Ovarian Cyst on Top of Gastroparesis

I went to the emergency room tonight because not only do I have an allergic reaction from adhesive tape and/or latex, but now I have a right ovarian cyst.

The allergic reaction happened after the doctor removed my Impanon. He put a strip of tape on my arm to stop the bleeding that I wasn't supposed to take off for another two days. However, I removed it when I saw this reaction:

My allergic reaction.

It was bothering me and really burning, so I called the doctor and sent him a picture on my cell phone. He wanted me to come to his other office today (more than an 1 & 1/2 away) but I wouldn't make it before he closed. I was in so much pain and I thought it was from the procedure yesterday. After I sent him the picture and waited a bit, he called me back to tell me to go to the Emergency Room.

We got there at 6pm and left at 1:30am. I thought I was going to die of boredom after my Kindle died. I didn't think to bring my charger and my husband tried his best to distract me. The nurse came in and gave me morphine and steroids in my IV. At least they got my IV on the first try but I would have loved to see my labs.

They came and got me for an ultrasound - regular and vaginal. I made them call my doctor because I didn't know if I could have the latter yet but he OK'ed it. It HURT like hell. They stopped and made me empty my bladder, so I went until I couldn't go anymore and went back in for the pelvic. That made me want to cry and jump off the table. This was around 12am, so my morphine had worn off. It was like torture and usually ultrasounds aren't bad. When they finished, they told me that the doctor would take 30 minutes to get the results.

When we got to my room, I waited more. The nurse came in and gave me Toradol, which helped with the cramping day before yesterday. Then, the doctor finally came in. He told me that I had an ovarian cyst on my right ovary and that my GYN will see me on Monday. I've seen my GYN twice this week, I should just put a cot in his office. So, I'm going Monday to see the doctor. I have an ovarian cyst on top of Gastroparesis now. I just want to scream!

The ER Doctor gave me prescriptions for codeine and for steroids. I put cortisone on the allergic reaction to speed up healing a bit.

Information about ovarian cysts can be found here: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ovarian-cysts/DS00129

You can read it here:

Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs or pockets within or on the surface of an ovary. Women have two ovaries — each about the size and shape of an almond — located on each side of the uterus. Eggs (ova) develop and mature in the ovaries and are released in monthly cycles during your childbearing years.

Many women have ovarian cysts at some time during their lives. Most ovarian cysts present little or no discomfort and are harmless. The majority of ovarian cysts disappear without treatment within a few months.

However, ovarian cysts — especially those that have ruptured — sometimes produce serious symptoms. The best ways to protect your health are to know the symptoms that may signal a more significant problem, and to schedule regular pelvic examinations.


Symptoms:

Most cysts don't cause any symptoms and go away on their own. A large ovarian cyst can cause abdominal discomfort. If a large cyst presses on your bladder, you may feel the need to urinate more frequently because bladder capacity is reduced.

The symptoms of ovarian cysts, if present, may include:

Menstrual irregularities

Pelvic pain — a constant or intermittent dull ache that may radiate to your lower back and thighs

Pelvic pain shortly before your period begins or just before it ends

Pelvic pain during intercourse (dyspareunia)

Pain during bowel movements or pressure on your bowels

Nausea, vomiting or breast tenderness similar to that experienced during pregnancy

Fullness or heaviness in your abdomen

Pressure on your rectum or bladder that causes a need to urinate more frequently or difficulty emptying your bladder completely



When to see a doctor:

Seek immediate medical attention if you have:

Sudden, severe abdominal or pelvic pain

Pain accompanied by fever or vomiting

These signs and symptoms — or those of shock, such as cold, clammy skin, rapid breathing, and lightheadedness or weakness — indicate an emergency and mean that you need to see a doctor right away.


Treatment:

Treatment depends on your age, the type and size of your cyst, and your symptoms. Your doctor may suggest:

Watchful waiting. In many cases you can wait and be re-examined to see if the cyst goes away on its own within a few months. This is typically an option — regardless of your age — if you have no symptoms and an ultrasound shows you have a small, fluid-filled cyst. Your doctor will likely recommend that you get follow-up pelvic ultrasounds at periodic intervals to see if your cyst has changed in size.

