Researchers Develop A Wearable Twenty-Four Hour GI Tract Monitor

My friend Kendall brought this to my attention. I thought it was an interesting monitoring system, and less invasive than other GI tests. I do not know much about this topic, but I was happy to learn about it as I go. However, there will be a lot of citing, since I have no personal experience with this test. The twenty-four hour GI Tract Monitor articles were released last year, but without Kendal, I would not be aware of this test. So, I want to thank her again.



According to MobiHealthNews,

"UCSD Researchers Develop Wearable, 24-hour GI tract monitor
By Laura LovettMarch 26, 2018


Good news for Winnie-the-Pooh — a new wearable device may be able to track exactly what that rumble in his tummy is.

Now a wearable device, developed by researchers at the GI Innovation Group out of the University of California San Diego, can track electrical activity in the stomach over a 24-hour period. The device works similarly to how an ECG would work for the heart, but instead it monitors the electrical activities of gastrointestinal tract.

In a recent study published by Scientific Reports, researchers found that the device was able collect data comparable to the clinical gold-standard, which is currently an invasive procedure.

'Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach, intestines, etc) are one of the most common complaints in modern medicine,' Armen Gharibans, the paper's first author and a bioengineering postdoctoral researcher at the University of California San Diego, wrote to MobiHealthNews in an email. 'Oftentimes, symptoms cannot be attributed to a medical condition despite appropriate workup. These disorders fall under the umbrella of functional disorders and make up more than 50 percent of patient referrals to GI specialists. There is an unmet need for new technologies in gastroenterology, especially ones that can monitor the patient outside of the clinic since GI activity and symptoms can vary greatly day to day. We believe the technology we're developing can facilitate better understanding of the pathophysiology of these functional GI disorders and lead to novel and more targeted therapies.'

Right now there are limited resources for monitoring GI conditions, forcing many to go to specialized centers for treatment, according to the study.

The new device is made up of a 3D-printed box that holds the electronics and battery and connects to 10 wearable electrodes. It works as an electrogastrogram (EGG) monitor, and was made from store-bought electrodes that are typically used in ECGs, according to a statement. EGGs often have technological issues including inconsistent results from a single-channel measurement and signal artifacts, which can make it difficult to interpret, according to the study. Researchers aimed to remedy this by using a multi-channel system and artifact removal signal processing methods.

Researchers also developed a smartphone app to where patients can log their activity, bowel movements, sleep, and symptoms. The data from smartphone is then synced with the device data for real-time feedback to the users, according to Gharibans.

In the study, 11 children and one adult tested the device. The children included three males and eight females, aged seven to 17 years with a median BMI of 19. Researchers said that they studied the device on more girls than boys because indigestion is more common among females.

The study participants underwent an antroduodenal manometry where a flexible catheter placed in the participant's nose monitors pressure in the antrum of the stomach. This procedure is commonly used to study the GI tract.

Simultaneously, the participants were fitted with the EGG device, with the electrodes were placed over the stomach. Researchers then recorded the results of both the manometry and the EGG results, and found that their device yielded an increase of 0.56 in the mean correlation coefficient between EGG and the manometry method.

'Our approach is noninvasive, easy to administer, and has promise to widen the scope of populations with GI disorders for which clinicians can screen patients, diagnose disorders, and refine treatments objectively,' the researchers wrote.

The GI Innovation Group is continuing to work on the product but are still in the research phase, which includes collecting more data from patients, understanding limitations, and improving the analysis method, according to Gharibans.

'We would like to eventually bring it to market, so we are actively exploring business opportunities and applying for small business grants to allow us to further develop and miniaturize the technology,' Gharibans wrote.

In the future, Gharibans said the device could monitor a number of GI-related issues, including some very common conditions that impact a large subset of the US population.

'Since our technology is focused on the stomach, the two main GI conditions that this could really help monitor are functional dyspepsia and gastroparesis,' Gharibans wrote. 'Functional dyspepsia (i.e., chronic upset stomach) is reported by up to 20 percent of children and adolescents and is predicted to affect 20 percent to 40 percent of all the US population at least once in their lifetime. Gastroparesis, characterized by delayed gastric emptying in the absence of a mechanical obstruction, affects four percent of the US population, including 70 percent of Parkinson’s patients and 50 percent of diabetes patients. Both of these conditions are under-diagnosed and under-managed'"

Image Source: HERE







According to Science Daily,

"Researchers have developed a wearable system to monitor stomach activity that performs as well as current state of the art methods but can be used outside of a clinical setting. The system also comes with an app that allows patients to log their meals, sleep and other activities.

