|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
I first had trouble with Gastroparesis in July 1999. My only symptom was severe nausea. I was placed on reglan at that time and my symptoms gradually subsided over the next four months which was good because I began having the severe side effects from the reglan. By Christmas 1999, I was fine and the Gastroparesis was forgotten until March 9, 2004. On that day I began to have severe nausea again. At this point I had also developed type II diabetes which I had not developed at the time in 1999 when I had GP. On March 13 2004, by then between having GP and type II diabetes, I was unable to eat or drink I had to be hospitalized. During that admission I had several tests including a CT scan, ultrasound, hida scan, endocsopy and finally a gastric emptying scan. The abnormal findings included a large amount of bile in my stomach and an abnormal GES (gastric emptying scan). I then had to have a PICC line in order to receive any IV medications and finally after 19 days I was finally sent home on TPN with IV zofran for nausea. By mid April I was much better and able to eat so the PICC line was removed. I again felt fine until June 10, 2004 when once again I began to have severe nausea and once again was put back in the hospital. One interesting note is that I have never vomited from having Gastroparesis. During this hospital stay I again had to have a PICC line placed for TPN and IV zofran as none of the other anti-nausea medications helped. I then developed a clot in my arm from the PICC line so another PICC line was placed in my other arm. Within 24 hours I developed a blood clot in that arm from the PICC line so it also had to be removed. At that point the interventional radiologist said there are no more veins left in your arms for any more PICC lines so you will never be able to have another PICC line. Since it was necessary for me to have access to IV zofran my surgeon then decided he would put a port which would allow me to go home on TPN and IV zofran. I was also started on coumadin due to the blood clots. During the next months I had trouble with the port functioning correctly. It was hard to infuse and no one was able to draw blood from it. At that time the port was found to be kinked and a large blood clot was found on the catheter tip. I then had surgery to remove the malfunctioning port and a second port was placed. Within a week and a half I developed a MRSA infection in the port. That port was removed and an external groshong catheter was inserted in my chest. In less than a week I developed a pseudomonas in that catheter. It also had to be removed. At that time the surgeon inserted another catheter to be used for the IV zofran only and he put down a NJ (naso-jejunal) feeding tube for nutrition. I was placed on long term antibiotics and sent home. I was also referred to Temple to see Dr. Henry Parkman since none of the medications were helping my gastroparesis. Dr. Parkman did a 4 day gastric emptying scan which showed decreased motility in my stomach and large intestines but my small intestines were normal. I was then scheduled to have a botox injection. Dr. Parkman removed the NJ tube during the botox procedure. Over the following 4 to 5 weeks I was able to tolerate small amounts of food but I was still having problems with infections in my catheter so I was on IV antibiotics for the 4th time. During the course of IV antibiotics my symptoms of gastroparesis began to worsen. I was scheduled to have a second botox injection. Within a week of the injection I developed the 5th infection in my line and had to be on antibiotics again. The second botox injection did not help. Over the next few months I developed 3 more infections in my line and my catheter was pulled. I had been placed on marinol and I now take 5-6 pills a day. The nausea is controlled and I can usually tolerate a small amount of food (usually 1 meal a day and a small snack). The TPN has affected my blood sugars and I am now insulin dependent even though I am off TPN. I worked as an RN until July of 2004 when I became to sick to work and was terminated due to my Gastroparesis. As
of today I am awaiting a disability determination because I cannot
currently work. I was also recently diagnosed with Pulmonary
Hypertension and since I’ve had 8 septic episodes with my catheter along
with anemia I am too weak to work and have to take frequent rest
periods. I am still undergoing treatment at Temple and hope to get rid
of Gastroparesis. |
|
|
|
