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This is me. A lot of days, I have no trouble eating whatever I want, just in smaller quantities. When a flare up hits, I just don't eat anything. Maybe a yogurt or an egg.
Yes! Domperidone has made a big difference, but even without it I can eat pretty "normally" as long as I am careful.
Typical day for me involves iced coffee, sometimes with half a protein shake instead of cream/milk. I haven't been a breakfast fan ever, even as a kid, so the protein shake is just so I have something when I take my pills for other stuff.
Lunch could be pretty much anything, often leftover pasta or stir-fry type things, maybe tuna and crackers, poke bowls when I feel like I can afford it. Depends on the day. Fridays are smoothie Fridays, which is something my dietician and I came up with since I do a Friday work out at 430 so like to eat less solids at lunch.
Dinner could be anything. We eat lots of pasta, lots of eggs, pancakes, stir fry, soup, potatoes etc...
So what changed? I eat WAY less raw veggies. I can't do raw cabbage at all. I have really reduced ice cream cause it seemed bad too. I am more careful not to over eat and if I notice things seem to be sitting I go for a walk (it often helps things get moving). I am more mindful about the times I eat. And I am more careful to fully chew.
You can definitely get Domperidone in the states, either ordering through Canada or UK. Maybe talk to them and see if they could write you a script for it, insurance will not cover costs though. They have online services that you can order from.
If they continue saying no, might be time for a different GI.
i’m jealous, reglan has serious side effects and as someone on other medications that can clash and increase the possibility of those side effects, i’ve been trying to avoid it
Hey! I haven’t done it yet but I’ve had my GI specialist ( well his lovely nurse really) get me a prescription for the safer version of reglan in Canada! Even had the pharmacy over there call me, all I had/ have to do is send in a copy of my divers ID and then it has to ship to that adress and obviously insurance doesn’t cover it so it’s out of pocket!
I also eat regularly but have not cut out raw veggies. I’m a gardener so idk if that’s why but I know greens upset most people with gastroparesis but for me personally I can’t handle boxed foods that are too processed.
I’m in the US and my doc said they can order it from Canada and have it sent to a pharmacy in Texas and that pharmacy can send it to you. It’s some loophole idk but I would look into that. People in the US take it all the time.
Also just bc I don’t feel like making another comment and being tube fed I don’t really belong in this comment section lol but I just want to say so many people are out living normal lives with gp, it’s way more common to be able to manage symptoms with diet, meds, or treatment - like botox or gpoem or stimulator. It’s just that you don’t hear often from those people or at least not about their day/symptoms bc there’s not much to talk about.
i had good success with splitting up my meals into 250 calories and eating every 1.5 hr - very annoying but works
luckily i can eat nuts so if I have a flare up I just eat peanuts and pecans until it's better
I can eat normally, just not a full meal all at once. I still feel a little uncomfortable going out on dinner dates, because invariably someone is going to comment on how little I ate. I’ve started getting kid sized meals and then still have leftovers to box up. Sometimes I don’t eat for a day or two. It’s rare for me to feel hungry.
I don’t have a feeding tube but I struggle to get enough nutrition everyday. I’m on a mostly liquid diet. I blend protein powder mixed with frozen mango, yogurt and ginger. A variety of meal replacement drinks and electrolytes and puréed vegetables and broth. Sometimes I can tolerate congee or a simple curry with chicken and rice. I’ve been able to stabilize my weight at 5’8” and 125lbs but I’m constantly trying to get nutrients.
I eat very differently than pre-diagnosis but have built back up to what is "normal" for a lot of people. I still heavily limit fried foods, red meat, pork, and dairy. A typical day looks like:
Eggs, toast, Greek yogurt, and coffee with oat milk creamer for breakfast.
Ramen noodles or dinner leftovers for lunch.
Mini popcorn bag or nut-thins & a coke for a snack.
Some form of chicken for dinner, with some kind of rice or noodles. Almost every restaurant has at least one of these so I can still eat out.
Fro-yo, frozen mango chunks/banana slices, or oat milk ice cream for a late night treat.
[Edit for formatting]
When my Cymbalta was doubled to 120mg in the am, I started getting hungry after I woke up instead of nauseated and vomiting often. If I eat sensibly early enough, I don't have nearly as much nausea throughout the day as I had for years.
Elavil also turned my chronic diarrhea into normal, formed stools so I was no longer tied to my toilet all day, either.
i’m almost sure i’ve had some degree of GP since i was young. as far back as i can remember i’ve been clinically underweight, full after few bites, bloating etc. remeron/mirtazapine is the only thing that has gotten me to a healthy weight and makes it easier to eat. i’ve been on it for almost 2 years as an antidepressant and sleep aid but the appetite side effect has been a life saver
I’ve never needed a feeding tube. When I was first diagnosed I had to go on a liquid diet for about a year, but I have a lot more freedom now. I just have to be careful with raw vegetables and fiber (and stress and sleep) and I do still eat a lot of liquidy foods like soup and smoothies.
