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Perimenopause and gastroparesis, anyone?

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GERD & Acid Reflux
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Posted 3/14/2019 10:18 AM (GMT -8)
When I began perimenopause about 5 years ago, I suddenly started getting GERD. Awful. Now I realize it was a result of slow digestive motility (gastroparesis). It kind of went away, or came back before periods, but the past week I got hit something AWFUL. I haven't been able to digest much, I am hoarse and gunk in throat all day and night and belly is bloated and just cannot DIGEST! I'm losing weight, don't want to, doesn't seem to matter what I eat.

I know it's due to my shifting hormones (mainly loss of estrogen, I'm sure, as I see other results of this loss--dry and wrinkled skin, hair loss, etc.). I don't think HRT is option for me because I can't tolerate bioidentical Progesterone (makes me so freaking tired) and I know I can't take estrogen alone.

Has anyone seen a doc who can help with this slow, slow digestion? Has anyone's gastroparesis improved? I'm a little scared right now!

Thanks so much for advice!!! smile
Posted 3/14/2019 10:39 AM (GMT -8)
Electracat:

What did the doctor that diagnosed your gastroparesis suggest?

Sharon
Posted 3/14/2019 11:22 AM (GMT -8)
Hi Sharon,
Nobody has actually diagnosed it...I just notice that it's happening...

I've heard that eating smaller meals, or limiting fats and high-fiber things, can help.
Posted 3/15/2019 5:33 AM (GMT -8)
Have you had a gastric emptying test by chance? I ask because I have similar symptoms although I am male. I posted here yesterday on my plight, and have a few red flags popping up with some recent tests. CT scan showed too much stool backed up inside me, bilious fluid in the entire stomach area, gastropathy as well. I am having this gastric emptying study done next week which according to my GI doc is the definitive test to see if one has gastroperesis. Like you, I am losing weight due to not being able to eat much, discomfort in the gut on the R side (feels like pressure coming from within) and just a general feeling of being ill. Really at wits end here. Comment if you can....thanks!
Posted 3/15/2019 2:39 PM (GMT -8)
Ask your doctor to check you for celiac disease. It can often develop after a life stressor like menopause/perimenopause. It can slow down food because your small intestinal villi is damaged. It also causes classic GERD and bloating. It can develop at anytime in your life. Because the genes for celiac disease have been identified, researchers know that about 1 in 120 people have yet, yet only 20% have been diagnosed. Your doctor may tell you to take a PPI, that you are getting older, it is the “change”, whatever. Consider getting checked. It is a simple blood test.

http://www.cureceliacdisease.org/screening/

BTW — my celiac disease was caught during menopause.
Posted 3/15/2019 5:06 PM (GMT -8)
Hi--CyclingLady--thank you for that. I think I'm due for a bloodwork panel, so I'll ask for that. I know that PPIs are fairly evil, so trying to stay away from those at the moment.

Hi Minnesota! Thanks for writing. I feel like you, right now--ill, and at wit's end.

Do you have LPR or GERD? That is what's making me feel extra awful. I guess I forgot to mention that. I think my delayed gastric emptying is pushing stuff back up into my airways (LPR), and I feel like I have a terrible cold. But I also have a fever. Is it possible to have a fever with any of this stuff??

I haven't had a formal emptying test. Where did you have it? What did doc say might help you, and any reason that you have it? So sorry you're dealing with this. I'll be watching this thread...Please write back.
Posted 3/18/2019 1:06 PM (GMT -8)
Hi,
That's good to know about pre menopause stage. Hormones. That could be true based on my experience, especially I had hypo thyroid situation also. I developed GERD in combination of too much antibiotic and NSAD's. PPI is not helping me at all. It makes me feel horrible.

All the best.
Posted 3/18/2019 1:48 PM (GMT -8)
Tu Wang, try to stop the PPI if you can. They are incorrectly prescribed, and just make our situations worse. We need stomach acid! The problem is either our digestion, or a weak sphincter. PPIs just suppress symptoms, and make our digestion worse.

Also, YES--the loss of estrogen during perimenopause definitely contributes to poorer digestion and reflux. I see this mentioned by SO MANY women. It's awful!!!
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