Credit: University of California San Diego



A team of researchers has developed a wearable, non-invasive system to monitor electrical activity in the stomach over 24 hours -- essentially an electrocardiogram but for the gastro-intestinal (GI) tract.

Applications include monitoring GI activity for patients outside of a clinical setting, which cuts down costs. Monitoring for longer periods of time also increases the likelihood of capturing abnormal events.

Researchers detail their findings in the March 22 issue of Nature's open access journal Scientific Reports.

The team tested the device, a 3D printed portable box connected to 10 small wearable electrodes, on 11 children and one adult volunteer. They found that data collected with the wearable system were comparable to data collected in the clinic with state-of-the-art methods, which are invasive -- including a catheter inserted through the patient's nose. They also found that the stomach's electrical activity changes not only around meals, but also during sleep, following its own circadian rhythm.

'We think our system will spark a new kind of medicine, where a gastroenterologist can quickly see where and when a part of the GI tract is showing abnormal rhythms and as a result make more accurate, faster and personalized diagnoses,' said Armen Gharibans, the paper's first author and a bioengineering postdoctoral researcher at the University of California San Diego.

Todd Coleman, the paper's corresponding author and a UC San Diego professor of bioengineering, agrees.

'This work opens the door accurately monitoring the dynamic activity of the GI system' he said. 'Until now, it was quite challenging to accurately measure the electrical patterns of stomach activity in a continuous manner, outside of a clinical setting. From now on, we will be able to observe patterns and analyze them in both healthy and unwell people as they go about their daily lives.'

Physicians involved with the study say the device meets an unmet clinical need.

'This will help us determine if the stomach is functioning properly during meals and -- most importantly -- when patients are experiencing symptoms such as nausea and belly pain,' said Dr. David Kunkel, one of the paper's co-authors and a gastroenterologist at UC San Diego Health.

The breakthrough was made possible because engineers and physicians came together to work on the problem, said Benjamin Smarr, one of the paper's co-authors and a chronobiologist at UC Berkeley.





Better algorithms

The researchers' biggest challenge was designing algorithms that recognize and boost the stomach's electrical signals amid noise and artifacts. This is especially difficult to do because the stomach's electrical signals are 10 times weaker than the heart's, making them harder to capture and analyze.

Researchers harnessed the signal processing expertise in Coleman's research group to develop a sophisticated algorithmic pipeline that can clean up the data and separate out abdominal muscle activity (for example when a person walks), heart beats and gastric activity, into different bands of signals that do not overlap. As a result, clinicians can examine each signal individually and compare it to others.





The device and testing

The device itself uses off-the-shelf electrodes used in electrocardiograms. The electronics and battery are encased in a 3D printed box and connected to the electrodes, which fit on a person's abdomen just over the stomach.

The researchers worked with Dr. Hayat Mousa and tested the device on 11 pediatric patients at Rady Children's Hospital in San Diego. These patients had been undergoing an invasive procedure called manometry, one of a couple clinical gold standards for objectively monitoring GI tract activity. The procedure requires using a catheter inserted through the nose to measure pressure at several points inside the stomach. Comparing the two methods showed that data collected by the wearable device was robust and reliable.

'I have been practicing pediatric gastroenterology and taking care of patients for 20 years,' Dr. Mousa said. 'The only method to assess gastrointestinal motility involves placing motility catheters in the GI tracts while kids are sedated or under general anesthesia. It has been a long journey discussing the benefits of doing such an invasive procedure with my patients and their families. My challenge has always been finding a test that offers a non-invasive assessment of the enteric nervous system and its connection with brain function.'

'The technique outlined in this paper is the best way to evaluate children with motility and functional GI disorders,' Dr. Mousa added. 'It provides the information without need for sedation and it offers the flexibility to monitor kids while they continue their daily activities. This procedure allows convenience without compromising accuracy. In addition, it offers the option to assess the brain-gut response to therapeutic interventions including biofeedback and neuromodulation.'

