Sympathomimetic amine therapy may improve refractory gastroparesis similar to its effect on chronic pelvic pain--case report.

Purpose: To determine if treatment with sympathomimetic amines can effectively treat gastroparesis that was refractory to other medical therapy.

Methods: After failing a water load test, a 29-year-old female was treated with 20 mg/day of dextroamphetamine sulfate.

Results: After several weeks of therapy she noted that most of her symptoms of gastroparesis subsided and she has remained symptom free for eight months.

Conclusions: Similar to its beneficial effect on chronic pelvic pain of both bladder and non bladder origin, refractory weight gain, esophageal pain, chronic fatigue syndrome, headaches and vasomotor symptoms, sympathomimetic amine therapy can also effectively treat gastroparesis refractory to other medical therapies at least in some cases.