It is quite common for those with gastroparesis to have other AN problems like you mentioned.

Those with SFN do commonly have AN also...but that doesn't mean it's likely. Much of the answer would go back to what's the cause of the SFN in the first place.

The 'milkish' drink then scan during your annual exam does not sound like an empty test. It sounds more like barium used with xrays (upper GI series).

It will be interesting to see what the pulmo doc says about your SOB. Maybe it's a diaphragm dysfunction, since you're not wheezing, etc. I'm sure he'll figure it out.

Well, I dont know the cause of this....in fact, my skin biopsy was negative! I wish I know the cause, so, it would have been easier to deal with it, emotionally. Not that dealing with the physical pain is easier but at least I know that it real.

If AN is involved, particulary gastroparesis, is the feeling of "fullness/bloating" persistent, or is there anytime that your abdomen feels normal? For the past 2 days, I have been reducing my already small intake (I am essentially not a big eater). Yesterday, I still feel so bloated after eating small amounts. Today, my stomach seems to feel normal. Each time after eating, I moved a lot to let food go down. Maybe that could be the reason why I did not feel so full today. Does gastroparesis improve with lots of movements after eating?

You are right, it could have been barium enema because I remember the test was Upper GI Series.

The shortness of breath is still bothering me. I searched about the diaphragm dysfunction...I hope it is not it.

Gastroparesis can be intermittent, so bloating/fullness may not be present after each meal.

There are several things that someone can do to help mild gastroparesis (without medicine). First, eat small meals more frequently. Seems like you already do this. But more then just the small meals, it's what those meals consist of. True gastroparesis makes breaking down food difficult (from reduced motion to grind food up). So avoid foods that are naturally hard to break down like nuts, raw fruit and veggies. I'm not saying skip veggies or fruit, just steam veggies, vs eating them raw in salads, etc. Same for fruits...change to a smoothy where the fruit is already broken down.

When I'm having significant problems, I follow a 'mechanic soft diet', which includes avoiding the above, but also means grinding up my food (meats, etc) so the stomach has to work less. Trust me, the TASTE of a steak does not change, just the consistency.

Getting up and moving around is the best way to allow gravity to help digestion, so you are 100% right about this. It is also a good idea to avoid eating in the evening, since those with GP might not have emptied their stomach by the time they go to bed...and that can cause some discomfort. I also sleep with my head elevated, just to help keep reflux (very common with gastroparesis) to a minimum.

When you experience the bloatedness/fullness, do you also feel short of breath? Do you feel relieved when you pass out gas?

So, even the (GF) oatmeal with blueberries and banana should be preferrably grinded? I notice too, it seems that even with just water while taking my medicines make me feel full.

Getting up and moving around after meal is not a problem to me. In fact, I have been doing this for a long, long time, only, I could no longer do as much as standing or moving around these days because of my feet pain. Tsk,tsk--- damn if you do, damn if you dont.

Thank you.

You should not feel SOB just from feeling full or bloated.

Oatmeal, bananas, etc are quite soft, so I would not worry about them. It's more meats, etc. that I grind up when gastroparesis is severe.

You should inquire with your GP or a GI doctor about a stomach emptying test if you continue to have problems and they have not found another cause for it.

I will see a GI. I am waiting for my PCP to issue the renewal of my authorization to my previous GI.

Is your AN an offshoot of your Sjorgren's? When you felt your nerve problems, which came first, the sensory or the AN?

With the constant bloated feeling, I am now reducing my food intake. I am concerned that I may lose weight. I dont want to lose weight because with my height and frame, I already look thin (5'6'ft/113.6lbs). I wanted to gain a little more weight but, I guess its my metabolism. When my thyroid was removed, the doctor warned me that I should not be surprised if I gained weight, but I never did. So, it makes me think there might be some problems with my metabolism that is contributing to my neurological problems.

Yes, my AN is also from the Sjogren's. And it came first before the PN. Actually, the AN was more pronounced before I was having major Sjogren's symptoms. I was diagnosed with AN almost 12 years before the Sjogren's...even though the Sjogren's is the root cause. It is not uncommon to be diagnosed with other manifestations of Sjogren's before actually being diagnosed with Sjogren's.

I am wondering why it took that long to diagnosed you with the Sjorgren's.

Was Sjorgren's ruled out because of your negative results?

Sjogren's was never really looked at as a possibility. An ENT mentioned it once after sinus surgery...just in passing, because he noted my tissue was extremely dry. He never followed up.

It's not a household name. Until the doctor asked, I had no idea that the grit feeling in my eyes or the dry mouth was really that abnormal...because it was normal for me...and it was the least of my problems. It wasn't until I went to a doctor at Hopkins for my blood clotting disorder (APS), that the physician asked questions about my extensive medical history...for over 2 hours. He suggested Sjogren's and ordered labs (which of course were negative), a schirmer's test, and lip biopsy...both of which were very positive.

Sjogren's is now something doctors are looking at and testing for more frequently.

My appointment with the gastro is still way off (to consult my bloated feeling), but I would want to throw this question to our experts, so I am prepared.... If ever the gastroenterologist gives me the "emptying test", does it have to be general anaesthesia or is it sedation? Is anaesthesia (whether general or sedation) a trigger to PN?

Further, as I mentioned in my other posts, my IGg/IGa Gliadin Antibodies and Transglutiminase are all negative. Would it be more productive/beneficial to request the doctor to see if I have villi atrophy, just to have confirmation (and closure) wether celiac/gluten is an issue in my PN. I know that it is common sense to have it confirmed, however, another side of my brain is debating if its worth it or am I opening myself to more risks? Do I make sense?