Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Sarah on September 16, 2012 at 7:50am

I got the Medtronic pacemaker in 2005. First off- it saved my life! I weighed about 80lbs, unable to eat and throwing up most of the time. 6 months after the pacemaker I weighed 100lbs and now am stable at around 115. I have never had any issues with my pump (animas) or CGM (Dexcom) no matter where I put the sites on my body (i.e. opposite side of pacemaker does not matter for me). I also exercise quite a bit because I also find it helps with motility. I do boot camp classes,spin, run, swim, zumba- never mixed martial arts, but I would assume that as long as no one kicks you right over it you would be fine (I actually have been kicked in the stomach though- with no real issues). With exercise, the biggest thing my doc told me to watch out for was 'twisting motions". So in yoga, I have to be careful because intense twisting can cause it to shift in your stomach- which you can kinda feel, so if I start to have a twinge I knew I twisted too far. But really have had no issues with it at all- never even heard of the dentist thing and I just had a crown put on. I don't have any tattoos, but I guess it would depend on where you want to get a tattoo..

Permalink Reply by Katie on September 16, 2012 at 8:08am

I have a similar story to Sarah. The stimulator saved my life and my sanity! I had a PICC in, could only eat tiny amounts of baby food, constantly in the hospital, etc. till I got it implanted last November. I have gained 25 lbs, can eat a big variety of foods, and have been able to go back to work/life, etc. There are still flares and I still have to be careful with my food.. but in general, it's amazing and I believe worth trying!
I'm about to return to the pump but haven't had them at the same time. I do wear the dexcom cgm and have no interference issues. My docs said there are no issues, just don't put them in the same spot because you don't want to risk the needle hitting the device.
For exercise... I'm hoping I'll still get better - and it's hard to tell because i deveoped an incisional hernia 4 months after my surgery. So really I'm not that far out from recovery. But I do have trouble in certain exercise I used to do - things that are really bouncy like zumba after too long I'm sore. For hte most part, I run, kayak, dance, and have a pretty normal life. I tried a belly dance class once... dumb idea, I lasted about 10 min w/ the pain. And agreed with Sarah taht you need to watch out for twisting.
No issues with dentist and don't know about tattoo- though I imagine as long as it's not over the leads or the device you'd be fine.
A great blog with details of getting and living with the device is here (though she doesn't have diabetes so it's not quite the same perspective) -http://livingwithgastroparesis.com/

Good luck!!

Permalink Reply by mar on September 16, 2012 at 10:42am

Thanks, Katie. My sister found Crystal's blog for me and I found her books on GP diet very helpful. I have to schedule a current gastric emptying study before we submit paperwork for the Enterra device/insurance coverage, and don't really want another surgery (3 major surgeries a couple of years ago for other issues) but I also don't want to start missing work or lose more weight or get even weaker. I'm lucky that I don't vomit and I think that's what keeps me out of the emergency room. I'm glad to hear that you can still participate in your activities. That, plus getting my doc's okay, makes me feel much better about the idea of getting the implant.

Permalink Reply by mar on September 16, 2012 at 10:33am

Thanks so much! I was so worried about the exercise part after reading the Enterra manual. I know at this point that the need to eat is more important than exercising, but I still want to have some options and have a real life! And I'd prefer the Enterra device over feeding tubes or TPN... I also wear the Animas and Dexcom, so glad to hear you haven't had any issues. My surgeon didn't seem to think they'd cause a problem. I'll have to ask him why the manual says dentist drills can cause an issue. The surgeon says it's strong magnetic fields that cause problems.

Permalink Reply by Sarah on September 16, 2012 at 11:43am

I think it has to be a VERY strong magnetic field- so drills are ok. The only time I have to be careful is airport security, and I usually get a pat-down or go through the x-ray machine if they are available. But no metal detectors at the airport!

I was also on tube feedings and TPN a lot and life is SO much better now- haven't had one since the surgery! My life is pretty normal now- I do have a few 'attacks' a year, but nothing terrible. Exercising has helped a lot and I even was able to finish a 1/2 Ironman 4 years after my surgery and do tri's and road run/cycle races every summer.

Good luck, I hope it helps you!

Permalink Reply by mar on September 16, 2012 at 5:46pm

Thanks, Sarah. Right now I already get patted down at the airport because of the pump and my Glucerna. The metal detectors would be the thing I have to remember. For a while, erythromycin, massage, acupuncture and exercise were helping a lot, and now they're just helping sporadically. I wish there was some kind of a cure! But if the GES can keep me healthy enough to avoid tube feedings and TPN, I guess I'm probably willing to try it. I'm tired of having 2 or 3 or 5 hypoglycemic events every day and worrying about job performance and lack of energy.

Permalink Reply by Sarah on September 16, 2012 at 7:25pm

I know that success is different for everyone, but I was at the same point you are. I needed to eat and was worried about my future (holding a job, etc). I had tried everything else and this was kinda my last resort. While I am not saying my life is completely normal, it is definitely a lot better than it used to be. I get nauseous every once in a while, but not to the extreme that it used to be. I saw your reply to Renka and you might want to tell your friend at work this too- my doctor warned me when I got the implant that I wouldn't magically be better. It takes some time for your body to get used to the device. I didn't get much relief until about 6 months after the surgery and was started to feel extremely better after about 1 year post-implant. You definitely have to be patient.

Permalink Reply by mar on September 24, 2012 at 7:30pm

Thanks, Sarah. I had my latest emptying study on Friday and results are showing even more delay than 2009, but I knew it would be severe based on my postprandial BG results these past 8 months (and my need to combo bolus over 4-5 hours for mini-meals). I am still thinking and waiting and taking one day at a time... But it's been good talking to the surgeon and with the DOC (ha, the doc and the DOC) and getting real stories instead of just reading the Enterra manual. And my ribs hurt from Sunday's class, so Renka, I will be careful of the MMA! Maybe I will have to take up Ironmans. :)

Permalink Reply by Sarah on September 24, 2012 at 7:42pm

Well keep me posted if you don't mind! It's hard to find people with GP who exercise as much as I do so it would be nice to share stories!

Permalink Reply by mar on October 2, 2012 at 6:31pm

I haven't been to the gym for over a week because I have no energy at all. Told the surgeon's office to go ahead and get insurance approval for the stim, which wouldn't get implanted before Nov. I am conserving my energy for work, right now. I keep reminding myself that I will still be able to do the things I hope to do, it's just developed into a different timeline with perhaps some different variations and twists and turns.

Permalink Reply by Sarah on October 2, 2012 at 8:11pm

That is definitely one thing I have learned and had to accept over the years with gastroparesis. Sometimes you just have to roll with the punches! I have had to modify my life at points and things may take longer than I had planned because of unexpected hic-cups, but just know that you are not alone. While you may not follow the path you consider 'normal'- that is okay! At least you are doing everything you can, and that is the most important- never give up! Hope all goes well and please feel free to touch base, let me know how things go, and if you have any more questions!

Permalink Reply by renka on September 16, 2012 at 1:04pm

I have the pump and the GES. I would be careful with mixed martial arts in the Beginning while you heal but the only problem I've had is walking into a doorknob a couple times and I've had it for 7 years. I honestly cannot attest to the GES giving me great results though and I do not know if I would honestly recommend it. Everyone has different results. I would do more research. It's not a cure all. All I can tell you that tattoos prob wouldn't be a problem and I don't see dental work being a problem. I have had lots of it. I've had lots of drilling, I've had a few crowns and I currently have braces and need to get veneers after the braces are done ( I'm 44 and I've had the GES for 7 years ). Good luck!

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