Fall Quarterly Newsletter Edition
Gastroparesis Patient Association for Cures and Treatments, Inc.
G-PACT

Topics Include:

Special News:

-New Programs in G-PACT

-Volunteers Needed

-FDA and Zelnorm
 

Department News:

Services To Help You:

-Overview of Services

General Information:

-G-PACT Personnel

-G-PACT Office Information

-Disclaimer

Click here to subscribe or unsubscribe.
Click here to forward this email to a friend.

The staff at G-PACT would like to take this opportunity to thank many of you who have been with us for a long time and have been strong advocates for G-PACT.  We also would like to welcome all new families who have recently become acquainted with G-PACT because they, a family member or a friend has been diagnosed with Gastroparesis. 

Special News

On August 23, 2006, G-PACT celebrated it's 6th anniversary! due to the mountain of obstacles that have come in our way over the past six years, we consider this to be quite a success!!  

G-PACT'S President continues to recover

Carissa Haston, President of G-PACT has been steadily recovering from her 5 organ transplant on March 13th, 2006. Carissa has been doing remarkably well with exception of a few unexpected issues this past month.  Her doctors are currently working with her and her parents as they make preparations for her discharge and her return to her home in Lewisberry, PA.  There is much to consider and will not happen over night but even the thought of hearing the words are so exciting. For those who want to, you can follow her progress at: http://tinyurl.com/rmvjh

In addition, expenses for Carissa's transplants and future care are mounting.  To offset some of the costs, an account has been started at the National Transplant Assistance Fund.  To view Carissa's information, visit: http://tinyurl.com/ljk5b

Update on G-PACT

As Carissa continues with her recovery from her transplant and the passing of our Vice President we ask for your continued support and understanding while we are working on updating our website as time and health allow.  We will continue with our newsletter with any updates as they become available.

We have prepared the following list to possibly help answer some questions and bring everyone up to date as well as some new information on the horizon for Gastroparesis.

Packets and Brochures

For those who have ordered packets and brochures, unfortunately we are sad to announce

that at this time we do not have any more trifold brochures left, which in one way is good as

that means we have reached many people with the information they were wanting, however

what we have now that we are sending out are 30 page, binded booklets that are a

combination of the information provided in the brochures and packets.  If you wish to

order these booklets please send an email to Carol at pasinkoffc@g-pact.org. 

Please note, this is a correction as to the address that is on the website.

Restaurant Cards
            G-PACT has created personalized medically necessary discount restaurant cards. These
            cards are the size of business cards and give a brief overview of gastroparesis. The cards
            requests that GPers be allowed to order off the child's or senior's menu, share a plate with
            another customer, or receive a substantial discount on another meal due to diet restrictions
            and need for smaller portions.


These are FREE to anyone with GP.  Please send a self addressed stamped envelope to:

G-PACT Restaurant Cards
39-31 A 201 Street

Bayside, NY 11361

Chronic Illness and Depression

Although Gastroparesis is not included in the list of examples of chronic illnesses, it definitely falls in the description.  Because so many patients with Gastroparesis suffer from depression we felt this was a good article to share and hope you feel the same.  If there is an article you would like to share, please send it to Colleen Beener at beenerc@g-pact.org and we will be more than happy to review the article and if possible, include it in our newsletter.

What is a chronic illness?
A chronic illness is an illness that lasts for a very long time and usually cannot be cured completely. However, chronic illnesses often can be controlled through diet, exercise, and certain medicines. Examples of chronic illnesses include diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, kidney disease, HIV/AIDS, lupus, and multiple sclerosis

Why is depression common in people with a chronic illness?
People diagnosed with chronic illnesses must adjust to the demands of the illness itself, as well as to the treatments for their condition. The illness may affect a person’s mobility and independence, and change the way a person lives, sees himself or herself, and/or relates to others. For these reasons, a certain amount of despair and sadness is normal. In some cases, a chronic illness may actually cause depression, which, though treatable, is a serious medical condition by itself.

Depression is one of the most common complications of chronic illness. It is estimated that up to one-third of individuals with a serious medical condition experience symptoms of depression. Depression and illness may occur together because the physical changes associated with the illness trigger the depression, the individual has a psychological reaction to the hardships posed by the illness, or simply as a coincidence.

Which long-term illnesses lead to depression?
Any chronic condition can trigger depression, but the risk increases with the severity of the illness and the level of life disruption it causes. The risk of getting depression is generally 10 to 25 percent for women and 5 to 12 percent for men. However, those with chronic illnesses face a much higher risk -- between 25 and 33 percent.

Depression caused by chronic illness often aggravates the illness, especially if the illness causes pain, fatigue, or disrupts your social life. Depression can intensify pain. It causes fatigue and sluggishness that can worsen the loss of energy associated with these conditions. Depression also tends to make people withdraw into social isolation.

