Hi I've been suffering with ibs for years, but the last 2 have been really getting me down. Have just been given amitriptyline, anyone tried

[sophiezara]

This. I am starting on 10 mg for 2 wks going up to 25 mgs

[xsnorkelx]

Ye I'm on them at the min. 10mg a day ( I was prescribed 20mg but was too much for me felt like a zombie!) Feel exhausted all the time but can't just blame the tablets as I already felt really tired before I took them. They do stop me feeling as sick tho so think they're working. Been taking them for 5 weeks.

[sophiezara in reply to xsnorkelx]

Hi have you put on any weight because I've heard that some people do

[xsnorkelx]

No I haven't put any on but lost a couple of pounds since taking it. I piled on weight for 2 years but since eliminating wheat/milk in June I've lost over a stone without dieting. I now believe that weight is gained because of food sensitivity mine was wheat/milk. Now I eat about 3-4,000 cals a day and don't ever gain weight but I'll loose 1/2lb some weeks which mathematically shouldn't be possible!

[Janey39]

I've been on them for a couple of months, they are really working on the spasms in my stomach, they are still there but I don't feel them. They've not made me put on weight.

Dr wants to double mine to 20mg for helping with migraines but I'm not sure, having some side effects but not sure if it's them or something else as I have other health issues.

[sophiezara in reply to Janey39]

I'm really worried about taking them but I'm so fed up with all the diarrhoea I'm getting have got to get it sorted.

[orange123uk in reply to sophiezara]

It will not stop the diarrhoea I have taken them for 2 years.

[orange123uk in reply to Janey39]

They don't have many side effects on such a small dose. Never take more than the Dr says and do not drink while on them. Can be really good when used right. Buscopan will help with the spams I use the injections.

[sophiezara in reply to orange123uk]

Can you not have any alcohol at all

[Saleya in reply to sophiezara]

I have alcohol a couple of times a week and it makes no difference to me. I looked it up and it may make you more drowsy. It doesn't make me drowsy anyway! I have been taking 10mg for only 3 weeks, don't want to increase the dose, but it has made some improvement to my IBS-D. Obviously still monitoring and experimenting with foods. I do the FODMAP diet which helps with gas but not so much with IBS-D. Just reintroducing foods like wheat at present with no ill effects.

[Floanne]

I have suffered from IBS with constipation for over 30 years, and come to find out amitriptiline for 30 yrs for a car accident. Started on 100 and worked my way down to 20 and now nothing. More pills more problems. Also weight gain.

[orange123uk]

Been on that for two years it helps a bit but I do feel that I am a bit better but not a lot. Hope its working for you.

[sophiezara in reply to orange123uk]

Hi have got them from the chemist but haven't taken any yet. Bit scared really , how many mgs are you on? Have you gained weight.

[orange123uk in reply to sophiezara]

I have put on weight but I am on other stuff so cannot say for sure its that caused weight gain. Im on one10mg once a day as they can be really dangerous if used wrong or taken with alcohol.

[Hidden]

Hi I was only diagnosed late last year aged 66 and I stopped all dairy products - have you tried that or have you just stopped milk.

[sophiezara in reply to Hidden]

Hi I haven't stopped anything from my diet as yet. Has it helped you

[Hidden in reply to sophiezara]

As soon as I was diagnosed I stopped al dairy products and within 2 weeks I was back to 'normal' - I have soya milk, soya yoghurt and use Pure Sunflower spread (which can be used in cooking). I use the Pure just as I would any other spread - mashed potatoes, cakes etc.

[sophiezara]

I was always constipated, but am more often suffering from diarrhoea, which is I think sometimes worse, I have to cancel arrangements because I'm scared to leave the house

[Hidden in reply to sophiezara]

I know how this feels as that is what I was like last year

[purrfectpaws02]

I never been offered anything from my Dr only been told to keep a food diary and eleminate things that disagree with me, problem is the list of suitable foods is getting smaller and smaller so don't know what the answer is.

[Hidden in reply to purrfectpaws02]

Have you tried a really basic diet - white bread, chicken, boiled potatoes, steamed fish to see if this works and if it does you can start to add other things slowly to see what effect they have

[sophiezara in reply to Hidden]

No I never have, perhaps I should before I start the tablets. We're you getting diarrhoea a lot

[Hidden]

Yes I was - like you I had trouble leaving the house and our shops are only 5 mins away ! I think anything is worth a try before you tke medication. If you are going to try completely dairy free give it at least 2/3 weeks but I tink if that is the problem you will notice a difference within a week, even a slight difference.

