Gastroparesis and Pregnancy

This has become a big topic in the Gastroparesis world lately, or at least that I am seeing, and so I thought it was about time to discuss whether or not Gastroparesis has any effect on pregnancy or the ability to get & stay pregnant. 

The short and sweet of it is….

No, Gastroparesis itself is not an issue to get and stay pregnant, nor does it have an effect on pregnancy. 

But, as we know with this condition, it’s never that simple. 

Let’s break that down. 

Gastroparesis as the condition itself does not have the effect, but it’s the problems stemming from Gastroparesis that can cause issues around fertility and pregnancy.

Malnutrition

This is the biggest issue of them all. Whether this is while trying to conceive or during the pregnancy. A lot of us with Gastroparesis have a hard time eating much of anything and even when we can, we don’t always utilize the nutrients that are available.

Your body’s ability to be able to digest and absorb the necessary nutrients is incredibly important. You must be able to sustain yourself and your baby through the 9 months. 

This also can cause issues, especially in the first trimester, because while you might be able to eat, chances are you will become nauseous or even throw up and that negates what you are eating.

A lot of OBs are not versed in Gastroparesis, so they might not know how to help. This is where you need to educate and make a plan to make sure you are consuming food in a safe manner and staying hydrated. This could look like needing IV fluids to stay hydrated. It could look like a specialized diet to ensure you are getting enough nutrition. And the two of those things could vary widely.

Hormone Imbalance

This would be another issue, but more on the fertility side of things.  

If you are malnourished, it’s also verrrrrrrry likely you are having hormonal issues as well. 

This would lead to irregular periods that would make conceiving hard, not necessarily impossible, but harder than it might have been without everything in the way. 

Medications for Gastroparesis & Pregnancy

If you are some of the medications for Gastroparesis and worry about taking them before and during pregnancy, you will need to speak with both your OB & your GI.

It might be possible to stay on them, however, if you’ve been around here long enough to know me, you know that I am not a fan of the meds for Gastroparesis. My goal for all my clients is to be able to get off those medications and let their body do the work, and for the record, I am usually quite successful in doing that.

For Men

This all generally applies to the men with Gastroparesis, too. Well, except the actual pregnancy part. But if you are a man with Gastroparesis and wondering what the status of your fertility looks like, then a lot of the above applies to you, as well.

If your health and hormones aren’t functioning well, then your body won’t create healthy sperm. Whether that looks like not enough sperm, low motility sperm, not the correct shaped sperm, etc.

So, working through your digestion and keeping nourished will help keep your hormones balanced to be able to focus on creating sperm to help with the fertility process on your end.

What to Eat During Pregnancy with Gastroparesis

Well, this is a hard one, because just like this condition, every pregnancy is different and with the condition it can make it even more different.

So, first off, if you are having a hard time eating anything at all and even staying hydrated, then like I mentioned previously, you will want to speak to your OB and coordinate with your GI to make sure they can get you taken care of with fluids and particular nutrition.

A lot of times, Gastroparesis goes into “remission” during pregnancy and you find yourself being able to eat things you weren’t previously able to. While it’s tempting to eat whatever you want, try to remember to stay on the healthier side to help both you and your growing baby!

If you do experience the remission phase, take this time to replenish your body with those vital nutrients you might not have been able to get in before. Yes, you can still totally treat yourself, but make sure you are including fruits and vegetables, proteins and fats! They are all very important to your baby’s health and growth.

If you are working with a nutritionist (like myself) or a dietician during pregnancy, then we can customize a meal plan for you to help you get all you need during this special time.

And here’s something to be hopeful about….

For some, their Gastroparesis never returns after giving birth. For others, it does, but you literally never know.

My Personal Fertility & Pregnancy Journey

My first pregnancy was through IVF. The fertility journey is a brutal one and it’s not something I would wish on anyone.

After trying for 2 years, we decided to go see a fertility doctor. I swore it was because of my Gastroparesis that I wasn’t able to conceive naturally. Turns out, I was labeled with PCOS and the possibility of mild endometriosis. This has to be confirmed by surgery and my doctor didn’t find it necessary.

So, the original thought was that my Gastroparesis had nothing to do with the inability to get pregnant. My fertility doctor even said it’s the Gastroparesis is typically not a concern before or during. 

(if you’d like to know more about IVF and that journey, feel free to contact me)

However, at the time of writing this, I am currently pregnant with baby #2 naturally and I do think it had majority to do with how I went about my digestion and health after baby #1. 

