Antidepressants for IBS

[Fayeyasmin]

After suffering with IBS for years I have now been prescribed a low dose of amitriptyline. Has anyone tried this for IBS??

Thanks

Faye

[A_IBS]

Hi Faye. Yes, I have but it made me very sleepy and gives you a really dry mouth.

[Nerissa]

Hi Faye, I've been on 25mg for nearly 20 years it was the best thing I ever did but have tried over the years coming off them as was worried about long term use and now I suffer from constipation but have ever been able to. Every time I try the stomach cramps come back. So it's definitely the best thing for me.

[specialfx]

Yes....as ibs is usually anxiety and stress related.it may be useful in alleviating effects of ibs....it does not cure it...only helps make an attack not be too severe.

The underlying causes of ibs need to be dealt with seperately..by reducing stress and agravation of the gut by change of perhaps diet and preservatives in food can be an irritant....so too can be alcohol......!

So lifestyle changes may then lead to less antdepressants being used....

Personally...i was put on amytpripline for pains in my arms..and it made me morbid....so all i use for ibs now is buscopan.mebrevine..paracetamol...ibuprofen and if necessary...co codamol....not all at the same time though....only through trial and error do i know which combo of meds to take to suit each attack of ibs....as not all are the same

[Wanttobedrugfree]

Good morning I was prescribed the same tablets years ago and found that they helped a lot at first. The only problem is that you soon become addicted to them and getting off them are a nightmare. I have also read that antidepressants make you have restless legs and this has definitely become an issue for me.

[epoot]

Hi Faye

Yes, I've been on 10mg for about 2 years now and it's helped SO much! I held off for several years as I didn't like the idea of antidepressants but a doctor friend tells me that the dose I'm on would not be used for depression only for pain relief. My 95 year old mother has been prescribed it for back pain and my husband for migraine though it didn't help him. (All different doctors by the way.) It's not "cured" my IBS and I still follow the low FODMAP diet but I was being kept awake by pain before and now sleep brilliantly even if having a small flare up. I've had no problems with a dry mouth or restless legs mentioned by others. I'd definitely give it a go to see if it suits you - good luck!

[Annie0904]

I was given 25mg but I couldn't cope with the side effects. All I wanted to do was sleep and it made my anxiety worse.

[Fayeyasmin]

So I had my first one last night and I know it take a few weeks to start working but it knocked me out. I sleep loads as it is but I slept in until 9am which is unlike me.

Hopefully this isn't something which hinders me getting up on a week day

[Bevvy1960]

Hi Faye - I have been on Citalopram for a while now - just 10 mg per day and it has totally changed my life. I too have tried to come off it but the problems recur and it's just not worth ruining my life for the sake of a small pill once a day so I continue. Yes, there are side effects, but give it a go. I first found many years ago when I had a very bad time in my life I was prescribed Seroxat (Paroxetine) and within a week my IBS had gone and I was no longer depressed! So I realised the link and for many years coped without pills. Then after more bad things in my life and as I have suffered breast cancer I could not have Seroxat as it interferes with the Tamoxifen I take for the BC, so I was prescribed Citalopram which is safe and once again I am smiling again and have my life back. I hope it works for you - all you can do is give it a try. Good luck! Bev

[NathalieM]

Yes I 30mg of Nortryptyline each night. I played round with the dosage at first 10mg 20mg 30mg, the frequency of them every other night every night but by for the best for me was 30mg it's a very small amount of anti depressant. I found it made me tired if I took it in the morning so I take it last thing at night so I naturally sleep through the tiredness and in the morning when I used to be bad I'm not as the medicine is in my system. I have tried to come off it and also missed a few days pure forgetfullness and it doesn't take long to see what happens when you don't take it. I'll be on it forever but I'm happy with that as my body needs it, if I was diabetic I'd take insulin if I needed it. It's the best thing I ever did but a close second was hypnotherapy try it if you can ☺

[Ralphy38]

25mg made me so drowsy I couldnt function or get myself to work!! Dropped to dose of 12.5mg and still was asleep all the time, slept an entire bank holiday weekend away and even didnt wake up when police were hammering on my front door because a neighbour had been robbed!! Everyone different so they may work for you but were no good for me. Also find these and other antidepressants cause big weight gain, which is a definite no no for me.

[Annie0904 in reply to Ralphy38]

I was the same as you Ralphy, no good for me at all

[Hidden]

Hi yes they are perfect for IBS

Very Best Wishes

[richv]

Hi,

Yes. I found that my IBS was very much affected by my anxiety and I was given Amitriptyline. I tried 25mg and was a zombie through the next day. I went to 10 mg in the evening and it has helped me a lot to feel better and have less bloat and nausea. I found that 10mg at bedtime or even several hours before works fine.

Good luck!

[Hidden]

You may find that plant-based meds help just as well, without the side effects. I used one I bought in France (so the name won't help you), but it contained valerian and hawthorn. Ask at your local chemist.

Alison