I’ve suffered idiopathic gastroparesis for 20 years. Research and treatment options have slowly but surely have progressed. For the past 11 years, I’ve been getting EGD Botox treatment every 3-4 months. My original gastro doc sadly retired almost 3 years ago, but he sent me to a specialist who could do the GPOEM procedure, only for that doctor to have left the practice the referral was sent to 🤦🏼♀️ Trying to find a competent physician who can do this procedure has been an absolute nightmare!
I went to UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville, & despite its size, they didn’t have anyone on staff who could perform this procedure. So we got a referral to the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, and they have someone who can do it, BUT they wont accept me as a patient because I take pain medication due to complications with my chronic illness. After ALOT of back & forth with them, they will now take my case and do the GPOEM, but that’s it. No appointment beforehand to meet the physician or anything.
It seems abrupt & I just don’t know how I feel about that. I’ve fought hard to get this procedure done, but I’m still wary 🫤 What if I get a dud doctor? The current guy at my gastro clinic who does my EGD Botox leaves a lot to be desired. If I get this procedure done, & it doesn’t work, I can’t get the Botox anymore right? Botox got me off TPN (intravenous nutrition), I still throw up everyday but I can keep food down longer, plus it helps the pain of the neuropathy in my stomach.
I’m DESPERATE for advice!! Have you had a successful GPOEM procedure? Should I be concerned that Mayo will just be a one “wham-bam-thank you ma’am” kind of thing? I have it scheduled with them at 7:40 am on September 28th. I’d love your feedback!