The system is currently paired with a smart phone app that allows patients to log their meals, sleep and other activities. The long-term goal is to design an app that would allow patients and physicians to see the data collected by the device in real time.

'This is analogous to going from switchboard operators straight to smart phones for gastroenterology,' Smarr said.

GI problems, such as delayed emptying of the stomach, are common in patients with diabetes and Parkinson's. This technology could improve the management of these conditions.

Healthy people could also benefit from using the device. For example, competitive athletes and their coaches could monitor GI activity to figure out the best time for meals, especially while traveling across different time zones. Pregnant women suffering from heartburn and other GI problems could use it to monitor the stomach's activity before, during and after meals, as would the elderly. '
'Changes to digestion and gastric health are hallmarks of two understudied processes: aging and pregnancy," UC Berkeley's Smarr said. 'One of our hopes is that this technology will allow us to quantify the changes that happen during these critical periods in life. They affect the vast majority of humanity, and will now be possible to study what's going on, and build predictive, personal medical applications based on getting ahead of bad changes.'

The research was funded by Larry Smarr, UC San Diego Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and founding director of the California Institute for Telecommunications and Information Technology (or Calit2), through his Harry E. Gruber endowed chair funds.




Story Source:

Materials provided by University of California - San Diego. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

Armen A. Gharibans, Benjamin L. Smarr, David C. Kunkel, Lance J. Kriegsfeld, Hayat M. Mousa, & Todd P. Coleman. Artifact Rejection Methodology Enables Continuous, Noninvasive Measurement of Gastric Myoelectric Activity in Ambulatory Subjects. Scientific Reports, 2018 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-23302-9


Citation:

University of California - San Diego. 'A wearable system to monitor the stomach's activity throughout the day.' ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180322134302.htm (accessed April 6, 2019)."

Image Source: HERE

Information to Help the Newly Diagnosed and to Help Family/Friends Understand Gastroparesis

I have written a series of articles over the years but wanted to put them together, sort them, if you will, so that they would be much easier to get to. I wanted to put them all together in a post to help people find the information they may need right at the moment, so they do not have to hunt through 200 posts. All you have to do is click on the bold, capital letters to reach the articles listed below.


Information to Help Family and Friends Understand Gastroparesis (GP):

TO THE LOVED ONES OF A PERSON DEALING WITH CHRONIC PAIN. This article helps those who may never have experienced chronic pain to understand it.

A LETTER FROM A GPER TO A FRIEND/FAMILY MEMBER. This is to help friends and family understand what it's like living with Gastroparesis.

ADVICE FOR CAREGIVERS WHO WITNESS LOVED ONES SUFFERING FROM GASTROPARESIS. This article is self explanatory. It gives those who take care of GPers advice on how to handle things and what to do/what not to do. It's very helpful.

THE DIFFERENT TESTS TO DIAGNOSE GASTROPARESIS. This is an article that goes through the different tests that can be used to diagnose Gastroparesis, if someone you love is having these symptoms, please call a GI right away. The GI can preform a test or more than one of these tests to confirm the diagnosis.

WHEN TELLING SOMEONE THEY LOOK GREAT BECOMES AN INSULT. This article goes into detail on how telling someone who is chronically ill, especially with GP, that looking great can be an insult. It's a very good article.

HOW TO DEAL WITH THE SITUATION, "BUT YOU DON'T LOOK SICK!" This article goes into detail about how people who say we don't look sick, even though they might mean well, of how it does more harm than good. Some people do not realize this and think that they're being helpful, or even nice. The article goes into detail about why it's a bad thing to say.

RESOURCES TO EXPLAIN DTP/GP OR A CHRONIC ILLNESS TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS. This article goes into detail of trying to explain having Gastroparesis/DTP and/or any chronic illness to family and friends. It tries to explain it in a way that healthy people can understand, because I feel, personally, unless you've been there, it's a bit hard to understand. I wanted to try and find a way to get others to understand because I am tired of being doubted. You shouldn't have to fight your family and friends when you already fight with doctors, nurses, etc. There's just not enough energy for that.

ADVOCACY FOR PATIENTS AND FAMILY/FRIENDS OF A CHRONICALLY ILL PATIENT. This article explains how you and your family should be your advocate when navigating the healthcare system. Sometimes, we are too sick to fight for ourselves, and having someone there with you to help you makes a difference. It gives a lot of pointers on how to be your own advocate as well.

