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I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis 13 years ago, & my life has not been the same since. I’ve lost a part of myself. The uncontrollable, debilitating nausea & vomiting, the fire in my throat from acid reflux, the spasms in my stomach so bad that I double over in pain, & the malnutrition & weight loss have me worried that I am slowly starving.
I’ve cried too many tears to count now, & I’ve prayed for God’s healing hand.
This is a terrible way to have to struggle through life. I am NOT living anymore; I barely exist.
#PleaseFindACure
Energy is such a precious commodity; you never know when it will run out until it does. Living with gastroparesis, a condition characterized by decreased motility of the stomach, is not easy because you lose your energy. Gastroparesis can be downright deadly, but so far, I am one of the lucky ones.
You shouldn’t have to depend on luck when you’re given a diagnosis like gastroparesis.
The only reason I am still standing, and still working today, is because of the educational privileges I’ve accrued over my career. Many patients living with this disorder receive substandard medical care because the lack of research, training, and empathy in the medical world. When patients lack the ability to communicate their symptoms to your medical team, they are dismissed but when medical teams lack the language to understand or diagnosis complicated conditions, we die.
I would be remiss if I didn’t disclose that I was a practicing Physician Assistant with over a decade of experience in primary, urgent, and rural healthcare. My background includes a combination of pharmaceutical sales, medical and creative writing, and clinical practice and yet when I was diagnosed
12 years ago today is the 1st time I remember throwing up. I was diagnosed finally in 2011. I’m lucky to still be here. And still can’t find a good doctor that will help me. At my lowest I’ve weighed 108 pounds and I just turned 60 in July. I would be more than glad to answer any questions anyone has. It’s a horrible painful disease that needs a cure or at least more understanding doctors and better treatment. I have been called a drug seeker more than once. – Tammi Parker