I've just been prescribed Escitalopram for depression and my GP said that it might also help with IBS symptoms.
Has anyone else taken this, if so, I'd really appreciate knowing how you got on with it, e.g. did you have any side-effects and did it help with the depression/IBS?
Hi lve been on this for years originally for depression an anxiety now just anxiety l find it extremely helpful but don’t think it helps my lbs at all I fact l have read that it may help ibs d but can make ibs c worse!!! Have often thought to swop to something that may help but find lm now lbs d an c!!!! After first few weeks all minor side effects wear off. Hope it helps you
Hi, thanks very much for your reply it was really helpful. Glad to know side-effects wear off sooner rather than later.
I got that wrong way round it’s ibs d that it can sometimes make worse. I had ibs d for many yrs now lm ibs d an c!! But l don’t think l will come off citslopram as l do find it gets me on a level !! I have had 30mg am on 20mg an have gone down as low as 10mg to see if it helped my I s but didn’t notice any difference. At 30mg felt rather numb to everything didn’t like that feeling!!
Dealing with mixed IBS must be a nightmare for you. My own version is incomplete evacuation (politely) so, although I 'go' several times a day, I never completely empty out. Laxatives don't make any difference, I still visit the bathroom the same number of times.
I've been given 10mg Escitalopram and am taking half a tablet this first week, increasing to a whole one thereafter. I'm taking it to help me face up to a bit of major surgery which I just don't feel I can go through with at the moment. I really do hope it gives me the 'lift' I'm looking for so I feel better about being meddled with!
Thanks again.
I often have that feeling an even resort to manually checking to see if anything is there!! Come down an half hour later lm up doing bit more. My wish is to have normal vowel movements!! Not asking for the world just s decent crap lol
Hi RozB1
Although I don’t have IBS, I have been taking Escitalopram for 6 weeks. After a pretty rough first 2 weeks of side effects - feeling very drugged and out of it (nearly gave up after a week!) I’m really feeling good with no side effects. Sleeping so much better, no waking up with nightmares.
The little irritations that were previously really becoming overwhelming and making me unnecessarily angry have pretty much gone so I’m no longer ‘sweating the small stuff’. I take the meds (10 mgs) at lunch which seems to be good for me and I’m no longer waking up with that horrible feeling of dread.
Overall the meds seem to be good for me but it definitely took a good month before I started feeling comfortable and relaxed that the meds are of benefit.
I don’t think there is enough warning given by GPs (certainly in the UK) that you’ll feel worse before you get better! Just my take on my experience. I hope it helps 😊
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Thanks very much for your reply and I'm really glad the pills seem to be working for you.
I've been taking them for 4 days now and have had bad nausea from day 2. Today I've got a whole lot of abdominal pain and am wondering if it's been caused by them as I don't usually experience this sort of pain with IBS.
I hope things continue to go well for you.
I’m sure that the nausea is a side effect of the meds. Give it 2 weeks. I think you’ll feel that the bad effects lessen and you’ll start turning the corner. IBS is so deliberating so I do hope the meds help.
Hi,
I hope you don't mind that I've come back to pick your brains again, but I'd be glad if you could answer a further couple of questions for me.
I took your advice and stuck it out with the pills through the first 2 weeks despite a fair amount of nausea, appetite loss and even deeper depresssion which, thankfully, passed. I'm now into my fourth week of taking them and I wondered when you got the first signs that they were working as, so far, I don't feel any better whatsoever.
I have to have major, life-saving surgery at the beginning of September and I became so anxious about it all that I couldn't, and still can't, see me having it done. Just the thought of being in hospital is anathema to me especially as it's a 3-week stay. My GP gave me Escitalopram in order to get me through it and I'm getting more and more worried that they won't do the trick.
Did you suddenly start to feel better or did it creep up on you slowly and how are you feeling now?
Sorry to be a pain.
Hi RozB1
No problem at all. In fact I was just reading up on this. For me the side effects like yours mostly disappeared by3/4 weeks but it took somewhat longer until noticeable benefits. Now, at over 8 weeks I can say that they are working and I am loads calmer and peaceful. It seems (depending on dosage) that a lower dose takes longer but keeps the side effects more controllable. I’m on 10 mgs (started on 5mgs for 2 weeks) which is the standard dosage here in the UK for GAD. I think in other countries they tend to increase to 20mgs quite quickly. Hence why it’s probably taken 8 weeks plus for me! What dosage are you on? I feel sure you’ll start feeling better in next couple of weeks! Keep in touch and good luckxx 😉 mentalhealthdaily.com/2018/...
Can't thank you enough for your reply and also the link which I've just finished reading and found very helpful, it explained a lot.
As to dosage, I had a week on 5mg and am now taking 10mg. I've got an appointment with my GP on Monday to discuss things further so I hope she's got her helpful hat on as I still feel like throwing myself under a bus!
I do hope you continue to do well and I'll keep in touch.
Roz
Seems that one doesn’t really get the timescale explained. I expected the meds to work really quickly - like antibiotics or something! X
I did same btw, I went to see GP after about 4 weeks to have a bit of a moan that he hadn’t warned me and that it was only through the people on here that kept me motivated! I felt a lot better afterwards and I can honestly say that today (after 8 1/2 weeks) that I feel tip-top! 😊
Okay, thanks for that.
I'm looking for it to give me a real lift, would you say that that's what it's done for you?
Would I say it’s given me a real lift? I don’t think I feel euphoric but I seriously am more level and the small things that played on my mind just don’t make me feel so overwhelming & dreadful. I can appreciate things more and seem to be able to keep perspective better and am smiling a lot more!. 😊
Okay, thanks for that.
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