A DOCTOR'S ADVICE TO THOSE WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS. This article will help you but I think it will also help your family and friends who do not suffer from a chronic illness to understand one.

GASTROPARESIS PATIENTS VS DRUG SEEKERS. This article explains the difference between drug seekers/addicts and people suffering from Gastroparesis and other chronic illnesses which cause pain. It helps the reader to understand the difference. People who suffer from chronic pain, whether it's from nerve damage or other reasons, constantly have to defend themselves in Emergency Rooms, to doctors, to office staff, to family members, and to friends. It's exhausting, especially when we didn't ask for a chronic illness or chronic pain.

GASTROPARESIS VS EATING DISORDERS. This article tells the difference between having an eating disorder and Gastroparesis. I have talked to a lot of GPers (people with Gastroparesis) and they have told me at one time or another, that they were accused of having an eating disorder and was refused treatment. In high school, when I was sick and before I knew what I had, I was accused of pregnancy and then an eating disorder. Some people did get gastroparesis through eating disorders as well. However, I do not think they should be punished nor should we all be punished and refused treatment because of this terrible invisible chronic illness. I am going to share some stories with you that brave women have sent me. Because, they deserve to be heard and the world needs to hear them. They won't be invisible anymore.

GASTROPARESIS VS EATING DISORDERS PART DEUX. This article compares Eating Disorders to Gastroparesis, and the differences between each but there are some similarities, so I can understand why people may be confused between the two. Hopefully, this article will help you be able to tell the difference.

A COLLECTION OF GASTROPARESIS STUDIES AND RESEARCH. This is a collection of studies and research I could find that is currently being done on Gastroparesis. We hope to get more awareness out there so more will be done.


GASTROPARESIS: THE DIFFERENT WAYS IT EFFECTS THE BODY. "There are many kinds of Gastroparesis, many faces of Gastroparesis, and because everyone is different, it is hard to diagnose and treat. I, myself, have had Gastroparesis since about 2000 after an appendix surgery but was officially diagnosed in 2012. I do vomit, but that doesn't make my Gastroparesis more than someone who does not vomit, or my Gastroparesis less than someone who may have a feeding tube. There are also people who gain weight with Gastroparesis. However, Gastroparesis is Gastroparesis. It does not matter how much you weigh, because that does not mean that you are not malnourished or that you are not vitamin deficient. The Vagus Nerve is still damaged."

Image Source: Melissa M.





Resources for the Newly Diagnosed:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING GASTROPARESIS. This article contains frequently asked questions regarding gastroparesis and answers to those questions. These are questions I see a lot in groups and on my pages, so I thought I would answer them.

ADVICE FOR THE NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH GASTROPARESIS/DTP. This article contains more resources for those who have been newly diagnosed with Gastroparesis/DTP.

YOU'VE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH GP, NOW WHAT? This article gives resources like the Gastroparesis diet, support groups, and other important things to know about Gastroparesis.

THE GASTROPARESIS DIET & RECIPE HELP/IDEAS. This article was written to help those who have been diagnosed and need to change their dietary needs to accompany the illness that invades their digestive systems. The link to this article is definitely in the articles above, for the newly diagnosed. I have collected no just friendly Gastroparesis food recipes, but also recipes for juicing and smoothies. Unfortunately, it is trial and error for everyone, because everyone's GP is different. You just have to find what works for you. There are also support groups for people who have GP who swap recipes and help each other. Additionally, I have uploaded documents containing information about the Gastroparesis diet that the Mayo Clinic gave me.

GASTROPARESIS' EFFECTS ON DENTAL HEALTH. This article goes into what causes dental issues for Gastroparesis warriors. It explores what causes tooth decay, because many GPers lose their teeth, break teeth, and have horrible cavities. There are a variety of factors from vomiting up stomach acid to stripped enamel.

GASTROPARESIS; THE DIFFERENT WAY IT EFFECTS THE BODY. "There are many kinds of Gastroparesis, many faces of Gastroparesis, and because everyone is different, it is hard to diagnose and treat. I, myself, have had Gastroparesis since about 2000 after an appendix surgery but was officially diagnosed in 2012. I do vomit, but that doesn't make my Gastroparesis more than someone who does not vomit, or my Gastroparesis less than someone who may have a feeding tube. There are also people who gain weight with Gastroparesis. However, Gastroparesis is Gastroparesis. It does not matter how much you weigh, because that does not mean that you are not malnourished or that you are not vitamin deficient. The Vagus Nerve is still damaged." This article takes a loot into what Gastroparesis actually is and what causes it before it goes in depth about the different types of Gastroparesis.

