Gastroparesis Frequently Asked Questions

On the daily, I get all kinds of questions about Gastroparesis, so I thought it might be a good idea to gather them all together into a Gastroparesis Frequently Asked Questions blog for you to be able to reference anytime. When necessary, I will update the questions, or add a part 2, 3, etc. on.

So, let's get started with some of the basics.

1. What exactly is Gastroparesis?

I have discussed this in another blog, that you can read here. However, quickly, it's a nerve condition that affects the stomach muscles and prevents proper stomach emptying.

2. How do you get tested for Gastroparesis?

It might take a little bit to get the test for GP, because the doctors typically go through a slew of other tests for digestive dysfunction, but if you have ruled out everything and want the test, then advocate for yourself and ask for it. What they do is give you a meal to eat, and then you lay down on a table as a machine watches how you digest and how long. It can take up to 4 hours laying there, depending on what your doctor wants/needs.

3. Is Gastroparesis progressive?

GP can get worse, but that doesn't mean it will and it doesn't happen to all of those who get it. Some say no matter what you do to treat it, it could still get worse, but that depends on the treatment.

4. Will it ever go away?

Technically, it will never go away, however, don't fear. GP can go into remission and stay dormant for the rest of your life, and then it can flare up at any point. It all depends on how far into the condition you are and how hard you are willing to work to turn the corner to getting better.

5. Is Gastroparesis genetic? Can I pass it to my children?

As of right now, it does not look like it's hereditary. However, there is an exception to this, in regards to autoimmune diseases. The AID that runs in families can lead to GP, therefore, making GP genetic. Note that means you are mostly passing down the autoimmune disease.

6. How bad can Gastroparesis get?

I should preface all of this by saying, you don't technically die *from* Gastroparesis, but there have been a few who have died because of the side effects from the condition. Gastroparesis, left untreated, can lead to being on a feeding tube, a pacemaker in your stomach, extreme malnutrition, hair loss, etc. You can avoid all of this by treating it properly.

7. What is the treatment for Gastroparesis?

Building on the last question, there are "technical treatments" given by 99% of doctors out there. I have met very few people who have felt better with any of these treatments.

The current treatment includes a type of prokinetic medication to encourage stomach contractions. These medications are Domperidone or Reglan. Reglan is a dangerous medication that can affect the central nervous system. Domperidone is very difficult to get in the US.

If bad enough, it will lead to a feeding tube or a gastric stimulator (pacemaker) in the stomach.

I do not stand behind any of these "treatments", as they are just shots in the dark. I do have some recommendations to help with your GP symptoms.

These are some of the main, more basic, questions for now. In a later post or in an update to this one, I will answer more of nitty gritty questions that come in!

If you have any questions you would like answered, feel free to reach out to me at info@realpeeljuice.com to get those answered!

3 Smoothie Recipes for Gastroparesis

Finding different recipes for Gastroparesis that work for you can be difficult. If you suffer with GP, you know that not everyone can eat the same thing and sometimes you can't even eat the same thing you were able to eat the week before.

Here are 3 smoothies, that can be adjusted to your needs, that are great for those of us who deal with Gastroparesis.

It will help

• provide needed nutrients

• an easily digestible meal

• takes the stress away from trying to figure out what to eat

Granted, you don't have to have Gastroparesis in order to enjoy these smoothies, as they are delicious and packed with nutrients everyone needs.

Melon Green

Smoothie

• 1 cup mixed melon balls

• 1/2 handful baby spinach

• Juice from 1/2 a lime

• 1 scoop of vanilla protein

Blend and enjoy.

Choc Dream

Smoothie

• 1/2- 1 frozen banana

• 1/4 cup frozen zucchini

• 1/4 cup frozen avocado

• 1 handful baby spinach

• 1 tbsp nut butter of choice (I prefer almond butter or cashew butter)

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1 scoop chocolate protein

• 1 tbsp chocolate magnesium (optional)

• 1 tsp trace minerals (optional)

Blend & enjoy! This smoothie provides lots of great fats that are easy to digest, which normally, Gastroparesis patients have a hard time digesting. Plus, the cacao offers a ton of magnesium, which is great for the muscles.

Berry Blast

Smoothie

• 1 cup mixed berries or just strawberries

• 1/4 handful baby spinach

• 1 cup coconut milk

• 1 scoop vanilla protein

Blend & enjoy!