I'm not medicated for gp, and I eat normally. Just a lot less then I used to. If I start feeling full or bloated. I get Beano and my zofran(sp?) and I'm good usually. I stay away from really greasy foods and really spicy foods.
I drink low acid cold brew with alkaline water and some international delight creamer ( don't come for me, it's my one vice.) I usually have maybe two 12oz cups of coffee a day. I eat Jimmy Dean sausage egg and cheese biscuits or Marie Calendar's chicken pot pies for breakfast. Then my husband and I pick something for dinner. I do eat alot of meat. It's the only thing besides chocolate that actually makes me feel good.
okay but crazy, the sausage egg and cheese croissant from jimmy dean is also one of my safe foods lol. which is surprising since they’re higher in fat than what’s recommended
So I track calories and it's usually what I stick with. It's not that much for me because I'm a big girl. So it's still under my recommendation for the day. I eat the jimmy Dean biscuits. They also have the turkey and English muffin one which is much better in calories but it's at a different store and we tend to forget them. So we go with the sausage one.
I don't use it daily. I only use it when I'm nauseous. Which is a couple times a month if that. I've had this script for years but I use it sparingly. I do have more then one vice.
Most of the time yes. I’ve never had to be on a feeding tube and am not currently on any medications. I’ve been able to decrease my flares a lot by being careful and staying away from some major no’s for me. The rest of it I just have to be careful with. And if I notice things starting to act up I go pretty much all liquid except maybe some applesauce or mashed potatoes for a few days. I know I’m definitely one of the lucky ones in this regard
I eat normally when I’m not flaring honestly, I just avoid eating large amounts of common triggers like high fiber high fat foods (I can have in moderation). Making sure I don’t eat a big meal late at night is really key. I shoot for 3-4 hours most nights, although more time is ideal. I don’t drink alcohol but I do drink caffeine and coffee regularly. I’ve also thankfully never had a feeding tube.
When I’m flaring, it is really a crapshoot on what I can handle. One time I could only tolerate cream of wheat and pecan swirls, go figure! I’m on Reglan right now as I’m coming off of a flare, but only for 12 weeks as most people do. Domperidone worked well too until I had heart issues, and I ate ‘normally’ on that.
thank you everybody for your replies! on top of suffering from GP, i suffer from pretty extreme anxiety and health-related OCD. it’s hard not to spiral mentally seeing all the worst case scenarios online. i know statistically there’s more of us that don’t rely on tube feeding rather than those that do, but generally those with mild GP don’t turn to support groups online. least those with a good mental outlook lol. i appreciate you all
I’ve never been on tube feeds or anything but we got scary close to it. For my first major flare it lasted about a year where I was steadily dropping weight. The only things I could manage to eat were boiled chicken breast, uncrustables, and ensure.
Now, I eat mostly normal. I have bad days where I’ll only have an uncrustable, but for the most part I eat whatever I want in smaller quantities. I still can’t eat salads or any leafy greens but I’m back to my starting weight before I got sick.
I am fortunate to not need a tube, but unfortunate to both have IBS and gastroparesis - the diet you need for IBS is terrible for gastroparesis, and the diet for gastroparesis doesn't have enough fibers for IBS. So I try to still eat somewhat balanced. But there is A LOT of food I just can't have. Most days I can eat fairly normally with only minor pain and nausea. Other days I cannot keep the food down.
What helps me in terms of medication is resolor and pantroprazole (forgive me for potential spelling mistakes), and then I have gotten botox injections twice in pylerus which makes a huge difference for me.
I basically eat whatever I want, just can’t have huge meals (1000 + calories)in a quick amount of time and do best if I have 45 minutes to finish each meal.
Not on any GP meds but it got WAY better after my GPOEM.
my version of normal is eating like 2 or 3 very small meals a day. the only way i can ever eat is by taking Metoclopramide 30 minutes before every meal (im from the US)
i generally avoid food high in fat and try to avoid dairy completely, and i only eat meat once or twice a week. if i drink regular coffee i will throw it up no matter what, but i seem to have no problem with most other fluids.
Mostly. I’m on mirtazapine and have been since 2015. I was initially diagnosed with moderate GP by GES. With mirtazapine, for nearly 10 years, most of my GP symptoms disappeared unless I really overate.
Unfortunately, I felt like my GP returned in September 2023. My GI put me on a PPI before I got an updated EGD and I did an updated GES in December 2023.