My previous doctor did tell me that I was lucky in fijnding something that worked.

[sophiezara in reply to Hidden]

Thanks, I am going to try dairy free and also wheat free, just to see if it helps .

[Hidden in reply to sophiezara]

If I was you I would only try one thing at a time otherwise you won't know which one might be the cause

[sophiezara in reply to Hidden]

Yes I'm going to try dairy free

[Hidden in reply to sophiezara]

Good luck

[Gypsyontherun]

Has any one ever used Align? Most of the reviews I read ppl got good results. Expensive though, but worth the price I guess. I might buy them. Some say their gastro dr.s gave them samples, and they come highly recommended by the docs. I guess it's probiotics. They are over the counter, I saw them at CVS. I drink almond milk the almond breeze unsweetened I love it. Worth a try if you can't do dairy! Lo cal too. Hope this helps!

[sophiezara in reply to Gypsyontherun]

No I've never used Align, what is it? I think it's going to be very difficult giving up dairy it seems to be in a lot of products.

[krusty in reply to Gypsyontherun]

Just finishing my 4th week on Align...less gas now (IBS-C) and will continue for another 8 weeks then review. Started them after my NHS dietitian suggested I try a single strain probiotic. I did some research including ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... and decided to give it a try.

[Gypsyontherun]

Align is a probiotic. I googled it. Gets good reviews. Almond breeze milk is non dairy it's delicious. A few friends I know gave up dairy with good results, I guess it depends on how desperate you get. I'm eating activia,yogurt trying to get some good bacteria in my system.

[Gypsyontherun]

Going wheat free is sooo hard it really is in every bread Cookie and cracker product on the shelf. It makes you hungry they say, and causes stomach problems.

[sophiezara]

I'm getting desperate, so I'm going to try it. Can you gt Almond breeze milk in supermarkets?

[123x]

Best way to manage IBS and Fructose Malabsorption is by following a FODDMAPs diet. Eliminate the offending food. Checkout for articles and recipes

facebook.com/fructose.frien...

[bettypie]

hi

i have been on Amitriptyline for about 11 months now. I take 60mg at night . I have also a lot of other meds to take for my IBS C which also becomes D on and off.

I have put on 2.5 stone in a year! I hate myself atm. im very depressed about it. I decided last night to stop taking them and see if my weight drops. i eat pretty healthily , dairy free and wheat free did nothing for me.

I stopped motillium cos of weight gain and tramadol.

[sophiezara in reply to bettypie]

Hi I'm so fed up with it all, haven't taken amitriptyline yet decided lat night to try dairy free to see if it helps. Getting diarrhoea so much now it's getting me own.

[flirtygert]

HI sophiezara have u been tested for dairy/wheat intolerances. I have and although negative results I am seriously considering altering my diet anyway despite the dr telling me it would have no effect. I too suffer from Diarrhoea but only in the mornings and only once per day (so I guess that makes me lucky compared to some). I have been diagnosed with a functional bowel problem (like IBS) but Diarrhoea and nausea are my only symptoms (no bloating, cramping, endless toilet trips, ) along with occasional headaches and brain fuzziness?? At present I am on Paroxetine -(to help brain/gut responses)... havent really seen much improvement. I still think it is possibly hormonal linked as some days worse than others.

[Thistles]

I have suffered IBS (chronic diarrhoea) 3-5 times a day for 40 years since my gall-bladder removal at 16 which has been very debilitating and exhausting. When it is at it's worst recently I get a small stomach niggle and know I have to get to a toilet like NOW!!! Over the past 6 months there has been occasions when without warning I cannot control my bowels which as you can imagine is upsetting and embarrassing as on 2 occasions I have been in company and in someone elses and my own car and out walking my dog. I was on amitriptyline 25mg initially and taking up to 8 Loperamide tablets a day then my does was increased to 50mg which gives a bit of relief. Still going to the toilet up to 5 times a day but not had any accidents. Since starting on them my weight has gone up by nearly 3 stone which gets me down aswell so I'm not only stressing about going out but wondering if Im going to make it in time to a loo. Was back to gastroenterologist last week and he prescribed Cholestyramine sachets which I cannot take as no matter what I mix them with everything turns out like trying to drink lumpy wallpaper paste ....... I am awaiting another colonoscopy appointment as it's been a few years since my last one and my symptoms are at an all time high.