At this time, there is no known specific link between adult onset spondyloarthropathy and labratory confirmed chronic gastroporesis. There is a tenuous link to pediatric onset disease.

Transient gastroporesis and chronic gastroporesis are very different things. Transient gastroparesis is short lived and may result from almost any illness, certain medications, cancer treatment, or abnormal eating patterns. You are correct that losing 5 pounds in three days is not “normal”, but is is also not particularly uncommon with nausea or vomiting illnesses or significant changes in eating habits. Chronic gastroporesis is frequently associated with out-of-control diabetes (both type I and II). Approximately 1/3 of cases are also considered idiopathic. In the past few years there has been increasing evidence that a small number of idiopathic cases are autoimmune - referred to as AIGD (autoimmune gastrointestinal dysmotility. Laboratory testing to determine if it is autoimmune is in its infancy and not yet widely available.

If symptoms persist you should contact your GP. If necessary they will refer you to a gastroenterologist. (Or call your GI if you already have one.) Keep in mind though that a diagnosis of Gastroporesis without the correct laboratory testing is likely to be TRANSIENT GASTROPORESIS. Chronic gastroporesis is diagnosed through a (correctly performed*) nuclear gastric emptying scan and confirmed if necessary by gastroduodenal manometry or a colon motility study. These tests should be ordered and interpreted by a gastroenterologist who is a recognized gastric motility specialist.**

* http://www.agmd-gimotility.org/referrals.htm Gastric emptying scans are sometimes performed outside of the standard recommended testing protocol. Changes in the meal served, the amount eaten, the length of the test, or even the positioning of the patient can cause dramatically different (and invalid) results.

** AGMD Physicien referral http://www.agmd-gimotility.org/referrals.htm