All the dietitian and my GI doctor told me concerning gastroparesis is to keep to a low fat diet and avoid 'roughage' because both of these things slow down digestion. They both also said to eat small meals. All of these things I already do on the EFI diet, so no real changes there. None of my doctors think I am malnourished, they've done some blood tests to make sure. I also take a multivitamin, so my GP told me that's a good insurance policy, especially since I am on a highly restricted diet. My naturopathic doctor wants me to start taking digestive enzymes and possible Betaine HCL to help improve digestion in the stomach.
I use to have incredibly bad heartburn around the clock. I took two types of acid blockers which honestly just made my symptoms worse. Thanks to my naturopathic doctor, who gave me a supplement containing licorce root, marshmallow root, slippery elm, and aloe vera, my tummy is much less irritated feeling these days. She also has me take a teaspoon of lemon juice 15 minutes before I eat each meal, to help digestion. This has also helped.
I'm not sure about the quality of my personal doctors. I changed GI doctors recently because I got brushed off by my old GI doc once she diagnosed me with IBS. My new one is better at listening to me and is the one who ordered the gastric emptying study leading to a diagnosis of gastroparesis. We've discussed medications for both conditions. Since my gastroparesis is not severe, meaning I don't have problems keeping food down, I decided not to take drugs for it because the drug approved in the US has serious side effects. In terms of the IBS, my GI doctor provided a scrip for Bentyl to manage painful spasms when I am in a bad cycle, but I think Heather's peppermints are relatively effective at that without the side effects. He said there isn't much for treating IBS-C. Amitryptiline causes constipation as a side effect, so it doesn't seem like a great option for me.
My GP is really nice and sweet, and she hears me. But again, there is very little she can do to help me. I don't know if these constitute good relationships, but they are the best I've had in all the years I've been seeing doctors about my digestive problems.
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Re: ShawnEric or Syl - What do you think of this information?