I went back and started my own protocol that I take all my clients through. I worked it hard. I focused on making sure my digestion was working properly and then fueling my body with foods that would help balance my hormones. And then SURPRISE, here comes baby #2. 

So, while Gastroparesis itself didn’t have an effect on it originally in my first attempts at having a baby, I do think the years of whacked out digestion, malnutrition, unbalanced hormones and stress played a factor in it, along with the other issues I had. 

Wrapping it Up

So, if we break it down to the simplest terms, then no, Gastroparesis as a condition itself is not an issue when it comes to getting pregnant and going through pregnancy.

There is more to it, but that’s just to ease that first concern if you are someone who is newly pregnant or considering trying to get pregnant.

If you would like to learn more about how I help my clients with their Gastroparesis, I would love to chat with you.

Just click here for more info.

I hope this was helpful and even reassuring to you.

Until next time.

Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.

Aubrey

Nichole's Real Healing Story - Thrive with Gastroparesis

Introducing Nichole

Today’s Real Healing Story features Nichole.

You know those people you meet or talk to and immediately you feel super comfortable with? Almost like you have known them forever? That’s how I felt with Nichole when we first talked. I felt like we had so much in common and a similar drive to not let Gastroparesis defeat us.

When we had our consult call and she told me how she was feeling, the things she has tried and what she has been going through, plus there’s always a little extra just about our lives and families and all that good stuff, I knew 100000000% I could help her get her life back.

I just wasn’t sure she knew that she could, but she took the leap and man, oh man, did it FAR exceed my expectations.

One thing I tell every client before starting is “You get out what you put in” to this program. I can give you all of the information, education and help, but if you don’t commit it’s just simply not going to work. Or if you half commit, you will get half results.

Nichole took that advice and ran with it. She fully committed and her results showed and started showing FAST.

And I will admit, I was sad when we had our final call. I really enjoyed our time together and watching her soar, but also developing somewhat of a friendship.

Without further ado…

Meet Nichole

Do you know how you got Gastroparesis? And how long had you been dealing with it?

“Yes - I believe I got Gastroparesis from the Covid virus. I got Covid at the very beginning of 2021 & again that same summer.”

What were your main symptoms and how were you feeling before you started working with Aubrey?

“Vomiting, nausea, and extreme bloating”

How did you find Real Peel & Aubrey?

“Google!! I always felt a little better when I drank fresh juice...ginger, lemon, spinach, etc. I realized while I had done extensive research for Gastroparesis, I never researched juicing for Gastroparesis. So I jumped on my computer and simply searched "Juicing for Gastroparesis" and ta-daa...I was greeted by Aubrey and Real Peel.”

What made you feel like working with Aubrey was the right decision for you and your Gastroparesis?

”After reading every last word of Aubrey's website and blog, I had a sense of hope for a better quality of life. Aubrey knows, first hand, the physical & emotional struggles with Gastroparesis. Her personal experience and relatability gave me confidence in her and the program..”

What was the hardest thing about the Thrive with Gastroparesis Program?
”My biggest struggle was a little later in the program with introducing new foods. By this point, I was feeling so much better than I had in years. I was extremely intimidated by the new food due the uncertainty of how it would make me feel. I was just so scared to go backwards when I had made such improvement. Aubrey assured me that I confidently knew which foods worked for me. So, while a new food might upset my stomach, I could always go back to the food that agreed with me. Her simple logic pulled me out of my emotional struggle to guide me back to take the chance of introducing new food. She was my rock throughout the entire program.”

Did you ever feel like quitting or felt like it wasn't going to work for you? If so, how did you move through those feelings?

“I never felt like the program wouldn't work for me or that I wanted to quit. I had tried medication, tried "diets" I found online from doctors, eating minimal food, etc. but nothing worked. Knowing I felt relief from the juices I made, I had a lot of confidence in the program to heal me from the inside out with food.”

What was the turning point for you during the program where you started feeling better?
”By the end of week 2 of the meal plan, I felt relief. Week 1 for me was a full blown detox of all the junk I had been putting into my body for so long. Week 2 started with no detox symptoms, so I was very focused on the meal plan provided to me along with the modules, videos and worksheets. By the weekend of week 2, to my surprise, I had NO bloating or nausea!! I hadn't felt that way in years!! I was so amazed with how soon into the program I felt relief!! At that point, I knew this program would heal me.”