THE MANY CAUSES OF GASTROPARESIS & TREATMENT OPTIONS. Disclaimer: There is NO cure for gastroparesis. A lot of people and groups will try to sell things or involve you in a ponzi scheme to sell "cures" to desperate people. If there was a cure, it would be readily available and publicized. I can promise doctors would have given the cure to friends of mine whom have passed. I decided to do an article exploring what causes Gastroparesis. I have been asked this a lot by newly diagnosed Gastroparesis Warriors, and I was curious to see if anything has changed, especially given all of the awareness to this illness that the wonderful members of the GP Community have dedicated themselves to in the past few years. I also wanted to have an article written about what causes Gastroparesis, so that people who are having symptoms of this illness, can have something to refer back to so that the doctor will know what tests to run. If you think you might have Gastroparesis, definitely talk to your Gastroenterologist. You should always consult your doctor if you have questions/concerns. However, if you feel like the advice is not right for you, go in for a second opinion somewhere else. You know your body better than anyone else does.

A COLLECTION OF GASTROPARESIS MEDICAL STUDIES. I like to stay on top of research into Gastroparesis, and that includes medical studies and clinical trials. I like to see how they are faring so that I can see if there's better treatment options on the horizon. I wanted to share my findings with anyone who reads my blog. I believe in hope. I know that sounds odd, but I do. I think hope is powerful. I hold onto hope for better treatments to help millions of people. I know one day we will get there.

GASTROPARESIS MEDICAL STUDIES UPDATE; JOIN AND/OR KEEP UP WITH THE CLINICAL TRIALS.. There are clinical trials being held by The National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases. There are also other studies that show to be promising regarding medication to help with the cramps, among other things, of Gastroparesis. It all looks really hopeful.

HOW TO OBTAIN DOMPERIDONE. Unfortunately, it is not really prescribed here anymore. So, I uploaded the printout that the DEA has on Domperidone and more information about it.

PROGRESSIONAL TIMELINE OF GASTROPARESIS/EDS/DYSAUTONOMIA. This is a request for timelines for those who have been diagnosed with GP/DTP, EDS, and Dysautonomia. I want to do some research and compare timelines between people to see if I can spot a pattern. Hopefully, I can compile enough research to give it to a doctor/researcher who can take the idea and go from there. I thought it would be an interesting project because I know most of my friends diagnosed with GP suffer from EDS and Dysautonomia too. I am curious to see if there's a connection there but I need a large sample size to see if there is.

THE GASTRIC STIMULATOR PART I - PERSONAL STORIES FROM REAL PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SURGERY. This article contains personal stories from those who have Gastroparesis and have gotten the gastric stimulator/pacemaker surgery to help them eat. On a side note, there is a group that is composed of people who have had the surgery and are able to answer any questions you might have, and it's important to do your own research and ask questions before a major surgery like this. However, keep in mind that everyone is different when it comes to Gastroparesis. The group is listed below in the Resources article and this article.

INFORMATION ON THE VAGUS NERVE. This article goes into detail about the vagus nerve, what it controls and where it runs through your body. The article also has links to the "Vagus Nerve Stimulator" and "The Brain in Your Gut."

THE GASTRIC BYPASS, THE SLEEVE, AND GP. This article goes into detail about the gastric bypass and sleeve, along with personal stories of those with gastroparesis who had these surgeries. I did a year's worth of research into the gastric bypass, because my GI kept insisting that it would help me. However, I decided it was not for me after speaking to GP friends who had it done, and the they experienced horrifying issues. I did upload all of the paperwork that I was asked to fill out, so you understand the procedure you are committing to.

AN NJ TUBE STORY BY ALLEY. This article is written by a guest blogger and my friend, Alley. She writes about what it's like living with an NJ tube.

GP SURVIVAL COMMANDMENTS. This article was one I wrote after I polled people in support groups on what they wished they had been told these things (the things listed in the blog article) when they were first diagnosed.

