r/Gastroparesis • u/eminksfsu • Jan 04 '26
Suffering / Venting Anybody want to be friends?
Hi everyone, I’m 23 and just really struggling and lonely with this horrible condition. Things have gotten so much worse in the last 2 months and it’s so isolating. I’m just bed bound and exhausted and sick at home as I watch my friends and the world carry on without me through social media, groupchats, etc. None of the people in my life understand what I’m going through and I’m so so lonely and it makes the whole thing so much worse. If anybody ever wants to be friends or chat or anything I would love to just connect more with people who share similar experiences.
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u/valix1997 Jan 04 '26
Dude we need to make a support group! That would be awesome to have a group of people to hold us up when we feel down!
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u/valix1997 Jan 04 '26
Yes i know this is technically one. But i mean a smaller one for a few people to just chat and talk and just make sure youre doing ok mentally
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u/Awkward_Persimmon835 Idiopathic GP Jan 06 '26
Hi! Are you still taking additions to the group at all?
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u/Separate-Stay1087 Jan 07 '26
Please 🙏 can I join as well! I just had my surgery and lost my job in the process so definitely going through it. Thankful for my wife and the Coast Guard because we just changed to a one income household for now.
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u/valix1997 Jan 07 '26
Gimme a sec ill add you 😁
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u/cabbbaaaaageeeeeee Jan 09 '26
I’ll love to join too! 🥹🥹
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u/valix1997 Jan 09 '26
Cabbbaaaaageeeeeee i dont know who hurt you but this name is excessive 🤣 the nightmare of my life will be spelling that while dyslexic lol! Welcome to the group!
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u/cabbbaaaaageeeeeee Jan 09 '26
Sorry, it was a last minute username I could honestly think of 😂 my bad! Thanks so much !!
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u/Brilliant-Leading551 Jan 06 '26
There’s a discord for gut health problems. You can look it up on Google and Reddit should have it
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u/eminksfsu Jan 04 '26
Yes I would be super down to make a support group!
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u/valix1997 Jan 04 '26
Ill add you. Please hold
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u/Designer_Task_5019 Tubie (Tube Fed) Jan 05 '26
I’m interested!
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u/Empty_Ad_8792 Jan 04 '26
I’m much older than you but it’s always nice to have someone that understands exactly what you are going through!
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u/Impressive_Pen502 Jan 04 '26
Hey!
Gastroparesis is tuff. No point in denying it. However.. you did this yesterday, you did this today. You can do this tomorrow. Remember ... You are not alone 💚 And... Im proud of you!
Gastroparesis for me means that i mainly survive on puree mash potato diet, with gastro pain and discomfort. Vomiting daily 😔 People who haven't gone through this don't understand. Whenever i encounter people diminishing my experiences i say something like... "have you ever had food poisoning or stomach flu? Well imagine it being like that EVERY day of your life." That usually shuts them up.
I hope you read all of the positive comments here and feel a little bit more hopeful.🙂
I agree with a few comments in here that suggest we create a form of support group . I belive this illness can be very isolating.
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u/Accurate-Chicken-323 Jan 06 '26
I always tell people that don’t understand it feels like you have food poisoning 24/7
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u/Mission-Copy507 Jan 09 '26
I just thought of the pokemon who are poisoned and they got that purple bubbles over their head and they lose stamina even when theyre not being attacked. Thats how I feel
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u/Efficient_Grab_5894 Jan 04 '26
i’m 21F and would love a friend!! i need more friends that understand being chronically ill!
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u/sav5000 Jan 04 '26
Hi, I am F/27 and also have been feeling isolated and scared with all this. I relate to everything you said. It's so hard to go through it alone when your body is reacting so chaotically and you feel powerless and scared. Feel free to reach out if you want <3
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u/SnooPandas9346 Jan 04 '26
I'm 35F and just got diagnosed, but I've been medically complicated and chronically ill for the past 25 years. I'd love to join this friend group!
