nortriptyline - treat IBS, functional heartburn and depression?

[Catatvet05]

Hi,

Could some please enlighten me on the affects of taking nortriptyline?

I’ve read that it’s not effective in treating pains. However, I need help with functional heartburn associated with anxiety and depression.

Has anyone experienced or is experiencing FH? What has been or is your current treatment?

I’m currently talking nortriptyline, it’s my first day and it’s horrible. I’m very angry, agitated, my mood is hell, sleepy and i feel really irritable. Hopefully it should go away?

I’m not looking forward to using this treatment over the next several weeks. It’s similar to Amitriptyline and didn’t do anything for me expect experience terrible effects. I’m wondering if I’m going to go down the same route with nortriptyline?

I also read an American paper that it can help ease IBS?!

Doctors can’t work out or even help me further to shift this constant reflux symptoms. My dentist has never heard a case like it either.

Please help.

[Hidden]

I'm sorry I'm unable to help as I've never taken Nortriptyline although I have taken Amitriptyline but that didn't help me at all. I was getting so down feeling nauseous and having diarrhoea every day that I asked my doctor to refer me to a Dietician, I've not looked back. I was put on the Low Fodmap Diet and it was a life saver for me, it doesn't work for everyone, in fact they say it works for 75% of patients with IBS (I'm pretty sure I'm right with that figure).

Here's a link to the diet and it's effectiveness.

verywellhealth.com/does-a-l...

I really hope that you start to improve.

Alicia

[Catatvet05 in reply to Hidden]

Hi yes I have been on Amitriptyline and that was awful. I’ve also been advised about seeing a dietitian due to my weight loss etc. I’ve been following the FODMAP diet and it’s helped with my IBS but not with reflux symptoms as much.

Thank you for your response.

[Hidden in reply to Catatvet05]

It did nothing for me so I stopped it.

I'm glad the Low Fodmap helped your OBS but I'm really sorry to hear about your acid reflux, possibly probiotics could help, it's worth asking.

I hope you get it sorted soon.

Take care

[Catatvet05 in reply to Hidden]

Yes probiotics are okay. Everything seems to irrate my stomach. I’m trying slipping elms at the moment. Thanks

[Hidden in reply to Catatvet05]

I take Alflorex which have been scientifically created for those with IBS, they've made quite a difference for me. I hope Slippery Elm makes a difference for you.🙏

[Catatvet05 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I tried Alforex. After 20 days seem to worsen my reflux.

[Hidden in reply to Catatvet05]

Oh no, not good. I have to say it took about 8 weeks for them to work with me.

[Catatvet05 in reply to Hidden]

I see. It’s strange my stomach acts up. Even with ppi after 20 days start to face problems. Not sure if it’s my stomach lining is the issue or as mentioned, anxiety that is the main cause of it all? All this happened because of a personal issue I went through back in 2017. Nothings been the same. I’ve been prescribed these types of medication because it’s meant to solve functional heartburn associated with depression. I’ve read old papers , but now times have changed you would think so would treatments?!

Thank you

[Hidden in reply to Catatvet05]

Oh I'm sorry to hear that, anxiety is awful and one of the worst things for IBS.

I'm so sorry to hear about your personal issues. I agree, you would think medication would have improved by now.

Take care🙏

[Cats15 in reply to Catatvet05]

I’m thinking of seeing a herbalist to try slippery elm. How and what are you taking and is it doing any good? Maybe too early to say?

[Catatvet05 in reply to Cats15]

I’m trying slippery elm at the moment- too early to say the effects. I was taking digestive aids for 10 days and no relief. Probably need to stop buying products to be honest cos nothing seems to help me.

[Catatvet05 in reply to Cats15]

By the way you can buy slippery ele powder at a herbal shop. X

[Cats15 in reply to Catatvet05]

I would definitely give everything at least a month before seeing if there is any effect. I want to try digestive enzymes too. lol.

[Catatvet05 in reply to Cats15]

Go for it! Definitely research and try. If it’s anxiety then unfortunately nothing will work? I’m just desperate because of my teeth. X

[jox1]

main things to consider are correct diet - e.g. lo FODMAP if you have IBS symptoms - 16/8 eating patterns to help stomach digest properly - low stomach acid paradoxically can cause reflux symptoms so don't go down the GP omeprazole route. And no I can't see how either of the antidepressant drugs could help.....

[Catatvet05 in reply to jox1]

I’ve taken hcl supplements thinking it could be down to low stomach acid but after 4 days no change. I was told normally takes that time to see a difference? Maybe I should give it another go? Didn’t react in any way which could mean there is a problem? I did just take omperzal, not that it has ever worked either. All annoying really. I’m thinking to start the hcl again tomorrow. Thanks

[Ciccia]

Hi I have amitriptyline- mixed thoughts on it, but as to GERD I have tried slippery elm before eating- seemed to help a little but I now have lanzoprezole which seems to manage it. Had ranatadine- now banned and omeprazole in the past but lanzaprezole much better. I also found that omitting lactose and fatty foods has helped enormously. A combined approach seems to be best. I forgot my lanzoprezole the other day and was a mess so it definitely makes the difference. GERD is miserable so I do hope you find something that suits you soon.

[Catatvet05 in reply to Ciccia]

I can’t work out what the problem is? Nothing seems to work incl slippery . Everything worsens my reflux

[Catatvet05 in reply to Ciccia]

Are you still using Amitriptyline? Has it help med with your Getd?

[Ciccia in reply to Catatvet05]

I would say no. If I forget my lanzoprezole- reflux GERD is back immediately. I take the amitriptyline because of migraines- it helped with that but I didnt notice any impact on GERD at all. Do you take azathioprine as well? I only ask as that definitely makes gerd worse.

[Catatvet05 in reply to Ciccia]

If the Amitriptyline had not worked to treat any form of gerd for you (though yours is a different case) then I doubt it would treat the route to what ever I got that’s causing my own reflux symptoms. Supposedly Amitriptyline treats nerve pain, and that what’s causing my reflux- nerve damage, I think - everything is very hypersensitive: my throat, stomach, etc I don’t take anything else aside from gavscon. I don’t have high levels of acid per per, just symptoms. Thanks again.

[Ciccia]

Consider the lactose free and fatty food tho' if I avoid them I get by but when I forget even with the lanzaprezole it's a nightmare! Good luck.🤗

[Catatvet05 in reply to Ciccia]

Yes my diet is limited. Definitely not anything with gluten either.