Gastroparesis Awareness Month

It’s Gastroparesis Awareness month! Gastroparesis means paralyzed stomach and is also known as delayed gastric emptying. My gastroparesis is caused by Ehlers Danlos syndrome (hypermobility type). When I was first diagnosed over a decade ago, it was moderate. Now it’s severe.

Because of gastroparesis, I can’t eat:

-fibrous foods 

-items high in fat

-raw fruits, vegetables, & nuts

(I’m a vegetarian who can’t eat salad 😭)

I vomit, like, every day.🤮 I’m on anti-nausea meds all the time.

My body is in starvation mode, holding on to every calorie I ingest. That causes weight gain and bloating. Since my gastroparesis shifted from moderate to severe, I’ve gained 40 lbs. Being on six meds that cause weight gain isn’t helping. I’m working on trying to switch two of the meds, but the postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome medications are really helping with the tachycardia (high heart rate).

I’m very uncomfortable in my own body. I’m very fatigued.

I’ve been working with a nutritionist and two gastroenterologists to try and improve my quality of life, but right now, gastroparesis is one of my biggest medical challenges. I’m on a high protein/vegan-ish diet and am aiming to eat a small meals every three every three hours. But it’s hard to eat anything when you’re feeling pukey. My fingers are crossed that there’ll be medication or surgical procedures that can help me in the future.