Birth control pills. Your doctor may recommend birth control pills to reduce the chance of new cysts developing in future menstrual cycles. Oral contraceptives offer the added benefit of significantly reducing your risk of ovarian cancer — the risk decreases the longer you take birth control pills.

Surgery. Your doctor may suggest removal of a cyst if it is large, doesn't look like a functional cyst, is growing, or persists through two or three menstrual cycles. Cysts that cause pain or other symptoms may be removed.

Some cysts can be removed without removing the ovary in a procedure known as a cystectomy. In some circumstances, your doctor may suggest removing the affected ovary and leaving the other intact in a procedure known as oophorectomy.

If a cystic mass is cancerous, however, your doctor will likely advise a hysterectomy to remove both ovaries and your uterus. Your doctor is also likely to recommend surgery when a cystic mass develops on the ovaries after menopause.

Brief drawing of the cyst that I have. Image found: http://www.mayoclinic.com/images/image_popup/r7_follicularovary.jpg




According to http://www.medicinenet.com/ovarian_cysts/article.htm#what_is_the_ovary_and_what_are_ovarian_cysts

Ovarian cysts facts:

Ovarian cysts are closed, sac-like structures within the ovary that are filled with a liquid or semisolid substance.

Ovarian cysts form for numerous reasons.

Pain in the abdomen or pelvis is the most common symptom of an ovarian cyst, but most are asymptomatic.

Most cysts are diagnosed by ultrasound or physical exam.

The treatment of an ovarian cyst depends upon its likely diagnosis and varies from observation and monitoring to surgical treatment.


What is the ovary and what are ovarian cysts?

The ovary is one of a pair of reproductive glands in women that are located in the pelvis, one on each side of the uterus. Each ovary is about the size and shape of a walnut. The ovaries produce eggs (ova) and female hormones estrogen and progesterone. The ovaries are the main source of female hormones, which control the development of female body characteristics such as the breasts, body shape, and body hair. They also regulate the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Ovarian cysts are closed, sac-like structures within an ovary that contain a liquid, gaseous, or semisolid substance. "Cyst" is merely a general term for a fluid-filled structure, which may or may not represent a tumor or neoplasm (new growth). If it is a tumor, it may be benign or malignant. The ovary is also referred to as the female gonad.



What causes ovarian cysts?

Ovarian cysts form for numerous reasons. The most common type is a follicular cyst, which results from the growth of a follicle. A follicle is the normal fluid-filled sac that contains an egg. Follicular cysts form when the follicle grows larger than normal during the menstrual cycle and does not open to release the egg. Usually, follicular cysts resolve spontaneously over the course of days to months. Cysts can contain blood (hemorrhagic cysts) from leakage of blood into the egg sac.

Another type of ovarian cyst that is related to the menstrual cycle is a corpus luteum cyst. The corpus luteum is an area of tissue within the ovary that occurs after an egg has been released from a follicle. If a pregnancy doesn't occur, the corpus luteum usually breaks down and disappears. It may, however, fill with fluid or blood and persist as a cyst on the ovary. Usually, this cyst is found on only one side, produces no symptomsand resolves spontaneously.

Endometriosis is a condition in which cells that normally grow inside as a lining of the uterus (womb), instead grow outside of the uterus in other locations. The ovary is a common site for endometriosis. When endometriosis involves the ovary, the area of endometrial tissue may grow and bleed over time, forming a blood-filled cyst with red- or brown-colored contents called an endometrioma, sometimes referred to as a chocolate cyst or endometrioma. The condition known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by the presence of multiple small cysts within both ovaries. PCOS is associated with a number of hormonal problems and is the most common cause of infertility in women.

Both benign and malignant tumors of the ovary may also be cystic. Occasionally, the tissues of the ovary develop abnormally to form other body tissues such as hair or teeth. Cysts with these abnormal tissues are really tumors called denign cystic teratomas or dermoid cysts.

Infections of the pelvic organs can involve the ovaries and Fallopian tubes. In severe cases, pus-filled cystic spaces may be present on or around the ovary or tubes. These are known as tubo-ovarian abscesses.



How are Ovarian Cysts Treated:

Most ovarian cysts in women of childbearing age are follicular or corpus luteum cysts (functional cysts) that disappear naturally in one to three months, although they can rupture and cause pain. They are benign and have no long-term medical consequence. They may be diagnosed coincidentally during a pelvic examination in women who do not have any related symptoms. All women have follicular cysts at some point that generally go unnoticed.

