Guest guest Posted June 19, 2003 Report Share Posted June 19, 2003 Anita, I was reviewing past posts and I believe you asked about a gastric pacemaker, and I am not sure you received an answer. ( Forgive me if you have and this is duplicate ionformation.) The gastric pacemaker is a relatively new medical treatment. Designed by Medtronic and called the Enterra Therapy System it was designated a Humanitarian Use Device by the FDA in the fall of 1999. This allows Medtronic to determine distribution criteria an a case by case basis. The gastric pacemaker is primarily used to treat patients suffering from severe Gastroparesis, a complication of insulin insufficiency. This can be caused by Pancreatitis, Diabetes, or other neurological disease process. Gastroparesis essentially stands for paralyzed stomach. Like the nerves in the feet, the nerves to their stomach can also be damaged by high blood sugar. This can lead to an inability of the stomach to properly contract and empty. As a result, this causes early fullness, bloating, nausea, vomiting, weight loss and contributes to poor blood glucose control. In severe cases, it can affect nutrition. Previously, treatments include changes in diet, better control of blood sugar, oral medications, and, in severe cases, a jejunostomy. The Enterra Therapy system now takes over the role of the gastric pacemaker. The system consists of: 1) An implanted neurostimulator that is usually surgically placed in the lower abdomen region. 2) Two intramuscular leads (wires) with electrodes implanted in the muscle wall of your stomach. 3) A programmer that the physician uses to control and adjust the settings of your implanted neurostimulator. (Surprisingly, the gastric pacemaker has been used for the treatment of obesity. With particular programming, the pacemaker can create the sensation of fullness, resulting in weight loss) We actually have a member who recently had a gastric pacemaker inserted. She suffered from severe nausea and vomiting from Gastroparesis. She had already had a feeding tube inserted without success. This offered her a viable option for a dramatic improvement in her nutritional status. Did you say you knew someone who was having a gastric pacemaker inserted? I am interested in hearing more about it. With Joy & Light. Karyn E. , RN Exec. Director, PAI Indianapolis, IN The PAI serves as a means of support, information, and advocacy. The PAI cannot offer medical advice or direction nor substitute for your health care provider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2003 Report Share Posted June 19, 2003 Hi Karyn! Thanks for such a complete answer! My friend isn't quite sure exactly what this gastric pacemaker will do and you explained it very well. We both go to the same doctor in Seattle, about a 4 hour drive from Spokane, where we live. We have local GI docs but the one in Seattle, Dr. Kozarek, is with Virginia Mason and is top notch. My CP is due to pancreas divisum and SOD but they haven't been able to find a cause for Tina's. I've had sphincterotomies and keep getting scar tissue. She's had sphincterotomies that haven't helped at all and we've both had botox injections in our pancreas, which helped for a little while. She's been going through this for two years with no relief at all and they still can't figure out what exactly is causing it, although Dr. Kozarek promises he won't stop until he has it figured out and taken care of! So he's putting a gastric pacemaker in her at the end of June. I know he thought her nerves may figure into this somehow. He tried her on Neurontin but she couldn't take it and it didn't really help alot. By the way, if you want to look up anything he's published you can do a search under Kozarek. I don't know if there will be anything there about the pacemaker or not. He says he's used the botox injections for about ten years with good results. Anyway, thanks again for the explanation and I know Tina will be really interested to read it. All my best wishes - Anita Re: Gastric Pacemaker . Karyn E. , RN Exec. Director, PAI Indianapolis, IN The PAI serves as a means of support, information, and advocacy. The PAI cannot offer medical advice or direction nor substitute for your health care provider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 19, 2003 Report Share Posted June 19, 2003 Hi again Karyn - Forgot to mention that Dr. Kozarek specializes in pancreas. Interestingly, Tina is not diabetic and they haven't mentioned any insulin problems yet. Take care - Anita Re: Gastric Pacemaker Did you say you knew someone who was having a gastric pacemaker inserted? I am interested in hearing more about it. With Joy & Light. Karyn E. , RN Exec. Director, PAI Indianapolis, IN The PAI serves as a means of support, information, and advocacy. The PAI cannot offer medical advice or direction nor substitute for your health care provider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 22, 2003 Report Share Posted June 22, 2003 Karyn, Isn't Botox Botulism based? and if so wouldn't it be harmful to the pancrease? I am wrong on this please let me know... We had a lecture on this in class and I was looking for my notes ,but I could note find them.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 23, 2003 Report Share Posted June 23, 2003 Hi ! I had the botox injections and they worked for a little while but not long. It is botulism toxin but a very small amount - not enough to hurt anyone. It does cause paralysis in the area of injection, which is why they are using it so much - not just for pancreas or wrinkles, but a whole host of medical problems. My gastroenterologist at Virginia Mason Clinic in Seattle has been using it in pancreatic problems for the last ten years. Take care of yourself - Anita Re: Gastric Pacemaker Karyn, Isn't Botox Botulism based? and if so wouldn't it be harmful to the pancrease? I am wrong on this please let me know... We had a lecture on this in class and I was looking for my notes ,but I could note find them.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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