pippay

I've been diagnosed with gastroparesis for 2 years now and colinic inertia (constipation) is a norm for people with GP with lots of nausea, vomiting, pain, bloating early satiety (feeling full after eating only a small amount) and extreme loss of weight and now colonic inertia.

GP itself is like a paralysis of the stomach due to damage of the vagus nerve and slows down/stops the motility of the stomach. Because the vagus nerve runs through the entire intestinal tract it can also affect the bowel leading to colonic inertia.

I didn't used to be so bad with colonic inertia but since a pyloroplasty in February it's really bad and now need medication for this as well as fr the GP. Opiates such as morphine and tramadol can make it worse as they slow the gut down.Reglan is an anti-emetic that also helps speed up the movement through the stomach but it can cause anxiety depression; domperidone is also widely used but in US it's not been passed by the FDA so it has to be imported.

Other drugs include Zelnorm and Nexium (to reduce stomach acid). Some people suffer worse than others, some drugs work for some and not for others. Surgery is sometimes an option to insert a pacer but this isn't always successful and is really still in it's early days. Diet is very important and foods to avoid include fats, fibre and fruit with skins, seeds etc. A high protein high carb diet is best.


GP is difficult to treat and although it isn't life threatening it can alter life's quality. The unfortunate thing about it is that not that many Dr's understand it and its often misdiagnosed so it's good you've found a Dr that seems to know what he's doing.

Good luck !