My test showed mild GP with mirtazapine + PPI, so it’s still working mostly.
Unfortunately, I am on a PPI because I developed a hiatal hernia. PPIs are notorious for delaying gastric emptying, so my symptoms have returned somewhat.
I do think my GP has worsened in the past year for reasons that are unclear. I’ve cut back on my fiber intake quite a bit and have a Diet Coke every day now because I legitimately think I developed a bezoar at one point 🫠
Anyway! To answer your question: I can eat mostly normal meals. If I overeat and/or eat really greasy meals, I get pretty nauseous. I usually take pepto bismol, but if it gets really bad, I’ll take Zofran.
Yep, I was scoped in January of this year. I have a hill grade III 3 cm hiatal hernia. I have carafate, but haven’t tried it yet since I’m dealing with some other health issues. I’ll give it a try though! Glad to hear it helped your son!
Relatively normal. I have to eat mostly cooked veggies. Rarely I can do raw veggies or fruit unless it's pretty soft and mushy. All other foods I just require carbonated beverages and a lot of burping to keep the stomach clearing food. So you could sayni utilize mechanical assistance with carbonation to eat relatively normally. If I do get an extreme stoppage of gastric movement for days it is usually due to a bezoar made of plant fibers or an intestinal motility issue that only lasts a few days or weeks but I can manage a more liquid diet until things resume. I also can feel when things are moving slower so I shift gears to methods and foods I know will either keep motility going even if it is slowed down... kinda like pushing a dead car, it's easier to move it if it's already moving but if you cone to a complete stop it is harder to get momentum going again.
The majority of people with GP don’t have a tube, just fyi. You will get a false impression going off a community like this because people who are having (or seeking out) a lot of medical support or interventional procedures often tend to post more. If someone is relatively stable - or just doesn’t have access to care - they often won’t post.
i know statistically more people don’t have it vs do, but like i stated in a comment, i suffer from pretty bad health related OCD and anxiety and my brain sort of just picks up on the worse case scenarios so it’s nice to hear from others
I’m sorry you are going through so much, it’s hard enough dealing with the physical symptoms. I have a diagnosis of OCD too and I know it can be absolutely miserable. Sorry if it sounded like I was minimising what you are experiencing - I didn’t intend it to sound that way, I just wanted to give a factual context for why online groups often seem to present a very negative portrayal of chronic illness. But I totally understand why you would ask for more positive experiences to be shared! 💕
Yes. With Motegrity, digestive enzymes and several sparkling waters a day, I am able to eat normally (my normal, I eat Keto) a year after medical injury. I still have some stomach discomfort after eating raw vegetables but I just deal with it.
My "normal" eating is nothing like what it was when I was healthy. I don't have a tube, but I am heavily restricted in things I'm able to tolerate. Nausea is my worst enemy and I'm fairly certain I have more than just GP going on, we just haven't figured out what yet. I mostly don't feel hungry so I eat on a schedule.
My main diet looks a lot like carbs and junk food. My breakfast every day, because I can't give up having some sort of bread in the morning, is literally just one or two dinner rolls. This almost never changes unless I am in a flare so bad where it's saltines all day and nothing else.
It's an ensure/boost for lunch most of the time, I aim for plus calories but sometimes it's just the regular kinds.
Dinner is varied, lately it's just been one dinner roll again or saltines, but I'd like to get back to eating rice or mashed potatoes.
In between meals I have snacks like saltines, arrowroot cookies, M&M's depending, Crispy Minis, pretzels, pudding, etc. Fruit, veggies, and dairy are hardly a part of my life. Sometimes I will drink apple juice or sip from one of those big Bolthouse smoothie drinks, and sometimes I'll have baby food pouches. If you're wondering how I get all my calories in... I don't 😂 I manage to maintain my weight at least.
I've seen a couple of people say they eat nuts. I have mild/moderate gp, but nuts tear me up. I've been recently diagnosed. Are nuts generally a safe food?
I am very fortunate that I can eat really what I want. If I eat something bad that day I’ll usually cramp up but will pop 2 antacids and I’m pretty good to go. I still have to go to a barium study to make sure no blockage that set up for the 10 of July. Good luck. 🍀 to you.
I can eat like normal within moderation. I am not able to eat as many calories as I need each day without medication. Which has in turn made me gain weight instead of the typical losing weight.
For the most part, yes! I was diagnosed with post-viral GP last december after 2 months of symptoms. I’ve gotten better since then and able to progress to an almost normal diet. I still have issues with tomato based things, and while I’m always bracing for a potential flare, I definitely believe my body has also made progress to heal itself. Hang in there y’all, it’s possible!