The rate for depression occurring with other medical illnesses is quite high:
Heart attack: 40%-65%
Coronary artery disease (without heart attack): 18%-20%
Parkinson’s disease: 40%
Multiple sclerosis: 40%
Stroke: 10%-27%
Cancer: 25%
Diabetes: 25%

What are the symptoms of depression?
Patients and their family members often overlook the symptoms of depression, assuming that feeling depressed is normal for someone struggling with a serious, chronic illness. Symptoms of depression are also frequently masked by the other medical conditions, resulting in treatment for the symptoms -- but not the underlying cause of -- the depression. It is extremely important to treat both forms of illness at the same time.

Common symptoms of depression include:
Depressed mood or loss of interest or pleasure in daily activities
Significant weight loss or weight gain
Sleep disturbances -- sleeping too much or not able to sleep
Problems with concentration
Apathy (lack of feeling or emotion)
Feelings of worthlessness or guilt
Fatigue or loss of energy
Recurrent thoughts of death or suicide

What can be done to treat depression?
Early diagnosis and treatment for depression can reduce distress, as well as the risk of complications and suicide. People who get treatment for depression that occurs at the same time as a chronic disease often experience an improvement in their overall medical condition, a better quality of life, and are more easily able to stick to their treatment plans.

If the depressive symptoms are related to the physical illness or side effects of medicine, treatment may just need to be adjusted or changed. If the depression is a separate problem, it can be treated on its own. More than 80 percent of people with depression can be treated successfully with medicine, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. Treatment with antidepressant drugs can start to work within a few weeks.

Many antidepressant medicines are available to treat depression. These drugs work by altering the level of certain chemicals in the brain, which are responsible for transferring messages between brain cells.

Psychotherapy, or "therapy" for short, actually refers to a variety of techniques used to treat depression. Psychotherapy involves talking to a licensed professional who helps the depressed person:
 

Focus on the behaviors, emotions, and ideas that contribute to his or her depression.
Understand and identify the life problems or events, such as a major illness, a death in the family, a loss of a job, or a divorce that contribute to depression and help them understand which aspects of those problems they may be able to solve or improve.
Regain a sense of control and pleasure in life. Tips for coping with chronic illness
Depression, disability, and chronic illness form a vicious circle. Chronic illness can bring on bouts of depression, which, in turn, can lead to a run-down physical condition that interferes with successful treatment of the chronic condition. The following are some tips to help you better cope with a chronic illness:

Learn how to live with the physical effects of the illness.
Learn how to deal with the treatments.
Make sure there is clear communication with your doctors.
Try to maintain emotional balance to cope with negative feelings.
Try to maintain confidence and a positive self-image.
Get help as soon as symptoms of depression appear. © Copyright 1995-2005 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved

This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic Health System and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition..

[back to top]

Department News

Fundraising Department

Ongoing Fundraisers- Shop to support G-PACT

Keeping within G-PACT's mission as related above, we are able to do so thanks to you and your help through your donations either

by donating direct at  http://www.g-pact.org/findonations.htm  or by shopping online at one of the following sites where you can make

a purchase and by selecting G-PACT as your charitable organization, a percentage of your purchase will then go to G-PACT.  Depending on which site you shop from the percentage is different but it all helps so it really doesn't matter.

We just appreciate the fact that if you are doing any online shopping that you take the time and visit these sites to see if they have

any items you might be looking for. If so, please consider purchasing the item/items from one of the following sites that we are associated with:

http://www.buyforcharity.com/ 

http://www.cafeshops.com/gpact 

http://currentfun.com/ 

 [back to top]

Services To Help You

Overview of Services

G-PACT is a patient-oriented organization with several programs to assist GP sufferers everywhere!  Here are some of the program we offer:

Meet a GPer

This program allows patients to find others just like them!  You can read stories about patients and then choose the ones that you want to get a hold of!  Simply go to http://www.g-pact.org/personalnamepage.htm for more information.  Would you like to be included?  It's easy, just go to http://www.g-pact.org/personalpagequal.htm to view the qualifications and submit your info!

GP Recipe Program

Do you have a favorite recipe that works for you and your Gastroparesis?  Then share it!  G-PACT has just launched a new service where patients can submit recipes to be shared with everyone.  If you're interested in sharing go to http://www.g-pact.org/recipesubmit.htm  Your recipe will then be added for everyone to view and try for themselves!  To view submitted recipes, go to http://www.g-pact.org/recipes.htm 

Regional Support Group Meetings

These are meetings in local areas so patients, friends and family members can get together in person.  If you're interested in starting a meeting in your area, please contact hastonc@g-pact.org.  Currently, a local support group meeting is available in the following area(s):

 [back to top]

General Information