After the 12 weeks, how did you feel?
”At the end of the 12 weeks, I physically and emotionally felt better than I ever had in my entire life. Aubrey's program was truly life changing. I've gained knowledge and understanding of how the digestive system works, how to restore nerves, blood sugar regulation, sugars, fats, fibers and the importance of mindset. I now have plenty of energy through out the day and my stomach feels like I don't have Gastroparesis. I feel fortunate to be able to pass this knowledge and information down to my family to help improve their life. Thanks to Aubrey's knowledge, meal plans and never ending support, I have a full quality of life now.”

If you could give any advice to anyone dealing with Gastroparesis, what would it be?

“Don't give up hope!! You can be healed. You can feel better. You can have your life back.”

This is just a free box if there was anything else you would like to add that I missed.
”I feel so humbled by my experience with you and your program, Aubrey. This truly was a life changing program for me and words cannot describe the appreciation I have for you. Your care for others, knowledge, and guidance is inspiring!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!”

My Input on Nichole’s Journey

Each client takes a before and after Nutritional Assessment and when we started together, Nichole had a very typical assessment result of those with Gastroparesis. Lots of High Priority in the digestive system and then usually the sugar handling and vitamin & mineral needs are high priority. Then, the hormones and immune system are typically a medium priority. Nothing new and helps me get a good overview on how she was feeling.

When I saw her final assessment result, I audibly gasped! I was SO excited for our final call to show her the results, because I knew it would blow her mind to not only feel it, but see it. Her improvement was INSANE. Every single category dropped to low priority and some were basically non-existent. I knew she was feeling great, but it’s also nice to be able to actually see it in her assessment.

She also had labs run in the middle-ish of our time working together and all of her vitamin and mineral numbers had improved so much. So, that was just an additional win.

What’s funny, and pretty standard, is that when a client starts feeling so much better, they stop needing me as much. Nichole’s journey towards that started so much quicker than I expected and sometimes I was like “umm, hi. Do you need anything?” lol Our calls sometimes were shorter than planned, our weekly check-ins were often just good things and she didn’t need any support. She was just following the program and doing it to her fullest. I even questioned if I was covering everything, but then I realized, this is EXACTLY what we wanted for her. To just be out living life.

She worked HARD. She did everything I asked of her, she tried all of things, even when they seemed odd or new to her. She did what it took and she is reaping those rewards, and that’s the best part. And an added bonus is that her family is reaping those rewards. Not only do they get their Nichole back, but as she stated, she had passed on and included them in her healthier lifestyle and they are benefitting, too.

Simply put, she got her life back.

Proud is an understatement and I can’t wait to check back in on her later on to see how she’s continuing on. She’s got good things coming her way.

Every client is a journey and it is such an honor and joy to guide them along and watch them succeed and push through their hardest days and symptoms.

While I will miss my time with Nichole, talking about our love for all things Mexican food, queso and HEB (it’s a Texas thing), I am just beyond thrilled for her and so grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of her journey.

And if you are lost on where to start your Gastroparesis healing journey, make sure you download the FREE 3-Day Healing Guide.

If you have already done that, but are ready to move forward with your healing, request a free consult call to learn more about working 1-on-1 and how I can help you with your Gastroparesis. Head here to make that request by filling out the quick form.

Will you be the next Real Healing story?

Until next time,

Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.

Aubrey

Nerve Toning for Gastroparesis

This has been a long time coming.

It is one of the most asked about topics, after “what the heck can I eat?”.

Nerve toning is a pivotal part of the Thrive with Gastroparesis Program. We establish these techniques before we even touch any type of meal plan, because it doesn’t matter what you put in your body if your body cannot function properly to digest said food.

Nerve toning isn’t something that is one and done. It takes consistent practice, just like muscle toning. You don’t lift weights once and expect to be super strong. Same concept. You don’t tone the nerve once and expect to feel 100% better.

But, with some consistency, it makes a world of a difference.

So, what exactly is nerve toning?

It is through different techniques that help stimulate the Vagus Nerve that plays a major role in stimulating the stomach muscles to digest your food. Essentially, it is teaching it to rewire the connection back to the brain and the body to work together again.

Can you reverse nerve damage?

Well, that’s one of those questions with the answer of, “It depends”.

It depends on how severe the damage to the nerve is, how long it has been left untreated and what caused the damage. This also mirrors how effective nerve toning is. For some, the pain and symptoms can go away entirely, for others with more severe damage, you can drastically improve, but it might not ever go away.

The Vagus Nerve

It is the main group of nerves of your parasympathetic nervous system. This system controls digestion, heart rate, immune function, mood, speech, taste, etc.

It runs from your brain to your large intestine.

