Melissa's GP Story, Part 2

Part 1 of Melissa's GP Story left off with the Gastric Emptying scan. Now onto part two of my Gastroparesis Story….

Well, the GI Dr that read the results and did all she could to get me a diagnosis was simply not for me. She didn’t care about her patients in any way. She read my ‘results’ to me, then handed me a 1-page printout of what gastroparesis is (a copy from the Mayo Clinic). She expressed that the handout explained everything.

She said to follow this information for 6 months and I'll see improvement. But to contact the office after that time, if I need more help.

I went home and looked at the handout. What the heck just happened to me?! I read it and it didn’t tell me what exactly to eat or stay away from. Simply read: “Consume 5 – 7 small meals that are low in fat and low in fiber”. Really?!

So I began the search on the internet to see what am I suppose to eat and what should I avoid. I read a few things, but nothing much that was helpful. I went into some groups on Facebook and got scared (shitless) by the stories of feeding tubes and early death due to malnutrition.

So, I decided to look for books on gastroparesis. I found 2. And neither of which were at my local store. I dug deeper into the newest one and fell in love with what the author was saying and knowing that she too has gastroparesis. I went to her website and after looking around ordered the book: “Living Well With Gastroparesis”, by Crystal Saltrelli, CHC. I wanted information so bad that I paid for the express shipping. In the meantime, I was watching all of her YouTube videos. ((This was before we could download books online))

I can honestly say that I learned 1,000 times more from her than from my GI Dr. How said is that? Yet, how great is that, that I knew something about GP and how to ‘fix’ me!!

Dr. Visit #2

The 6 months came and went. During that time I changed my diet (foods and amounts) but was still very sick. Vomiting, Nausea, Dizzy Spells, Fainting, Fatigue, Headaches, and the list goes on.

So, I went back to the GI Dr. I told her what was going on and what changes I made. I even told her about the book I bought because her handout was not very good. She said, “I would have bought one too if I had gastroparesis”. What the hell?! SHE is supposed to help ME!! Not a book. Ugg!!

The GI pushed me hard to take Reglan and I said no. She didn’t like being told no and kept at it. I reminded her that I took it during the digestive test and it didn’t go well. She tried to blame the gal that gave me the medication. I told her, no I was given it by IV in a very low dose and very slowly. She still didn’t get it. Then told me to order off the internet a drug from Canada instead. I said I would look into it.

In the meantime, she gave me another refill for GERD medication and told me I better take it, as it is part of the Management Plan I need to follow to get better. I took the order form but never took the drug. I did in the past even at double doses and it never helped.

Dr. Vist #3 (the last)

After 3 more months, I went back to the GI Dr to let her know that I was still having problems. And now it is affecting my job!

We went over the Reglan (again) and I am still not going to take it. Then when asked about the drug from Canada, I also stated I didn't want to take it. Now, she was getting frustrated with me.

At that point, she said she was not going to give me pain medication. I said that was fine, I was not looking for them. I reiterated that I want something for nausea. She told me to get an over-the-counter Dramamine and I should be fine.

So, I stepped out of my comfort zone and asked her if she knew of a mental health person I could talk to about my new medical condition, gastroparesis. She looked at me with a blank face and said, NO. I began to cry and she didn’t know what to do. Then told me that, ‘Oh, this must be hard on you.’ I nodded through tears. Then she said, ‘I guess it is life-changing’. Do you think?!

Before I left she told me, ‘Don’t worry, you should be better in a year. Idiopathic Gastroparesis generally goes away in about 12 months. You will be fine’.

After 12 more months, I am still sick, lost my job, and have other medical problems. I wanted to write and tell her, but, I know she will not care. And that, was my very last visit with that GI Dr. Three tries were more than enough, and over a year wasted.

In Part 3, I share my new GI Dr story and much more!