Scared to take Metoclopramide (Reglan) for Gastroparesis

[LorraineP]

I phoned my doctor this morning after yet another night of projectile vomiting most likely caused by that darling little diabetic complication, gastroparesis (gp). I had avoided taking medication for GP but the sickness episodes are becoming more frequent so today I asked for help. He prescribed Metoclopramide that will stop the sickness and help food pass through the stomach more quickly.

It sounded perfect until I asked Dr Google and saw the list of side effects so I'm not keen to take the full course of 5 days.

I'm sure I read a post on here some time ago where the poster said they just used this medication as and when it is needed. I think I'd prefer to just pop a pill tonight if I get sick again rather than take it three times a day. If I'm not sick I won't take it.

What do other users do? Do you take a full course or just take a one off tablet when you're sick or feeling bloated?

 

[AJLang]

Hi Lorraine only you can make the decision. I take a combination of domperidone and erythromycin for my gastroparesis. However I know there is a high risk that they could stop my heart. With them I keep my diabetes under control and I have a good quality of life. Without them I would probably be on a liquid only diet and my diabetes much more erratic so for me it is a quality of life decision. Your GP really needs to refer you to a gastroparesis specialist. Thinking of you xx

 

[Ref]

Hi
I've taken Metoclopramide on and off over the years without any problems. They didn't help me but that may be more due to my other issues.
All the best

 

[LorraineP]

Thank you for your reply Amanda. You're right, I do feel my quality of life is quite poor at the moment with unpredictable BG and frequent sickness. I do frequent blood tests including every two hours throughout the night so I'm knackered lol! Plus I always have to be on my guard for unpredictable hypos. My diabetic consultant told me that my diabetes is controlling me and he's right but I feel I have no choice.

I'm now wavering because I'm sick of being sick and wondering what life would be like if I took a break from the treadmill (because that's what it feels like). I want to take the medication but I don't know what to expect. I suppose the hard work will still be there but my BG results might be more predictable? Also presumably you're not on your medication all the time? Do you take it for only a few days then take a break from it or do you take it long term? If you take it for only a few days at a time does it really improve your digestion that quickly until the next attack? My GP didn't discuss any of this with me as it was just a quick phone call and he left the prescription with no discussion about the medication. That's why I'm keen to find out how other people take the medication, how quickly it works, if anyone has had any of the unpleasant side effects listed and if they have been told to limit how long they take it for.

I'm sorry about all the questions!!

 

[Ref]

My understanding of side effects and drugs is that if anyone mentions a problem while they are trialling the drugs then it has to go on the list even though it may or not have been caused by the drug. When you looked at the side effects did you also look at the likelihood? - side effects are usually listed as common or rare and remember just because they are possible it doesn't mean you will experience them. Which potential side effect bothers you most?

When I did take them I took them for several days at a time as directed, to give them a chance to work. You may not notice any benefit from taking them every now and again. I was prescribed 30 days worth at a time.

I can't advise you whether or not to take them but if you do then have an open mind and give them a chance to work before stopping. Who knows, they may work and make things easier for you?

 

[mikeyB]

I've taken Metocopramide for various conditions over the years, and prescribed it and not had any problems. Indeed, it's used all over the world, without any major issues. I agree with Ref, you need to take them regularly to get full benefit, but it's not recommended for long term use because in clinical trials before it was licensed it was never tested for long term use.

You'll come to no harm taking it as directed, don't worry. If it clashed with any other medication you were taking, the pharmacist would have flagged it up.

 

[LorraineP]

Thank you all for your helpful replies. I've decided to give the Metocopramide a chance for the next few days to see if it works. If I can get a full nights sleep out of it I'll be very happy!

 

[Northerner]

Thank you all for your helpful replies. I've decided to give the Metocopramide a chance for the next few days to see if it works. If I can get a full nights sleep out of it I'll be very happy!

Hope it works well for you Lorraine 🙂

 

[grovesy]

Hope it works!

 

[AJLang]

Thank you for your reply Amanda. You're right, I do feel my quality of life is quite poor at the moment with unpredictable BG and frequent sickness. I do frequent blood tests including every two hours throughout the night so I'm knackered lol! Plus I always have to be on my guard for unpredictable hypos. My diabetic consultant told me that my diabetes is controlling me and he's right but I feel I have no choice.

I'm now wavering because I'm sick of being sick and wondering what life would be like if I took a break from the treadmill (because that's what it feels like). I want to take the medication but I don't know what to expect. I suppose the hard work will still be there but my BG results might be more predictable? Also presumably you're not on your medication all the time? Do you take it for only a few days then take a break from it or do you take it long term? If you take it for only a few days at a time does it really improve your digestion that quickly until the next attack? My GP didn't discuss any of this with me as it was just a quick phone call and he left the prescription with no discussion about the medication. That's why I'm keen to find out how other people take the medication, how quickly it works, if anyone has had any of the unpleasant side effects listed and if they have been told to limit how long they take it for.

I'm sorry about all the questions!!

Absolutely no problem with the questions. Please keep asking,
The problem with gastroparesis is that it does lead to the diabetes controlling you. Things that have helped me were/are a CGM (which I no longer use due to cost) the Freestyle Libre and a pump plus Gastroparesis medication. I did try metoclopramide alongside Domperidone (it didn't cause any side effects) but it didn't help me with the gastroparesis so I changed to erythromycin and Domperidone which I have been on almost continually for six years - I did have a four month break earlier this year but needed to go back onto it. Unfortunately consultants are recommended not to prescribe this combination but my life wouldn't be bearable without them. However I am fortunate that I don't actually vomit with the gastroparesis but it does cause numerous other problems including erratic blood levels including two hour hypos that take two hours to treatment and BGs easily going up to 30. BUT the combination of pump, Libre and medication gives me much better control as long as I regularly check my levels, do corrections as necessary and sip Gluco juice if corrections are leading to my levels going below the mid 4's. This combination has led to an average BG of 7.5 on my meter and HBA1C's in the 6''s. It is hard work but , as I'm sure you know, if you can somehow get BG levels better then, in theory, it helps the effects of the gastroparesis - but not for everyone. You really need to have a diabetic consultant who specialises in gastroparesis. My previous diabetic consultant referred me to one and I'm very fortunate that the new diabetic consultant at my local hospital also specialises in gastroparesis.

 

[Ref]

Let us know how you get on Lorraine - fingers crossed for you
Andy