Sounding more familiar as to why you might be experiencing other issues aside from digestion?

So, keeping all of that in mind, currently in the Thrive with Gastroparesis Program, I teach 6 methods of nerve toning. These different methods span throughout the Vagus nerve, because your damage could be anywhere along it and we don’t really know where. So, we work on the whole nerve to see if we can feel the stimulation from different techniques.

A great image showing how the Vagus Nerve runs through your whole body and all of the organs and systems it interacts with. Picture from Morningside Acupuncture.

I’d like to give you 2 bonus ones right now that you can literally do THIS MOMENT, or really any time.

Humming!

Yup, something that simple can help stimulate and tone your Vagus nerve. Humming for about 5 minutes will awaken the nerve and stimulate it. At first, you might not feel anything, but if you do start to feel faint or anxious, then you know you might have overstimulated it.

This is not a problem. It’s actually a good thing! It means your nerve is responding! Keep going, but maybe knock it down to 4 minutes. And then keep testing from there.

Cold Water Stimulation.

This one follows along the lines of ice baths, but not so extreme. Splashing very cold water on your face can help stimulate your nervous system, but not necessarily the actual vagus nerve. However, awakening the system and then humming can be very effective.

What are some results from nerve toning?

Some responses from my personal experience and clients who experience the nerve stimulation:

• crying from out of nowhere after or in the middle of a nerve toning exercise

• a wave of fatigue washing over them

• faster heart rate

• feeling tingling in the face or hands

• feeling the need to nap

• feeling the vibration in different areas of the digestive system

• having to poop very soon after

These are all due to the stimulation of the nerve and awakening the whole system. It just depends on where and how severe the damage is.

And if you don’t feel anything, you keep trying multiple toning techniques until the right one hits.

If you would like to learn more about how to incorporate Nerve Toning into your routine and how we use it while working together, I would love to talk further with you. Just click here and fill out the form to have a free consult call.

I hope this was helpful for you and that you immediately start trying some of these techniques.

Until next time,

Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.

Aubrey

The Cost of Not Trying

Today, we are getting a little raw, real and a little controversial. It's eye-opening and lengthy.

You're probably here because you are trying anything and everything you can to help your

Gastroparesis, right?

You've done all of the

• tests

• medications

• diets from doctors

• binging and starving

• surgeries

• all of the random suggestions from family & friends

& so much more. And none of those ways have done much for you.

So, you just think, nothing will help, right? I give up. I'm doomed to live like this.

Why would working with someone else even be worth it? And you're probably thinking, I can't afford to try something else.

Sure, insurance might have helped cover a lot of that stuff before, but here we are, still looking for another way.

The Cost of Not Trying

Well, the cost to not try another way is MUCH more expensive.

I got curious on what the cost is over 1 year and then over 50 years of doing all the things currently recommended for Gastroparesis and WHOA.

I. Am. Shook.

I calculated the average cost of:

• medications

• procedures

• tests

• doctors visits

• fad diets tried

• prescribed protein drinks

• supplements that didn't work

• wasted food

• possible depression/anxiety medications

• work missed/out of work

• a few nights stay in the hospital

• ER visits

And in 1 year, you could spend around

$104,292!!!!!!!

For 50 years of all of these things, plus including any of the risky surgeries, you could spend around

$5.35 MILLION dollars.

For reference, I researched average cost of these things & where I could consider insurance coverage, I did. However, some things I couldn't find that info on. And of course, not everyone will try or need all of those things, but the number only changes slightly.

And none of those costs included

• missed family/friend time

• emotional distress

• the countless years you waste trying other things and staying in the same place

It makes me sick thinking of how much money my parents and I spent trying many of these options. And all of that got me nowhere.

How does that make you feel? How does knowing the possibility of money totally wasted to be in the same spot a year or 50 years from now feel? Not only money, but your mental, physical and emotional health?

It makes me feel sick for you. There's nothing I would want less for you.

It wasn't until I invested in juicing, nutritional therapy and trying the methods I did that I saw any progress and stopped wasting money on things that didn't work and made me worse.

Then again, it all comes down to which path feels right for you.

If you are someone who wants to continue with the conventional medical methods, that’s totally cool.

But, if you are someone who is sick of wasting time, money and getting nowhere, then you’re in the right place.

I can help you.

Schedule your Free Consult Call and let’s talk about how to get your Gastroparesis under control!

Until next time,

Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.

Aubrey

Melissa's Real Healing Story - Thrive with Gastroparesis

Introducing Melissa

Today’s Real Healing Story features Melissa.