Ultrasound is useful to determine if the cyst is simple (just fluid with no solid tissue, suggesting a benign condition) or compound (with solid components that often required surgical resection).

In summary, the ideal treatment of ovarian cysts depends on what the cyst is likely to be. The woman's age, the size (and any change in size) of the cyst, and the cyst's appearance on ultrasound to help determine the treatment. Cysts that are functional are usually observed unless they rupture and cause significant bleeding, in which case, surgical treatment is required. Benign and malignant tumors require operation.

Treatment can consist of simple observation, or it can involve evaluating blood tests such as a CA-125 to help determine the potential for cancer (keeping in mind the many limitations of CA-125 testing described above).

The tumor can be surgically removed either with laparoscopy,, or if needed, an open abdominal incision (laparotomy) if it is causing severe pain, not resolving, or if it is suspicious in any way. Once the cyst is removed, the growth is sent to a pathologist who examines the tissue under a microscope to make the final diagnosis as to the type of cyst present.




What are the risks of ovarian cysts during pregnancy?

Ovarian cysts are sometimes discovered during pregnancy. In most cases, they are an incidental finding at the time of routine prenatal ultrasound screening. The majority of ovarian cysts found during pregnancy are benign conditions that do not require surgical intervention. However, surgery may be indicated if there is a suspicion of malignancy, if an acute complication such as rupture or torsion (twisting of the cyst, disrupting the blood supply) develops, or if the size of the cyst is likely to present problems with the pregnancy.

Medically reviewed by Edmund Petrilli, MD; American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology with subspecialty in Gynecologic Oncology
REFERENCE: eMedicine.com. Ovarian Cysts.
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/255865-overview

Previous contributing author: Carolyn Crandall, MD, FACP

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Essure Permanent Birth Control and ThermaChoice

Yesterday, I had my procedure for essure permanent birth control control done. I have decided to have my tubes tied, and this is a big decision for me. After years of begging for the doctor's permission to tie my tubes, because of my endometrosis and ovarian cysts. But, the doctors decided, albeit probably correctly, that I was too young.

However, on the 17th, my doctor finally recommended it. The best thing of all was that I had no copay! It was covered completely! I also want to mention that I've lost 30 pounds since July of 2013 when I went into the doctor's office.

He suggested Essure. To read more about it please click here: http://www.mwobg.com/services-procedures/library/how-essure-works

He suggested ThermaChoice in addition. To read more about it please click here: http://www.pelvichealthsolutions.com/thermachoice-expectation

I never planned on having children, so if I decide to have a baby later, I will adopt. I've come to peace with that. I just want some of this pain to end. I deal with enough pain in my stomach and digestive system, if I can get rid of the pain in my reproductive system, I might have sort of a chance to leave a better life with this procedure.

Gastroparesis seems to make the endometrosis worse, so if I can eliminate some of that pain, that would be amazing. Additionally, to get me ready for the procedure so I wouldn't feel any pain, he gave me two dilaudid, a valium, toradol, and a nerve block. I felt pressure but not a whole lot of pain.

According to Planned Parenthood's website, they describe the Essure procedure and benefits:

Permanent contraception (sterilization) is the most common form of birth control for women over the age of 30 and the second most common birth control method for all women of child-bearing age.

Essure offers women whose families are complete a proven and easy birth control choice that doesn’t require incisions, hormones or slowing down to recover. Women who choose Essure never have to worry about birth control again – no daily pill, no side effects, no quick trips to the pharmacy.

We are pleased to offer Essure, a permanent birth control procedure that works with your body to create a natural barrier to prevent pregnancy. The Essure procedure offers women benefits that no other permanent birth control can.



The Benefits of Essure:

Surgery-free

During the procedure, the Essure inserts are placed in the fallopian tubes through the natural pathways of the vagina and cervix, with no incisions and no surgery.

Hormone-free

Unlike many temporary methods of birth control, the Essure inserts do not contain hormones. Therefore, they will not interfere with your monthly cycle nor cause the side effects that many women experience with hormone-related birth control.

