A woman named Jess Carlson, aged 34, has shared her harrowing experience of living with a rare stomach condition that developed after contracting Covid-19 in May 2023. Originally from London, Jess was residing in Singapore with her husband, Dan Mogg, 36, when her health significantly deteriorated. Following her infection, she was put into an induced coma and required feeding tubes as the virus appeared to trigger ongoing stomach issues, causing her to vomit constantly after eating.
Jess's struggle with her health has been profound; she lost nearly 30 kilograms (approximately 4st 10lbs) within eight months. This drastic weight loss prompted her to return to the UK in January 2024 to be closer to her family and to seek assistance from the NHS, as she began experiencing seizures and blackouts attributed to malnourishment.
After months of medical consultations, Jess received a diagnosis of gastroparesis in May 2024, a rare condition where the stomach's muscles do not function correctly, leading to delayed digestion. With her condition severely affecting her quality of life, Jess underwent surgery at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, Essex, on Monday to implant a gastric pacemaker. This device is intended to stimulate the stomach muscles and potentially restore her ability to eat normally. However, it may take up to a year to ascertain the surgery's effectiveness.
Due to the fact that this surgery is not available on the NHS in England, Jess raised £23,000 through donations on GoFundMe to cover her medical expenses. She has since initiated a petition advocating for government funding of such treatment, highlighting the difficulties faced by individuals with gastroparesis.
Reflecting on her experience, Jess stated, "It's been way over 18 months since I've sat down, enjoyed a meal and not had to have a carrier bag nearby," as she described the severity of her symptoms. Throughout her ordeal, she expressed gratitude for the support of her family and friends, emphasising the need for greater awareness regarding gastroparesis.
After experiencing severe complications that necessitated her hospitalization in Singapore, Jess described her health decline as a blur. She described the moments of waking up in intensive care after her induced coma, recalling the insertion of feeding tubes to prevent further weight loss. Despite these challenges, Jess managed to remain hopeful about her future after receiving her diagnosis, as she begins the journey towards potentially regaining her ability to eat.
An NHS spokesperson addressed the issue, acknowledging the complexities of gastroparesis. They highlighted their commitment to funding treatments that possess strong evidence of clinical effectiveness, although they noted that there has not been enough robust evidence to justify routine commissioning for this specific procedure at present.
With her petition now gaining traction, Jess aims to raise awareness and advocate for better treatment options for those suffering from gastroparesis, a rare condition that affects only about 14 individuals in 100,000 in the UK, according to the charity Guts UK.
Source: Noah Wire Services