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Real members of MyMSTeam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Gut paralysis?

A MyMSTeam Member asked a question 💭
Saskatoon, SK

anyone dealing with Stomach paralysis (forget the proper term) are you finding ways to deal with this MS symptom? 🤔
🤔

August 7
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Reactions
A MyMSTeam Member

I know that I have gastrointestinal problems big time. Ive seen a gastrointestinal doctor for over 14 years. I have photos from the upper endoscopy done last year, showing gastritis ( stomach inflammation) over most of my stomach lining. The doctor said that it probably is caused from MS.

August 8
A MyMSTeam Member

Someone posted something on here the other day that they were dealing with a flare of gastroparesis.

August 7
A MyMSTeam Member

do you have diabetes as well? did they diagnose you with gastroparesis? it's more common in patient with diabetes because it affects the vagus nerve -- it does or I should say it can happen with some MS patients since the nerves are affected.

August 7
A MyMSTeam Member

never heard of this

August 7
MyMSTeam

The term you're thinking of is gastroparesis — and yes, it's a real struggle for many people with MS! It happens when the stomach muscles don't work properly, causing food to empty more slowly than it should.

About 16% of people with MS experience it. Symptoms can include:

- Feeling full after just a few bites
- Nausea or Show Full Answer

The term you're thinking of is gastroparesis — and yes, it's a real struggle for many people with MS! It happens when the stomach muscles don't work properly, causing food to empty more slowly than it should.

About 16% of people with MS experience it. Symptoms can include:

- Feeling full after just a few bites
- Nausea or vomiting undigested food
- Bloating or abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite or unintended weight loss
- Acid reflux Many MyMSTeam members describe it as incredibly tough to manage. One MyMSTeam member shared, "All the foods that nourish your body, my body can't process." Others describe constant nausea, bloating, and sharp pains.

The good news is there are ways to manage it. Common approaches include:

- Eating smaller, more frequent meals
- Following a low-fat, low-fiber diet
- Choosing well-cooked fruits and vegetables
- Staying well hydrated
- Avoiding alcohol and carbonated drinks
- Working with a registered dietitian for a personalized plan
- Medications prescribed by your doctor It's worth mentioning that gastroparesis can sometimes take a long time to get properly diagnosed, so if symptoms are severe or worsening, it's a good idea to ask a neurologist for a referral to a gastroenterologist. A gastric emptying study is typically how it gets confirmed.

Definitely don't tough it out alone — getting the right specialist involved can make a real difference! 💪

August 7

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