Gastric Pacemaker: One Year Later
Last Wednesday was a big day for me. Not only did my Kickstarter project come to a successful end, but it was the one-year anniversary of my second gastric neurostimulator surgery.
As I’ve said many times on this blog, Enterra Therapy is the best symptom management tool I’ve tried in the past seven years. It has significantly reduced the frequency and severity of nausea, which in turn now allows me to sleep through the night on a consistent basis. I’ve been able to improve my nutrition, gaining nearly 10 pounds over the past year. In turn, I look better, feel better and my body has begun to function better overall.
All of that said, it certainly hasn’t cured the gastroparesis. I still have slow gastric emptying. I still have to manage my diet very carefully, pay close attention to my stress level, and make sure I get adequate exercise and proper rest. I also still take anti-emetic medication, Zofran and/or Tigan, on a fairly regular basis. But, for me, the gastric neurostimulator was the missing link that made all of those other things far more effective.
Bottom line: I can say without a doubt that I’m healthier and happier now than I was a year ago and I’m grateful to have the device. Happy Birthday, Chuck! (Yes, I named it…)
P.S. I’ve received a lot of questions about my experience and gastric electrical stimulation in general, so I’ve recorded a two-part video blog. View Part I here. (Part II will be posted soon!)
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6 Responses to “Gastric Pacemaker: One Year Later”
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[...] just more difficult to predict the probability of response. (As you know, I’ve seen a huge improvement with [...]
[...] I’m very much looking forward to talking with Senator Schumer about how the device has changed my life and how imperative it is that others have the right to the same [...]
I have the Enterra Therapy as well. I was diagnosed with gatroparesis in 2004 after losing over 50 lbs and barely weighing 87 lbs. This was my lifesaver!!! March 18, 2005 was the day I say I was born again. It jumpstarted my new beginning to a healthier life. I still take anti-emedic meds too, Phenergan helps me more than Zofran on a regular basis, but I take the Zofran or Marinol when I have a bad day. My battery life was short lived due to the voltage required so I had the device exchanged February 22, 2008. I am also one of the few people to have had a child since having the device. My miracle baby was born May 24, 2009 and very healthy. After being pregnant, the majority of my symptoms decreased in severity and for that I am thankful. I stumbled upon your blog putting together a PowerPoint for my advocacy group and I wanted to reach out.
I hope you continue to regain health!
Brandy Edwards
Hello my gastroparesis friends i am embarking on a cure or should i say help with this disorder. I was diagnosed in July of 2012 and let me say its been a hard road for me. My case is alittle different i feel, so let me start from the beginning. I have a disorder called Sphincter of Oddi Dysfunction and i had to a transduodenal sphincteroplasty to correct it. I had problems from the surgery, and had pancreatitis a few times since. But i feel my gastroparesis came from the abdominal surgery because i am not a diabetic. At any rate ive been in and out of the hospital so much they now me by name. At this point i have an appointment at the Mayo Clinic to see a specialist. I have to be honest ive been through so much that im scared to get the gastric pacemaker. Hiw are you guys doing now with it. I see its been awhile since an update. Please respond i really need help to make a decision. Thanks
Thank-you so much for putting all this information out there. I’ve been diagnosed with Gastroparesis and I’m pretty much miserable every day. I had my gallbladder removed 6 months ago and then recently underwent different tests to determine I had Gastropareses along with a hiatal hernia. I however, keep gaining weight and not loosing like I keep reading about. My body wants to keep eating to try and get rid of the symptoms and hopefully have a bm for some relief. I don’t get the nausea like I’m reading about also. Is this something that comes over time? My doctor is having me try Motilium 10mg 3/day. I’m not sure it’s working. Help!
I have had gastroparesis for over 8 years. Every Dr. said I was fine I passed all the test with flying colors. Then finally last year my dad goes to MD Anderson here in Houston I asked his gastro Dr. if he knew of anyone that he could recommend. My dad was having a procedure at that time and after the procedure his Dr. called an associate to see if she would take me on as a patient. So, I scheduled an appointment and she reviewed all my tests for over the last 5 years that I kept. She had me do the Smart pill test that showed I had gastroperisis. So we started with Domperidon and that worked for about 7 months and then I hit rock bottom late last year, early this year. I could not go to work or came home. My boss even thought I was looking for another job. In February they put a GJ tube in and for about a month they found out it was not working properly, so in March they put a new one in. It was great to get some nutrients in my body. I then had a stimulator put in the end of March. So, I am still with the tube and the stimulator. Trying to eat mostly liquids and the tube. It is funny after not eating for a while you just don’t get hungry. Having to follow all these diets and tips and expectations from nutritionist. I have been out of work, since early February and suppose to go back early May. I work retail, so I hope everything goes well. I know I have to take it easy at my own pace. But no one understands. My company wants all accommodations that may hold me back on my job. It is hard to explain or what I expect when I go back to work.