Melissa came to me in early Spring this year and decided she was ready to get a handle on her Gastroparesis. We worked together for 12 weeks.

It truly was a joy working with Melissa. She was ready and willing to try everything and she made SO MUCH improvement.

She doesn’t give herself enough credit for how hard she worked and how much she improved and I will talk more on that after she tells us about her experience.

Meet Melissa

Do you know how you got Gastroparesis?

“I got gastroparesis from eating bad turkey - I had food poisoning.”

How did you find Aubrey & Real Peel?

“I found her through searching on the internet! thank god I did!!!”

What were your main symptoms and how were you feeling before you started working with Aubrey?

“Stomach pain, early satiety, hair loss. I was feeling very worried and upset and didn't know what to do.”

What made you feel like working with Aubrey was the right decision for you and your Gastroparesis?
”I didn't agree with the medical plans of cutting out fruits, vegetables, and whole foods. The traditional approach was to eat soft foods mostly refined carbohydrates.”

What was the hardest thing about the Thrive with Gastroparesis Program?
”Integrating all the new habits!”

Did you ever feel like quitting or felt like it wasn't going to work for you? If so, how did you move through those feelings?

“No I did not feel like quitting. It was hard to keep on the plan when I was at work related events or out of town, but I knew that her approach made intuitive sense to me and I wanted to continue the best I could.”

What was the turning point for you during the program where you started feeling better?
”Probably after the first two weeks.”

After the 12 weeks, how did you feel?
”I felt emotionally better, and knew that I was healing my stomach and immune system.”

This is just a free box if there was anything else you would like to add that I missed.
”I have work to do but at least now I feel like I have the tools to heal. I learned a lot and I agree 100% with Aubrey's approach. It just makes sense.”

My Input on Melissa’s Journey

When Melissa started, she was trying to still eat healthy, but as we all know, nothing was working, everything hurt and she was struggling to really get much nutrition.

One of my favorite things to see and hear during each call and each check in sheet was to see all of the new foods she was trying and handling really well. It was more and more throughout the 12 weeks. I watched her get more adventurous and her confidence grow through the food.

What’s funny is every time she hit this new normal phase for her stomach, it’s like she started over and that was her new baseline. She never truly gave herself credit for how far she came from when we started, so I liked to remind her how amazing it was. But I also love that in a way, because she was and still is so determined to continue her healing.

Just like anyone else, she’s not 100% healed and will still have to stay consistent with her given protocols, but the best part is she has everything she needs and she is able to live her life and continue working on her healing.

She was also able to get off all of the useless medications and supplements that were previously recommended to her. That is always a big win for my clients.

The only way is up for Melissa and I am so proud of and excited for her.

Every client is a journey and it is such an honor and joy to guide them along and watch them succeed and push through their hardest days and symptoms.

And if you are lost on where to start your Gastroparesis healing journey, make sure you download the FREE 3-Day Healing Guide.

If you have already done that, but are ready to move forward with your healing, request a free consult call to learn more about working 1-on-1 and how I can help you with your Gastroparesis. Head here to make that request by filling out the quick form.

I can’t wait for your story to be next.

Until next time,

Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.

Aubrey

10 Myths About Working with a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner

There are lots of questions and myths that surround working with a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner (me).

And so, I thought it would be a good idea to round up the most common ones I get and lay them out for you. Maybe you have had the same thoughts.

10 Myths People Have About Nutritional Therapy

1. I’m going to make you eat salads only

   This one is always a top one. The straight line of thought is once you decide to eat healthy, it’s only salad for the rest of time. This is 100% false. I like a good salad but I don’t eat them often myself.

2. You’re going to give up everything for the rest of your life

   This would be so unsustainable and honestly, “giving up” everything often causes patterns of binging, and we want to avoid that. Instead, we learn how to moderate and incorporate the things you love the most.

3. It’s going to be all liquids for the rest of your life

   For my Gastroparesis clients, this is a scary thought they have, and I totally understand why. But my main focus when working together is to get you off liquids and move on to solids and just normal ways of eating.

4. You’re going to have to take hundreds of supplements

   I know this does happen with some practitioners, but not me. I am of the mind to always try without supplements and then IF we need them, we keep them very minimal and temporary. Supplements are meant to be a temporary help, not a long-term part of your life.

5. We are going to do a lot of “woo-woo” stuff

   This varies for everyone, but no, I keep things pretty sciency around here. The closest we get to “woo-woo” is some really necessary mindset work.

