amitriptyline

[Emily_P7]

Hello everybody, I'm Emily and I suffer with IBS D after some acne tablets I was on basically destroyed my immune system etc. I have been put on amitriptyline and have been on them for just over two weeks. I am just wondering if anyone else is on this and how you are getting along with it. I'm missing a lot of school and feeling very stressed and anxious so some light at the end of the tunnel would be great to hear. Thanks

[Kittycat27]

Hi I'm really sorry to hear you have developed IBS. I'm not on amitriptyline, but from a quick google it says these tablets are given to people with chemical imbalances resulting in depression? is this what you are taking them for or for IBS related symptoms? How old are you? do you have any coping mechanisms? and are your symptoms diet related? here to talk if you need anything

[Emily_P7 in reply to Kittycat27]

Thank you, yes I went to a specialist and he said to only take 20mg and it will help my IBS symptoms. Usually they are taken for depression at around 150mg so I'm on quite a low dosage. I'm 17 been having these issues for around a year now, don't have any coping mechanisms (definitely need them!) And I'm keeping a food diary so I can try and see if any foods act as a trigger, thank you!

[Lolly75 in reply to Kittycat27]

Amitriptyline is a proven muscle relaxant as well, I take 10mg a night for ibs and also have muscle problems/ tension due to anxiety. It’s used for depression in very high doses as mentioned by the other lady.

[1499 in reply to Kittycat27]

Hi Emily P7, I was given amitriptyline when first diagnosed with Fibromyalgia it is the first line treatment for the condition as far as I am aware. I didn't want to take it as has previously did a bit nursing during my time and it was given to people with depression etc., however they now have found as Fibro is a central nervous problem it helps with the nerve pains.

I was on it for a few years and it definately helped the fibro pains the only symptoms I got was the tiredness which they cause, and if I woke during the night I could see lovely patterns on the ceiling and walls but I knew it was the meds so it didn't bother me too much and I spoke with my GP.

As the years have gone by my Fibro has got so much worse and they weren't helping anymore and was started on a new drug. Last year the GP thought after losing my husband that I also had developed IBS which is common in Fibro patients and I wasn't sleeping (another part of the fibro condition). I came off the other drug due to side effects and the GP put me back on amitriptyline after all these years. She hoped it would help the Fibro let me get a sleep and settle the IBS.

I recently came off it as felt it wasn't helping the fibro anymore and Im waiting on hospital tests as could have possibly arthritis or something else going on with me giving so much more pain that the amitriptyline weren't helping with. They definately did help with the IBS as fibro affects the nerves in the tummy also so you might get some relief from them as it isn't a comfortable condition to have. Outwith that I took probiotics for a while and and buscopan when the tummy cramps were bad but the amitriptyline seemed to control it fairly well.

I hope they help you, I also went gluten free for a while which helped so there could be things in your diet affecting your IBS i.e. wheat and dairy fizzy drinks a whole lot of foods. It is trial and error but sometimes you get to know what not to eat and drink. Sending hugs, good luck x

[BossyTart]

I too take amitriptyline for ibs as well as taking loperamide and a probiotic. I have found after only 2 weeks of taking them all together that I may have to reduce the loperamide as it’s all working very well together x I’ve had a nightmare of a time with it all but am hoping that this time I’ve got the balance right along with removing lactose and some dairy amongst other foods (fodmaps) to stop the d.

I really hope you find your way x good luck x

[denvajade]

This can cause a condition called Dysbiosis. Bad bacteria taken over. You could go on 2 garlic tablets every morning then probiotics at night, get as strongest available. If that does not help see your doctor for a test for Dysbiosis. Wishing you well.

[jself]

Hi Emily! I’m 17 also and I was prescribed Amitriptyline a year ago for my IBS. It helped me for about a month or too. But then I started having some side effects I couldn’t deal with. I’ve heard of some other people taking it and it working with no problems though, so I hope it works for you!

I was recently prescribed Buspirone, which is an anti-anxiety medicine that can be used for treating IBS as well apparently. Hopefully this one works for me

[Lulububs]

Hi emily

I am having exactly same problem i go between ibs c to d it all depends on how my body feels that day!

I always had a dodgy gut but about 8 months ago i was put on very strong antibiotics and by day 5 i was crippled up on floor, i was in hosp for 4 days where they just gave me more antibiotics by time i got outa hosp i was in bed and couldnt move my gut was awful i couldnt figure out why I should b feeling better so the dr in hosp told me!!

I didnt! I noticed everything i ate made me double up , i was so ill.

My friend said to go see her naturopath, alergist and at that time i would have done ANYTHING!!

When i told him my history he took a saliva test and rigged me up to this machine and what came back was amazing... basically the antibiotics had stripped my body of immune and stripped my stomach lining and killed every bit of good bacteria in my gut so i was riddled with candida/sibo.

I left feeling

Upset but happy i knew why i felt so ill but he told me my road to recovery was gona b shite basically!!!

So i had to cut out all sugar, all fruits , all yeast and grains.

I also had to take probiotics, digestive enzymes and candida tablets 3x a day for 8 weeks!!

Also the alergist came back i was gluten and cowsmilk intolerant so i had to cut out that to.

I went home and to supermarket and just wiped out all the bad stuff and brought all the good stuff and 6 months down the line i am fine!!! I noticed difference in my ibs within 2 weeks. It was worst but best thing i ever did....

I still take the supplement but once a day now and i still dont eat gluten or dairy but that through choice.. i went back 8 weeks after first test and i looked and felt totally different and he was gobsmacked! I had retest and no candida/sibo was in my body only good bacteria.

So i would suggest to u that u need to start rebuilding ur gut health, ie probiotic, digestive enzymes, mayb even some dida tablets. Vitamin d, vitamin c. Yeh it costs alot at first but i would paid 10x what i did to know what i know now instead of losing about 1 year of my life

[Emily_P7]

Thank you very much everybody, some really great suggestions that I will definitely try!

[Jane2510 in reply to Emily_P7]

Hi there,

I found myself becoming depressed taking the 20mg and decided I couldn’t carry on like that so came off them. It’s one of side effects - the 10mg hadn’t really worked on the ibs.

However since then I’ve stopped taking lanzaprozol and I’m 80% better!

Hope you get sorted out soon!!