-
Update on My Other Problems
It’s been somewhere around six months since I posted about the GI problems I have been plagued with. This is off topic, but I really wanted to let those of you who were concerned about this know the final diagnosis. I hate mysteries with no ending! Before the doctors found that the bladder cancer was confined to the bladder my gp thought the daily nausea was a symptom of cancer that had spread. I was lucky that it wasn’t that. I finally went to Indianapolis to a specialist and finally have a firm diagnosis of what is causing the GI symptoms. I have gastroparesis. “Paralyzed Stomach.” It makes me feel like I have the stomach flu every day and has been going on for over a year now. I lost 60 pounds in six months but my weight has stabilized now, thank goodness! I don’t have the usual risk factors for it so I go to the University Research Hospital in October to see if they can determine the cause and give me some sort of prognosis. My doctor says it is more than likely permanent since it has not improved in over a year. I do have blocks of time when the nausea isn’t so bad so I am able to do more now. I am relieved to finally have a diagnosis, at least. I am on an extremely limited diet- little fat and no fiber and meds to make my stomach contract. The doctor says that for unknown reasons the meds will stop working in a couple of months and I will be back to square one. But by then I will be up for my appointment with the Research Hospital. Mainly I aim writing about this to thank all those who listened to me belly ache, (no pun intended ;) ). You were all so good at keeping my spirits up during those months that I had no idea what was wrong with me… I just knew I was terribly sick. Especially Rosemary, with her kind words and Wendy, who has been a lifesaver to me. Thank you all for the support you gave me through the months of worry. elaine
elaine f.
dob- 1956
female- Indiana, USA
caucasian
smoked cigarettes- 1975-?
5cm-noninvasive- low grade- papillary
TURB- Sept 11,20063 Replies-
Hi elaine I was reading about that gastroparesis because i never heard of that and was curious about it. I’m 52 but when I was 19 I started in with that acid reflux what they call gerd now man that heartburn is enough but being nauseous everyday that must be miserable. I was reading about it and it appears to be something that can be treated but you don’t wanna play around with it. I know it can not be good for food that is not being digested being in your stomach. I’m sure you have doctored and done some research on this but here is a link with good info good luck elaine and I hope you feel better. Joe
http://www.healthsystem.virginia.edu/uvahealth/adult_digest/gastrop.cfm
-
Hi Elaine,
Thank you for the update and your kind words, I wish there was something more concrete Rosemary and I could offer that would make your awful symptoms go away, I’ve always felt that nausea is the absolute worst, much worse than regular old pain (give me honest pain over nausea any day).
You’ve shown incredible courage through a very long and trying period. Not to mention continued to be a creative and successful artist/photographer through everything, and congratulations on the awards and recognition you’ve been getting!
Keep up the great work Elaine,
Wendy -
Dear Elaine,
It is very good to hear from you and thanks for keeping us in the loop on this long awaited solution to the mystery. This has been a virtual nightmare for you, and I can tell from the tone of your post that the great dark cloud that has been hanging above you is starting to move along down the road.
At least now you can deal with this.
I hope you will continue to keep us posted as you learn more about how the doctors will be treating you and how it is helping.
I’m glad also, that the horrible symptoms are alleviated somewhat.
Hang in there.
Your BC friend,
Rosemary
Rosemary
Age – 55
T1 G3 – Tumor free 2 yrs 3 months
Dx January 2006Sign In to reply.