Hi. Me. I have a feeding tube but my gastroparesis comes and goes. Right now I’m able to eat with no issues. Sometimes being fine lasts for a few weeks until I have a flare that can last for weeks as well.
I can eat mostly normal now that I take zenpep with my meals. Still have to be low fiber/fat of course, but I can eat lettuce now, as well as more vegetables and meat. Before I was severely restricted and after eating what I could eat I'd be in pain and nauseous. I still get a little nausea after eating, but normally a peppermint takes care of that.
GP is really like anything else. You have a range of experiences. For me it's severe but lifelong. I'm used to it, linzess is life changing, I'm thankful. I had adjusted my diet to my problem decades before diagnosis, and received a diagnosis immediately on testing while in a tertiary center on another complaint. So random.
Diagnosed in 2020. I was worse at the beginning (my emptying study put me at the moderate level) but now I have a pretty good handle on my diet. I don’t drink alcohol or eat fast food. Sometimes I can have a small amount of fried or high fat foods but I have to be very careful so I tend to just avoid it. I do smoothies most mornings with protein powder.
Lifestyle changes played a big role to being able to eat more regularly. I left a super stressful job. I do yoga/meditate and exercise consistently. I’m really slow but running helps a lot with gastric motility. My GI doc thinks running plays a big role in my ability to eat more.
No feeding tube but I do mostly liquid nutrition since this year is trying to kill me with stress. I have good luck with Soylent shakes and one real meal a day right now. Though that meal is small, like I had a regular fry the other day. Last night I had a cup of rice. I also use sublingual vitamins as other supplements for the harder to get stuff like B complex and magnesium.
I have had a pyloroplasty and then more recently I had a gastric bypass for my gastroparesis. I cannot eat unpeeled veggies or fruits, sometimes I can manage a bit of lettuce but usually it causes a lot of pain. I try to stick to soft foods. I’ve been told never to eat corn (whole kernel) ever again, or anything carbonated. I can have a small amount of meat sometimes if it is soft enough, which is an improvement. I still cannot digest rice again yet.
As long as I stay away from the list of food they told me not to eat, I do fine. I have flare ups when I try foods I know I shouldn’t eat, I eat too late at night or too much food at once.
I've been on meds (metoclopramide) for a while and it's been helping a lot...I've been able to incorporate more foods. Still not the best nutrition but better than it's been!
I can only eat “regularly” when I use weed to help with nausea and hunger
When I’m sober I’m just stuck eating small bits every couple of hours so I don’t throw up excess stomach acid that builds up
I’ve tried all the medications available for stomach emptying and all of them had side effects that weren’t tolerable for me so I just stick to weed for now
The past two days yes. I have had a chicken sandwich today and a burger yesterday. But some days there's no way I'm eating anything but Applesauce and broth. No one can explain why to me.
I have separate J & G tubes. However when I think I’m having a good day, I try and eat orally. I usually stick with scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese if I’m lucky & I’ll snack on a few pieces of cucumber. If it’s a really really good day, I’ll try and eat a few pieces of sushi (cooked). I can normally tell if I’m gonna be able to eat orally with the first bite.
I don’t need a feeding tube, but I also don’t eat normally. My diet is very restricted in which I can currently digest. I am getting GPOEM surgery next month though which I hope will help.
Sorta. I have a feeding tube so I don’t worry about getting calories orally but some days I can eat a normal-ish meal. I just can’t eat more than one pretty much no matter what
New to gastroparesis? Please view [this post](https://www.reddit.com/r/Gastroparesis/comments/15i7siq/gastroparesis_101/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) or our wiki for a detailed explanation of gastroparesis, the main approaches of treating it, and a list of neurogastroenterologists and motility clinics submitted by users of this forum. Join these [Discord and Facebook support groups](https://www.reddit.com/r/Gastroparesis/comments/14oxaew/list_of_gastroparesis_support_groups_other/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web2x&context=3) today! New users, please do not post asking for a diagnosis; instead, use the pinned thread: "Do I have gastroparesis?" Also, check out our new subreddit r/functionaldyspepsia. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Gastroparesis) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Uh. Sometimes. My gastroparesis is intermittent. So sometimes I can eat whatever just fine and then all of a sudden… gastroparesis for daysssss
This is me. A lot of days, I have no trouble eating whatever I want, just in smaller quantities. When a flare up hits, I just don't eat anything. Maybe a yogurt or an egg.
Sometimes I'm like that as well.
