Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

Brittney Riley is the picture of health. At 27, the veterinary student looks fit and happy. Most people would never guess she is sick, but Brittney suffers from a chronic digestive disorder known as gastroparesis in which the stomach takes too long to digest food. She can no longer eat solid food; instead she consumes baby food, soy yogurt, watered-down Cream of Wheat, and cans of Ensure. Brittney is one of hundreds of Americans who are hoping to raise awareness this week of crippling disorders that others may not readily see or understand, as part of Invisible Illness Awareness Week.

What Brittney wants people to understand is what being sick with a chronic illness means. Sure, the condition has left her with a slim figure which has earned her compliments in this society where “skinny” is “in.” But she is far from lucky, she says. “It drives me insane.”

It is unlikely her condition will improve. And people who suffer from gastroparesis have few treatment options. Some people can manage their condition with diet. Others must rely on medication or surgery. But there are risks to surgery, and even the medication raises concerns.

One popular medication for gastroparesis is metoclopramide, known by the brand name Reglan. Earlier this year the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a black box warning on the drug after it was linked to a serious movement disorder known as Tardive Dyskinesia. The debilitating condition often doesn’t go away even after treatment has stopped.

There are several other illnesses besides gastroparesis that fall under the “invisible illness” umbrella, such as Fibromyalgia and scleroderma. For Brittney, raising awareness for such conditions brings her hope that better treatments will be found and she will be able to lead a more normal life. For activities and forums as part of Invisible Illness Week, go to InvisibleIllnessWeek.com.

Source: Journal Star

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