6. You’ll have to workout incessantly

   You can’t outwork a bad diet and exercising constantly is not going to do you much good if your body isn’t in a healthy space. I always encouragement movement, but that can be walking, stretching, shoot even just daily cleaning around the house. Movement is essential for good digestion, but working out constantly is not the answer.

7. Healthy eating is super expensive

   It doesn’t have to be. I create meal plans that are meant for leftovers and can be made in bigger batches for later. When you don’t have all of the weird, “healthy processed foods” it’s way less expensive. Simple fruits, veggies and meat with some grains thrown in goes a long way on the budget. Not only that, but with each client, we discuss if that’s a major consideration for you and I customize to your needs.

8. I’m going to judge you for your eating choices or lifestyle

   I am no one to judge you. I am not a perfect person, nor do I want to be. Do I eat junk food? Duh. Do I skip workouts? Duh. Do I sometimes spend an entire day on the couch just relaxing? Well, not so much anymore but that’s because I have a rambunctious toddler who won’t let me hahaha All that to say, I don’t judge you, but I will encourage you to set up beneficial lifestyle choices.

9. I will expect perfection out of you

   NOPE. Again, I am not perfect, nor do I expect you to be. I always tell my clients that it’s about progress, not perfection. As long as you are trying, I am happy.

10. You will be magically healed after just a few weeks

    This would be a silly thought for anyone, but oftentimes clients assume that as soon as we start, they should be feeling better. I try to remind them that, you didn’t get sick in a week, you aren’t going to get better in a week, or whatever timeframe the expectation is. However, what they can expect is to gradually see improvements and sometimes, those move faster for some. And at the end of our time together, they will have all of the tools to continue being consistent and making improvements.

    Yes, sometimes after the 3 or 6 months together, they feel almost fully better and that’s amazing. Just remember, everyone responds differently and our bodies take different paces.

If you’ve ever had any of these thoughts, hopefully that helped you get some answers to your questions.

Nutritional Therapy is definitely not a one-sized fits all approach, but one thing remains true, it can be for everyone as long as you have a practitioner who is willing to customize your programs to you.

That is the exact approach I use with my clients. It’s custom to you and the whole goal is to improve your life and health, not for you to fit into mine.

If you’d like to learn more about how I can help you, follow the link below that fits your needs.

Suffer from Gastroparesis and would like some help? Click here

Have other ailments and aren’t sure if Nutritional Therapy is right for you? Click here

Until next time,

Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.

Aubrey

10 Tips on Traveling with Gastroparesis

Summer is my favorite time of year and for most, it is usually full of fun Summer vacations to the beach, lake, river, etc. Hopping on planes, packing up the car for road trips and getting ready to soak all of the summer sun in.

But for those of us with Gastroparesis, that can feel daunting, overwhelming and even scary.

So, let’s chat a little bit today on how to make vacations, whether in the summer or not, exciting again and how to look forward to them and not be afraid.

To be clear, I’m no travel expert, but I am a Gastroparesis expert, so I’m going to focus more on that than the actual travel part.

10 Tips on Traveling with Gastroparesis

Remember, not all of these might be applicable for you, but this is what I did when I was at my sickest and traveling still.

I wasn’t going to let this ridiculous condition stop me, but adjustments were made.

1. Get an AirBnb or VRBO type of rental over a hotel. This tends to be more spacious and comfortable. More bathrooms, more beds and a kitchen,

2. Prepare your own food over going out to eat. I know when you go on vacation you don’t want to always have to cook, but if you are pretty sensitive or intolerant to most foods, then preparing your own will keep the consistency your body needs. You also have more control over quality and quantity.

3. Stick to the basics. Yea, you want to indulge, but you might need to weigh that out. Is it worth it being sick the remainder of your trip to indulge? If so, go for it. If not, stick to the easy to digest meals. Smoothies, soups, juices, soft solids.

4. When it comes to the actual travel part, plan to walk and stretch. Being sedentary for long periods in a car or plane can make your bloating, gas and pain worse. Plan to stop the car or get up out of your seat and walk around or stretch it out a bit.

5. Don’t jam pack a day. Plan your activities over the stretch of the trip. Sometimes, overdoing it can cause your body to shut down. Allow it to rest and digest.

6. Get outside. Usually, in the summer that’s not an issue, but I want to make a point of it here, because getting outdoors, in fresh air and the Vitamin D is sooooo helpful for every function of our body.

7. Lemon Water. Don’t stop drinking your lemon water on vacation. Bring lemons with you or buy them when you arrive. Drink it warm in the morning and then throw the lemon into your ice or room temp water for the rest of the day. It will constantly be helping your digestion.

