1. Community
  2. Gut, bowel and stomach
  3. Oesophageal Achalasia and Spasm

Has anyone else been prescribed amitryptilne and metoclopramide?

Posted , 4 users are following.

hannah30321
hannah30321

I was diagnosed with early achalasia in september by a private upper GI surgeon who advised a Heller myotomy. I have since seen my NHS upper GI surgeon who doesn't agree with the diagnosis and has called it a motility disorder and would not be prepared to perform the heller on me. Amitryptiline and metoclopramide has been prescribed which I am reluctant to take . Has anyone else tried these medications or had similar experiences?

0 likes, 14 replies

14 Replies

  • Pasha333
    Pasha333 hannah30321

    Posted

    Hi hannah my husband was diagnosed with a motility disorder and later achalasia. The presence of a distended gullet in x rays eventually proved food was backing up in the oesophagus. He was prescribed both drugs. Metoclopramide stops nausea and aids motility. Amitryptaline to calm and relax the muscles and anxiety. However, the latter also has some side effects. In my opinion, they are worth a try. They both were prescribed for hubby and both eased symptoms until he achalasia worsened and Hellers is now the only option.

    I do wonder however, if the nhs Dr is disagreeing with the private one because the private one would act sooner because you are paying. Nhs often has issues with private diagnosis. Hubby had bloods done privately to clarify food sensitivities and yet h's refused to recognise them until they concluded the same two years later!

    • hannah30321
      hannah30321 Pasha333

      Posted

      hi Carol thank you for responding to me. When is your husband having the heller myotomy done? What were the side effects of the amitryptiline this is what puts me off as things pretty unbearable without anything adding to it. I tried metoclopramide two years ago with no improvement in the condition So feel really like the nhs surgeon has just not listened to me and isnt really sure which doesnt give  me great confidence really. I just dont seem to get anywhere with it been suffering with the condition for four years and seeing consultants for three years. it does get a little frustrating. i wish your husband well and hope not too long a wait for the heller.
  • janine_52180
    janine_52180 hannah30321

    Posted

    I have been diagnosed with motility disorder and have suffered now for nearly 2 years ongoing. I was prescribed amytryptaline. It never helped me and also made me feel awful. It may help you as drugs sometimes have different effects on people. I am sorry you have this disorder
    • hannah30321
      hannah30321 janine_52180

      Posted

      i am sorry to hear you are suffering with this awful condition too. I have been suffering this for four years going round in circles but recently things really have deteriorated. Its the side effects that concern me I don't think could cope if felt any worse! I had a reaction to citalopram before and was really poorly which is why i am cautious. How do you manage day to day do you find the condition to be stable or do you feel its getting progressively worse?
    • janine_52180
      janine_52180 hannah30321

      Posted

      Some days are worse than others when my swallowing is extra bad and other days it is more manageable. I pray it doesn't get worse . The most difficult part is managing with it mentally. How do you cope with it? 
    • hannah30321
      hannah30321 janine_52180

      Posted

      Some days used to be better than others for me but recently its worse than it ever has been and I agree mentally its so hard to manage its effected my whole life . It does help that others are dealing with similar problems as its hard for people that don't have this type of condition to understand.
    • janine_52180
      janine_52180 hannah30321

      Posted

      Do you just gave trouble with swallowing at the moment? I agree people just do not understand. What are you able to eat on a daily basis? 
    • hannah30321
      hannah30321 janine_52180

      Posted

      really bad trouble swallowing at the moment feels like everything gets stuck in my throat have to drink lots of water to push everything down but always got sensation something is stuck and i just cant swallow the feeling /sensation away. all i can eat at the moment is weetabix with alot of milk and milky drinks i cant eat anything with any flavour or sauce not even soup feels like back of my throat is burnt and anything with flavour aggravates it and then feels like from tongue all down oesophagus is raw and in my chest some days hurts to breathe in . How about you do you have difficulty with certain foods?
    • janine_52180
      janine_52180 hannah30321

      Posted

      I can only eat porridge, soups and liquidised foods but am able to eat crackers with high fat content and dips. Sorry to hear it is so difficult for you . Meds have not helped and consultant can't give me any other treatments for this condition
    • hannah30321
      hannah30321 janine_52180

      Posted

      Have you thought about getting a second opinion? do you get regular reviews or are you left to just get on with it. Its awful I hope you have a supportive GP.
    • janine_52180
      janine_52180 hannah30321

      Posted

      See him every 4 months .had all the tests already so no more to be done. There is no treatment really for this condition. Don't gonto GP about it anymore 
    • Pasha333
      Pasha333 hannah30321

      Posted

      My husband decribes it as trying to swallow a tennis ball... Also he said when his Reflux is bad it feels like it burns. His Consultant explained that food doesn't always pass into the stomach and sits around permenting in the Oesophagus.... This obviously causes issues. He manages this with a mixture of Ranatadine and Gavsicon, however, again more recently the Dr has prescribed Lansoprasol. Also, along with the reflux, large consumption of milk and food hanging around, it is a breeding ground for fungal infections and the symptoms you decribe do sound like it. Maybe asking for a oral fungal treatment may help?

      I wish you two ladies so much.... It is dreadful watching my husband suffer this terrible condition and my heart utterly goes out to you x

           

  • Pasha333
    Pasha333 hannah30321

    Posted

    Hi Hannah. Hubby was prescribed Metaclopramide for emergencies when the spasm pain caused problems, but he also takes Domperidone regularly. The antidepressants caused problems coming off of them more than anything. He really struggled to come off as it caused depression!

    He has just had his Pre Admission visit at the hospital and could get the call to come in for surgery any time. 

    Most days he has home made soups which have been liquidised or more recently he was prescribed Fresubin energy drinks on the NHS which contain 150 cals per 100 mls and these have kept his weight steady. However, prior to this, he used Build Ups.  

    Maybe asking for a second opinion may help and also ask to be referred to a Specialist.  

    • hannah30321
      hannah30321 Pasha333

      Posted

      Thank you Carol for responding to me.  I think you may be right about the idea of a fungal infection which wouldn't be suprising with food hanging around. I look forward to hearing an update once your husband has had the op.
Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.