GASTROPARESIS: KNOW THE FACTORS FOR THIS MYSTERIOUS STOMACH CONDITION. This article goes on to explain Gastroparesis, "As diabetes cases skyrocket, another condition called gastroparesis is rapidly becoming a more common diagnosis. It reduces the ability of the stomach to empty its contents but does not involve a blockage. Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, bloating and chronic abdominal pain are the hallmark symptoms, according to gastroenterologist Michael Cline, DO."

RELAXING AND BREATHING TECHNIQUES FROM THE MAYO CLINIC. I uploaded pages that the Mayo Clinic gave me to teach me how to relax my breathing. It helps during panic attacks but it also helps after you vomit, because it helps to regulate your breathing.

GASTROPARESIS RESOURCES & ONLINE GROUPS. This is a link to all kinds of resources for Gastroparesis, including support groups, blogs, Pinterests, etc. A great article to help you, and it is constantly updated with new groups and information about Gastroparesis.

THE BRAIN IN YOUR GUT. The stomach makes most of your serotonin. So, what happens when you have Gastroparesis and your motility is decreased?








If you are having issues describing Gastroparesis to someone else, this might help as well:

Source: unknown



THE IMPACT OF VITAMIN DEFICIENCIES. This article dives into the different vitamin deficiencies and the symptoms for each. If you notice any of these symptoms, please call your doctor immediately. It is easy for people like us to have low vitamins because we cannot eat like "normal" people.

INFORMATION ABOUT MALNUTRITION. This article explores the symptoms of malnutrition, what causes it, how it effects us, and the treatment for it. This, and vitamin deficiencies, are VERY serious! Please call your doctor if you have the issues outlined in this article.

POOP - WHAT THE DIFFERENT COLORS AND SMELLS MEAN. A lot of people are embarrassed to ask this question when something isn't right. However, this article contains charts and sources to help you figure out what is going on. It is NOT a substitution for medical advice from your doctor. You should always call your doctor if you feel like something is wrong or not like it should be. But, for those of you who have questions, this article will help you and maybe even help you write down questions to take with you to the doctor.

DUMPING SYNDROME. This is an article explaining dumping syndrome; What it is, what causes it, and goes into details about it. I have experienced it first hand, when my stomach wants to empty all at once because the bile doesn't have a lot of places to go. It has cited sources, like all of my articles, so that you can read from the source and write down any questions you may have for the doctor.

INSPIRATION AND HOW TO KEEP YOUR MARRIAGE STRONG DURING A CHRONIC ILLNESS. Marriage is hard enough as it is without adding a chronic illness into the mix. However, life happens. This article will give you some pointers on how to keep your marriage strong when your chronically sick.

BRAIN FOG: WHAT IT IS,CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, AND TREATMENTS. "Whenever someone experiences forgetfulness, feels utterly confused while tying up thoughts, or has disorganized thinking, or has inability to focus or is hard pressed to put their thoughts into words, they are experiencing brain fog."

HOW GP/DTP - PAIN EMOTIONALLY AND PHYSICALLY. This article describes and gives suggestions on how to cope with pain related to Gastroparesis and Digestive Tract Paralysis (DTP). It was compiled from suggestions given by other warriors who are fighting the same fight.

HOW TO STAY MOTIVATED. It is really easy to lose pleasure in things you once loved, and it's hard to look on the bright side when you're constantly sick. However, this article will give some ideas about keeping motivated, even during the worst of times. You're NOT alone!

HOW TO STAY POSITIVE, ESPECIALLY IN DIFFICULT SITUATIONS. This article is a lot like the article above. It gives ideas and ways to stay positive, even when the world seems so bleak because you're constantly sick.

FEELING GOOD WHEN YOU'RE FEELING DOWN. This article gives pointers on how to stay positive and feel good when you become depressed. We all get really sad every now and then, especially when we're overwhelmed and tired. This article gives some tips that might help. But, if you feel really down all of the time, you need to talk to your doctor.

HANDLING HOLIDAYS WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS. The holidays are coming up and this article gives tips on how to get through the holidays with a chronic illness like Gastroparesis, because almost or all of our holidays are centered around food.

