Results of Gastric Emptying Test with Solids

I won't bore you with the details of Allie's gastric emptying test (with solids) today.  It's just important to note that Allie ate 1/4 of a hot dog injected with radio active material and then she went through the test like a pro. She is such a trooper - I'm so proud of her.

We were suppose to get her test results within 4 days but after being home about an hour, Allie's nurse called with the results.  To my surprise, Allie has a severe gastric emptying delay with solids.  Her stomach is emptying at 16% only.  It takes an average person 90 minutes to empty their stomach of solids and it takes Allie 317 minutes.

So, is this Allie's ultimate reason she doesn't eat, I don't think so but it definitely could be playing a roll in it.  Since it takes Allie's stomach so long to empty her solid food, she always has a full belly and therefore never feels hungry. 

Dr. Brown recommends we put Allie on Reglan to help her digest her solid foods.  However, the possible side effects to that medication is too great for me to justify it.  The side effects can be major and permanently life changing.   An alternative medication is called Domperidone but it's not FDA approved in the United States.  We can get it from Canada but since it's not FDA approved, insurance will not pay for it.  There is also side effects to this medication but from my research so far, the side effects are not as severe as Reglan.   There is one more medication out there called Erithyromicin that helps with stomach emptying, however Allie has been on that several times and it never helped her. 

So, Matt and I need to make a decision and right now the only thing we agree on is that Reglan is not safe enough for our little Allie.  I would like to try the Domperidon but Matt isn't comfortable with it not being FDA approved and with some of the side effects.  So......once again, we need to make a tough decision and we are not at the decision point quite yet.

I'm very relieved to have finally heard that one of Allie's test came back abnormal.  After so many years of normal test results, it's a relief to hear that something is abnormal.  I know it sounds strange but all of the parents out there that continually are searching for a diagnosis will understand my thinking. 

Now we have an abnormal test results and the options to fix the problem are somewhat risky.  It's not what we were hoping for but it's a step in the right direction and I know things could be worse.  So, we need to make a decision as to what our next step will be.  In general, Allie is doing great and is continually her spunky self!!!!

Here are a couple pictures of Allie today at the hospital.

Allie with Mr. Balloony (the Tech made her this)

Allie during her gastric emptying test with solids

Another view of her gastric emptying test (this machine is a bit different than the one at CHW)

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Another Test/Procdure Required

Received a call this morning from Allie's GI doctor (Dr. Brown) stating he had looked over her last weight and height check and is concerned.  He cannot figure out why Allie doesn't gain weight.  We have been tracking her weight for a long time now and it seems to fluctuate but never really increases a significant amount. 

He requested that we get her in this week for a gastric emptying test with solids.  We have had numerous gastric emptying tests but they have always been with liquids.  In 2009, Allie's first test with liquids showed a significant delay and she was diagnosed with Gastroparesis.  She then had another emptying test with liquids done in 2010 and that showed a slight delay.  She just had another gastric emptying test at Children's Hospital last month and that showed everything was good.  However, the emptying test with solids is different and the body works differently to digest solids and liquids. 

For this test, Allie will be required to eat a normal amount of one of the following: oatmeal, hot dog or egg salad sandwich.  The biggest obstacle for this test is going to make her enough for the test to be performed.  After she eats one of the items, she will lay on the machine and they will take X-rays of her tummy for an hour and a half.  This test is not painful for her at all - just long because she has to lay still on the table for so long.  She's getting to be an old pro though - she's had her share of these tests. 

Allie's test will be on Wednesday at 7:45 am.  The doctor wanted to get the test in right away.  To my knowledge, this is the last test Dr. Brown has in mind in helping to diagnose Allie with a reason she doesn't eat.  I know it's a long shot but I'm hoping this one test gives us some answers.  Please pray for answers.

Overall Allie is doing good.  She's super excited for Santa this year and I continually have to remind her that's he's watching her.  Allie's behavior has been a bit challenging again, but we are dealing with it day by day. 

Here are a couple pictures of my two princesses:

My Little Miss

Little & Big

Everyone has a little silly in them :)

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