Virtually recovery-free

Following the Essure procedure, most women return to their normal activities in less than a day.
Most effective

Essure is proven to be the most effective permanent birth control available, based on five years of clinical data.
Trusted

More than half a million women have chosen Essure as their permanent birth control since 2002. Additionally, the Essure inserts are made from the same proven materials that have been used in heart stents for many years.


What to Expect:

During the procedure, your doctor will slide small, soft inserts through the natural pathways of your vagina and cervix into your fallopian tubes. No incisions are necessary, and this process typically takes less than 10 minutes. The inserts are designed to allow your doctor to see immediately that they have been properly placed. Anesthesia is not required for the procedure, although some doctors may offer it. Some women report mild discomfort or cramping during or after the procedure that is similar to a normal monthly cycle. Most women go home within 45 minutes of having the Essure procedure, and return to normal activities in less than a day.

Over the next three months, your body works with the Essure inserts to form a natural barrier within your fallopian tubes. These barriers prevent sperm from reaching the eggs so that pregnancy cannot occur. During this time, you and your partner will need to continue to use another form of birth control.

You will continue to have a regular menstrual period, but some women who have had the Essure procedure find that their period changes afterward, becoming slightly lighter or heavier. These changes may be due to discontinuing hormone-based birth control, such as the Pill, and returning to your normal cycle. Your ovaries will continue to release eggs, but they will be absorbed through your body’s normal process.

That’s it! Now you can focus on yourself, your family and the life you have created, with the confidence that you are protected from unplanned pregnancy.

Like all permanent birth control procedures, the Essure procedure is not reversible. You should make sure you do not want to get pregnant in the future.

The Wikipedia article for Essure can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essure

He also gave me a shot of Depo Provera, so I would be covered until things heal over.



ThermaChoice

This is a procedure the doctor is going to do for me in three months. He wants to make sure that the Essure procedure has completely blocked off before he does this.

You can read about it more at this link (http://www.pelvichealthsolutions.com/thermachoice-expectation but this is what the website says,

GYNECARE THERMACHOICE® Uterine Balloon Therapy with Fluid Circulation offers an effective, nonhormonal treatment for heavy periods, also known as menorrhagia. GYNECARE THERMACHOICE® is a minimally invasive, 8-minute procedure that can be performed in your doctor's office or in a hospital. What happens during the procedure? GYNECARE THERMACHOICE® uses a method called global endometrial ablation (GEA) to remove the endometrium, the lining of the uterus (womb).

Under local anesthesia, the doctor inserts a small silicone balloon into your uterus, which is filled with fluid and then gently heated to treat the lining of your uterus. No incision is required. You may feel a slight warmth or pressure during the treatment time, which is 8 minutes; the entire appointment usually lasts approximately 30 minutes. See step by step how GYNECARE THERMACHOICE® works.

In most cases, patients can resume their normal activities the next day.



What happens after the procedure?

The first postoperative check-up usually occurs within 7 to 10 days after the procedure, and your doctor may determine that sexual activity can resume after that check-up. Your first few periods after the procedure may continue to be heavy, with improvement thereafter. Some women experience a pinkish watery discharge for about 2 weeks that can last as long as 1 month.

All medical procedures carry risks. Talk to a doctor to determine whether GYNECARE THERMACHOICE® might be the right choice for you. Find a doctor familiar with GYNECARE® products who can provide treatment.
What are the risks with GYNECARE THERMACHOICE®?

All medical procedures present risks, so talk to a doctor about whether GYNECARE THERMACHOICE® is right for you. Find a doctor familiar with GYNECARE® products who can provide treatment.

As with all procedures of its type, GYNECARE THERMACHOICE® poses a risk of injury to the uterus and surrounding tissues. Most common side effects include discharge, cramping, nausea and vomiting.

Global endometrial ablation procedures, including GYNECARE THERMACHOICE® III Uterine Balloon Therapy System, are intended for pre-menopausal women with heavy bleeding due to benign causes who do not wish to become pregnant in the future. It is not appropriate for a patient who is pregnant or wants to become pregnant in the future. Becoming pregnant after this procedure can be dangerous for both the mother and the fetus.

Pregnancy after ablation is unlikely, but if it does occur, you and your baby could be at risk because the endometrial lining of the uterus has been removed. After treatment, you will need to continue to use a birth control method that is appropriate for you. There are several options available for birth control. You should discuss these options with your doctor.

