Happy 4th of July (2013)

Some of us will stay inside and hide from the people, parties and food. Others will venture out side of their comfort zone to try some food, knowing they may get sick. Why would they do that? Simply because they want to feel ‘normal’ and fit in.

What ever you decide to do today, I hope you have a good day and enjoy it to the best of your ability!

Info on swimming with feeding tubes

This summer some of you may want to swim, but may not know if it is okay with a feeding tube. 

Here is a great article by Oley Foundation on the topic!    Info on swimming with feeding tubes (click here)

Be safe and have fun this summer!

Happy 4th of July (2013)

Some of us will stay inside and hide from the people, parties and food. Others will venture our side of their comfort zone to try some food, knowing they may get sick. Why would they do that? Simply because they want to feel 'normal' and fit in.

To make the event a little better for you, it is best (I know - not as fun) to stay with foods that you know you can tolerate.  As an extra step, I always take a small cooler of 'foods' that I can tolerate, drinks and emergency medications.   This way I know I will be able to have something at the event.   You can either slip out and eat it at your car, or take it with you.  There is no shame in eating what your body will tolerate in front of others.  This is how we survive (and with less side effects).    Lastly, if they ask you to bring a dish, that is your chance to bring a dish that you can eat!

What ever you decide to do today, I hope you have a good day and enjoy it to the best of your ability!

Gastroparesis Frogs 'Pain, Nausea, Fatigue'

Here is my latest creation... feel free to pass it along:

http://melissagpfight.wordpress.com/2013/07/02/gastroparesis-pain-nausea-fatigue-frogs-2/

Gastroparesis 'Pain, Nausea & Fatigue' Frogs

"Hanging On For The Fight Of Our Life". This is dedicated to all those that suffer from a chronic illness.

Photo is property of Melissa (GP Fight) McElfresh as of it's creation date of July 1, 2013.

I'm Stronger Than That Reality TV Chick...

Here is a link to my Wordpress blog:  http://melissagpfight.wordpress.com/2013/06/30/im-stronger-than-that-reality-tv-chick/

Here is a copy of the blog 

(in case you don't want to click the link)

I just wanted my first episode on the Discovery Channel called ‘Naked & Afraid’.   Anybody ever watch this?  Well, I only saw it because I was too lazy to change the channel!  Yet it captivated me and I watched the full hour.  Here is the link to the one I saw (it’s free) and what I am going to do a quick blog on.  Just because it was funny thinking about gastroparesis and the chick on the show!

Basically the show is a man and woman that have never met, are dropped into the wilderness to survive for 21 days with only 1 item (of their choosing) each.  Yes, they are naked (of course it is censored).

During the one I watched, they were able to eat a snake about day 7 and then later a turtle.  Well, the turtle made the gal sick for 3 days and the guy was upset that he had to: hunt, keep the fire going and tend to her.  She had food poisoning and puked her guts out.  Any GPer out there know that feeling?!  (insert laugh)  Then became dehydrated.  Hmmm… do we know what that is like?   In the mean time the guy doing all this extra ‘work’ became physically drained and started to be a real a** to her and then would shrug it off saying he was just ‘tired’.   Again… do we know that feeling?! 

I also got to see the time elapse and them both shed the pounds off their bodies.   Luckily with my GP I only lost 15 pounds, but know some of you have lost much more and yet others go the other direction.

I know I could not do the elements that they were in and the next episode coming on is set in Africa.  The heat alone would kill me off!   So, I am not saying that I could have done better than her.   Maybe in my pre-GP state (haha).

What is my point?  Yes, I know that I could not have taken their spot in the show.   But, I am very proud to know that I over come what they went through (for their 21 days) everyday!  The gal in the show said what a mental toll it takes …. well, yes GP does too!

Keep fighting my wonderful GP Family!  One day we will overcome this!!

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Fatigue - Is More Than "GP Brain Fog"

FOLLOWING IS A COPY OF MY BLOG 

From WordPress

http://melissagpfight.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/fatigue-is-more-than-gp-brain-fog/

What is Fatigue?
“Fatigue is physical and/or mental exhaustion that can be triggered by stress, medication, overwork, or mental and physical illness or disease.”   As stated by The Medical Dictionary.

Symptoms of Fatigue?

Fatigue signs and symptoms may be of a physical, mental or emotional nature. Below is a list of some more possible signs and symptoms:

• Bloating
• Abdominal pain
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Aching or sore muscles
• Painful lymph nodes
• Apathy, lack of motivation
• Chronic (long-term) tiredness
• Difficulty concentrating
• Dizziness
• Hallucinations
• Hand-to-eye coordination may be impaired
• Headache
• Impaired judgment
• Indecisiveness
• Irritability
• Loss of appetite
• Moodiness
• Poorer immune system function
• Short-term memory impairment – there may be problems organizing thoughts and finding the right words to say (brain fog)
• Sleepiness, drowsiness
• Slower-than-normal reflexes
• Some vision problems, such as blurriness

The above was copied from this link.   I never knew that fatigue had so many possible symptoms.  I was naive and only thought about being tired, lack of motivation and headaches. 

Top 9 Medications Causing Fatigue:

• High Blood Pressure
• Cholesterol control
• Proton pump inhibitors  (to treat GERD -Acid Reflux)
• Tranquilizers
• Allergy treatment
• Antidepressants
• Schizophrenia treatment
• Antibiotics
• Water Pills (Diuretics)

Be sure to talk to your doctor with any new medication they may give you, as well as you pharmacist.  Third I would read the informational sheet that comes with medications.  If it does not, then http://www.webmd.com is a wonderful resource.   The above info was taken from from this link.

 

Medical Conditions That Cause Fatigue:

• Anemia
• Congestive heart failure
• Diabetes
• Hypothyroidism
• Infection
• Kidney disease
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Depression and anxiety
• Fibromyalgia

Your doctor may run tests to determine what is causing your fatigue, so that they can target the treatment.     This list was taken from “Harvard Health Publications” as it contained all of the medical conditions that I found via various other sites, but in one nice drop down list.

What Else Causes fatigue?

• Lack of sleep
• Sleep Apnea
• Poor nutrition
• Anemia
• Depression
• Hypothyrodism
• Too much caffeine
• Urinary Track Infection (UTI)
• Diabetes
• Dehydration
• Heart Desease
• Food allergies (undiagnosed)
• Fibromyalgia

More info found here.

How To Treat Fatigue?

First, you need to find out what is the cause.  Only then can you adequately treat fatigue.   The cause could be something simple as dehydration and the fix is to drink more water.  Or it could be your medication and you need to talk to your doctor on what steps to take to help you.  Following are two widely known ‘treatment’ options in the cancer realm:

• Yoga
• Ginseng

Always ask your health care provider before you try a new supplement.  Some of them can cause a bad reaction or lower the effectiveness of any medication you may be on, especially Ginseng (along with a few others).

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