So the medical malarkey is finally over. They sent me home on Saturday after making sure at least part of my tube was still in my intestines. Interventional radiology didn’t want to come in over the holiday weekend, so I had to go back yesterday to get my tube fixed. They did the change with no pain meds, and the whole area was already inflamed. I said ouch a few times. At least I got a shiny, new J tube out of the deal? Now if only we can figure out how to get it working…
Thanks for all your love and support!!! 💜💜💜💜
It’s been a tough couple of months. I’ve not been able to be on Facebook due to fatigue, but I thought I would try to poke my head up. At the moment I am getting all my nutrition from the TPN (IV nutrition) as I am unable to eat anything or tolerate anything through my feeding tubes.
This week is feeding tube awareness week, so I thought I’d post a picture of my tubes. I have severe gastroparesis and intestinal dysmotility, and am unable to eat. As a result, I am kept alive by my tubes. People like me rely on feeding tubes to be kept alive and to lead a full and productive life. Check out the website to learn more,
http://www.feedingtubeawareness.org
My Thanksgiving. Not eating is tough. At least I get to spend time with family.
PICC in! It’s purple too, my favorite color. Probably starting TPN tomorrow. Now I have three tubes sticking out of my body. Isn’t life interesting…
This piece is intended to be informational and in no way is meant to diagnose gastroparesis or suggest treatments. If you think you might have gastroparesis or any other medical condition, talk with your doctor.
Gastroparesis (GP) is a fancy way of saying slowing or paralysis of the stomach and digestive tract. It is thought to affect between 200,000 and 300,000 people in the US a year, and is a relatively rare condition. Diabetes is the most common reason for GP, and other causes include viral infection, connective tissue diseases such as Ehlers Danlos, neurological illness like MS, or damage to the vagus nerve during surgery. In more than half of cases a reason is never found. Major symptoms include constant nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, and feeling full after only a few bites of food. Symptoms can get so severe as to prevent adequate nutrition and hydration.
Continue reading You Might Have Gastroparesis If… →
One of the major illnesses I deal with is called Gastroparesis (GP). GP is a fancy way of saying the stomach and intestines stop moving like they’re supposed to and have trouble emptying food. As a result, I deal with nausea and stomach pain on a daily basis, and fill up after only a few bites of food. I don’t often talk about my symptoms because they seem dwarfed behind all of the other problems from my neurological illness, but they have been a constant presence in my life since 2013.
Continue reading Gastroparesis and Feeding Tubes →
Putting the Health Back in Healthcare