8. Bring a heating pad. Sometimes it helps when you have that pain to put a heating pad on it. Bring it with you in your bags to be able to use when needed.

9. Be up for exploring other interests. Depending on how sick you are, you might not be able to do the more adventurous type activities at the moment, and that’s okay! There’s nothing wrong with exploring museums, the city in general, riding tours, etc. There is so much to be done on a vacation where you don’t have to stress your body out.

10. Give yourself grace. This is a motto I use a lot with my clients during their protocols for healing, but it stands here, too. Some vacations will be a breeze, others a bit more challenging. And if you need to cancel an activity and just rest one day, that’s totally okay. It is not the end of the world.

11. Bonus tip: a day on the beach, relaxing in the water and under an umbrella with some good music playing will always do the mind and body good.

And of course, if you take medications, please make sure you have them all and plenty for your trip. That’s not where I focus, but it is a reality for a lot, so I wanted to mention it here.

You don’t have to stop living your life because of Gastroparesis, and more importantly, you SHOULDN’T stop living your life. It can take some adjustments and some planning, but it’s totally possible.

Hopefully, that’s a little helpful for you and gives you some ideas on how you can adjust your vacation and your expectations to make it all work!

And if you need some help with your Gastroparesis, make sure you download the free 3-day healing guide here.

Or visit the Gastroparesis Help Page for tons of info.

Until next time,

Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.

Aubrey

Arlene's Real Healing Story Pt. 1 - Thrive with Gastroparesis

Our next Real Healing Story is actually part 1 of a 2 part series.

Arlene has completed the initial program of 12 weeks, but decided she wanted to continue working together to really further her Gastroparesis healing. She made so much progress in the initial program, but now she’s really soaring.

Introducing Arlene

Arlene came to me in late December. Our first call was actually the day before Christmas Eve, which was a Friday. I got her call request later into the evening, and normally, I wouldn’t have called back right then and would have waited until after the holiday & weekend was over, but something about her made me call back that evening and I am so thankful I did.

She has battled through so much in her life with cancers, family illnesses and deaths and more in a very short time period. Not only has all of that piled onto her, she was diagnosed with Gastroparesis.

And of course, she went through the gammet of doctors prescribing pills, unhelpful advice and then ultimately no help. Then, she started searching the internet and all she could find was doom and gloom, like so many of us find when we search about Gastroparesis. Then, she found me.

We talked for a while and she explained her struggles, fears, uncertainties with even going a more holistic route. She was always used to sticking with doctors and their approaches. All very normal and I explained how I marry both holistic approaches and science together to create a program that is so incredibly helpful, and the same methods I took myself through.

She took the leap and we started in February. Her transformation has been beautiful, incredible to see and inspiring to me and I think to all of you, too.

So, without further ado, here is part 1 of Arlene’s story.

Do you know how you got Gastroparesis?

No.

How did you find Aubrey & Real Peel?

Searching the internet for information on how to treat my severe Gastroparesis. My Gastroenterologist wanted to proscribe medications that would also cause serious side effects physically, and side effects on mental health well-being.

I already have Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) that developed 7 years ago, which I am being treated for now. I was also informed that the medications, the same exact medications that Aubrey herself was informed of by her own Doctor, would only be effective for a short time. I felt terrified and hopeless at that point.

What were your main symptoms and how were you feeling before you started working with Aubrey?

My worst symptom was severe nausea 24 hours a day nonstop. Intense, at times unbearable pain in my upper abdomen, that would some days, possibly 4 to 5 days per week and travel to other parts of my stomach. Daily, several times per day, or even more, holding on to something in my bathroom and vomiting. I was not eating except for 3 spoons of yogurt per day so there was nothing to vomit, at many times mucus and blood.

What made you feel like working with Aubrey was the right decision for you and your Gastroparesis?

The medical community offered me virtually no options for treatment without drugs with severe side effects. I read Aubrey's own Gastroparesis story online and how she regained back 85% of her health through juicing and many additional lifestyle changes and I was willing to try any suggestions of hope and help.

I reached out to Aubrey and through a very pleasant, supportive phone call, her vast nutritional knowledge, her initial first-hand experience with this devastating disease, and her devotion to helping others on a journey to recovery all made my decision to work with Aubrey the right decision for me.

What was the hardest thing about the Thrive with Gastroparesis Program?

Looking back now I must think on this, because this program formed a new way of life that I am still continuing daily.