BONUS: Easy Green Smoothie

• 1/2 cup frozen pineapple chunks

• 1/4 cup frozen zucchini

• 1 handful baby spinach

• Juice from 1 lime

• 1 cup coconut water

• 1 scoop vanilla protein of choice (optional, but highly recommend)

• 1 tsp trace minerals (optional but highly recommend)

Blend and enjoy.

This smoothie is great to provide a TON of greens and the vitamins and minerals needed without it being too hard to digest. I highly recommend the trace minerals because more than likely, you are severely lacking most of the minerals your body needs, and this will provide that in an easy-to-absorb way. Do not overdo the drops, because it will taste like metal.

Now, I know you might be fearful to try them, but give them a go & see how you feel. After all, it's worth a try.

I Juiced for a Month Straight - The Results

It’s Not What You Think

If you have been following me for a while, you are probably thinking, “wait a second, you always say don’t do a cleanse for more than 3 days in a row”, and you would be right.

I did not do a cleanse for a month, because 1. that would be just stupid 2. that sounds like torture 3. your body would be in worse shape. However, I did drink a juice pretty much everyday for the month of February. If I am being totally honest, I did have to miss a small handful of days, because of traveling.

Why Did I Do This?

I have Gastroparesis, and I have talked about it many times, but what I don’t talk about often is how it affects me daily and my diet. It often causes me to be very full after just a bite or two of food, it causes me to have intense sugar cravings, because of the lack of fuel for my body, and it can make me cramp up and feel all around icky.

So, I had been noticing that I was struggling during the month of January, even though I was eating very healthy, and I did some reflecting on when I was feeling my best. This brought me back to when I was juicing daily.

I would wake up every morning and make a juice for breakfast. This allowed me to get a lot of nutrients in my body, fuel me until lunchtime, but without the pain of digesting whole food, the cramping, the bloating and the all around sick feeling. (disclaimer: I will always choose eating food over drinking it, but for one meal, it makes a huge difference)

February rolled around, and I did exactly that. If you have been following me on Instagram, then you would have seen some of the juices in my stories.

The Results:

1. Bye bye sugar cravings. Thank the freaking lord, because it was getting bad, and I was getting really fed up with it. Drinking a juice each morning allowed my body to absorb and assimilate the nutrients in my body and be put to use, instead of being stuck in my stomach for hours on end.

2. Energy for dayyyyyyyys. No, it’s not a sugar rush and then crash. Because my body was getting to use these nutrients, it was fueling my body to perform optimally. One of the days I didn’t get to drink my juice, because my husband drank it, he texted me and was like what the heck is in this juice? He said his energy was insane, and longer lasting than coffee, and no crash. WIN!

3. Motivation. Sounds weird, but when you put something so good into your body, and start feeling good, it motivates you to continue on for the rest of the day. Best part was as soon as I started feeling hungry, I ate food. I didn’t deprive myself. I was, however, more conscious about making really good choices for lunch and dinner.

4. Weight loss. I debated on even talking about this, because it wasn’t my focus and I don’t ever want to give the idea that juicing is a weight loss solution, because it is a piece of the solution, not the whole. More than the few pounds that I lost, it’s the way my clothes fit. I feel good in them, not like ehhhhh I need to lose weight. Y’all know what I’m talking about.

5. Happier. This has other factors that contribute to it, like new business opportunities, learning new things about nutrition and health, family, etc. BUT I do know that when my body feels good, I feel happier, more confident and all around good, which then gets relayed to others and makes them happy.

Should You Do This?

Okay, now you have seen my results, you are wondering if you can get a piece of those feelings, so where should you start?

You need to evaluate what your goals are for it. If they are singularly weight loss, then don’t waste your time. If they are weight loss, but also curb cravings, increase energy levels, teach yourself discipline, etc. then let’s talk.

You drink 1 juice daily for breakfast, then eat regularly for lunch and dinner and any snacks, but ideally you make good choices. If you miss one morning, that’s okay, don’t wait for the next Monday, just start over the next morning. Ideally, picking more green juices is the best route, however, if you are new to juicing start easy with more fruit based ones to get your body used to it.

Overall, I am so happy I did this again. It just reinforced the fact that I shouldn’t deviate away from what makes me feel good. So, I am continuing on into March and so excited to see how I feel after another month.

If you would like to get started, or would like some help picking out juices to start with, please feel free to comment or reach out to me by email at info@realpeeljuice.com.

Until next time.

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

Aubrey xoxo