Hi I'm New here,having Ibs for many years,as I have got older it has definately got worse.

[179C]

I now suffer anxiety & panic attacks.My Ibs is C&D.I unfortunately suffer bad reactions to drugs.My Dr is suggesting Amitripyline.Has anyone any advice on this medication, i.e. dose,side effects & did it help Thx y

[August01]

Hi, I've been taking Amitriptyline for a while. I only take 10mg daily (i'm overly sensitive to these type of drugs). I take it late evening due to drowziness side effect. It slows down the gut a little bit which can be ok for IBS-D but I guess might be problematic for IBS-C. I suspect the body gets used to Amitriptyline (I'm not sure its even working for me anymore; while I still take it I concentrate on other therapies, exercise and diet to help my IBS-D and anxiety probs which I believe is more beneficial than prescribed meds). I can't increase the dose because I get unacceptable side effects: excessive drowziness, excessive thirst and urinary retention.

If you can, discuss any concerns about taking it with your GP. Like many prescribed drugs (and IBS) what is ok for one person is not right for another. So the best way to find out if it helps is to try it. Hope this helps.

[179C in reply to August01]

Thank for answering my post,you are right everything seems to help Ibs D more than C,I am on the fodmap diet,I also try Eft tapping for my panic etc.I have to take medication for high BP ,obviously I have no choice on that,but that took several admissions to hospital before suitable.tablets could be found that didn't make me ill.So like you am very reluctant to take medication.Maybe I will try 10mgs.If I can find the courage.h

[Huskywomen]

I am on 75mg of amitriptyline as I have fibromyalgia aswell, yes it gives you a very dry mouth so I have water or juice with me at all times, it definitely slows down the bowel , but I have also got ibd in the rectum , you best to try and see how the dosage goes

[179C in reply to Huskywomen]

Decision made,decided against.

[Angie11]

I was prescribed 10mg. It made very sleepy and I felt woozy in the mornings so I stopped taking it. Also I'm IBS c I didn't want anything to slow down my bowel at all.

[179C in reply to Angie11]

I have decided against taking the medication.👍

[Hidden]

Hi there, I haven't taken the drug but my IBS is certainly getting worse so I am really looking into my diet more. I also have a book from the Thrive Programme which covers all sorts of anxieties etc; I have Emetophobia so I have the book that covers that condition. Looking into how to control anxiety I feel is definitely the right way to go as by looking at many posts over the months anxiety is a problem with IBS sufferers.

I am on chapter 4 of the book and my mind is definitely working differently now, I question myself why I am thinking the way I do. Better if we can look after ourselves naturally rather than taking drugs.

Have a look at the programme, the author is Rob Kelly.

Very best of luck

[179C]

Will do thank you.

[Linny_07lou]

Those tablets are quite strong has uour Dr done any other test? Maybe you be better of going to a herbal shop?

Some times its a try and error situation maybe you should try writing down your daily food diary then see what triggers it off?

I have started eating gluten free food my stomach seems ok (touch wood)

Since being on it.stress can also make it worse.

[Kimmiejo]

I am like you I have side effects from medications the doctors want to put me on I took a similar one for headaches but I also have IBS C& D. I use a naturalpathic type doctors she has me on body biotics and inulation along with digestive enzymes it helps better then pers ription drugs. I would go that route with a naturalpathic doctor or kinesiologist they helped me better then a doctor. I take natural calm for the IBS C it helps that really well.

[179C]

I agree there has to be a better way than medication

[Jane2510 in reply to 179C]

Hi there,

I was told a few years ago to try amytriptalin and was very anti it but as my ibs d has progressively worsened I decided I'd give it a try.

Side effects are not really wanting to get up in the morning but because I work I do get up and have a slight brain fog for a while which has lessened over time.

I started on 10mg and did feel a bit better, not the daily runs, not being woken at 2am or 4am having to spend hrs on the toilet and yes it sort of turned my stomach " quieter" than usual.

I did still get the odd ibs attack mostly related to food but I had my first holiday not ruined being sat in the bathroom which is a huge thing for me after so many years knowing the dreaded runs would strike at any time and not only dampen my holiday but my husbands to.

Along with starting these pills I was sent to see a specialist who I saw on funny enough a day when I was have an ibs attack.

As well as setting me up for the double camera investigation and a lactose intolerance test he suggested moving up to 30mg. I took a long weekend off work to get used to the worst side effects but after 2 weeks decided I couldn't take that doze as it was impacting on my life way too much and especially my working life.

I've reduced to 10 mg again and have my camera test day after tomorrow.

Taking the amytriptalin is really a personal thing - like I said years ago - even a few months back I would have said no I don't want to take it. And like you it was my choice to take or not to take.

Also we respond to different things - what works for some might not for others!

Good luck x

[powerofprobio]

Hi! Sorry. I also have IBS C&D with anxiety. I found a probiotic that helps a lot with gut dysbiosis and it even targets mood swings and anxiety. Let me know if you'd like the info. Good luck!

[Millydog33 in reply to powerofprobio]

Can i have some info please