Perhaps the most difficult aspect for me was not the program itself, but my believing that there was hope for me. Most articles on the internet were grim and filled with stories of painful, hopeless, helpless suffering and even death. I am already a 4-year survivor of invasive breast cancer, which runs very high in my family, and lung carcinoid cancer, and I still must go for wellness scans, but Gastroparesis was terrifying for me.

Did you ever feel like quitting or felt like it wasn't going to work for you? If so, how did you move through those feelings?

My self confidence in anything working to help my Gastroparesis at this point was low to non-existent when I began. I had to open up my mind to accepting new methods of healing that I had never been exposed to.

At that time, I was exposed to only the medical community and the fact that drugs were routinely prescribed for almost every ailment. The Thrive program is very different. I was introduced to the terms such as vagus nerve toning, jucing and eating specific foods for healing, and acquiring a mindset for healing just to name a few, which allowed me to learn to stay more positive and this required much work on my way of thinking.

I recently had a breakthrough in this part of the program where I can now look at my future in a more hopeful way. I can honestly say that I never thought about quitting, but my self-esteem and confidence levels are still a work in progress. Aubrey was and still is a great source of strength, when those days sneak in when I cannot muster it for myself, and an exceptional example of what can be achieved if I comply with this healing program.

What was the turning point for you during the program where you started feeling better?

I believe that it really did take my working with the program 10-12 weeks to feel significant improvements which are still now as I write this, developing. That is why I signed up for an additional 12 weeks. In my first month I had a three-day glimpse of what the future may hold, as some of my symptoms started to take steps toward improving. But as Aubrey did tell me recovery is not linear. Some days you move forward, and somedays the road to healing will take you back temporarily. My greatest turning point for me personally came later in the program.

After the initial 12 weeks, how did you feel?

I went from being literally bed ridden with Gastroparesis for at least 7 months to minimal bouts of nausea,

I find it difficult to comprehend once again being able to make my own healing juices, smoothies, and meals, I take short daily walks, mt self-confidence has improved, I have what we call just Flare ups of pain, which Aubrey said will be less frequent and severe with time.

I no longer have constant pain. This program taught me among so many other things how to keep my blood sugar in balance so I can eat and not feel dizziness. I can eat and drink a variety of delicious healthy foods, even my husband enjoys what I share with him. I am sure there is more that I can add here and I cannot recall at this moment, but I ask and give permission for Aubrey to join me here. (I will add more to Arlene’s progress at the end)

This is just a free response if there was anything else you would like to add that I missed.

There are no words adequate to express my gratitude and appreciation for Aubrey's creation and dedication to my Thrive program. I can honestly say I do not think I would be alive without this, as my Gastroparesis was progressing further. These are strong words, but I had no other options that would not endanger my life further. I Thank God Daily for Aubrey and Thrive. I am greatly looking forward to my additional 12 months and what my future will hold.

My Input on Arlene’s Journey

Now y’all, Arlene summed up a lot of what she has been through over the 12 weeks, but I want to add more.

She has come so far and sometimes, like so many of us, it can be hard to quantify and identify all of those changes.

What I saw after 12 weeks:

• Her activity level is up compared to when we started, she was bedridden and is now going for walks, getting outside more, and even making plans for the future.

• Her food consumption is way up and venturing into more and more solid foods

• Her food consumption now has more variety than it did before, with so many fruits and vegetables and trying proteins and more

• Her independence is soaring. Previously, she was having to rely on everyone to help her and that was hard for her, and now she’s doing her own grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning and more!

• Her symptoms, although not always consistent, have vastly improved overall and she’s getting relief when she previously wasn’t.

• Her motivation and determination has soared to where she wants to keep pushing more and more to find that normal life again.

Her willingness to try anything and do every recommendation is what has brought her so much success thusfar. And it’s that same willingness that will continue to take her healing to the next levels

I’m so proud of her, and I tell her that often on our calls, but truly it is my absolute honor to be a part of her healing story and I am excited to see where she will be after our next 12 weeks together.

Stay tuned for part 2, because I just know it’s going to be even more inspiring.

And if you are lost on where to start your Gastroparesis healing journey, make sure you download the FREE 3-Day Healing Guide.

If you have already done that, but are so ready to move forward with your healing, request a free consult call to learn more about working 1-on-1 and how I can help you with your Gastroparesis. Head here to make that request by filling out the quick form at the bottom of the page.

I can’t wait for your story to be next.

Until next time,

Keep it Fresh. Keep it Simple. Keep it Real.

Aubrey