A member asked:

Can gastroprasis be caused by ddd in spine with nerve damage. could it damage vegus nerve? could nerve from back create it? i never abused meds?

5 doctors weighed in across 2 answers
Dr. Amy Tezza answered

Other possibilities: It's not likely that a nerve from your back is causing gastroparesis. And degenerative disc disease in your spine should not affect your vagus nerve. I see you are taking Methadone which i assume is for chronic pain. Even when not abused, narcotics can slow transit through your gastrointestinal tract. You should be checked for diabetes and hypothyroidism to rule out metabolic causes.

Answered 1/6/2015

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Dr. Soren Singel answered

Specializes in Neurosurgery

No, no and no.: "no" to all. Ddd cannot possibly cause it. Parasympathetic innervation to your upper GI tract runs with the vagus nerves (anterior neck-not close to spinal canal). Sympathetic innervation to stomach does run from back (spinal cord) but there are backup systems. Gastroparesis often idiopathic (=doctor has no clue). Any metabolic trouble (diabetes etc) needs to be fixed. Vit b complex, dha may help.

Answered 6/10/2014

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