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Suggest Treatment For Gastroparesis While On Pantoprazole
Question: I have been diagnosed with gastroparenthisis after a nuclear stomach emptying test. I have taken pantaprozole for 6 years ...twice a day for 3 or 4 of those years. I am wondering if that could have any relation to the stomach problems due to reducing the stomach acid.
My email address is YYYY@YYYY
My email address is YYYY@YYYY
Brief Answer:
It is possible but can be due to other causes
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Welcome to HCM. I have gone through the question and understand your concerns.
I think that you meant gastroparesis. Here are some of the causes of gastroparesis:
Neuropathy
Diabetes
Abdominal surgery
Heavy cigarette smoking
Also, low acidity levels can cause it
Pantoprazole causes a reduction of acid levels in the stomach. This reduction in acid level will cause the digestion time to increase and can lead to slow passage of food through the intestines.
It is good idea to take small amounts of food. This will help you prevent getting the effects of gastroparesis. In some people, certain gastrokinetic drugs work well as well.
Please talk to a doctor to get these prescribed.
I hope I have answered your query. Please post a follow up if you need more information. All the best.
It is possible but can be due to other causes
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Welcome to HCM. I have gone through the question and understand your concerns.
I think that you meant gastroparesis. Here are some of the causes of gastroparesis:
Neuropathy
Diabetes
Abdominal surgery
Heavy cigarette smoking
Also, low acidity levels can cause it
Pantoprazole causes a reduction of acid levels in the stomach. This reduction in acid level will cause the digestion time to increase and can lead to slow passage of food through the intestines.
It is good idea to take small amounts of food. This will help you prevent getting the effects of gastroparesis. In some people, certain gastrokinetic drugs work well as well.
Please talk to a doctor to get these prescribed.
I hope I have answered your query. Please post a follow up if you need more information. All the best.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Hello and thank you for answering my question. I would like to check with you on a few more concerns.
I am thinking I should get off my pantoprazole to see if it could be a cause of my slow digestion time and symptoms. I have been taking it a long time more or less as a preventive measure for the esophagitis for which it was prescribed. Is it correct that I need to ask my dr. to prescribe smaller doses of it so I can taper off?
I also notice on your list of possible causes of gastroparesis that you have Neuropathy listed. Could you tell me how this can affect the digestive process and what could be done about it? I have numbness and tingling in my forearms, hands and fingers. It is worse at night and is usually on whichever side I am laying on - if I turn over it goes to the other side. I am assuming this is caused by the pinched nerves in my neck and shoulders, due to disc degeneration and arthritis. I know there are other kinds of neuropathy but am wondering if the pinched nerves etc. could be related to my stomach problems.
How can you check the level of acidity in your stomach?
I am eating smaller meals and more often and it seems to help some. I still have a gnawing ache if I overeat or am constipated. I have not been as bloated and have lost 3 or 4 lbs. - possibly water weight. Do you know of a source where I could find a list of foods that I can eat? I found a sample on the net but it was limited.
I apologize for my lengthy post. It's hard to talk to the dr. one on one unless you have an appointment. It is nice to be able to check out some of my concerns with you. Thank you so much for your patience and good advice. It is very much appreciated.
Regards,
XXXX
I am thinking I should get off my pantoprazole to see if it could be a cause of my slow digestion time and symptoms. I have been taking it a long time more or less as a preventive measure for the esophagitis for which it was prescribed. Is it correct that I need to ask my dr. to prescribe smaller doses of it so I can taper off?
I also notice on your list of possible causes of gastroparesis that you have Neuropathy listed. Could you tell me how this can affect the digestive process and what could be done about it? I have numbness and tingling in my forearms, hands and fingers. It is worse at night and is usually on whichever side I am laying on - if I turn over it goes to the other side. I am assuming this is caused by the pinched nerves in my neck and shoulders, due to disc degeneration and arthritis. I know there are other kinds of neuropathy but am wondering if the pinched nerves etc. could be related to my stomach problems.
How can you check the level of acidity in your stomach?
I am eating smaller meals and more often and it seems to help some. I still have a gnawing ache if I overeat or am constipated. I have not been as bloated and have lost 3 or 4 lbs. - possibly water weight. Do you know of a source where I could find a list of foods that I can eat? I found a sample on the net but it was limited.
I apologize for my lengthy post. It's hard to talk to the dr. one on one unless you have an appointment. It is nice to be able to check out some of my concerns with you. Thank you so much for your patience and good advice. It is very much appreciated.
Regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Explanations given
Detailed Answer:
HI XXXXXXX
Thank you for the follow up.
It is not a good idea to stop the medication or the antacids abruptly as this can cause rebound acidity which will be severe. Tapering or changing the medications to a lower dose will help to get your acidity levels back to normal.
Neuropathy that can cause gastroparesis will involve the nerves supplying the stomach. When the nerves are damaged, there will be less movement of the stomach.
There are a few tests that can test acidity but they are not designed to test the actual level of acidity. A few tests are 24 hour pH monitoring which can give the pH of the stomach for 24 hours. Other than this, there are not many other tests which can help measure the exact acid level and are performed easily.
I would not be able to suggest what meals to avoid. But in general, avoiding coffee, spicy and oily foods help. Any foods that you feel can cause an irritation to the stomach should be avoided. This differs from person to person and you may develop acidity due to certain foods whereas other people would not.
Identify these foods and avoid them.
I hope this helps you. And I did not mind the lengthy post. I am happy to help.
All the best.
Explanations given
Detailed Answer:
HI XXXXXXX
Thank you for the follow up.
It is not a good idea to stop the medication or the antacids abruptly as this can cause rebound acidity which will be severe. Tapering or changing the medications to a lower dose will help to get your acidity levels back to normal.
Neuropathy that can cause gastroparesis will involve the nerves supplying the stomach. When the nerves are damaged, there will be less movement of the stomach.
There are a few tests that can test acidity but they are not designed to test the actual level of acidity. A few tests are 24 hour pH monitoring which can give the pH of the stomach for 24 hours. Other than this, there are not many other tests which can help measure the exact acid level and are performed easily.
I would not be able to suggest what meals to avoid. But in general, avoiding coffee, spicy and oily foods help. Any foods that you feel can cause an irritation to the stomach should be avoided. This differs from person to person and you may develop acidity due to certain foods whereas other people would not.
Identify these foods and avoid them.
I hope this helps you. And I did not mind the lengthy post. I am happy to help.
All the best.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Dr. Rachabattuni, I want to thank you for your patience and kindness in answering my questions. I am taking your advice and asking my dr. to prescribe the appropriate doses of pantaprozole for me to taper off the medication. I am trying to do what I can in hopes of finding relief without medication before I take something that could have risky side effects. I appreciate your time and professionalism.
Regards,
XXXX
Regards,
XXXX
Brief Answer:
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thank you for the kind words. I wish you the best. If you have any more questions please do contact me.
I wish you the best of health.
Regards,
Dr Vignan
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Thank you for the kind words. I wish you the best. If you have any more questions please do contact me.
I wish you the best of health.
Regards,
Dr Vignan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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