INFORMATION ABOUT GASTROPARESIS AND TRAVELING WITH GP. This article will give you information on what Gastroparesis is, what causes it, and traveling information. I obtained in depth handouts from the Mayo Clinic and uploaded them for everyone. The article has information from Mayo on how to travel with Gastroparesis, and a link to an article on traveling with a feeding tube. It also has a link to the Gastroparesis diet.

SOCIALIZING WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS. It is extremely hard to socialize with a chronic illness, but it can be done thanks to modern technology! "Socializing is hard enough when you are a healthy, human being. You could be shy or nervous to talk to others. However, with a chronic, invisible illness, it's even harder. Imagine having that nervousness and shyness leading to vomiting, intestinal spasms, bloating, and many other things but the main culprit is fatigue." To find out how to get around that, you'll have to read the article!

HOW TO FEEL SEXY OR HAVE SEX WITH A CHRONIC ILLNESS. I've gotten this question a few times but people are too embarrassed to ask it, usually. I decided to write an article on it that might help.

PREGNANCY AND GASTROPARESIS. I've gotten this question a lot too, so I consulted people who have been pregnant with gp, and wrote an article to help those who may be thinking of getting pregnant but worried about their GP.

THE GRIEVING PROCESS FOR A CHRONIC ILLNESS AND HOW TO OVERCOME IT. People go through a mourning process once they are diagnosed with a chronic illness because the things they could do before, they might not be able to do now. Your old life is dead, and you mourn it as you go on with your new life. This article will help with that.

SUICIDE AND CHRONIC ILLNESS. This is an important article because a lot of people with chronic illnesses go through depression. It's important to know when to ask for help and this article is to help prevent more suicides because of chronic illnesses.

LOSING A LOVED ONE TO A CHRONIC ILLNESS AND HOW TO HANDLE THE GRIEF. I've lost a lot of friends because of complications due to their chronic illnesses. This article will help you on how to handle grief in a healthy way. Death is a part of life. Just please know when you need to ask for help.

Source: A friend of mine made these a few years ago for Gastroparesis Awareness Month in August.

Pregnancy and Gastroparesis

I am featuring a series of guest bloggers to blog about things that I don't have personal experience with, who can better answer your questions. A lot of questions that I've received recently have to do with GP and Pregnancy. I don't have any experience with this but thankfully, I had two women offer to share their different stories with you and try to alleviate any questions that you have about pregnancy regarding GP. There is a group on Facebook, Pregnancy and GP, that might be able to help you and answer your questions there as well. It can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GPSexandPregnancy.


These two, brave ladies are willing to share their experiences with you. If you have any further questions, please leave it in the comments so that they can answer them for you. I am grateful for all of my guest bloggers, for tackling the issues that I feel are important. I'm very grateful for their stories and I hope that you have a good read!

Image taken from http://pregnancycmwa.files.wordpress.com/2013/05/pregnancy-happy-face.jpg



My Pregnacy with GP
by: Julienne Floetke

I have had Gastroparesis for 6 years now. I was able to get pregnant very easily (which is such a blessing, I know it's not easy for everyone). I had a miscarriage with my first pregnancy last year and am 25 weeks pregnant right now. I was incredibly scared to get pregnant because of the GP. With my first pregnancy, I stopped taking the medicine I was on (Nortriptyline) due to the risks. It was extremely difficult coming off the medicine, but I didn't really have a choice. I chose not to go back on the medicine so that when I got pregnant again, I wouldn't have to worry about it. (I had surgery and had to wait 8 months to try again).

The first 17 weeks of this pregnancy were extremely challenging. I have never felt so sick in my life. I did not understand how there were so many people in this world and why people would continue to have babies if it was like that for everyone. It has definitely improved and my thoughts have also changed.

Seeing my little baby and feeling her move around is so worth the pain and struggles that go along with being pregnant and having GP. I've heard of many people getting better while they are pregnant though, so my story isn't the only way it could go!

Every pregnancy is different. I am still taking Zofran every night to prevent vomiting from morning sickness. I was scared about getting pregnant, but my want of being a mom overruled those feelings. Every day is different with pregnancy, just as it sometimes is with GP.

I've never thought about giving GP to her because no one else in my family has it. I never really thought of it as genetic, which it could be, I don't know. If she does get it though, I've learned so much through my journey I would hope to be able to help her. I pray that she is perfect and healthy though, of course.
I have mentioned on the forum before that I struggle really bad with vitamins. I've always gotten sick with vitamins so trying the prenatal, the prenatals without iron, the gummy prenatals, and Flintstones have taken a toll on my stomach.

