Mere,

Interestingly I can 'eat' tofu too - especially the very light 'silken tofu'. But I suppose it is a bit like a 'shaped' custard really in terms of its consistency. The only other thing that doesn't cause a problem & I can eat are prawns - can you believe that? I can have no vegetables in their normal cooked or raw form and for an avowed vegetable lover that is hard!. I do make lots of soups though. I make them from scratch - can't abide canned soups which seem to be so full of thickeners. I have 'wand' blenders aplenty - high speed, low speed, battery charged and plugged in etc. all the puree processing paraphernalia. LOL!

I also have a juice extractor which I sometimes use when I have organic veggies and fruit available but it does take some time to clean all the parts, so I do sometimes resort to the less preferred option of V8's etc.

Fruit I can stew. Do you use that word? Any fruit almost can be cooked and/or pureed. I need them fairly thin in consistency otherwise they get stuck in my oesophagus.

Lyrica has been a life saver for me. It has helped me sleep which I didn't realise had been so disturbed before I started them. In terms of the neuropathic pain it has probably helped about 20%, certainly has not eliminated it.

Cyclelops! Arggggh yes, the manometry test! I have told several people including my husband that with all the tests I've ever had done in my whole life, I NEVER want to have another manometry test! I just kept gagging and throwing up the water. Over and over I apologised. The technician was very sweet and said it didn't matter and it was probably because of the Gastroparesis that I was gagging so much. I think she was just being too nice!!

LOL, Megan, I did the same thing....and to think we apologized to THEM! Whoever invented this test has it coming.....Ugh, never, ever, ever again, and I had a double cardiac cath....not as bad! Spinal taps, no where near as bad. Colonoscopy, EGD a breeze. No, No, Never, Never, Uh, Uh, Oh....(shakes head no). If any one came at me with that manometry probe....well, you get the picture.

We do! What a visual, LOL!

I am glad that you can eat prawns. I seem to do alright with fresh fish - sushi is one of my favorites. I also prefer the 'silken' tofu and put it in soups often. Adds protein. Sometimes, I add beaten egg (like eggdrop) to the soup as well. I know what you mean about prepared soups - plus they add MSG and crap like that to it (bad for migraine).

I do love 'stewed' fruit, and yes, we do use that word to describe cooking fruit with spices, etc. My mother always makes the best spiced peaches...

By the way, that is a good site on GP that you passed on to us. Very informative, thank you...

Here's to finding ways of making soft foods exciting!

Mere.

I will get these really odd cravings, eat like a pig, then for days, I eat pudding and ensure, lol. In general, tho, my appetite has been fairly decent and I can get most things down, provided I do not plug myself up with any medication.

I understand the cravings... I get them too. With me it is toasted rye bread with apple jelly and Safeway peach yogurt (in the big container).

Mere

It is funny, I get cravings for shrimp. Kind of weird. Then there is the certain flavor ice cream, brownies (home made) or Chinese food. There is no rhyme or reason and I just indulge myself. It would be good if I craved spinach or brussel sprouts.

To Megan,

I am new on this site. Today is my first day for joining and browsing. I was concerned for you when you said you were taking propulsid. It was taken off the market in 2004. I was diagnoised with Gastroparesis about 14 years ago. Propulsid helped but then the Doctor took it away from me. I then tried metoclopramide 10 mg 4x a day.(reglan) it didn't help much. I have stopped taking it. I am hearing of lawsuits for problems caused by taking this drug. But I understand its still on the market. This stomach problem is really a mobility problem, so the key is to keep things moving. I tried Metamucial for about 5 years. I thought I found the miracle, then wham, couldn't take it anymore. I couldn't pass it out of the rectum. It just bunched up there and well...sounds gross I had to literally dig it out. The doctor said drink more water, I did and it didn't help. Then I tried Miralax and once again thought I had found my miracle. Worked for about 4 years, then wham..just didn't work anymore. I know doctors say not to use laxatives every day, but I got to the point it is the only thing that works as it "moves" the stomache and bowels. The best so far is good old milk of magnesium. I now take the pills cause I got so sick of the liguid taste I felt sick. I take two at night and it has worked for me. I also take healthy tummy by natren ( a probiotic chewable) however I am sure there are lots of brands out there. I pay 14.95 for 45 wafers..expensive, but I don't have to take them everyday the dosage is 1-2 a day on the bottle. I also take Trenev Trio by Natren, which is super strains of beneficial bacteria to optimize the entire gastrointestestinal tract. And like I said there are other brands cheaper out there. Actually since I just retired due to medical problems I won't go into here, I will need to reduce my costs and will be looking for a cheaper brand. Anyone out there use these 2 items? what brand do you use? hopefully I will find something good but cheaper. I hope I contine to keep things moving ! But when things don't move, I get so sick, vomiting, nausea...terrible when things don't move. Hope this information helps someone.
Mary

You are right about the drugs for GP, just plain lousy. I think you are being very proactive about your GP and are doing what is good for you.

It is such a variable condition and it seems that we just have to listen to our bodies and treat ourselves with trial and error. Sounds like you have a good protocol for dealing.

Mere

Thanks Mary for your concern!

I do realise that Propulsid was removed from world markets in the early 2000's. However there remains 'compassionate' clauses for prescribing it still in some countries, as long as careful ongoing monitoring, such as ECG's, are instituted. Quite apart from this and compared to some medications, my GI doctor insists that really on the scale with which this drug was previously prescribed, there were so few problems with it - altho' I totally agree, somewhat catastrophic when they did happen.

Yes I agree too that Gastroparesis is a dysmotility problem and constipation becomes a BIG issue. Do I ever know it now!!!! However as you know it is not the only issue with GP - especially without prokinetic treatment. I find that either Domperidone or Propulsid have been helpful in that I can now have liquid and pureed food without feeling nauseous all the time or vomiting periodically.

You sound like you have been 'through the mill' with all the 'laxatives' you have tried. I must give the milk of magnesia a trial. Someone else mentioned this the other day and I had forgotten, so thanks for the reminder.

I don't know about others with GP but I find cold or cool water quite hard to swallow now, but find that warm water is excellent and it helps the bowel motility a bit also.....also prunes are useful too. Do you have prunes where you live?