulator that you carry with you.

The biggest thing is that you need to make sure that you do not get it wet.  You will need to make sure that it is properly attached to your face so that the lines will not be pulled out.  I discovered that Tegaderm patches worked best for me (generic did not want to stick).  You can work or do other activities again remember that the stimulator needs to stay dry.

In about a weeks time you will come back for a second gastric emptying study and EGG.  There is also an appointment with the physician to determine if you felt like the pacer worked.  Sometimes the test show some improvement but you may feel something very different.  The concept is monitoring symptoms if you have had improvement the pacer is right for you.

Now here is where things get crazy you would think that the physician would remove the wires while you are there for the appointment.  Yet, in actuality the physician will allow the electrodes stay until they fall out on their own or at the day of placement of the permanent pacer.  I will not forget that happening around 4 am three days before my permanent pacer surgery.  Felt like little needle pricks as it slowly came back up my throat and out my nose.

If you have never had a NG-tube there are a few things that you might want to consider.  There will be irritation from the wires.  I solved the issue by using a small tegaderm type bandage on the side of my nose.   The other thing that shocked me as that as you drink or eat the wires will slide and tighten.  Very important that you allow for a little slack when you are attaching the wires to your face.

I felt better in a few days, but it did not mean I was healed.  The goal is to help with symptoms.  The fact that I felt less nauseous proved the stimulator worked.  The next step for me was the placement of a permanent pacer.  (I will talk about that in another blog).  For those that it doesn't help physicians look for other measures.  So do not give up hope the pacer is just one of the extreme lines of defense that physicians are using to treat digestive tract paralysis.

Well, I am calling it a night.  Exhausted and my tummy has decided to take revenge tonight.  It is a constant battle but I will not give up the fight.  Hope everyone else has a good tummy day tomorrow and remember don't ever give up.  We are in this fight together until there is a cure.

For my fellow fighters keep on fighting and remember one day they will figure this out and we will have won.  Until then don't give up hope.  It is okay to rest on bad days,  but on the good days enjoy life to your fullest because you deserve it.    

There is so much more and remember this is something that I live with and am writing from my perspective.  Talk to a doctor if you feel you may have this or any other disease because without proper diagnosis you will never get the treatment you deserve.  

The Difference Between Being Compassionate and Being Sorry

I mentioned in my blog yesterday that there are times when people hear you talk about your illness and they tell you they are sorry.  This is an emotional response they have because of their immediate reaction of hearing of your illness.  Many times they have never heard of such diseases and they are in shock.

People that are Sorry often times are feeling ashamed of themselves for the things that they were thinking before they knew you were sick.  They saw you stumbling or rushing to the restroom numerous times and they have made assumptions that you are drunk or purging.  So their guilt due to their ignorance rolls out of their tongue as if they are sorry you have the illness.

There are people that are generally sorry that you have the illness.  But are relieved that it is you not them and that has caused them to be sorry.  They also are relieved they had never heard of it before and are relieved their family members don't have it.  The angst in finding out that there is an illness that can effect someone that they never heard before is devastating to many.

We have all experienced that shocked look on someones face when you have to explain an illness that they never heard of before.  It might not be your own but a family members illnesses.  The person goes straight into a place of relief then remorse.  The remorse comes because they feel guilty for what they were thinking or the fact that they were glad they don't have it.  

Now that I have explained being Sorry it is time to understand being Compassionate.  Compassion is much more than an emotion compassion is a response that shows the individual you understand. That you are there for them that you are not going to let them go through this alone.  People who show you compassion are in it for the long haul.  They do not necessarily have to be your best friend or family member in the beginning.  But due to their interaction with you they will take on these positions.

Anyone can show compassion for others.  In fact, most people have someone that they show compassion to.  People choose who they want to stand by all the time.  They would give life and limb for that person and will defend them to the end.  They search for answers they hope for cures and they pray endlessly for them.

There are other people that are able to show compassion to numerous individuals at one time.  A good example of this would be Pastors or Deacons.  One of the reasons that they take on those roles is because the feeling of compassion swells from their heart.  It doesn't mean others can't be that way.

When you are lucky enough to find someone that shows compassion for you do not abuse them.  They also need to have compassion shown to them.  For there are often times that they attempt to take the weight of what is wrong with you on their own shoulders.  You must make sure that you give them the opportunity to allow that weight to slip off of their shoulder so that they can enjoy stress free times.  When you are able to return acts of compassion to the ones that show you compassion you grow.