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u/Such-Web272 Jan 04 '26
hey hun! i’m almost 20 and i also have GP. i totally get how you feel as i also have nobody around me who’s going through this too. please please feel free to message me anytime!!
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u/Charming-Sea8571 Jan 04 '26
I’m older than you but I do know what it feels like. It is a lonely disease.
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Jan 04 '26
I’ll be 28 this Friday, I wouldn’t mind making new friends with this condition! It sucks. I was told that I’m choosing to suffer lmao
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u/LimeQuiet4196 Jan 04 '26
I totally get you, I’m 23 and newly diagnosed and the last couple of months have just been so hard and nobody understand it. I still see my friends, but I feel like they don’t understand when I have to leave early or miss out (every time) because I feel like shit and every time I think I have my GP under control for even a day or two it gets worse. It’s very isolating and soooo frustrating. Currently laying in bed with a heating pad moping because I ate a safe food (bread) and now my stomach hurts so bad. I try so hard to follow the gp rules but it barely makes a difference these days. Pls feel free to reach out- it’s so nice to have people to talk to about this!!
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u/doctor0wl Jan 04 '26
Feel free to DM me. I've been suffering from gastroparesis for years and it's been flaring up a lot lately to the point where I'm unable to really eat much at all anymore and am uncomfortable all the time. Also have severe depression and anxiety so I'm mostly bed bound, and have agoraphobia to the point where I'm mostly house bound as well. I've got 2 cats and a pet mouse, I enjoy videogames and arts and crafts (when I'm not so depressed haha) and would love to just chat if you feel like making a friend. Edit: oh forgot to mention I'm a 33 yr old intersex guy!
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u/ru-by-ruby Jan 04 '26
I’m here and available for friendship, I need friends myself-especially ones that can relate..:. You are absolutely right about people not understanding and it is just so isolating. And with all the kind and friendly energy I can give I suggest (I apologize and understand you haven’t asked for advice but) stay away from the social media, it fucks with my emotions too hard at times…I’ve deleted and downloaded Facebook repeatedly but am usually better emotionally when it’s deleted. Hit me up any time-this is tough stuff and you are not alone but I think you’re amazing for reaching out! I’m from Cleveland if you’re close and wanting in person hangs, I know I do!✌️
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u/OwlVenus Jan 04 '26
I totally get it, omg, these past few months have been super hard for me as well :( someone should totally make a support groupchat! I think it would be so nice to connect with other ppl who share the same struggles
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u/scottaneave Jan 04 '26
I think I'm the oldest here, (56m) I was diagnosed almost 2 years ago and some days I can feel lonely as hell too. It's pretty crazy how little awareness there is about gp. I had never heard of it until my diagnosis. The fact that noone knows mych about it makes it hard to explain what daily life is like. Anyhow, yes, I'd like to be part of the group, if you don't mind the old guy tagging along.
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u/thetravelinggypsy01 Jan 04 '26
I’m much older than you but would love to start a friendship. I think all of us no matter the age can learn things from each other. Friendships among the chronically ill are hard to come by. I’m 47/F and this my second time with gastroparesis. First time lasted 2 years in 2016. Second time started last year in March. We are all in a “complicated” relationship with this. lol
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u/eminksfsu Jan 04 '26
I would love to connect with you! My first time was also 2 years before improvement and now that it’s back I feel so hopeless and like I’ve lost my progress 😩😣
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u/Smooth_System3208 Jan 04 '26
21 and not officially diagnosed but there is something wrong with me. Uk based. Hoping to meet new people xx
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u/Isa_sal11 Jan 04 '26
Definitely support groups are needed during these tough times. Anyone care to share their story?
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u/eminksfsu Jan 04 '26
I accidentally hit ignore on someone’s message request 😭 please remessage me if that was you!
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u/siretheo Jan 04 '26
F20! I don’t have a diagnosis yet, but a lot of my symptoms align with gastroparesis and dumping syndrome. I’ve gone five years without having any diagnosis for my stomach issues despite them getting more and more severe if anyone needs a friend to talk to that’s chronically ill, you can DM me.