I feel EXTREMELY guilty that I haven't taken vitamins (even a little consistently) since I was 8 weeks pregnant. I was trying to eat better to get more nutrients, but that went down the drain when I had a flare and then got kidney stones.

I have researched online about people not taking vitamins and everything pretty much seems negative. I hate not being strong enough to take them every day or even once a week. I feel like I'm failing and that is not a good feeling. I feel like I would do a better job of taking care of her outside of my body at this point. I'm praying she comes out healthy and well nourished. That's all I can do sometimes.

Kidney stones with bowel issues aren't very fun either, but because I deal with pain every day with my stomach, I just use my tactics to get through it. I try not to take Tylenol because I feel like that is something I do have control of and I just work through it. I get very down about having Gastroparesis and feel like it's extremely unfair to have to work so hard at things people can do without a problem. But I cry and get it out and focus on the things I can control.

Being chronically ill makes everything a challenge, and pregnancy is no different. However, those of us with GP are a rare breed. We are strong. Our bodies were made to have babies and I have trust in my body that it will do what it needs to in order to get her earth side healthy and whole. Thanks for listening!





My Pregnancy Story
By: Melinda Horne

I had two kids with GP (gastroparesis) but I did not know that I had GP at the time. During my first pregnancy, the most difficult part was getting pregnant. We tried for nine years before finally succeeding, and we had two early miscarriages before that and both were before eight weeks along.

We spent years having test and seeing fertility doctors with no real explanation as to why we could not get pregnant. I did know that I had PCOS (Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome) but found that I was ovulating every month with no luck.

The month we found out we were pregnant, the doctor was just as confused as us, as the test showed we did not ovulate that month. Clearly, it was wrong.

My pregnancy was pretty normal aside from the fact that I vomited twenty-four seven, and at two months pregnant, I left work because I couldn't work newspaper hours on no sleep/no energy. I couldn't even answer the phone at work as I was always in the bathroom.

One day I fell asleep at work at my desk and after that day I did not go back. I knew when the baby came that I would have to stop working at the newspaper, as both parents can't work 12 hour days anyway. I did better at home with the vomiting because I could lay down when nausea hit hard.

The last month was bad so the doctor put me on Phenergan and it worked but it also made me sleep for long periods of time, like twelve to eighteen hours. I only woke up to drink protein/meal shakes. I was obese and gained only eight pounds with her during the pregnancy.

I delivered vaginally in only eight hours (lucky for me since the epidural didn't work even after being stuck 5 times we never found the right spot), record time for a first pregnancy. She was an ounce shy of being 7 lbs and completely healthy.

About two years later we decided to try again and it only took us six months to get pregnant. I was still sick this time but learned from the first pregnancy not to eat certain heavy foods that did not stay down, and to supplement this with a lot of meal replacement shakes and soft foods.

I didn't have any complications until 29 weeks when we discovered that I had a slow amnio leak and was forced to drink 72 ounces of water a day. I lived in the bathroom. At about 32 weeks, my water level was low. So from that point on, we went to hospital twice a week to check fluid levels, and to have a bpp (bio-pyschical profile) and non stress test. My doctor kept a close eye on us. We got a lot of looks at the baby and everyone said that the baby would be a girl.

At 34 weeks, while having a bpp (bio-psychical profile), while we looked at baby's breathing and took measurements, the tech and I discovered that it's actually a boy!

A week later at my bpp and stress test didn't score well. They did a more in depth ultrasound and the baby was not growing much. My fluid level was low, 10 is a good fluid level and 5 is danger zone, mine was 1.2. The doctor said they would have to treat me like my water broke and deliver me.

My body wasn't really ready and induction is long and painful. I delivered him the next day vaginally, without any major problems. He was born and weighed 5 lbs 7 ounces, and was small but healthy. We found out his lungs and everything was developed. He stayed with me and then went home with me after a few days.

I would highly recommend a good doctor that deals with high risk patients and babies. I am convinced that the doctor is why my son did so well. Being diagnosed with GP, I would want a doctor that at least was willing to listen to concerns and make sure you get the medical care you need while pregnant with GP, even if that means dealing with your GI doctor to manage you.