I have a few people in my life that truly show me compassion.  They do not feel sorry for me and they push me to be my best.  They encourage me to do things that I would just not try to do.  Instead of feeling sorry for me they encourage me and have made me a better person.

My family and close friends are always there for me.  They may not see me everyday but they do something more important they always lift me up in prayer.  They know that I do the same thing for them.  They know how important are to me and they have actually become my biggest supporters.

So when you see the difference in these two groups of people it changes how you deal with individuals.  A big question that comes up is how do  I deal with people that only feel sorry for me. When you hear that random I am sorry from a stranger a lot of times I just walk away with a thank you and may God give you peace.  It cuts them loose and lets them deal with it on their own time.

For my friends it is a much different situation because they are dealing with the loss of a part of me that they haven't come to terms with.  To them I try to encourage them.  Let them know that we can get through this together.  That I am praying for them just like they are praying for me.  Turns out that is what they need.  Because they are really sorry for something that they wish they could change but can't.

Well,  hopefully this helps explain the difference.  I hope it also gives you comfort and encouragement.  There are people that really do care for you.  that you have the power on how you react to individuals.  So if someone is sorry make sure that you acknowledge it.  Because they may be coming to terms with a loss that they feel will separate them from something that could have been.

When you run across your supporters that give you the compassion you need. Make sure to give them your support for the causes they fight.  Because they need to know that you are there for them as much as they are there for you.

Well back to bed I go.  Been a very dizzy day...tomorrow will be a long one...but I am just glad I have compassionate people In my life that give me the strength I need to make it day by day...Night

For my fellow fighters keep on fighting and remember one day they will figure this out and we will have won.  Until then don't give up hope.  It is okay to rest on bad days,  but on the good days enjoy life to your fullest because you deserve it.    

There is so much more and remember this is something that I live with and am writing from my perspective.  Talk to a doctor if you feel you may have this or any other disease because without proper diagnosis you will never get the treatment you deserve.  

No I Am Not Drunk...I Can't Help I Am Not Walking Straight As I Rush To The Bathroom

How I see the world...always with a blur

Both of my illnesses effect me in a way that the above statement is extremely true.  Meniere's disease effects how you balance.  While on the other hand Gastroparesis can push you to restroom.
The stigma of this issue is what I want to talk about today.  How do we those with chronic illnesses deal with people that don't know us but assume that our illnesses are from something else?

I cannot count how many times have looked at me as I leave establishments that sell alcohol with disgust.  I do not drink yet if you were not sitting at my table you would not know that.  when I stand I have a tendency due to balance issues to almost stumble as I am walking.  People give you the look and you want to go over and tell them hey I am not drunk.

Would they listen?  Why should I have to explain things to strangers?  Yet, the stares make me uncomfortable and the hair on the back of my neck stands.  I do not know how many times I have announced as leaving places that I am not drunk but have balance issues.

I remember being at a fast food restaurant I was getting a drink while everyone else with me was eating.  I was trying the going without a cane trick.  I hate having to depend on something to keep me vertical.  At the time there were moments that I could get by without it.  So as I started to my seat I realized that I should have brought it in.  The look of the police officer as I had to grab the counter and table tops to get to the table was priceless.  Yet, another moment when I felt that I had to explain I am not drunk I just have a balance issue.

Then things get more fun because there are times that my Gastroparesis flares up when I am out and about.  Nothing like having to get to the bathroom fast while stumbling.  I know I try to wait until I get home but there are times that you can't help it.  Where you are is where it is going to happen.  So people see the stumbling the rush to the bathroom and then if they are really nosy they hear things that wished they didn't.

It is those moments that I have the worse time explaining what is going on.  People judge you without knowing you and it makes life very difficult.  People assume that you are sick because of something that you did.  Our society bases their knowledge of illnesses on what they hear about.  How many have even heard of Gastroparesis or Meniere's disease.  The fact that a person has both is even more rare and causes a lot of questions.

I have even had close friends misunderstand my illness and see me going to the bathroom after eating and thinking it is because I just ate too much.  I have seen people that have known me for years and assume I have fallen off of the wagon when they see me walk.  They have no clue the embarrassment that goes with this.  Stares and whispers effect a person tremendously and have a way of bringing down a person's self esteem.