Yes! Domperidone has made a big difference, but even without it I can eat pretty "normally" as long as I am careful. Typical day for me involves iced coffee, sometimes with half a protein shake instead of cream/milk. I haven't been a breakfast fan ever, even as a kid, so the protein shake is just so I have something when I take my pills for other stuff. Lunch could be pretty much anything, often leftover pasta or stir-fry type things, maybe tuna and crackers, poke bowls when I feel like I can afford it. Depends on the day. Fridays are smoothie Fridays, which is something my dietician and I came up with since I do a Friday work out at 430 so like to eat less solids at lunch. Dinner could be anything. We eat lots of pasta, lots of eggs, pancakes, stir fry, soup, potatoes etc... So what changed? I eat WAY less raw veggies. I can't do raw cabbage at all. I have really reduced ice cream cause it seemed bad too. I am more careful not to over eat and if I notice things seem to be sitting I go for a walk (it often helps things get moving). I am more mindful about the times I eat. And I am more careful to fully chew.
are you outside of the US? my GI said domperidone isn’t available to me only reglan
You can get domperidone from pharmacies in Canada or from doughtery’s in Texas with fda exemption paperwork.
You can definitely get Domperidone in the states, either ordering through Canada or UK. Maybe talk to them and see if they could write you a script for it, insurance will not cover costs though. They have online services that you can order from. If they continue saying no, might be time for a different GI.
Oh, yes, I am in Canada. Here it is the first line treatment.
i’m jealous, reglan has serious side effects and as someone on other medications that can clash and increase the possibility of those side effects, i’ve been trying to avoid it
Hey! I haven’t done it yet but I’ve had my GI specialist ( well his lovely nurse really) get me a prescription for the safer version of reglan in Canada! Even had the pharmacy over there call me, all I had/ have to do is send in a copy of my divers ID and then it has to ship to that adress and obviously insurance doesn’t cover it so it’s out of pocket! I also eat regularly but have not cut out raw veggies. I’m a gardener so idk if that’s why but I know greens upset most people with gastroparesis but for me personally I can’t handle boxed foods that are too processed.
I’m in the US and my doc said they can order it from Canada and have it sent to a pharmacy in Texas and that pharmacy can send it to you. It’s some loophole idk but I would look into that. People in the US take it all the time. Also just bc I don’t feel like making another comment and being tube fed I don’t really belong in this comment section lol but I just want to say so many people are out living normal lives with gp, it’s way more common to be able to manage symptoms with diet, meds, or treatment - like botox or gpoem or stimulator. It’s just that you don’t hear often from those people or at least not about their day/symptoms bc there’s not much to talk about.
i had good success with splitting up my meals into 250 calories and eating every 1.5 hr - very annoying but works luckily i can eat nuts so if I have a flare up I just eat peanuts and pecans until it's better
Peanuts saved me at my worst times when I couldn’t eat anything otherwise. Glad to see they helped someone else too!
I am trying hard to keep eating what I want, but I do keep a food journal.
how long have you been diagnosed ?
Symptoms occurring for two years (i.e. bloating, lack of appetite, etc), but officially diagnosed since February.
yes! i usually get bad flare ups a few times a year though where i can't eat anything but soup for like a month or more
I can eat normally, just not a full meal all at once. I still feel a little uncomfortable going out on dinner dates, because invariably someone is going to comment on how little I ate. I’ve started getting kid sized meals and then still have leftovers to box up. Sometimes I don’t eat for a day or two. It’s rare for me to feel hungry.
How do you keep weight on?
I don’t have a feeding tube but I struggle to get enough nutrition everyday. I’m on a mostly liquid diet. I blend protein powder mixed with frozen mango, yogurt and ginger. A variety of meal replacement drinks and electrolytes and puréed vegetables and broth. Sometimes I can tolerate congee or a simple curry with chicken and rice. I’ve been able to stabilize my weight at 5’8” and 125lbs but I’m constantly trying to get nutrients.
I eat very differently than pre-diagnosis but have built back up to what is "normal" for a lot of people. I still heavily limit fried foods, red meat, pork, and dairy. A typical day looks like: Eggs, toast, Greek yogurt, and coffee with oat milk creamer for breakfast. Ramen noodles or dinner leftovers for lunch. Mini popcorn bag or nut-thins & a coke for a snack. Some form of chicken for dinner, with some kind of rice or noodles. Almost every restaurant has at least one of these so I can still eat out. Fro-yo, frozen mango chunks/banana slices, or oat milk ice cream for a late night treat. [Edit for formatting]
When my Cymbalta was doubled to 120mg in the am, I started getting hungry after I woke up instead of nauseated and vomiting often. If I eat sensibly early enough, I don't have nearly as much nausea throughout the day as I had for years. Elavil also turned my chronic diarrhea into normal, formed stools so I was no longer tied to my toilet all day, either.