For a complete description of risks related to this treatment, please see the Potential Adverse Effects section of the Risk Information.

The information represents no statement, promise or guarantee by Ethicon, Inc., concerning insurance coverage, levels of reimbursement, payment, or charge. Please consult your payor organization with regard to local or actual coverage determination processes.

This will get rid of my painful periods permanently. That would be amazing because they hurt and are erratic. So, I will be sterile with no periods, but I get to keep my ovaries so I don't need hormone replacements. This was a tough decision for me but I knew I could never carry kids to term. So, I figured that this would help the pain. And I need all of the help I can get with pain because Gastroparesis causes enough pain in itself.

So, I am very happy and a little sad, but I'll be OK. I think I've done the best possible thing that I could do for me and wanted to write about it because I had never heard of these procedures before.

My Medical History Story & Patient Rights

I want to take a moment to tell you about some of my medical history. I know that a lot of my entries are about present events, but there were a lot of events that led up to where I am now.

It all started when I was in high school, in 2000. I was sixteen years old and I was very, very ill. The illness just sprung on me, like a tiger waiting to pounce. It started with a fever, and I remember being in so much physical pain. I remember riding the bus to school and vomiting on the bus. The bus driver made me wait in the seat I vomited in until everyone got off of the bus. I remember being ashamed and embarrassed as all of their judgmental eyes passed over me as they left the bus, one by one. After everyone had gone, the bus driver gave me paper towels and cleaner and told me to clean up my mess myself and that she wasn't touching it. Sadly, I didn't know enough then to challenge her or just get off of the bus. I remember other mornings where I would walk to class with my best friend Paul, and just start vomiting. This one instance stands out in my mind. We were walking to class and had to pass through a breezeway outside, when I felt the urge to vomit. There was no where to run, I had to get sick then and there so I ran to the side of the high school building and vomited into the grass. I remember Paul holding my hair back for me and telling everyone who passed by that I had bad Chinese food the night before. He stayed with me until my episode was over and walked to the office with me so that I could call my mother.

I vomited up everything I ate and slept for three days. My mother, when I wouldn't get out of bed, felt my head and realized I was running a fever. I remember wrapping my comforter around me and getting into the car while she drove me to the ER. When I got there, I kept vomiting up bile, pretty much constantly. The doctor pressed on my abdomen and I vomited more. He thought that since my pain was on my lower left side that I might have appendicitis. I was admitted into the hospital when he finally reached my doctor.

I don't remember much after that. I was in a haze of pain medications, nausea medications, and just exhausted. The doctor that I normally saw came in to see me in my hospital room a few times and I went in for emergency surgery. They did an EXPLORATORY LAPAROSCOPY on me and took pictures while the doctors were looking for the causes of my sudden illness.

When I came to, in recovery, I was taken back to my hospital room. They gave me more pain medication because my belly was very swollen from the gas they pump in during the surgery and the surgical incisions. The doctors went in through my belly button and my lower left side. I remember being really angry because my aunt had the pictures the doctors took of my abdomen and I remember yelling at her and reducing her to tears because I wanted to see what had made me feel so miserable. Did I mention that I am really mean on pain medication? I don't know why I have that side effect, but I do. I apologized to my aunt later and now everyone laughs about it.

The doctors found that I had ovarian cysts. This can be normal in women but mine were pretty big. They removed some of the cysts and some had ruptured, leaving fluid behind that caused an infection. I also had endometrosis. I was utterly shocked because I was only sixteen. I didn't realize that my vomiting and pain could be something like that, because I remember thinking that it must have been some sort of virus. I had never seen anyone else that sick in high school. The doctor also informed me that he took out my appendix anyway, just in case.

My classmates from Chemistry came to visit me while I was in the hospital, bringing me a card signed by everyone (which I still have), and wished me a speedy recovery.

From then on, I would vomit and get really ill on and off, for years.

I became really ill in 2005. I had abdominal pain and my symptoms were the same as they were before. I went to the GYN and told them about my history. They ordered another exploratory surgery and found a few small cysts, but nothing out of the ordinary. They found a few lesions that were removed but nothing to explain my symptoms. Eventually, I was fired from work because I couldn't come in due to vomiting and missing too many days. I stayed miserable for the next few years with the abdominal pain and vomiting.

