What works for me - Amitriptyline

[Jem91]

Hi everyone I haven't been on here for some time but wanted to tell my story to people that have tried what they think is everything and it hasn't worked.

Long story short, I have ibs d. The worse it got, the worse my anxiety was getting.

I was eventually having bad days most days. When I first found this forum I thought god atleast I aren't as bad as some of the people on here. Well, turns out I was it just took time to develop.

I'd tried fibre supplements, expensive probiotics, obviously the fodmap diet, mebeverine. Nothing really worked.

I got got the point where every meal out was ending really badly and I was close to making the decision of not going to events or family meals.

So I made yet another gp appointment and decided to do some more research.

I came across information about a particular group of antidepressants. A few people were saying it didn't really help but alot said it was a godsend for ibs d.

The main one seemed to be Amitriptyline, it seemed a bit scary going on antidepressants as I'd heard a few things (makes you a zombie etc).

But I asked my gp for a low starting dose and before I could even show him the report I'd found he said yes.

So I had 10mg for about 3 weeks, didn't seem to do much. I went back and asked for 20mg and within a few days I noticed a massive improvement.

A side effect is constipation so in lower doses it usually just slows you down and that's what it did for me. I now have 1 normal movement a day, I'm still sensible with what I eat but I can definately get away with foods I previously couldn't.

Apart from a bit of dry mouth, bit of tiredness when I wake up it's been amazing for me. For the first time in forever I'm hardly taking any Imodium. Because my ibs is better and more under control I feel like I'm myself again.

Obviously this won't work for everyone but for me it's life changing and I feel like everyone that suffers with the D side of ibs should know

I had never come across it before and it seems alot of gps aren't aware of it either so ask!

I've only been on it for about 2 months now and I'm hoping this will be a long term solution 🤞

[LIsamnaylor]

Hi Jem

That’s great to hear, could you tell me where you saw the report please

Thanks, Lisa 😊

[Jem91 in reply to LIsamnaylor]

google.co.uk/url?sa=t&sourc...

[weegmack]

I’m really glad this has worked out so well for you! I also take 20mg of Amitriptyline at night. I was originally given it for the chronic daily headache that I have. However it has also slowed my bowel down also.

Amitriptyline is in the group of tricyclic antidepressants, which are used off-licence for pain. So they keep my headache at bay (morphine didn’t even work for my headache at first, now it’s more manageable). I’ve heard of quite a few people who have had success managing their IBS on Amitriptyline xx

[SophieC22]

I’m on 40mg of amitriptyline with no success☹️ so glad it works for you tho x

[Jem91 in reply to SophieC22]

Oh that's a shame! You could try another one in the same group?

[sweetsusie]

Other drugs that work to totally stop chronic diarrhea are: Welchol and Colestipol. I've taken both (still take Colestipol, as it is less expensive), and I have not had a problem since. Miracle drugs in my humble opinion.