#Gastroparesis

[chronicallydragons]

anyone else ever wish they could lie down harder? Like, I'm already horizontal, but I need more horizontal. I need to be absorbed by the floor. I think that would fix me

[genderqueerdykes]

i just think it's bullshit that alternative meats, milks, eggs, breads, and other foods are prohibitively expensive. like i don't know how to tell people that not everyone who eats vegan or vegetarian is choosing to eat that way because of their moral beliefs- a lot of people are eating these foods because they have food allergies or intolerances, or have other gastrointestinal issues

i don't have a choice. it's downright cruel to make these different options more expensive. there is no one size fits all diet- every single person needs a unique diet and some folks literally have no choice but to utilize these substitutes. some vegetarians cant digest soy. some vegetarians can't eat beans. i also don't know how to tell you that not every vegetarian or vegan can ingest raw vegetables and fruits, or even cooked ones, for that matter

there are a LOT of health conditions like irritable bowel syndrome, gastroparesis, crohns disease, and other gastrointestinal issues that can cause a person to become very sick or even die if they ingest too much raw plant matter, especially vegetables high in fiber. when these fibers cannot be broken down by a person's digestive system, they can form blockages in the intestines and kill people. not every person on this planet benefits from eating a lot of leafy greans. some people are allergic to chlorophyll. some people are allergic to citric acid. diabetic people have to be careful with certain vegetables and fruits causing spikes or dips in blood sugar, and many people with diabetes end up with gastroparesis, or similar gut issues. there are a lot of reasons why people can't just switch to a diet of salads and fruit smoothies every day.

alternative foods need to be available to everyone, regardless of how much income they make. having safer alternative foods should not be relegated to the rich. these are not just being consumed by spiritual white moms on instagram. these foods need to be accessed by disabled people all over the world.

[stellaltumi]

my chronically ill best friend just said "I feel like the side effects part of a medication commercial" SO FUCKING TRUE BABE

[800-dick-pics]

Help a chronically ill person eat!

Hey im struggling to eat any soilds due to being in a pretty bad chronic illness flare. I cant keep anything soild down so I need liquid nutritional shakes to help replace the calories im not getting from soild food. The only brand my stomach agrees with costs $30 for 6 shakes so Im really not in a place to buy 2-4 boxes at the moment.

If anyone could help me get a few boxes of shakes that would be amazing! $90 would get me 3 boxes!

CA: $sleepyhen

VN: wildwotko

Dm 4 Paypl

[gayaest]

Rawiya chibi 🪺🪷🍈🧸📚

[cannabiscomrade]

February 6-10 is Feeding Tube Awareness Week!

The beginning of February was selected because of its proximity to Valentine’s Day, because we love our feeding tubes. This is my first year as a tubie and I’m looking forward to learning more about feeding tubes and the conditions that necessitate them! I do love my tube, it saved my life!

I am an adult with a feeding tube, and a lot of the awareness and attention surrounding these medical devices is child focused. A lot of children depend on tube feeding to thrive, but there are plenty of disabled adults that depend on tube feeding as well! In 2017 there were approximately 438,000 people with feeding tubes in the US, and 60% of them are adults.

I have gastroparesis, which directly translates to paralysis of the stomach. My stomach doesn’t grind food the way it’s supposed to, and my pylorus sphincter at the bottom of my stomach doesn’t open well to pass food and liquids through. While gastroparesis has a range of impact and severity, I have a very severe case, and I am no longer able to eat or drink by mouth for nutrition. I am 100% tube fed. I went into starvation ketoacidosis prior to my placement.

Tube feeding, or enteral nutrition, has several different forms. There are nasal tubes and there are surgical tubes. Nasal tubes can go into your stomach (NG), duodenum (ND), or your jejunum (NJ) and are typically for short-term use. They can be used for acute illness and malnutrition, or to trial tolerance of enteral feeding. Surgical tubes go into your stomach (gastrostomy/G) jejunum (jejunostomy/J) or both (gastrojejunostomy/GJ) and they’re for chronic conditions and/or long-term use. I have a GJ tube and it looks like this:

I have a GJ tube so that I can bypass my paralyzed stomach and feed directly into my intestine. I can also drain stomach contents from the gastric port, which allows me to drink liquids and drain them out before they make me sick. Different people will have different tubes depending on their diagnosis and prognosis! Some people have one form of tube, and others have separate G and J tubes.

There are over 400 conditions that can require tube feeding. Some of those include

Gastroparesis

Intestinal dysmotility

Cancer

Intestinal failure

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis)

Cerebral Palsy

Congenital/chromosomal conditions

Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome

Several trisomy conditions

Prematurity

Other conditions not mentioned in the link above include

Hyperemesis gravadarium, severe nausea/vomiting during pregnancy to the point of significant weight loss and electrolyte imbalance

Acute trauma requiring bowel rest

Eating disorders

This week, I want to promote visibility for disabled adults with feeding tubes. I didn’t know anything about enteral nutrition until I got sick. Once I had a confirmed diagnosis of gastroparesis, the reality that I was facing forced me to learn and adapt quickly to a completely life changing treatment. I know there are other adults like me, as well as tubie adults that used to be a child with a tube!

[spoonful116]

Getting diagnosed with a chronic condition is easy! Just follow these steps:

Have symptoms

Schedule doctor visit

Wait indefinitely

Repeat

[talkethtothehandeth]

Everyone with gi issues deserves a kiss on the forehead right now

[wearingmystripes]

no offense to able bodied people, but when i say i’m tired and you say you’re tired we are NOT talking about the same thing

[rosesandthorns44]

That chronic illness feeling where you don't want to die soon, but the idea of spending another 60 or so years in this body makes you want to scream.

[chronicallydragons]

Ah yes, my favorite chronic illness game: is this normal, is this new, or am I dying?

[sick-sunflower]

my disability: disables me

me: :0

[stellaltumi]

girls who look half dead from their chronic illnesses are hot

[800-dick-pics]

Help Disabled Lesbians of Color Eat!!!

My partner and I have food allergies and digestive/immune issues, and due to my partner only finding this out recently we havent been able to buy all the food we both need to eat! My partner is basically loosing a lot of weight and starving at work because we dont have any food shes not allergic to for her to eat. I just need $200 to get us some foods that dont make us sick, it has been really hard for my partner so if you can pls show us some support.

$200 Goal

CA: $sleepyhen

VN: wildwotko

DM for Paypl

[chronic-lee-lizard]

Here are some filling foods for when you feel nauseous or not wanting to eat!!!

Eggs

Greek yogurt

Rice

Cottage cheese

Pastas (always a good option)

Chicken (maybe a plain rotisserie if you are needing something not overwhelming)

Potatoes, especially mashed

Soups, the broth helps :))

Overall anything protein-rich will help you feel full quicker. I know on nights when I’m feeling super nauseous but I know if I don’t eat it’ll get worse these foods have saved me lol.

[feelingthemode]

disability pride month userboxes part 3/5

posted these on insta throughout the month :3