I went from doctor to doctor, only to be told that there was nothing wrong with me and that what I was experiencing was in my head. After a while, I started to believe them, but I never gave up. That's the important part of all of this - NEVER GIVE UP! You know your body better than any doctor does.

In 2010, a friend of mine suggested that I see another GI doctor. I had been blindly following what doctors had been telling me for five years previously, so what would be the harm in getting another opinion? This was the first time I became my own advocate. I didn't realize that patients had rights. How could I? No one had ever told me. So, I started doing research and found a GI doctor covered by my husband's health insurance, close to our house. I made an appointment and started doing research online about my symptoms. I began to take down questions to bring with me to ask the doctor. I didn't get all of my medical records together because there were scattered in so many different places. My doctor in my hometown had hundreds of pages on me alone, my file was the size of a textbook!

So, I went to my new GI doctor and brought questions, my symptoms, and what I had eaten/gotten sick. He listened to me and poked around my belly for a bit. He looked at me and told me that I needed a HIDA SCAN to confirm his suspicions. He thought that my problem was my gallbladder but wanted to make sure, first. This seemed reasonable to me, so I went to the hospital for my scan. The procedure HURT SO MUCH! I cried during it because of the pain when the dye hit. This wasn't a normal reaction. Usually, the scans are supposed to be painless.

After the scan, I reported back to my doctor. He looked at my results and told me that my gallbladder was functioning at only 15% and sent me down the street to the general surgeon. The surgeon was amazing. He answered all of my questions about the surgery, and took the time to examine me. Upon further examining, and realizing I hadn't eaten in a week, decided to hospitalize me. I waited in the hospital for a few days while he gave me medications for pain and nausea, as well as re-hydrating me. My fever ran close to 105. So, I had the surgery.

The OR staff came and wheeled by hospital bed down to the operating room. They waited for the doctor to come in before they gave me the medicine to relax me. When the doctor entered the room (and OR's are freezing), and they gave me Versed to relax me while the surgeon prepared for my gallbladder removal. I remember, after they gave me the medicine, that I told him that I hoped that it wouldn't be like the scene from SPACEBALLS where the alien pops out of me and does a dance across the OR. The surgeon cracked up as the anesthesiologist put me under.

The surgery itself wasn't too bad. I was up and walking around the next day. I remember that the surgeon came into my room and told me that my gallbladder was the nastiest thing he'd ever seen. As it turned out, my gallbladder was NECROTIC. So, I'm glad that I got that second opinion and didn't listen to the other doctors.

After that, well, as you well know, I've had nerve damage and more complications. In March of 2012, I was hospitalized for what the doctors thought was a terrible stomach virus. I received every test under the sun. I was vomiting up everything, even water. They decided to do a Gastric Emptying Scan on me, which I had never heard of. The doctor told me he was testing me for Gastroparesis, but I had never heard of it. My scan came back saying that after four hours, my stomach was only emptying at 36%. My GI diagnosed me with a mild case of Gastroparesis and discharged me after he did the ERCP procedure (which can be found in another blog entry of mine).

I went home and researched Gastroparesis, but aside from Stephanie's and Crystal's blogs/websites, and Mayo's of course, I couldn't find anything else on it. I decided to start my own blog and I helped start a facebook page that I'm no longer a part of, but I helped it grow. I've started my own facebook pages and groups, and they have been pretty popular online. However, my stomach, even with medications and a botox injection, has quite been the same.

I vomit daily (6 to 8 times, if I'm lucky). I'm seeing a Mayo Clinic Specialist, but I'm still my own advocate.

I want everyone to be aware that they have RIGHTS as a patient. They are but not limited to:

The right to receive information from physicians and to discuss the benefits, risks, and costs of appropriate treatment alternatives.

The right to make decisions regarding the health care that is recommended by the physician.

The right to courtesy, respect, dignity, responsiveness, and timely attention to health needs.

The right to confidentiality.

The right to continuity of health care.

The basic right to have adequate health care.

Don't EVER let any doctor tell you otherwise. If you aren't getting the care you need, don't wait like I did. Don't be miserable for five years, almost destroy your marriage, and friendships. Keep searching until you find someone who will take the time to listen to you and give you treatment. No one should have to suffer when there's so much that modern medicine can offer. <3 More about patient's rights and what they are can be found HERE, HERE, and HERE.

