What’s wrong with my gut?

For the better part of this year, I’ve been dealing with some recurring GI issues.  I’ve seen a couple of doctors and have had some tests, none of which have provided any answers to this point. I have a history of GI problems; Acid reflux, ulcers, a hiatal hernia, etc…, but these have been ruled out as the cause the symptoms I’ve been experiencing as of late.

I’ve done my research and, based on the symptoms, I’m suspecting the problem is gastroparesis.

During a visit with my Endocrinologist last week, he brought up the subject.  He remembered that I had been having GI problems when I saw him in January and wanted to know if things were any better.  I explained that I had seen a GI specialist and that an endoscopy had been performed but didn’t find any obvious causes for the symptoms I was experiencing.  I also explained that the GI specialist left the practice within a month of that test being done and that I felt that I had essentially been blown off by the doctor and staff in that practice.

I told the doctor that I believed I was dealing with gastroparesis and rattled off the symptoms I was having.  Those being:

• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• A feeling of fullness after eating just a few bites
• Vomiting undigested food eaten a few hours earlier
• Acid reflux
• Abdominal bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Changes in blood sugar levels
• Lack of appetite
• Weight loss and malnutrition
• Sulfur burps

He agreed that it was a possibility and agreed with my request that we do testing to either confirm it or rule it out.  So, I will be going in for a gastric emptying test next Thursday to begin the process of figuring out what is wrong with my gut.  I will also be having food allergy testing done at some point in the near future to determine if I have some sensitivity that could be causing some of the issues I’m facing.

I’ve lived with my diabetes diagnosis for nearly 10 years, 7 of which were spent misdiagnosed.  Years of treatments, or lack thereof, that could have contributed to this problem.  The doctor acknowledged this as well.

I’m not looking forward to these tests, but I’m miserable and need answers. My quality of life is suffering because of the problems I’m having.  My mental health is suffering because of all of this.  I’m just tired.

Here’s hoping the answers I need will be in the radioactive eggs that I’ll be eating next week.  Stay tuned.