A lot of people with illnesses start abandoning going out because they cannot deal with  the symptoms that goes with characteristics of their disease.  If you can't walk a straight line because the Meniere's or another illness has stripped it from you do not be ashamed.  If you have Gastroparesis or another motility issue that forces you to the bathroom do not hide in your home.

You have the rights to go out and about and enjoy life.  The only way to truly enjoy life is to do the things you like best.  Do not let an illness keep you down.  If individuals don't understand don't waste your time explaining it to them.  Live your life to the fullest.

I try my best to remember that I can't control what is happening with my illness.  It determines how it is going to effect me.  What I can control is how I respond to individuals that don't understand.  I have started turning my symptoms into an awareness campaign.  It is a way of turning this on those that don't understand.  It also gives me the control that I really needed to overcome the feelings I was having with the illness.

So when someone sees me stumbling and they begin staring I start my conversation.   Here is a good first liner and it helps break the ice.  Wish I would have at least enjoyed getting drunk.  Then I have the opportunity to explain to them how I have a vestibular illness called Meniere's   that effects a large portion of my life.  I go into a quick definition and explain that I have tried several things including surgery.  I tell about how I am losing my hearing and how there are times that all I can do is lay in bed.  The looks start disappearing and occasionally you hear someone say I am sorry.  I will write tomorrow how to deal with the I am sorry people.  But it works the stares stop and they leave me alone and I can continue what I am doing.

I also have a great way of handling the Gastroparesis in public.  If it happens I often take someone to the bathroom especially if there is more than one stall.  As people come in with those crazy statements or stares.  My cohort makes this statement are you okay.  I can't wait until they find a cure and you don't get sick any longer.  Then immediately people stop thinking that you are drunk or purging.  It also helps if your cohort mentions Gastroparesis and if the other person ask the question what it is there is the moment to bring up the illness and the symptoms it causes.

Believe it or not the best awareness campaigns happen when you are just being you.  People find out that they should not judge a book by the cover.  The stereotypes get destroyed and you can be yourself.  The fact is most people are dealing with something themselves and when they see how you are being positive and keep on going it gives them hope.

So off to bed I go.  Today was a crazy day.  Spent most of it laying down trying to keep the spins from happening.  Then when you get up at eleven at night it is kind of hard going right back to sleep.  Especially when your tummy decides it is time to wake up and cause you to be nauseous.

For my fellow fighters keep on fighting and remember one day they will figure this out and we will have won.  Until then don't give up hope.  It is okay to rest on bad days,  but on the good days enjoy life to your fullest because you deserve it.    

There is so much more and remember this is something that I live with and am writing from my perspective.  Talk to a doctor if you feel you may have this or any other disease because without proper diagnosis you will never get the treatment you deserve.  

God has a Sense of Humor even when We Think We Are Alone

Isn't there times when we all think God has abandoned us.  Have you ever  felt so alone that you do not thing anyone truly cares.  That if something happened to you that you would  just be forgotten.

I always thought that when I left work that it would be on my own terms.  I did everything that I could to stay at work.  There were times during lunches while the rest of management had meals I would eat my baby food.  There were times when I had to sit all day or balance using  a cane so I wouldn't fall on the floor.  Yet, I didn't stop working and I fought until there was no more fight left in me. Yet, when the end came I didn't think it would come the way it did.  After being forced out by my illness I felt as if I had been defeated.

The sad part is that the depression soon followed due to the fact that not only was my job affected but was so many other things.  Even doing this can take every bit of energy I have.  My favorite thing going to church became so difficult.  I even had to start wearing earplugs at every service and there were times that I had to leave in the middle to lay down.

This is when life went from bad to worse.  I started feeling like no one would miss me if I did just disappear.  How was it that I was going to keep going feeling as miserable as I do?  How could I expect others to have to do so much of what I used to do? Then at last my escape of life was taken when driving a car was stripped and then even riding a car became very hard.

So I figured that God had truly also left me.  One night in the middle of frustration I decided it was  time that I took back control.  That it was time to end it all.  Why put myself and others through anymore of this.

I decided that the quick way would to be hit by a car. I actually felt like if it was a car it would be my final way of winning my escape back.