Also, Valentine's Day is coming up. There is a movement going around in the Gastroparesis communities to wear green on the 14th of February. This image was made by one of my fellow Gastroparesis fighters. I know that Valentine's Day is a celebration of love. People normally wear reds, pinks, and purple hues, but how about showing a different kind of love and support this year? Will you please wear green to show support and love to those of us with this illness?

We are asking that you stand with us in unity to show support. It's a small thing to ask to support me as well as other GP fighters out there. We can't eat the Valentine's candy and most of us can't even sit in a restaurant because the smells make us ill. It would be appreciated so much. If you could take a picture, we can compile them to make an awareness video to show people that GP is out there and people know it exists.

No awareness, no research, no cure.

This picture was made based on the Spoon Theory: http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/

These images can also be found on our PINTEREST PAGE.

GP, Weakness, and now Ovarian Cysts to the Mix

Today was a good day, so I was able to leave the house for the first time in months. My husband and I are looking for replacement dressers, nightstands, and a bed frame. My current dresser is too wide with a mirror and it takes up a lot of space. I've abused it over the years so the drawers don't quite fit in place anymore. We picked out a three drawer nightstand for both of us and five foot dressers with two small drawers at the top of the dresser for things like socks. They're being built and will be ready in three weeks. Also, My husband is going to take me back to buy the bed frame I want (the picture is included) and a vanity (which I don't have a picture of yet). I'm just excited to have furniture that will last forever, as long as we take good care of it.

After the shopping trip, I have never felt more tired. I was so exhausted and weak. I came home and took a three hour nap. I just feel worn out and sick to my stomach now. I just took my anti-nausea pills but I think I may have overdone it today. We did go to a lot of different places. While it was good to get out of the house, I shouldn't have pushed myself so hard. But, I really wanted to be a part of the decision making process for our bedroom furniture. I can't wait to get the bed! Here is a picture of the frame that I want:

Right now, I'm just really exhausted but this furniture is keeping me motivated. I'm really excited to buy sheets, a comforter, and pillows for the guest beds. I'm also excited to have our room fixed up so it won't be so cluttered. I'm excited to have nice, brand new things. I'm not knocking second hand things because they're wonderful but this is the first bedroom suite I've owned that has been brand new that Jesse and I have picked out together and we couldn't be more excited! Also, it was a lot cheaper than most stores wanted for particle board crap that wasn't even reinforced. This is real oak and the drawers will not fall out of alignment. This store was a great find!

But, I've done too much this weekend. We also bought a day bed for the guest room/library along with a trundle bed so that guests will actually have a place to sleep. That involved a trip to IKEA and that failed. So, we went to The Original Mattress Factory where we've ALWAYS had good luck, and we found what we were looking for there. Here's a picture of the guest bed we purchased:

I've only vomited once today, which is a BIG improvement but I have a feeling it's going to be a rough night. My stomach's decided that it's not finished yet. I'm just so weak. I hate feeling like this.

Oh, and Jesse hung up all of the blinds downstairs in the breakfast nook and the sitting room! Now, I can sit here and read without people peering inside of my house! It's almost becoming home. We're finally putting in the finishing touches! lol

On a sadder note, I just want to feel better. I've been taking motilium which has been helping a lot but you can't get it in the United States even though it's prescribed EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD! We have a very screwed up health care system. I've upped the dosage on the pills according to the instructions. I take two to three pills three times a day. It lets me eat. Although, like clockwork, after two hours I vomit but some of it DOES stay down which is a big improvement over what's happened in the past. I wish that Georgia would allow medical marijuana. I really would like something to make me hungry and allow me to eat and to actually FEEL hungry. The nerve medicine makes me somewhat hungry but not always.

If I'm this weak and tired after a shopping trip to a furniture store, campus is going to kill me. *sigh* That's a problem I still need to deal with. I need to get my doctors to write letters and I need to sit down with my adviser to come up with some sort of plan, if I can make it to campus without vomiting.

I'm seeing the OB/GYN on Tuesday to address my ovarian cyst. I'm scared to go by myself but I'm scared to ask a friend to go with me since, it's a GYN trip but those ultrasounds hurt and they're going to have to do a trans-vaginal ultrasound to confirm the cyst is there.

