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reglan causing severe side effects for GP

Hi there. I just registered hoping to get some help here because my GI doctor is no help for me at all. I have Gastroparesis, IBS-D, fructose intollorant, and more. My main question is for the gastroparesis. I am taking reglan for it and have for over a year. I am having severe side effects. The main one is severe blurry vision. It has also worsened my depression greatly and caused weight gain. It there anything else I can take to help my stomach fuction such as a tea so I can stop this medication? I did not take any today because I can not stand this anymore. If anyone knows of any kind of herbal thing that will do the same thing as reglan, please let me know.
Thanks
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Avatar universal
Thankyou for all the advice. I have stopped taking the reglan. I cant stand it. If I could go to the mayo clinic I would. But my car is in very bad shape, and I cant afford to fix it. I am living on barely nothing. So, i guess the other medication is out to, since I cant afford it. And they dont take insurance do they? I have medicaid. I have applied for disability, so I hope that I will be approved soon. I see my GI doctor (who has been NO help to me and I am seriously considering switching to someone else) about a new medication for IBS. I have IBS-D which where most of my problems come from. Intense severe bloating everyday, diarreah everyday (but on a med to control it), severe gas buildup and pain, and more.  They said they would let me know if a new med for it came out and they called me to come in next month. So I am praying that it works. Thankyou for the advice maybe I will check the herbal ones.
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Avatar universal
Oh, and sorry I forgot to add this, there's a great GP support group on Yahoo Groups.

Also, hypnosis has been shown to help with both IBS and gastroparesis. Note that there are specialists who deal strictly with gastric issues, so you should go to one of those.

Qi Gong has been useful to some with the condition, since it helps with both depression and developing the mind-body connection. Biofeedback has also been found to be helpful, so try exploring those routes.
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Avatar universal
First and foremost, sorry to hear about your GP. Having it myself, I know what hell it can be at times. (Luckily, mine isn't too bad. I feel so incredibly bad for those who have it worse.)

Unfortunately, Reglan is notorious for its side effects. If these are too much for you (and they sound like they are), ask the doctor to switch you to Domperidone. The drug is NOT available in the US, but is first-line treatment for GP pretty much all over the world.

You can find Canadian pharmacies which sell to the US (prescription required) through PharmacyChecker.com, which is recommended by the AARP. (This is how I get my Nexium; my health insurance company doesn't cover Nexium, and $150 for 30 pills is WAY too much. I get them from Canada for about $1/pill, AstraZeneca branded. I could also get generic Esomeprazole, but I choose not to.)

In the mean time, you may want to take a look at the herb Shatavari, which works in the same way as Domperidone. Don't take both at the same time, though. Depending on the reason for your gastroparesis, Shatavari may not work for you.

You may also want to visit an holistic physician, such as a TCM (traditional Chinese medic). If you go the Acupuncture route, go with someone with EXTENSIVE experience with herbs and stomach issues, if you can. Acupuncture has a long track record of helping with gastroparesis, and someone who knows about herbs extensively might be able to help you.

There are some herbal solultions out there like Segratax, Gastrotab, and Astratin that claim to help with the condition, but these are fairly expensive, and not having any personal experience, I can't give any specific advice on these, other than they exist and here are their claims.

If your doc sees you having these kinds of side effects but doesn't offer any other options, RUN--DON'T WALK--TO SOMEONE ELSE, particularly someone specializing in Gastroparesis. (I recommend trying for the nearest research hospital near you.) From what I saw, it says in your profile you're in Iowa. Maybe you can go to the Mayo clinic in MN for help? (mayoclinic.org/gastroparesis/rsttreatment.html) According to Google Maps, if you head from Cedar Falls to Rochester up 63 it'll take you 2 1/2 hrs.

Good luck.
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