Newbie

Posts: 2
From:Chatsworth, CA, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-18-2003 08:33 PM            

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Hi All,

I have been taking reglan(actually the generic) for over the last three years...due to gastrparesis from diabetic neuropathy. Recently had a flair up which looks like it is going to require upping my dose....also found out this week about Tardive Dyskinesia complications associated with this drug. Since it is becoming more likely that I will need a motility enhancing drug long term, Id like to not have to take Reglan for obvious reasons. Does anyone know of any alternatives to this drug that I could look into, that does not have similar complications?. Thanks in advance for your help.

mike

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Member

Posts: 45
From:Indiana
Registered: May 2003

posted 06-18-2003 10:20 PM            

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my doctor prescribed Reglan for me once and I couldn't take it because it turned me into a zombie. To replace it he prescribed Levsin - generic is hyoscyamine. It was given to me for muscle spasms in my upper stomach so I don't know if it will help your problem or not.

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Senior Member

Posts: 239
From:PA, United States
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 06-19-2003 12:56 AM            

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amesythe (or however your name is...sorry!) reglan did the exact same thing to me! i was soooo sleepy, couldn't stay awake, weak, dizzy, practically unconscious...from like, a 5mg dose! but the drug was used for me to try to get eating more...i didn't actually have gastroperisis...for some reason i always felt "full", and they thought that moving whatever residual "junk" in my stomach would help...but it made it worse...it is now on my "drug allergy" list...haha...but i know how you both feel..good luck...by the way, my doc recently put me on levbid for some bad IBS...i've heard rumors that this is the "new" drug for levsin...is that true?? just wondering...

rach

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Member

Posts: 45
From:Indiana
Registered: May 2003

posted 06-19-2003 07:37 PM            

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Rach, I was also only on 5mg of Reglan, and it was horrible, I could hardly function at work. I have never heard of levbid, but I'm not surprised your doctor put you on it for IBS. IBS is improper functioning of the muscles of the digestive tract, I believe I have a mild case of it, besides the muscle spasms in my stomach.
By the way I also have the problem with my stomach feel too full from eating just a little bit, it also bloats up like crazy. I have read some of your posts and it sounds like you have several different problems. One thing that really seems to help me is the SCD diet, somebody else just posted about it recently. It is hard to follow, but even if you end up cheating a little I bet it would make you feel a lot better.

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Senior Member

Posts: 239
From:PA, United States
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 06-22-2003 06:38 PM            

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hhmmmm..SCD diet..i never came across that...of course, i didn't read ALL of the posts...haha...i'll check it out...my acid is not really getting much better, but i know the pepcid is doing something...i don't know...i'm gonna have to go to my doc, i'm pretty sure, and i'll check out the diet..thanks!

rach

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Thought This Might Be of Use...Since Alot of Others Have It:
Updated on 6/18/02

August 1999: diagnosed with GERD and IBS...put on zantac, then aciphex
Spring 2000: diagnosed with TMJ...have lower splint
September 2000: hospitalized for failure to thrive due to malnutrition and dehydration; fed with ng tube for 3 months, put on prilosec
2001-02: developed chronic sinusitis/rhinitis from NG tube, put on nasonex and allegra
January 2002: switched GI's, diagnosed with hiatal hernia, switched to nexium, added peppermint oil, put on bentyl PRN for pain, zoloft for nausa
March 2003: IBS getting worse, switched PRN bentyl to BID levbid ER
May 2003: diagnosed with asthma from GERD, put on advair and singulair, albuterol PRN
May 2003: back pain and limited mobility, caused by 2002 car accident and dance injury, unidentified
April-June 2003: minor ear irritation and hearing problems, and extra sinus swelling, unidentified
May-June 2003: heartburn recurring even with meds!- GI put me on 40mg Pepcid Rx at bedtime...Let's see if it works! :p

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Senior Member

Posts: 244
From:
Registered: Jul 2002

posted 06-24-2003 10:18 AM            

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Hi! I would like to know more about that complication you mentioned from using Reglan. I have been on the generic for about four months now and I don't see an end to taking it for awhile as it keeps me eating well and keeping from getting sick. I am worried though, about complications from using it so long. I don't know of any alternatives to it, except some other drug this lady once mentioned to me, but I can't remember the name of it, it supposedly works in a similar manner as the Reglan. as for Levsin, I take that as well for the muscul spasms and it usually works well but not in the same way as Reglan. Funny though, I have no side effects from it and am taking 10mg dosages. Well, keep me informed!
~Shan

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Newbie

Posts: 2
From:Chatsworth, CA, USA
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-24-2003 12:20 PM            

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my understanding is that the dyskinesia begins to develop around 5 years out....all I know is I have no intention of finding out!....there has to be another answer for gastro paresis....I see from this forum that most people have different problems than I do...my problem specifically is stomach emptying...nerves don't fire correctly to get the muscles of the digestive tract moving....anyway if anybody has similar issues let me know what youre doing...thanks

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Senior Member

Posts: 239
From:PA, United States
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 06-24-2003 01:44 PM            

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i'm sorry...i've been trying to figure out what dyskensia is, and all i can find out is that its some kind of muscular disorder...

lemme see if i understand this right...since reglan increases muscle tone, repeated use actually decreases tone in other body parts?? is this correct??

