Please Help Me Fight Gastroparesis

Hi, I’m Jessie. I’m 29 years old, and for the past two and a half years, I’ve been navigating life with a condition called gastroparesis.

In simple terms, my stomach is paralysed, which means it can’t process food properly. Because of this, I rely on an NJ feeding tube and a gastric pacemaker to survive.

At 27, my life changed in ways I could never have imagined. I became unable to tolerate food, and since then, I’ve been sick multiple times a day and often in intense pain when I try to eat. Over the past two years, I’ve continued to lose weight as my body struggles to absorb the calories and nutrients it desperately needs. My electrolytes frequently drop, especially potassium, leaving me close to blacking out almost daily. Some of these blackouts have even triggered fits, turning simple everyday tasks into overwhelming challenges.

This isn’t the first time I’ve faced serious health struggles. Since I was 18, I’ve been living with severe endometriosis, which has required multiple surgeries to manage the pain and complications. On top of that, my bowels have stopped functioning naturally, so I have to rely on strong laxatives—something that drains what little nutrients my body is able to take in.

I’ve reached out with others who have similar conditions, and there seems to be a link between these health issues. Unfortunately, research hasn’t yet uncovered the answers, leaving many of us searching for solutions.

On top of everything, I react severely to a lot of medication. Some of these reactions have included anaphylactic shock, seizures, and losing all muscle control due to intense cramping.

Treatment for my level of gastroparesis isn’t covered by the NHS, so I’ve had to turn to a private specialist in North London. While this care has been essential, it’s also been financially draining. To make things even harder, I’ve been battling a persistent C. difficile infection for the past three months, adding yet another layer to an already difficult journey.

Despite everything, I’m determined to keep pushing forward. I’m sharing my story in the hope of raising support to help cover the costs of my ongoing treatment. Any contribution, no matter how small, would mean the world to me and would bring me one step closer to reclaiming a sense of health and normalcy.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story. Your kindness, generosity, and support truly mean everything.