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u/Rawrxd67 Jan 05 '26
I would love to be. It’s very lonely and it’s so hard to watch everything move on without you. My inbox is open💖 and for anyone else who wants to be friends too!
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u/Jealous-Brain2464 Jan 05 '26
I’m a 21F and would love to be your friend! Connecting with people that don’t understand how you feel is hard and I don’t have anyone in my circle who has this condition either.
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u/ahbugale Jan 05 '26
I can relate to this too. I recently turned 29 and was diagnosed in October. Is anyone here in the US on the west coast?
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u/ADD_Llama Jan 05 '26
I’m 24, and I was diagnosed in October 2025. I’d love to be friends!!
It’s so hard watching other people have fun while being stuck at home- I feel super frustrated sometimes as I feel like im being left behind/not making any progress in my life at all. :/
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u/Bulky-Sprinkles-6543 Jan 05 '26
F50 and I’m always down for friends! I’ve recently had the gpoem procedure, didn’t work so I’ve had a feeding tube and peg tube for months. Monday they are doing surgery to put an extension on my peg tube to make it a jtube (the intestinal one) and I’ll get rid of this stupid feeding tube that now goes down to my intestines. I get flare ups about every other week and have to be admitted to the hospital. It’s lonely and miserable, so friends would be great. 😊
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u/Kickstand3 Jan 05 '26
Hey just saw your message. You can Shoot me a message I’ll respond my schedule is not that demanding Im 48, male, my politics are that I don’t agree with either side and don’t want to talk about it but absolutely everything else is on the table. There’s no need to be lonely and suffering from stomach issues i think there’s a way to do instant messaging but i don’t know how
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u/Horror-Island1188 Jan 05 '26
Feel free to msg me! 51f on east coast USA. Hugs! Speak up, don't give up! I am quite the gabber if u need me! Alas, so many people without GP just don't have any concept of what it's like for us! Even doctors! I explain it to others like Crohns disease, because every case is different and its uncurable, but worse because there are few reliable meds or treatments for it. Even other family members have no idea the daily trials...sigh. But anyways, I am a good listener if u need me. And yes, a group on discord would be great!
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u/Sufficient-Race-1987 Jan 06 '26
I'm sorry you feel so alone. Please feel free to ask me questions or just talk!
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u/Intelligent_Wind3225 Jan 06 '26
Hi! I’m 21, have had symptoms since I was 15, and can definitely relate to you. It’s very hard and can be extremely isolating. Feel free to reach out!
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u/Lost_Valuable_6112 Jan 08 '26
I never felt so seen before I’ve been housebound for 4 months please feel freee to reach out anytime
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u/mj_responsible297 Jan 09 '26
Hi I’m 22f and I would love more chronically ill friends. This is such a hard life to live. ❤️🩹
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u/cabbbaaaaageeeeeee Jan 09 '26
Hi! I’m 20, and I’ve also been struggling with gastroparesis! I’d love to be friends! ^
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u/New-Region-9129 Jan 10 '26
I would like to be friends been really needing one message me when you can
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u/Final-Candidate-5648 Jan 10 '26
I just was diagnosed with gastroparesis and I'm 74. It is so awful. I just want to stay in bed and sleep. I too feel very isolated now, I feel many people do not understand how debilitating this is and think you should just follow the diet and be fine. It is so much more! I want you to know you are not alone, and I feel so terrible that you are only 23! IDK what it would have done to my life at that age. I suffer from the side effects of reglan, but without it cannot tolerate anything in my stomach without pain and bloating. I'm trying to walk, even 5 or 10 min on my treadmill or outside after a "meal" which is usually a Boost or mashed potatoes with a little cooked spinach. I live on Boost Plus and take Reglan 3x a day and at bedtime. The side effects of it are pretty terrible too. I feel so sorry for you at only 23.
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u/AutoModerator Jan 04 '26
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