Watermelon stomach

tessmo · Sep 6, 2005

Anyone experienced with this? I have had 3 cauteries so far and due for another one first of Sept. Ferritin has gone from 14 to 5 since the last one. But last cautery Doc said there was improvement.
Anyone one worked with this? Seems like only 2% of population have this condition. Lucky me!

I also have Watermelon Stomach (GAVE syndrome), dx 3 years ago when I became very anemic-on my 50th birthday! Previously very healthy. I've had about 5 Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC)sessions and my GI Dr. determines how active my bleeding is (by endoscopy and following Hgb) and recommends the interval between scopes. I've gone 2-14 month intervals. No real treatment to cure it--just PRN endoscopic APC sessions.

In researching--we are a rare breed. I also developed Raynaud's last year and with further work-up points to CREST syndrome. Oh well.

Hope this helps.

ZZTopRN, BSN, RN · Sep 25, 2005

I also have Watermelon Stomach (GAVE syndrome), dx 3 years ago when I became very anemic-on my 50th birthday! Previously very healthy. I've had about 5 Argon Plasma Coagulation (APC)sessions and my GI Dr. determines how active my bleeding is (by endoscopy and following Hgb) and recommends the interval between scopes. I've gone 2-14 month intervals. No real treatment to cure it--just PRN endoscopic APC sessions.
In researching--we are a rare breed. I also developed Raynaud's last year and with further work-up points to CREST syndrome. Oh well.
Hope this helps.

Same here. Previously very healthy. Very frustrating. Wow, do you think you developed Raynauds in connection with the GAVE?

I have had 5 cauteries and each time doc will say slightly better, or better, needs more, (cauteries) on discharge sheet. Going for 6th cautery next month. OMG, what is CREST syndrome? I'll have to look that up.

The thing that is so frustrating to me that with all the iron supplements, carafate, and conscious sedation my constipation is getting so bad and it leaves me so tired (see my post on general discussion). The thing that is hurting me is that I am in my RN refresher course right now and am wondering if I will be able to go on and practice nursing.

You are so right about it being such a rare disease. Only my GI doc knows about it. I was in the emergency room one time and the er doc had to consult with my gi doc who told him it was not like having an ulcer, it was like a "scrape." My internist who does my follow-up blood work said the gi doc sent her a report saying "waterrmelon stomach." She said she looked at that and said, "what the hell is that?" Looking on the website for GAVE, I saw that as a last resort, they have suggested a Bilroth I, which doesn't sound too cool to me. Said there was a 7.4% mortality rate!! I wonder if this is with patient's with other serious health problems.

Anyway, are you having problems with the constipation? This thing is such a b.... and just clear out of the blue.

Thank you again so much for your response. I am going right now to look up CREST.