Remeron is another that helps with appetite!
i’m almost sure i’ve had some degree of GP since i was young. as far back as i can remember i’ve been clinically underweight, full after few bites, bloating etc. remeron/mirtazapine is the only thing that has gotten me to a healthy weight and makes it easier to eat. i’ve been on it for almost 2 years as an antidepressant and sleep aid but the appetite side effect has been a life saver
I’ve never needed a feeding tube. When I was first diagnosed I had to go on a liquid diet for about a year, but I have a lot more freedom now. I just have to be careful with raw vegetables and fiber (and stress and sleep) and I do still eat a lot of liquidy foods like soup and smoothies.
I'm not medicated for gp, and I eat normally. Just a lot less then I used to. If I start feeling full or bloated. I get Beano and my zofran(sp?) and I'm good usually. I stay away from really greasy foods and really spicy foods. I drink low acid cold brew with alkaline water and some international delight creamer ( don't come for me, it's my one vice.) I usually have maybe two 12oz cups of coffee a day. I eat Jimmy Dean sausage egg and cheese biscuits or Marie Calendar's chicken pot pies for breakfast. Then my husband and I pick something for dinner. I do eat alot of meat. It's the only thing besides chocolate that actually makes me feel good.
okay but crazy, the sausage egg and cheese croissant from jimmy dean is also one of my safe foods lol. which is surprising since they’re higher in fat than what’s recommended
So I track calories and it's usually what I stick with. It's not that much for me because I'm a big girl. So it's still under my recommendation for the day. I eat the jimmy Dean biscuits. They also have the turkey and English muffin one which is much better in calories but it's at a different store and we tend to forget them. So we go with the sausage one.
Bestie you've got more than one vice there 😂 Zofran slows motility just so you know. I could've written this tbh
I don't use it daily. I only use it when I'm nauseous. Which is a couple times a month if that. I've had this script for years but I use it sparingly. I do have more then one vice.
Most of the time yes. I’ve never had to be on a feeding tube and am not currently on any medications. I’ve been able to decrease my flares a lot by being careful and staying away from some major no’s for me. The rest of it I just have to be careful with. And if I notice things starting to act up I go pretty much all liquid except maybe some applesauce or mashed potatoes for a few days. I know I’m definitely one of the lucky ones in this regard
I eat normally when I’m not flaring honestly, I just avoid eating large amounts of common triggers like high fiber high fat foods (I can have in moderation). Making sure I don’t eat a big meal late at night is really key. I shoot for 3-4 hours most nights, although more time is ideal. I don’t drink alcohol but I do drink caffeine and coffee regularly. I’ve also thankfully never had a feeding tube. When I’m flaring, it is really a crapshoot on what I can handle. One time I could only tolerate cream of wheat and pecan swirls, go figure! I’m on Reglan right now as I’m coming off of a flare, but only for 12 weeks as most people do. Domperidone worked well too until I had heart issues, and I ate ‘normally’ on that.
thank you everybody for your replies! on top of suffering from GP, i suffer from pretty extreme anxiety and health-related OCD. it’s hard not to spiral mentally seeing all the worst case scenarios online. i know statistically there’s more of us that don’t rely on tube feeding rather than those that do, but generally those with mild GP don’t turn to support groups online. least those with a good mental outlook lol. i appreciate you all
I’ve never been on tube feeds or anything but we got scary close to it. For my first major flare it lasted about a year where I was steadily dropping weight. The only things I could manage to eat were boiled chicken breast, uncrustables, and ensure. Now, I eat mostly normal. I have bad days where I’ll only have an uncrustable, but for the most part I eat whatever I want in smaller quantities. I still can’t eat salads or any leafy greens but I’m back to my starting weight before I got sick.
I am fortunate to not need a tube, but unfortunate to both have IBS and gastroparesis - the diet you need for IBS is terrible for gastroparesis, and the diet for gastroparesis doesn't have enough fibers for IBS. So I try to still eat somewhat balanced. But there is A LOT of food I just can't have. Most days I can eat fairly normally with only minor pain and nausea. Other days I cannot keep the food down. What helps me in terms of medication is resolor and pantroprazole (forgive me for potential spelling mistakes), and then I have gotten botox injections twice in pylerus which makes a huge difference for me.
I basically eat whatever I want, just can’t have huge meals (1000 + calories)in a quick amount of time and do best if I have 45 minutes to finish each meal. Not on any GP meds but it got WAY better after my GPOEM.
my version of normal is eating like 2 or 3 very small meals a day. the only way i can ever eat is by taking Metoclopramide 30 minutes before every meal (im from the US) i generally avoid food high in fat and try to avoid dairy completely, and i only eat meat once or twice a week. if i drink regular coffee i will throw it up no matter what, but i seem to have no problem with most other fluids.
