Megan, the good thing first is that you have a doctor that understands gastric motility issues – many do not and will just keep subjecting you to unnecessary tests….. the gastric empty study is very revealing – I had abnormal gastric empty studies with solids and liquids 8 years ago because I was lucky enough to have found a doc who recognized with the severity of my neuropathy, that the probably cause was gastric lack of motility… it was….. he moved however, and its taken me years to find another motility specialist, who is wonderful… there are only a few meds that can help – but if the doc feels its necessary – try them! I could not consume anything without them….

I’m lactose intolerant – so extremely limited in what I can “eat” – just ensure (other products like Resource etc some people like better) – the key is what your body can tolerate. Having a milk shake however (too much fat to tolerate), or just pureeing food – is not the answer…. I hope you got to check out the diet sites – fiber, raw foods, and large amounts of fat are your worst enemy as they are very difficult to digest, as are many foods that may surprise you are taboo. Most people cannot tolerate any form of raw veggies, fruits, red meat, citrus fruits, there are many degrees of the disease, and some like me just a few liquids…. In my case, we are trying to avoid a J-tube which by-passes your stomach because of high risk of infection, etc….that’s a whole other can of worms to deal with.

The second I “eat” (drink something) I feel sick, like you, and just have to fight it because I know I have to eat to stay alive – its really 24/7 and never ends… but again, lots of people can fight it with meds that help more, or is not so severe. Its very difficult to function with any normalcy – life centers around eating – a very social event – and I crave food constantly and think about eating all the time – to the point of watching food shows, reading recipes, etc…. its like with health in general – you don’t appreciate something until you cant do it. Personally, I loved to eat prior to getting ill and did constantly all types of cuisine, being naturally thin I ate everything and loved it – I could name all the food probably on one hand that I’ve tried an not enjoyed…. So yes, it is very very difficult to live like this.

The key to drinking fluids, you mentioned the gelatin – is that while broth, unless it’s an expensive hospital supplement, doesn’t have enough nutrition, in order to get enough protein and calories you must drink something that has nutrition but as little fat as possible and NO fiber.

There’s a good support group on-line – and I've found thru it gastroparesis can have many causes – about 12% of us can trace it to neurological disorders. I also have cardiac dysfunction – not sure if from autonomic PN but it probably is

Anyway, hang in there – sounds like you have a good doc – look at the diets – try any meds if needed, and try to be as vigilant as possible to stick to the diet. Something as innocent looking like an orange or lettuce can put you in the hospital cause of the fiber, forming a bezoar in your stomach (a lump of fiber) – resulting in surgery.

Wishing you the best….