amitriptyline helps my ibs

[Just-hanging]

Hi there

Does anyone use amitriptyline? My doctor prescribed me this a couple of months back for migraines. But although my migraines are still here I've noticed it's worked wonders for my IBS-D

Has anyone had similar results?

Lyn

[Hidden]

Hi there LynLoo, I have been prescribed Amitriptyline for anxiety and have to say it hasn't made any difference to my IBS but I don't have IBS D so it looks like it's helping your kind of IBS which is great. So pleased it's working for you.

[Just-hanging in reply to Hidden]

I am on other antidepressants for desperation&anxiety. I'm not sure if the amitriptyline has helped either of those but for the amount it's helped my tummy I'm more confident in going out so I guess it's helped overall

[Hidden in reply to Just-hanging]

I'm so glad it's helped your tummy and that you are more confident in going out, that is a positive.

[Lovemyfamily89]

Hi LynLoo

I was prescribed amitriptyline last year for my IBS. The consultant told me it was a successful treatment for many. Unfortunately for me, one of my symptoms is severe constipation and it made that worse so I had to stop taking them but he’s looking into a similar drug, that doesn’t cause constipation for me now.

[EOLHPC in reply to Lovemyfamily89]

Hi julie. What does of amitrip. were you on when the constipation got severe?

[Lovemyfamily89 in reply to EOLHPC]

Hi,

I was on 10mg but was only taking half the dose, do 5mg, because they made me sleepy. I was hoping to build them up but within a week I had a really bad IBS attack and my constipation medication ( I’m on a lot because I’ve been constipated since I was born, that’s my main symptom) just wasn’t working so I had to stop taking them, but I wanted to tell you because they were given to me especially for IBS and I was told there had been some excellent results, I think it may work best if your IBS is mainly IBS-d rather than IBS-c. Glad they have helped you

[EOLHPC in reply to Lovemyfamily89]

Thanks julie! Am ultra interested in any meds that any of us find cause constipation because, like you, my lifelong predisposition is to costipation (i was born with Hypermobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome + infant onset systemic lupus & went on to develope a bunch of other overlapping immune dysfunction & connective tissue disorders). At 64, am now on quite a few heavy duty daily combined therapy prescription meds due tothese early onset comorbidities. All my meds do help me a lot (i wouldn’t continue to take them if they didn’t) but, equally, there are side effects to manage. My IBS-like signs & symptoms are now reasonably successfully managed, but i am ultra vigilant re anything that could encourage constipation. So am v grateful to learn about your experience of amitriptyline & will bear this in mind! 😘🍀

[Lovemyfamily89 in reply to EOLHPC]

Hi Barnclown,

I’m sorry to hear of all the medical problems you have, but grateful that you have shared your story with me because I suspect an undiagnosed medical problem is responsible for my permanent constipation. I have beta thallassaemia but receive no treatment or assistance with that, and my first born daughter has it too plus hashimotos ( under active thyroid) hyper mobility, fybromyalgia and endometriosis. She also suspects lupus as apparently its common to have more than one auto immune disease, but that is not yet confirmed. She’s only 25 and I hate that all these things probably stem from me but I did not know about the thallassaemia until she was 5 years old and I was pregnant with her sister. I think my IBS label which I was given at aged 20 ( I’m now 50) is wrong but it’s a struggle to get anything looked into. I will try whatever they suggest next, but I get frustrated when they prescribe things without checking the possible side effects. I have found healthunlocked an amazing source of information though, as I do not find the medics have enough time to investigate me properly so any research I can do myself always helps. I have quite a cocktail of tablets every day and a really poor diet because of it ( always had a good diet but can’t eat most things now) but I keep trying to figure it out! Good luck with your health!

[EOLHPC in reply to Lovemyfamily89]

Am v much relating to your experiences! I’m lucky to have avoided getting dumped back on my GP by gastroenterology with the IBS label. I’ve had to be quite quick on the uptake in order to avoid this, and all my HU forums have helped a lot. Am infertile due to a dreadful med my mother was ion while pregnant with me (diethylstilboesterol), but am almost relieved because this has spared me to anxieties you understandably feel for your younger generations. And finally: after a lifetime of high fibre Low FODMAP elimination diet, am now prescribed a highly restricted ultra low residue diet + daily methylcellulose (Celevac: the insoluble nonfermentable bulking agent) + increased daily prednisolone in the hope these can continue to help me take at least solid food by mouth and avoid liquid nutrion, enteral/parenteral feeding. The concensus amongst my consultants is that my Intestinal Insufficiency is seguing into Intestinal Failure - i’m experiencing Chronic Intestinal Pseudo Obstruction...all due to my underlying comorbidities. It is what it is...i consider myself lucky to be managing as well as i am. Wishing you & yours every best wish 😘🍀😘🍀😘🍀

[Lovemyfamily89 in reply to EOLHPC]

Hi,

II;m really glad the amitriptyline works for you. It sounds as though you have a real struggle on a daily basis. Like you, I'm constantly looking for ways to keep things under control without having to resort to drastic measures. You are very strong and it's a good job you have educated yourself well about your conditions and tackle them head on. Good luck with it all x

[EOLHPC in reply to Lovemyfamily89]

Thanks again julie....i can say the same back to you. Am glad to have met you! Take care XO

[Just-hanging in reply to Lovemyfamily89]

I'm sorry to hear it made your symptoms worse. I hope it all settles very soon

[Smurfette_23]

I used to but as a fibromyalgia sufferer, I had to stop because I also take opiates and the combination meant I couldn’t get up in a morning!

[Bobbybobster]

I’ve been on it for years to treat nerve pain. It’s amazing for me. It helps me sleep too. It’s “side effects” can cause issues for some but miracle for others.

[Just-hanging in reply to Bobbybobster]

I have alot of trouble sleeping and my doctor said it would make me sleepy but it hasn't so far and it's not making a huge difference to my migraines. But for the amount it does for my IBS I'm happy to continue to take them

[Sybil23]

Yes I use it for migraine but not sure it’s helpinv for either condition

[Just-hanging in reply to Sybil23]

It's not particularly helping my migraines but I have noticed a huge improvement in my IBS! It's helped me become more confident in being out and about

[Huston]

Yes you need a different family of anti depressant for IBSC .

[Alysm in reply to Huston]

Hi Huston what antidepressants are better for IBS C please?

[terez47]

Hi LynLoo

I take amitriptyline for IBS and endometriosis and couldn't live without it. I'm glad that you have found that it helps you too

Teresa

[Just-hanging in reply to terez47]

I am so pleased it is working for you also. Before I started to take it I was always wary of going out incase I had a flare up but since taking it I'm happy to get out and about especially now it's warmer and I have an 19month old!

[bizzywords]

Hi LynLoo

I have been prescribed Amitriptyline for IBS on and off for several years. I have been on 25mg since August 2017. Touch wood it seems to be working and it does help me sleep too. The only thing I don't like about it, is that I always put on weight when I'm on it and I don't know why. My IBS is triggered by my hormones.