Here is where God got the last laugh.  As I sit waiting for a car to come by it never did.  There is never a time day or night that cars don't go by.  So after quite awhile of waiting I looked up to the heavens and said please send me my answer.

About that time I heard something I knew a vehicle was coming down the street.  Surprisingly God had sent a much different answer.  Instead of a car, bus, truck something that would let me do what I wanted to do God sent a moped.  Right then and there I knew I was not alone.  Actually God was there and giving me my hope back.

Right then and there I decided that God had sent me the answer I truly needed.  I wasn't useless in fact God had something planned for me.  I came back in the house and started writing my first blog.  Then my spirit began filling with the life I needed.   I knew that God wanted me to start helping others.

God began feeling thoughts of other things I could do without leaving my house.  Things I could do on my own time.  If  I couldn't stand and had to lay down that would be fine.  Days when my tummy was fighting me would not interfere.  That it was going to be blessed by God.

There are days that I am still depressed who wouldn't be in this situation.  But the best part the thought of ending it all has disappeared.  I know God will not let me do something stupid like that.  Amazingly friends and family started showing up or calling when I started going blue.  I found that there were people still out there that cared.

People that know me might be surprised by the fact that I thought God had left me.  I am very spiritual and believe that in all the good and bad times God has been there.  Yet, what I discovered is that I needed to know what it felt like to believe that God was gone to understand others.  So right now if you think you are alone you are not.

God is there even when you don't think so.  In fact, the story is so true when you are at your lowest and don't feel you can take anymore.  That is when God is carrying you.  God doesn't leave those that need support.  So even if you are going through one of those moments right now God is carrying you.  When you don't need to be carried God is walking with you.

Lastly, one of the things that God gave me to help me help others was my ability to pray.  I know that even if I can't sit up I can pray.  I might not have met you, I might now know your name, I might not know what you are going through.  But if you are reading this right now know that I am praying for you.  I know that God is using this and it is blessed.  So I promise you that you are not alone and that all is good.

Well time to lay back down.  Today has been one of the bad ones but it is okay.  Because God was there.  I wished I could have done other things but God said rest.  Nice to know I was being carried I truly needed that today.

For my fellow fighters keep on fighting and remember one day they will figure this out and we will have won.  Until then don't give up hope.  It is okay to rest on bad days,  but on the good days enjoy life to your fullest because you deserve it.    

There is so much more and remember this is something that I live with and am writing from my perspective.  Talk to a doctor if you feel you may have this or any other disease because without proper diagnosis you will never get the treatment you deserve.  

How to Explain Meniere's to an Outsider

When you suffer from an illness that is silent how do you explain it to others.  This is the hardest thing that people have to deal with.  Your love ones watch you and they know when it is bad.  They know when you are having moments guided by your illness, yet the rest of the world has no clue.

I have been trying to come up with a way to explain Meniere's to some of my friends and family for a long time.  When you tell them that you have vertigo they have a little understanding.  Yet, in most people's eyes vertigo comes and goes it isn't something that effects your whole way of life.  Yet for me this disease makes a lot of decisions that I would like to make but now can't

I believe I have a way of explaining the disease so that those that never suffer can have a taste of what we go through in a days times.  This would be a fun awareness idea.  The only way to explain the disease is to experience a good old fashioned vertigo attack.  To make it more fun add silence and a ringing in the ear like none other.

So here is the trick create a type of silent, vertigo, imbalance, ringing that will give a person a taste without getting hurt.  I also have added my idea of a visual stimuli that gives them that added piece of frustration that a lot of suffers deal with.

*Disclaimer if you have Meniere's the very thought of doing these task may turn your nonspinning day into a spinning day.  Also please don't do the below without asking someones permission.  If you do it and someone gets hurt it is all yours.  Most people will not have to do anything but read the instructions and understand a day in our life.

Steps

1. Place chair in middle of a soft floor mat
2. Person needs to sit in chair
3. Place head phone on person with a slow buzzing sound in one ear.
4. Place ear plug in other ear.
5. The person then should follow the instructions below as quickly as possible

• stand
• sit
• stand
• turn in a right circle
• sit
• stand
• turn in a left circle
• sit
• stand
• turn in a right circle
• turn in a left circle
• sit

1. Person now views the most obscure photo...eye art (here is one of my photo's for an example.)

The last step is let them take off the headphones and ear plug and walk a straight line.  *You may need to have a cane there to help keep them from falling.

