gastric neurostimulator and exercise and insulin pump
Hi. My GP was diagnosed in 2009 (but I had symptoms as far back as 1993) and has flared up since January 2012. I'm considering getting the gastric neurostimulator (GES) implanted and wondering if anyone has experience they can share. I asked Medtronic if the Enterra system interferes at all with an insulin pump and/or CGMS and they had no specific advice to offer and told me to discuss it with my doctors. My surgeon doesn't appear to think there will be interference but just in case, recommends trying to keep the devices on the opposite side of the body. (Great for site rotation, right?) I have very limited site options right now due to all the weight loss my GP has caused, and am wearing the sensor on my arms only at this point.
My other concern was exercise. I joined a very vigorous fitness class which seems to help with stomach motility as well as increase my appetite so I can eat more food. I met with the surgeon Friday and he says he would allow me to continue the class (with a minimum of 3 months off for healing) as long as I don't get hit or kicked (mixed martial arts class) over the implant and wires. Anyone out there have the GES and do vigorous exercise? Any issues with that?
Finally, just had a new question I didn't think of when I saw the doc. Pecautions have to be taken when around a dentist's drill. Anyone know if you have to be careful around the drills used for tattooing ifyou have a GES? I have been holding off on my next tatt in hopes my stomach feels better and I lie on the table more comfortably, but maybe I can't wait...
Thanks. Mary
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by mar on -
Thanks, Renka. I'm sorry it isn't working so well for you. A friend at work had one put in about 2 or 3 months ago and isn't too happy, so she warns me every time I see her! Thank you about the dental work - that's good to know as my dentist probably doesn't even know what a GES is. (Although I'm sure she's pretty familiar with drills.) Unfortunately there aren't too many treatment options when you have refractory GP. I still keep hoping my flare up will go away but it's been about 9 months now. It's scary when everyone I see at work tells me to stop losing weight (and I have a bulky lab coat on). I'm in a small town so not any clinical studies nearby. I wouldn't mind trying the grhelin drugs...
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Permalink Reply by mar on
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Update: I have surgery scheduled for 11/13 to get the implant. I was almost too weak to walk, so have an nj tube in until then with continuous feeding running. Feeling much stronger than a week ago, and trying to eat a little by mouth as tolerated. Hopefully this flare up will calm down soon and give me some time for the stimulator to start helping.
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Permalink Reply by Sarah on -
So good to hear. I hope it helps. When I got mine, they put a jpeg in at the same time so i could gain some weight while i waited for it to fully kick in. i only did nighttime feeding and ate what i could during the day. I was able to start eating enough after 6 months to get the jpeg out.
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Permalink Reply by mar on
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I had my stimulator implanted 11/13 and nj tube removed and am tolerating about 1600 calories/day now. Yay! What a relief. I have to remember to eat because I still don't get very hungry, but the nausea is gone and I don't get painfully full after 2 sips or bites of food. I can eat some fat (and fiber) now instead of mostly just carbs and protein, so it's been easier to get the calories in.
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Permalink Reply by Sarah on
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Oh Mary!! So good to hear! It will keep getting better- mine did not take full effect until about 6 months so it's great that you have already noticed a difference! I wish you the best of luck and hope you can get back to your exercise soon enough!
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