Cindy’s Path to Relief – Her Experience with Gastroparesis and Enterra® Therapy
Cindy, who was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, shares her long and often difficult journey with gastroparesis—and how her persistence and self-advocacy eventually led her to find hope and relief through Enterra® Therapy.
When the symptoms began
Cindy first noticed something was wrong when she was just 16 years old. She didn’t know what was happening inside her body, only that something felt off. At that time, doctors couldn’t offer real answers. She remembers being told, “You’ll just have to live with it.”
Years passed before she got clarity. It wasn’t until around 2000, when she was in her late twenties, that she finally received an official diagnosis of gastroparesis. Cindy later learned that this long wait is common—on average, it takes patients about five years to receive an accurate diagnosis.
Early attempts at treatment
Cindy began by trying to manage her symptoms through strict dietary adjustments, but the relief was minimal. Her doctor then prescribed Motilium®, a medication she took for about a decade. Over time, however, she began to experience unpleasant side effects, and her symptoms gradually worsened again.
Reaching a breaking point
By early 2020, Cindy’s gastroparesis had taken control of her life once more. For nearly five years, she had been battling constant nausea, vomiting, and pain. Everyday activities became impossible.
“I couldn’t eat out. I couldn’t see my friends,” she recalls. “Most days I was lying on the couch, just trying to get through the day.” The emotional toll was heavy—depression started to set in.
Her husband noticed how much she was suffering. Friends and family would see her and immediately ask, “What’s wrong?” The pain was written all over her face.
Cindy says the worst part was feeling cut off from life itself. “It wasn’t just physical—it felt like I wasn’t really living anymore.”
Discovering Enterra® Therapy
One sleepless night, overwhelmed and desperate for options, Cindy decided to take matters into her own hands. “I thought, with everything modern medicine can do today, there must be something that can help me.”
She went online and searched for “gastroparesis.” The first result that appeared was Enterra® Therapy, a treatment involving a gastric electrical stimulator. The concept intrigued her immediately. “I started reading and thought, maybe this could actually help me.”
Why she chose to try it
Cindy knew that Enterra® Therapy wasn’t a cure and that it involved a surgical implant. But after years of diets and medications, she was ready for a new approach.
“I liked that it’s not another drug or diet,” she says. “It’s an FDA-approved therapy that can be adjusted for each person—and if it didn’t work, it could be turned off or even removed.”
At her next appointment, Cindy told her gastroenterologist about the therapy. He wasn’t familiar with it but promised to research it. “That moment meant everything to me,” she says. “It was the first time a doctor didn’t just say, ‘There’s nothing else we can do.’”
When he returned at her next visit and said, “Let’s go for it,” Cindy felt an overwhelming sense of hope. “It honestly felt like Christmas morning.”
The procedure and recovery
Cindy received her implant in December 2020. The surgery and recovery went smoothly. She stayed in the hospital for two days and didn’t experience complications.
“I had five tiny incisions sealed with medical glue,” she explains. “Like any surgery, I needed a few weeks to rest—I couldn’t lift heavy things or do chores.” She took about six weeks off work to recover fully.
Her only frustration? “Not being able to pick up my dogs!” she laughs.
Today, she can sometimes feel the small device under her clothes, but it doesn’t interfere with her daily life.
Life after Enterra® Therapy
Cindy says she never expected a total cure—only the chance to feel human again. And that’s exactly what she got.
“Enterra® Therapy hasn’t erased my gastroparesis,” she explains, “but it’s made life manageable.” Her nausea dropped from a 10 to around a 5 or 6, and vomiting decreased from a 9 to about a 2 or 3.
She still takes an anti-nausea medication most days and keeps a food journal to track trigger foods, but the difference is night and day.
Her advice for others considering Enterra® Therapy
“Start by doing your homework,” Cindy advises. “Make sure it’s the direction you want to take and that you understand both the risks and the benefits.”
She recommends using resources from Enterra Medical—including videos, brochures, and symptom trackers—to learn as much as possible.
“It’s also essential to be honest with your doctor,” she says. “If you don’t feel heard, get a second opinion. You deserve someone who listens and is willing to think beyond standard options.”
Cindy’s message to potential patients
“For anyone thinking about Enterra® Therapy—remember, this is your journey. Family and friends can support you, but only you know what you’re living with.”
She encourages others to weigh the pros and cons carefully with their physician. “If I’d known about this therapy twenty years ago, I would have done it then,” she admits. “It’s made that much of a difference.”
Cindy understands the hesitation many people feel about having a medical device implanted. “Sure, it’s scary,” she says, “but if it gives you a better quality of life—why not take the chance?”
She also stresses the importance of realistic expectations. “There’s no cure for gastroparesis. You have to go into it informed and hopeful, but not expecting perfection.”
After researching thoroughly and discussing it with her family and doctor, Cindy decided to move forward—and she has no regrets.
“This device has completely changed my world,” she says. “I can eat out, spend time with friends, cook big meals again. My husband and I go to our favorite Mexican restaurant every Friday—they even know us by name.”
With a smile, she adds, “It feels like I’ve been given a new life. I’m excited for the future—and ready to enjoy it.”
Cindy’s story reflects her individual experience. Outcomes and results may differ from person to person.