Well this is the best way I have of explaining it to an outsider.  I have a feeling that if they follow these steps or just think about what it would do to them they would never question your spins again.

For those of you with Meniere's hope you head ain't spinning too much today.  I know just thinking through this steps gave me the spins.  I am ready to start my awareness campaign.  After some medicine and a very long nap.

For my fellow fighters keep on fighting and remember one day they will figure this out and we will have won.  Until then don't give up hope.  It is okay to rest on bad days,  but on the good days enjoy life to your fullest because you deserve it.    

There is so much more and remember this is something that I live with and am writing from my perspective.  Talk to a doctor if you feel you may have this or any other disease because without proper diagnosis you will never get the treatment you deserve.  

The Nasty Egg Test or as Physicians like to call it Gastric Emptyng Study

As you can tell from the title this is one of my least favorite test.  Yet it is essential for proper diagnosis of Gastroparesis.  This test determines how long it takes for your stomach to empty in a very controlled environment.

Your physician will follow up with other test if it is determined that your emptying is too fast or too slow.  Yet, this very vital scan gives a lot of information and is a baseline in getting the proper diagnosis so that you can receive the best care.

Now why I call it The Nasty Egg Test.  I have a hard time with eggs no matter when I try to eat them.  They make me quite nauseous and I do my best to avoid them.  The test has very strict guidelines to ensure that every test is exactly the same.  So making sure to keep the egg down is essential so that the physician can gain as much information as they can.

The test gets a little more difficult for me to handle because not only is there eggs involved but also toast.  Even though I do not have an allergy to gluten.  Bread makes me quite ill.  I have my own theory that it expands in your tummy and takes more room, that is what I tell people when it comes to bread.

You also get the joy of a very controlled amount of water that is usually not iced due to the fact that they need to control the temperature.  Again my own opinion is that the water fills any holes left behind.

Here is another way of explaining how I see things.  You may have actually seen or heard someone describe this before.  Take a large bowl and fill with large rocks looks like it is completely full right.  Now take some small pebbles and sprinkle over top the bowl. They will move down among the larger rocks.  Now you think that it is full but guess again.  If you now take sand and pour in the bowl you will see that there are more gaps filled in.  Lastly take water and fill the bowl until you cannot get anything else any it.  Then you will see how I picture the adding of the above ingredients to my stomach.

Yet, there is one more twist in the example above the bowl cannot expand.  Yet, with your tummy you can pump it up until that it is more than full.  The bloat which if you suffer from Gastroparesis you know all about it.

So now other than eating the above ingredients there is one more part to the study.  That is the small amount of radioactive material added to both the food and the water.  This ensures that the pictures that are taking can completely monitor how fast your tummy empties.

After eating and drinking the study involves a series of a few scans.  They really do not hurt and only last for a very short amount of time.  Here is where things kind of get a little crazy.  You must keep everything down or you will have to repeat the test on another day.  To help with this make sure to take something like a book or game to keep your mind off what is going on.  You will be sitting for several hours and there is nothing like worrying about a test to wear you out.  The part that I have the hardest part with is the nausea during the waiting game.  Yet, this is one of my worse symptoms so it isn't really shocking that it is going to bother me during a test like this.

So there you have it the study itself isn't bad, but if you are like most people with gastroparesis it is the eating that is bad.  Which is probably why you are going to have the test to start with.  So be patient and it doesn't help to pray to help keep the nausea away.

Little footnote if you do have a slow study or fast one be prepared this will not be your last emptying study.  Over time you tummy will make more decisions on how it wants to act so the physician will need other studies as time goes by.

Well there you have my explanation of a gastric emptying study.  If you have the pleasure of having one of this lovely test and you agree with the new title please let me know.  I think it would make a good definition change in the MD books.  Until next time.  I see a long nap ahead for me.

For my fellow fighters keep on fighting and remember one day they will figure this out and we will have won.  Until then don't give up hope.  It is okay to rest on bad days,  but on the good days enjoy life to your fullest because you deserve it.    

There is so much more and remember this is something that I live with and am writing from my perspective.  Talk to a doctor if you feel you may have this or any other disease because without proper diagnosis you will never get the treatment you deserve.