Hi Kmeb,
I am happy to read your new doc is already ordering some tests/labs!
I can feel the happiness about the doc actually showing concern/interst/initiative! Fantastic!
I think it helps so much to know our docs are truly interested and are highly motivated to try to help!
All of this is so difficult to deal with... when docs act indifferent, frustrated, "burnt out".. it really can have a very devastating impact upon us... or It certainly does upon me.
I am sorry the gastroparesis is so difficult to try to deal with. The "weight gainers" proteins can be very hard on the GI system, for sure. (I know of people without pre-exisitng GI problems actually encountering problems from some of the protein drinks.
The whole "use it or lose it" theory makes sense to me though! I wish there was something easier on your stomach to try. I am not even going to try to suggest anything, as I don't know what you have already tried and I am sure you have a tremendous amount of first hand knowledge and are making the best choice possible right now. I doubt I can suggest anything you have not already tried. (I so wish I had some super helpful information to offer to you.)
Since this last huge "attack" of my PN, I have had GI problems, but I'd thought I 've been having a GI Bug. Yet, after reading your account, I am not sure this is a GI bug. I have been eating very little, because everything is upsetting to my upper GI. When it starts to feel better and I do eat even a small meal, it feels like the meal just sits there. If I eat a small bland meal at 6 p.m., I awaken at 6 a.m., feeling like that meal is still sitting in my upper GI. It feels like "heaviness" in my upper GI. This has started shortly after the PN "attack" had become worse over this past weekend. (I had assumed a GI virus was worsening the PN, as many in my community are havin GI virus illness. Yet? I guess time will tell as to whether it is PN-related or a separate issue (A GI virus).
In fact, when I had signed on, I was going to ask about various shakes people had tired to restore vitamins. etc., that were also tolerable to a sensitive GI. I then had started reading thread before posting, as I had wanted to check in on some people I had been reading about, as well.
When you are ready to eat a pizza

, I will definitely offer to buy your favorite pizza!
I remain hopeful this doc will be able to help you in a very meaningful manner!
My best to you!