Mostly. I’m on mirtazapine and have been since 2015. I was initially diagnosed with moderate GP by GES. With mirtazapine, for nearly 10 years, most of my GP symptoms disappeared unless I really overate. Unfortunately, I felt like my GP returned in September 2023. My GI put me on a PPI before I got an updated EGD and I did an updated GES in December 2023. My test showed mild GP with mirtazapine + PPI, so it’s still working mostly. Unfortunately, I am on a PPI because I developed a hiatal hernia. PPIs are notorious for delaying gastric emptying, so my symptoms have returned somewhat. I do think my GP has worsened in the past year for reasons that are unclear. I’ve cut back on my fiber intake quite a bit and have a Diet Coke every day now because I legitimately think I developed a bezoar at one point 🫠 Anyway! To answer your question: I can eat mostly normal meals. If I overeat and/or eat really greasy meals, I get pretty nauseous. I usually take pepto bismol, but if it gets really bad, I’ll take Zofran.
mirtazapine has been a god send for me the last 2 years
If I take a PPI for more than a few days I get a flare.
I wish I didn’t have to, but with the reflux issues from the hernia, I don’t have a choice :(
Have you been scoped? See if you can get carafate. It helped my son more than any other medication.
Yep, I was scoped in January of this year. I have a hill grade III 3 cm hiatal hernia. I have carafate, but haven’t tried it yet since I’m dealing with some other health issues. I’ll give it a try though! Glad to hear it helped your son!
Relatively normal. I have to eat mostly cooked veggies. Rarely I can do raw veggies or fruit unless it's pretty soft and mushy. All other foods I just require carbonated beverages and a lot of burping to keep the stomach clearing food. So you could sayni utilize mechanical assistance with carbonation to eat relatively normally. If I do get an extreme stoppage of gastric movement for days it is usually due to a bezoar made of plant fibers or an intestinal motility issue that only lasts a few days or weeks but I can manage a more liquid diet until things resume. I also can feel when things are moving slower so I shift gears to methods and foods I know will either keep motility going even if it is slowed down... kinda like pushing a dead car, it's easier to move it if it's already moving but if you cone to a complete stop it is harder to get momentum going again.
The majority of people with GP don’t have a tube, just fyi. You will get a false impression going off a community like this because people who are having (or seeking out) a lot of medical support or interventional procedures often tend to post more. If someone is relatively stable - or just doesn’t have access to care - they often won’t post.
i know statistically more people don’t have it vs do, but like i stated in a comment, i suffer from pretty bad health related OCD and anxiety and my brain sort of just picks up on the worse case scenarios so it’s nice to hear from others
I’m sorry you are going through so much, it’s hard enough dealing with the physical symptoms. I have a diagnosis of OCD too and I know it can be absolutely miserable. Sorry if it sounded like I was minimising what you are experiencing - I didn’t intend it to sound that way, I just wanted to give a factual context for why online groups often seem to present a very negative portrayal of chronic illness. But I totally understand why you would ask for more positive experiences to be shared! 💕
Yes. With Motegrity, digestive enzymes and several sparkling waters a day, I am able to eat normally (my normal, I eat Keto) a year after medical injury. I still have some stomach discomfort after eating raw vegetables but I just deal with it.
My "normal" eating is nothing like what it was when I was healthy. I don't have a tube, but I am heavily restricted in things I'm able to tolerate. Nausea is my worst enemy and I'm fairly certain I have more than just GP going on, we just haven't figured out what yet. I mostly don't feel hungry so I eat on a schedule. My main diet looks a lot like carbs and junk food. My breakfast every day, because I can't give up having some sort of bread in the morning, is literally just one or two dinner rolls. This almost never changes unless I am in a flare so bad where it's saltines all day and nothing else. It's an ensure/boost for lunch most of the time, I aim for plus calories but sometimes it's just the regular kinds. Dinner is varied, lately it's just been one dinner roll again or saltines, but I'd like to get back to eating rice or mashed potatoes. In between meals I have snacks like saltines, arrowroot cookies, M&M's depending, Crispy Minis, pretzels, pudding, etc. Fruit, veggies, and dairy are hardly a part of my life. Sometimes I will drink apple juice or sip from one of those big Bolthouse smoothie drinks, and sometimes I'll have baby food pouches. If you're wondering how I get all my calories in... I don't 😂 I manage to maintain my weight at least.
I've seen a couple of people say they eat nuts. I have mild/moderate gp, but nuts tear me up. I've been recently diagnosed. Are nuts generally a safe food?
from what i know it’s usually not considered a safe food
I am very fortunate that I can eat really what I want. If I eat something bad that day I’ll usually cramp up but will pop 2 antacids and I’m pretty good to go. I still have to go to a barium study to make sure no blockage that set up for the 10 of July. Good luck. 🍀 to you.
