I have had gastroparesis for a very long time but was diagnosed 10 years ago in 2003. I suggest?
Question posted by Mark33swm on 23 April 2013
Last updated on 7 November 2014
... to every gastroparesis sufferer to try Trazadone. It is very cheap and helps a LOT with the nausea and vomiting. I know it works because if I miss a dose of Trazadone I end up in the ER with uncontrollable vomiting. I ask for an IV trazadone and it works in a couple of hours. I also take Metaclopramide (Reglan) and have been taking it for years. Everyone is panicked about their loved ones suffering from Tardive Dyskinesia. I don't have it yet but my doctor monitors me closely and I limit how much Reglan I take. You do not need to take it 4 times every day unless that is what it takes to control your symptoms. I find that with the Trazadone I usually only take Reglan at breakfast and bedtime unless I know I'm going to eat a heavy meal. I also have 10 other diagnoses but I won't go into that here since it doesn't apply.
Try the Trazadone. It's cheap at WalMart or most other pharmacies because it is generic. It will make you sleepy so take just before bedtime. This is not a medication you can take before bedtime but at bedtime is best. It also has antidepressant properties
How many mgs. of Trazadone? My 89 yo mother has gastroparesis with 30% reduction in stomach emptying. She has persistent nausea and has just started on Erythromycin to improve motility and decrease nausea, but no improvement yet. She takes Phenergan & Zofran but they don't always control the nausea. I would appreciate any insights you can share with me.
Votes: +0
FL
flowers76
7 Nov 2014
First I wantto say what a wonderful daughter you are to be so caring for your mother . What a dreadful thing for your poor mother to have at her age I thought I was bad im only 76yrs old and its hit me like a thunder bolt its the worst desease and the most debilitating thats ever happened to me I am newly diagnosed so really dont know much but I wish you and your mother all the best and may GODhelp you both through it check with your doc and ask him if she could have ondansetron(odaz zydis) cancer patients have it to help control nausea it helps me alittle but it might help your mother more everyone is different best wishes jill
MA
Mark33swm
7 Nov 2014
How is your mother doing? I hope the treatment regimen is helping. I take 300Mg of Trazadone but 200 will help also as I used to be on a lower dose.
I don't see how Erythromycin would help as it is usually the cause of many severe GI sypmptoms in Gastroparesis patients? Did a GI doc prescribe it or a GP?
Zofran is a better drug than Phenergan for me but expensive. My symptoms are usually controlled without the Zofran though.
Be sure to watch the fiber in the diet. Stay away from things like Broccoli and other hard to digest foods... that will help a lot.
I'm sorry my response was so late. Take Care, Mark
TE
Tee6759
23 April 2013
Dear Mark, Welcome to DC! Lara told me about your information regarding your gastroparesis and taking trazodone. I have also been on Metoclopramide twice daily for almost 2 years with no real side effects. My gastroparesis situation is a little more difficult. My stomach totally quit working. The only alternative, vs feeding tube, was to have a gastro electronic stimulator implanted into my abdomen. Electrodes are attached to my stomach to make it function. This was done in Nov 2011. This is a rare procedure according to my surgeon. I had been moved to the top of the waiting list for the unit. Im glad the trazodone is working for you. I hope it continues. Thereis a gastropareris question group here too. Thanks again for the info! In peace, Tee
Votes: +1
MA
MacIntosh12
25 April 2013
... and voila! she appears, just wanted you to read this, Tee. Hope things are better for you after starting your latest journey. Love, Lara
MA
MacIntosh12
23 April 2013
Hi Mark33swm, Thank you for your great information! I've a friend with gastroparesis and she will appreciate your information. She is a member of this great site and I will alert her to your good news. Thank you again, Lara