well, i was tested for gastroparesis, and it was negative (although i did get to miss 3 hours of school for the test...haha), but i believe the only way to treat it is with a motility enhancer...and i can't believe that reglan would cause problems like that for EVERYONE...but i could be wrong...i didn't tolerate the drug right from the beginning, so i know it didn't work for me...but the docs and nurses were shocked at my reaction...most people tolerate it like a sugar pill...

also, i can't imagine that any other motility enhancer wouldn't have the exact same effect...i guess you just have to decide which is worse, the POSSIBILITY of dyskensia, or suffering effects of gastroparesis, which, when at their worse, can induce IBS and GERD like symptoms, and general fatigue and nausea, cause your body's not processing stuff right...

once again, if i knew EXACTLY what dyskensia was, i would be able to form a better opinion on what to do...but gastroperisis can get pretty damaging if not taken care of, and i don't think it usually just goes away...if anyone has more info on dyskensia, please let me know...its driving me crazy that i can't find more info on the internet!!!

rach

------------------
Thought This Might Be of Use...Since Alot of Others Have It:
Updated on 6/18/02

August 1999: diagnosed with GERD and IBS...put on zantac, then aciphex
Spring 2000: diagnosed with TMJ...have lower splint
September 2000: hospitalized for failure to thrive due to malnutrition and dehydration; fed with ng tube for 3 months, put on prilosec
2001-02: developed chronic sinusitis/rhinitis from NG tube, put on nasonex and allegra
January 2002: switched GI's, diagnosed with hiatal hernia, switched to nexium, added peppermint oil, put on bentyl PRN for pain, zoloft for nausa
March 2003: IBS getting worse, switched PRN bentyl to BID levbid ER
May 2003: diagnosed with asthma from GERD, put on advair and singulair, albuterol PRN
May 2003: back pain and limited mobility, caused by 2002 car accident and dance injury, unidentified
April-June 2003: minor ear irritation and hearing problems, and extra sinus swelling, unidentified
May-June 2003: heartburn recurring even with meds!- GI put me on 40mg Pepcid Rx at bedtime...Let's see if it works! :p

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Member

Posts: 45
From:Indiana
Registered: May 2003

posted 06-25-2003 06:42 PM            

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I remeber reading somewhere that prolonged use of Reglan can cause the shakes and muscle spasms, permanently. If I remember correctly, the drug info you get with your prescription says to stops taking it immediately if you start having muscle or eye spasms.

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Member

Posts: 54
From:N.W, Ohio, USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 06-29-2003 01:30 PM            

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Hi, alot of Drs. and Pts. are replacing "Reglan" with the newer motility drug Zelnorm....I have talked to several people who have switched and say they do not experience some of the complications with it that they had with reglan..I recently started Zelnorm but hasnt been long enough yet for me to know how it will effect me....Cathy

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Newbie

Posts: 3
From:
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-11-2003 05:41 PM            

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I had huge problems the first time I tried reglan for gastric emptying problems. I actually order domperidone (generically called motilium) from canada with a prescription (though you can actually get it online without one!). I take 10mg before each meal and bedtime. The only side effect I have had is the occassional secretion of breastmilk. Actually, this drug is so mild that they also prescribe it to women just for that side effect. It's worked really well for me and is definitely worth looking into. Good luck! --Elaine

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Junior Member

Posts: 11
From:Chrisney,In US
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-12-2003 05:53 PM            

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I also have gastraperesis and I'm only 24 and not diabaetic, they have no idea how I got it, I take domperidone from Canada it has started my stomache back up. I have a G tube for drainage and a J tube for taking meds and for feeding. I have been in the hospital for 8 months due to my problem and I have severe pain without relief. They are talking about putting a pain pump in me. But the domperidone does wonders if it didn't work they were going to send me to a motility clinic for a pacemaker. Hope this helps some. By the way I take 30mg 3 times a day. Max dose.

[This message has been edited by andylw_00 (edited 08-12-2003).]

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Senior Member

Posts: 165
From:
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 08-12-2003 08:16 PM            

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Reglan is the worst drug I'm on for bial reflux. Yet it really works and I can't get off of it. I'm sleepy all the time. I hate the drug. When I was in highschool I'd go to sleep at 10pm, wake up at 6:45 and come home at 3:00 and sleep til 6:30. It's like I can't get enough sleep! I'm now in my first session at college and working and I can barely keep my eyes open. What's worse is I've developed allergies because of all this rain so with that medication as well, it's so hard not to sleep all day. But the zombie part isn't all. I have these awful twitches, I can't control them. Sometimes my whole body is into it and it looks like I'm shivering or sometimes a random limb will start pulsating and twitching. I swear, everytime I go to the doctor the diagnosis is 90% of the time, "it's the reglan". I'm only on 5mg by the way. I hate it... maybe I'll look into some new meds. But I worry, I get so sick without it.

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Senior Member

Posts: 165
From:
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 08-12-2003 08:19 PM            

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quote:

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Originally posted by amethystle:
I remeber reading somewhere that prolonged use of Reglan can cause the shakes and muscle spasms, permanently. If I remember correctly, the drug info you get with your prescription says to stops taking it immediately if you start having muscle or eye spasms.

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Writing what I just wrote, I REALLY wish I'd read what you said like 5 years ago. I've only had a few eye twitches but the muscle stuff is pracitcally every day. As well as I'm feeling I think it's time to go see the GI doc.

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