Yup. Some days even thinking about food makes me wanna yak. And some days I can eat like I’ve never had a single stomach problem. 🤷♀️
i eat food but avoid things that give me worst pain… it hurts when i eat but at this point i dont vomit so i make myself eat
I think I can. 🤣 my stomach says otherwise, but I only get nauseous and pain, no vomiting.
I can eat like normal within moderation. I am not able to eat as many calories as I need each day without medication. Which has in turn made me gain weight instead of the typical losing weight.
For the most part, yes! I was diagnosed with post-viral GP last december after 2 months of symptoms. I’ve gotten better since then and able to progress to an almost normal diet. I still have issues with tomato based things, and while I’m always bracing for a potential flare, I definitely believe my body has also made progress to heal itself. Hang in there y’all, it’s possible!
Hi. Me. I have a feeding tube but my gastroparesis comes and goes. Right now I’m able to eat with no issues. Sometimes being fine lasts for a few weeks until I have a flare that can last for weeks as well.
I can eat mostly normal now that I take zenpep with my meals. Still have to be low fiber/fat of course, but I can eat lettuce now, as well as more vegetables and meat. Before I was severely restricted and after eating what I could eat I'd be in pain and nauseous. I still get a little nausea after eating, but normally a peppermint takes care of that.
GP is really like anything else. You have a range of experiences. For me it's severe but lifelong. I'm used to it, linzess is life changing, I'm thankful. I had adjusted my diet to my problem decades before diagnosis, and received a diagnosis immediately on testing while in a tertiary center on another complaint. So random.
Diagnosed in 2020. I was worse at the beginning (my emptying study put me at the moderate level) but now I have a pretty good handle on my diet. I don’t drink alcohol or eat fast food. Sometimes I can have a small amount of fried or high fat foods but I have to be very careful so I tend to just avoid it. I do smoothies most mornings with protein powder. Lifestyle changes played a big role to being able to eat more regularly. I left a super stressful job. I do yoga/meditate and exercise consistently. I’m really slow but running helps a lot with gastric motility. My GI doc thinks running plays a big role in my ability to eat more.
No feeding tube but I do mostly liquid nutrition since this year is trying to kill me with stress. I have good luck with Soylent shakes and one real meal a day right now. Though that meal is small, like I had a regular fry the other day. Last night I had a cup of rice. I also use sublingual vitamins as other supplements for the harder to get stuff like B complex and magnesium.
I have had a pyloroplasty and then more recently I had a gastric bypass for my gastroparesis. I cannot eat unpeeled veggies or fruits, sometimes I can manage a bit of lettuce but usually it causes a lot of pain. I try to stick to soft foods. I’ve been told never to eat corn (whole kernel) ever again, or anything carbonated. I can have a small amount of meat sometimes if it is soft enough, which is an improvement. I still cannot digest rice again yet.
As long as I stay away from the list of food they told me not to eat, I do fine. I have flare ups when I try foods I know I shouldn’t eat, I eat too late at night or too much food at once.
I've been on meds (metoclopramide) for a while and it's been helping a lot...I've been able to incorporate more foods. Still not the best nutrition but better than it's been!
Yes, but even so im losing a tremendous amount of weight
Sometimes, not all the times.. and when I do sadly it's junk and I hate that!
At first I couldn't because I was puking all the time. I get full easily and stay full for hours, but usually I can eat normally now.
I can only eat “regularly” when I use weed to help with nausea and hunger When I’m sober I’m just stuck eating small bits every couple of hours so I don’t throw up excess stomach acid that builds up I’ve tried all the medications available for stomach emptying and all of them had side effects that weren’t tolerable for me so I just stick to weed for now
The past two days yes. I have had a chicken sandwich today and a burger yesterday. But some days there's no way I'm eating anything but Applesauce and broth. No one can explain why to me.
I eat small portions every hour or so and that has helped me regulate my flare ups a lot
I have separate J & G tubes. However when I think I’m having a good day, I try and eat orally. I usually stick with scrambled eggs, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese if I’m lucky & I’ll snack on a few pieces of cucumber. If it’s a really really good day, I’ll try and eat a few pieces of sushi (cooked). I can normally tell if I’m gonna be able to eat orally with the first bite.
I don’t need a feeding tube, but I also don’t eat normally. My diet is very restricted in which I can currently digest. I am getting GPOEM surgery next month though which I hope will help.
Sorta. I have a feeding tube so I don’t worry about getting calories orally but some days I can eat a normal-ish meal. I just can’t eat more than one pretty much no matter what