Gastroparesis After Diagnosis With Celiac Disease?

[cspafford]

I had my first baby on 10/19/05. 48 hours later, I experienced the onset of severe nausea and vomiting. It is now 5/15/06, and the nausea and vomiting remain. In December 2005 (after 2 months of being miserably nauseous), I was diagnosed with Celiac disease (biopsy and blood test). I went Gluten Free on 12/22/2005, however the nausea and vomiting is still here. In late December 2005, a gastric emptying scan showed significantly delayed stomach emptying, "Gastroparesis". I have since then begun taking a number of medications to handle the Gastroparesis, and am living at about 50% quality of life. Numerous visits to GI doctors, endocrinologists, etc, have not uncovered the cause of the Gastroparesis. The Celiac disease doesn't seem to be the cause since my "sprue" count went from 92 down to 17 in 3 months on the gluten-free diet, however I am still dreadfully ill with the Gastroparesis, especially in the absence of my medications. Is there anybody out there with a similar experience? Could this still possibly be related to Celiac disease, or to some other autoimmune disorder brought on by Celiac that could create these symptoms?

Sad and Frustrated!!

[jenvan]

Unfortunately, sometimes a cause can not be identified--however, I compiled all the ones I could find below. I'd look through them and see if any connect with you. You don't also have gastritis or an ulcer too? Sometimes pregnancy can be a trigger for Celiac, however, maybe it started before you noticed symptoms. Some Celiacs do suffer from nerve damage, and that is also a potential cause for gastroparesis. Diabetes seems to be the most linked. I am so sorry for what you are going through--you must be miserable! Please keep us updated and let us know how else we can help.

There are many causes of gastroparesis. Diabetes is one of the most common causes for gastroparesis. Other causes include infections, endocrine disorders, connective tissue disorders like scleroderma, neuromuscular diseases, idiopathic (unknown) causes, cancer, radiation treatment applied over the chest or abdomen, some forms of chemotherapy, and surgery of the upper intestinal tract. Any surgery on the esophagus, stomach or duodenum may result in injury to the vagus nerve. The vagus nerve is responsible for many sensory and motor (muscle) responses of the intestine. In health, the vagus sends neurotransmitter impulses to the smooth muscle of the stomach that results in contraction and forward propulsion of gastric contents. If the vagus is injured during surgery gastric emptying may not occur. Symptoms of postoperative gastroparesis may develop immediately or even years after a surgery is performed.

Medications may cause delayed gastric emptying, mimicking the symptoms of gastroparesis; this is especially common with narcotic pain medications, calcium channel blockers and certain antidepressant medications (table 1). It is important to have the names of all your medications recorded and with you when you see a physician for evaluation of gastrointestinal symptoms. People with eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia may also develop gastroparesis. Fortunately, gastric emptying resumes and symptoms improve when food intake and eating schedules normalize.

Medications associated with impaired gastric emptying:

Narcotic pain medications

Tricyclic antidepressants

Calcium channel blocking medications

Clonidine

Dopamine agonists

Lithium

Nicotine

Progesterone containing medications

diabetes

postviral syndromes

anorexia nervosa

surgery on the stomach or vagus nerve

medications, particularly anticholinergics and narcotics (drugs that slow contractions in the intestine)

gastroesophageal reflux disease (rarely)

smooth muscle disorders such as amyloidosis and scleroderma

nervous system diseases, including abdominal migraine and Parkinson's disease

metabolic disorders, including hypothyroidism

[ebrbetty]

I have the same problem, same symptoms, even the meds for the gastroparesis don't help me..what meds do you take?

sorry I can't help, I'm so frustrated with all this

[indyceliac]

What is your diet like now? I would stick to a very bland limited diet.

Have you had an xray of the small intestine to make sure there isnt blockage or inflammation which is causing the symptoms of gastroparesis.

Having constant nausea is horrible...I hope u find a treatment that works soon! Good luck.

[bbleh6424]

I had my first baby on 10/19/05. 48 hours later, I experienced the onset of severe nausea and vomiting. It is now 5/15/06, and the nausea and vomiting remain. In December 2005 (after 2 months of being miserably nauseous), I was diagnosed with Celiac disease (biopsy and blood test). I went Gluten Free on 12/22/2005, however the nausea and vomiting is still here. In late December 2005, a gastric emptying scan showed significantly delayed stomach emptying, "Gastroparesis". I have since then begun taking a number of medications to handle the Gastroparesis, and am living at about 50% quality of life. Numerous visits to GI doctors, endocrinologists, etc, have not uncovered the cause of the Gastroparesis. The Celiac disease doesn't seem to be the cause since my "sprue" count went from 92 down to 17 in 3 months on the gluten-free diet, however I am still dreadfully ill with the Gastroparesis, especially in the absence of my medications. Is there anybody out there with a similar experience? Could this still possibly be related to Celiac disease, or to some other autoimmune disorder brought on by Celiac that could create these symptoms?

Sad and Frustrated!!

My name is Laura and I was Diagnosised with celiac disease last year. I had an endoscopy and had a huge food beozar in my stomach. (undigested food) I am sad that others are sufferring like me and suprised that in all my research I haven't found research that confirms a relationship between gastroparesis and celiac disease. I also have Insulin resistance, high cholesterol and in Jan '07 developed major blood clots in 4 places in my body. As an RN who worked on a cardiac PCU I reealized I had clots and was treated before it killed me. ( my doctor was going to send me home with antibiotics because he thought the swelling in my arm was an infection) I had to demand an ultrasound to be sure it wasn't a blood clot. My biggest frustration is with Doctors who blow off patients and disregard human suffering. I am supposed to eat a low fat, gluten-free diet, no sugar because oth the insulin resistance and now a low residue diet and no foods rich in vit K because it inrterfers with my coumadin. I've seen every specialist and can't get a diagnosis of why I had the clots. My ANA was high but according to the lastest rheumatologis I don't have lUpus but she doesn't know what it is although they suspect a connective tissue disease. I was originally diagnosised in my early 20's with IBS and I believe I had celiac disease and the years of exposure to gluten has caused havoc on my body. Now I suffer because of it. I don't know what to tell you except that you are not alone and I am sorry and can relate.

[gfgypsyqueen]

Hi, Yup I've got Gastorparesis too. I no longer take any of the meds for it though.

Short background: After nuclear medicine tests revealed non functioning gallbladder (had pain too) and non-functioning stomach the Gastro recommended removing my gallbladder. Sometimes that helps the stomach... But not for me... I was on Reglan for my stomach emptying issues, but that wasn't as effective anymore...the next medicine for me was purchased online in Canada (I live in the uS)I don't remember then name of it. Around now we found out I had celiacs (biopsy). Eventually I ended up at an herbalist/kinesiologist. She put me on a variety of daily vitamins, calcium, a few herbs, etc. I now I no longer take any meds for my stomach. Sometimes I am full feeling for days, but not often. I stick to the gluten-free diet too. And I still take my vitamins and herbs.

My opinions for anyone else with Gastroparesis:

1. Reduce stress. It agrevates the gastroparesis.

2. Find a recommended herbalist/kinesiologist. (They do muscle testing to confirm the things you should be taking and how much and how often. Love this!!!)

I take Digestive Enzymes, Probiotics, and some other food enzyme.

3. Talk to your Dr about other medications because your current med is longer working well.

4. I think I saw a book about living with Gastroparesis years ago. Talked about diet, lifestyle, general health things to do to make it a better.

5. Don't remove your gallbladder until you have explored all other options. Mine came out earlier in the diagnosis and I wish now that I had forced other issues to be delt with first.

Hope all of you feel better soon.