constipation caused by amitriptyline

[janke]

I`ve been on amitriptyline for many years for different reasons. Due to a period of insomnia I recently had to increase it to 75 mgs which made my IBS-C much worse. I am slowly reducing the dose and am now back to 50mgs and aiming to reduce further - but the constipation is still bad. I`m taking fybogel twice a day, and using a glycerin suppository most days. I`m eating plenty of fruit and veg including prunes. I can`t eat much high-fibre cereal as that makes me very bloated and even more "bunged up". I have tried magnesium citrate in the past but it caused stomach cramps. Any ideas?

I would like to stop the amitriptyline completely but I tried to do this 18months ago and that triggered extreme insomnia

[janke]

I should have added that I drink at least 2 litres every day

[FRreedman]

Have you tried adding two Kiwi fruits per day, they made such a difference to me, I couldn't believe it.

[janke in reply to FRreedman]

Thankyou - I haven`t tried Kiwi recently. I will get some

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network]

Have you tried keeping a wellness diary to record what you are eating, your symptoms and how you are feeling? This may help you identify your triggers and manage your condition better.

[janke in reply to IBSNetwork]

I fail to see how keeping "wellness diary" would help when I have already explained that the constipation is being caused by amitriptyline which I have to take every day

[IBSNetwork Partner IBS Network in reply to janke]

Okay. We are only trying to help.

[Weeg23]

Have you tried flaxseed or linseed. Im on amitriptyline 10mg jst started and im prone to constipation. Im taking linseed daily and its helping keep me regular. Hope this helps!

[janke in reply to Weeg23]

Thanks - I have bought some linseed but haven`t actually tried it yet! I`m already taking Fybogel which has a similar effect to linseed. I have to drink lots because of the Fybogel and I think you are recommended to also drink plenty with linseed. I think there is a danger with linseed and fybogel that if you don`t drink enough they can actually make you even more "blocked up" and I don`t want to risk that

[Weeg23 in reply to janke]

Yes thats right but you only need to drink two cups of water after taking linseed.

[janke in reply to Weeg23]

Hi again - do you mind telling me what sort of linseed you take and how much daily? I`ve decided to try replacing at least one dose of Fybogel with linseed. I`m really not happy about the additives in Fybogel

[Weeg23 in reply to janke]

I have just remembered i had fybogel before and that actually made me more bunged up so i know how you feel. I had movicol which is alot better or even laxido best laxatives because they work. You can take one tablespoon three times a day but everytime you have one tablespoon you need you drink 2 cups of water. I would actually get the ground flaxseed and put it in food i think its easiercto digest and goes through quicker.

[janke in reply to Weeg23]

Thankyou. I`ve already got some ground linseed so will stick with that. I`ve tried Movicol in the past and it was effective but gave me back stomach cramps. I`ve actually got some left over so if I get desperate I will try that again

[Weeg23 in reply to janke]

Im actually going to go buy some dried apricots and try natural food like blueberries aswell for my constipation.

[bookeater]

I am also on amitriptyline, for back pain.

I had a gastric bug in August and ended up collapsing at home. Since August all my stomach symptoms have exacerbated.

After a dreadful couple of weeks and waiting for tests my constipation is driving me mad so I will be reading all the answers hoping I can get some tips.

My GP was unhelpful saying we need to wait to see what the hospital says.

[bookeater]

I forgot to say I have been on 70 mg and this week dropped it to 60 but have been told to keep on that for at least 2 weeks then drop the dosage again.

[janke]

Good luck reducing them bookeater. I wish I`d never started on them!

[Meeowla]

Hi I’m a newcomer and I am currently taking a low dose of Amitriptyline and from my previous experiences it is hell trying to come off them!

But desperately trying to get in some sort of control of this IBSC.

Have come across a fellow sufferer called Heather Van Vorous look her up on line I’ve found her very informative. Seems like this is something that one has to learn to accept and to deal with as best we can. But with the right help and support I’m encouraged that it can be done.

Kind Regards fellow sufferer.

[janke]

Thanks for that. I will investigate. I`ve now managed to get down to 20mg amitriptyline but am very nervous about reducing further. The insomnia that triggered last time was torture. I was hoping to get some support from my gp so I could stop them completely but coronavirus has put a stop to that