Autonomic neuropathy from lupus can rarely cause gastroparesis, or sluggish stomach emptying. Eating smaller, more frequent, lower-fat meals is helpful, Machel.

Gastric pacing is NOT FDA approved, and a patient must get a special exemption to use it, because it's unclear whether the benefits outweigh the risks.

A gastric pacemaker, also known as gastric electrical stimulation, might be considered as a treatment option for individuals with lupus who experience severe gastroparesis, a complication where the stomach empties very slowly, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort; however, due to the potential risks and complexities involved, careful consideration and monitoring are crucial when treating lupus patients with a gastric pacemaker.
Key points about gastric pacemakers and lupus complications:
Lupus and Gastroparesis:
While not extremely common, lupus can sometimes manifest with gastrointestinal issues, including gastroparesis, where the stomach muscle contractions are impaired, leading to delayed emptying; this can be a reason to consider a gastric pacemaker in some lupus patients.
Considerations for Lupus Patients:
Severity of Gastroparesis: A gastric pacemaker is usually reserved for severe cases of gastroparesis that don't respond to other treatments, as the procedure itself carries risks.
Immune System Impact: Lupus is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body's immune system attacks healthy tissues. This can potentially lead to complications with implanting a device like a gastric pacemaker, increasing the risk of infection or rejection.
Medication Interactions: Medications used to manage lupus may interact with the settings or functioning of the gastric pacemaker.
Potential Complications:
Infection at Implant Site: As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection around the implant site, which could be particularly concerning for immunocompromised lupus patients.
Device Malfunction: Issues like lead displacement or malfunctioning of the pacemaker could require additional procedures.
Bowel Obstruction: In rare cases, the pacemaker wires can become entangled with the intestines, causing a bowel obstruction.
Important Considerations:
Consult a Specialist:
If considering a gastric pacemaker for a lupus patient, thorough consultation with both a gastroenterologist and a rheumatologist is essential to assess the severity of gastroparesis, potential risks, and appropriate management strategies.
Close Monitoring:
Patients with lupus who receive a gastric pacemaker will require close monitoring to manage potential complications and adjust device settings as needed.
This is for informational purposes only. For medical advice or diagnosis, consult a professional. Generative AI is experimental. Learn more

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This is really scary to read for me. Along with multiple diagnoses of autoimmune diseases, I usually am hospitalized every year. When I was first diagnosed with Lupus and Sjogrens, one of the first issues was having hand pain which was excruciating and unmanageable. I was offered a Medtronic pain stimulator and it was implanted in my sacrum. Beside not working to relieve the pain, after having it removed 18 months later, it was discovered that when implanted I also got MRSA which was only discovered after removal and resulted in 30 days of 3 hour infusions as well as a wound pump for 30 days. In September I was hospitalized for 4 days with undiagnosed abdominal pains which were the worst pain I have ever experienced. One of the tests showed a compression of the celiac trunk and narrowing of the SMA. When I followed up with my Rheumatologist, more tests were ordered including an abdominal ultrasound and CAT scan with dye. These tests were reported by the radiologist who read them as thrombosis in several areas involving liver, vena cava and more. Subsequent tests indicated they had disappeared. I was sent to a hematologist and when I asked her if it could be vasculitis, her response was that it would make total sense because had what the radiologist diagnosed as blood clots, the amount and size would have taken months to resolve and only if I had been on high dose blood thinners. I am fearful of ever having this kind of occurrence again which the rheumatologist finally diagnosed as acute mesinteric ischemia. However if reoccurring vasculitis is causing blood flow to the intestines and abdomen to be impaired, this may be the future that I too am concerned about. Currently I have also been diagnosed with degenerative disc disease that has increased significantly in the last year. Although my neck has been fused, I am now told there is compression on my spinal cord in the cervical and my lumbar has discs that have compressed the nerves in my lumbar. I am currently having reoccurring instances of my sacrum going numb and the feeling my legs are not going to support me. The feeling is indescribably unnerving and recently caused me to break down sobbing. At this stage I am fully expecting to be in a wheelchair soon. If the nerves are all compressed and I also have neuropathy, eventually will I even feel pain if the vasculitis reoccurs and cuts blood flow to my intestines and abdomen?

@A MyLupusTeam Member have you seen an interventional radiologist for the vascular issues? I’ve found that a little more helpful than a vascular surgeon but you may need both. What about a neurologist to confirm if your main causes are neurological vs. vascular or maybe both? The rheumatologist is very limited in this area and if the hematologist is telling you something or giving you a diagnosis, make sure it’s in writing. No one is going to want to be accountable and each doctor will say something different. They never document anything and you have to make sure that happens. Review the notes and aftercare summary after every appointment. Do you have access to a university or teaching hospital? Unfortunately, you have to seek treatment yourself especially when you’re disease is complex or symptoms are overlapping. Does your insurance pay for a health advocate? I would look at a nonprofit vs the insurance company but maybe look at both. You need a lot of help working through this. You have to be proactive and assertive. I also have a vascular disease and significant neurological issues so I understand your frustrations. Keep fighting. Don’t let them gaslight you. There is aquatic therapy, PT, and OT you can do in the meantime to keep your ability to walk. The aquatic therapy has to be a priority because it’s the least impact on your body and the most effective.

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A MyLupus...

I am so sorry God Bless You!🙏