It was originally picked up by the CT scan my doctor did and I have the paperwork that I'm taking with me. I have a 2.8cm cyst on my left ovary. But, it hasn't even registered because of my gastroparesis and knee issues. Sad, huh? Well, I'm trying to take care of one thing at a time. I'm not sure what the treatment options are for the cyst once they locate it. That's why I want an extra pair of ears with me. I don't always catch everything.

From March until Today

I was diagnosed with gastroparesis at the end of March. I hope this blog will help me keep track of everything and help me to feel better. Now, for some background.

I was hospitalized from March 28, 2012 until April 5, 2012. The doctors preformed a gastric emptying test, after preforming several blood tests, a cat scan (with dye and a barium swallow), and an MRI. All of the other tests came back normal except for elevated lipase levels and an ovarian cyst. The doctors determined that I had liver stones, which would explain the lipase levels.

My symptoms came out of nowhere. I couldn't keep food down, not even water. I was so sick and dehydrated that they admitted me to the hospital right away. I had a pretty good hospital experience until the night before I was released. I should explain.

I am a very hard stick and I have no veins left. I am usually a pretty good sport as I'm not scared of needles in any way but keep in mind that I've had a right elbow surgery, a left and right knee surgery, my appendix out, and my gallbladder out. I've also had several nerve blocks for my knee. So, with all of these surgeries comes lots of scar tissue. I don't have a lot in the way of veins anymore. When the nurse came in to change my infiltrated IV, she had to use a sonogram machine to find another vein. Then, she hit a nerve while trying to find a vein for my IV. I screamed. I've never screamed so loudly. I sobbed for hours. That had to be the worst shooting pain I've ever experienced. Remember that I had been in the hospital for a week before this, so I was bruised and sore everywhere. This event just exacerbated that. As it turns out, I found out later, I didn't even need the IV anymore. She was poking me based on the charge nurse's instructions. The charge nurse was later reprimanded by my very angry doctor. My blood pressure went down from 154/112 to 120/82 with fluids and medication. I always have high blood pressure when I'm in a lot of pain.

I was hospitalized again, overnight, on May 25th to May 26th. I received more fluids, pain and anti nausea medicine. My blood pressure was 150/111, and was still high when I left.

Well, yesterday I had my first colonoscopy. The doctor wanted to make sure that everything was normal and that I didn't have any other issues hiding like Crohn's Disease. Everything turned out to be normal. However, the anesthesia caused me to sleep all day. My blood pressure was high again but back down to 120/80 after I received fluids and medication.

One of my biggest problems is not being able to keep anything down, not even water. I can't keep my medicine down or food. I feel like I'm being conditioned not to eat because every time I do, it burns in my stomach horribly and then it feels like I've been sucker punched in the stomach. The pain is so intense and then I start throwing up. I HATE throwing up. I try not to, but this is persistent. Also, it's usually stomach acid, which irritates and burns my throat. Even the smell of food triggers it. I'm not sure what to do about it. I've been on a gluten free diet for a few months and that does help, but not enough. I eat bland, easy to digest foods. Lately, I've been on a liquids only diet because it's the only thing I can stomach. When I do manage to digest and keep down food, it stays in my stomach up to five days.

The doctor I'm seeing now is making me see a motility specialist. I'm scared that I may need a severe treatment like the pacemaker or a gastric bypass and worst case - a feeding tube. None of the "solutions" to this problem are really solutions. They are so life changing that I want to make sure before I attempt any of them. However, I am getting quite desperate. I miss food. I love cooking, it relaxes me and I can't even do that anymore. I can't play my favorite zombie games either, because I'll get motion sick. I haven't been able to leave my house (bathroom) to even go on a short car ride to the pharmacy. I feel like I'm on house arrest, almost. The antinausea meds, I'm taking phenergan AND zofran, aren't really helping. I'm on Levsin now, too. The doctor didn't want me to take Reglan because of all of the side effects.

I'm mainly just stressed out because I don't know what the future will hold for me. I feel like I've had so many tests and they always come out normal even though I know what's going on with me is far from normal. I have lost about 15 pounds and counting. My stomach is swollen and I'm consistently and constantly in pain. The pain gets overlooked by my doctors because the pain medicine they could give me would slow down digestion more and the nausea is a problem that needs to be controlled first. I hope this medicine helps.