Sertraline for IBS

Has anyone tried sertraline or an antidepressant to treat IBS. My symptoms are like an anxious bowel feeling (wind etc)..usually worse in the mornings/when leaving home/ when no toilet facilities available/ sitting in traffic jams/crowded placesetc. Also can be triggered by being close to trees and grassy areas which is a bit bizarre!! I've had it for years but got worse these last few months for some reason. Any advice would be appreciated.

[224390]

I get these same symptoms in these situations, I haven't tried antidepressants for this as I don't particularly like the thought. I was prescribed mebeverine hydrochloride, it doesn't stop it completely but has improved the symptoms enough to leave the house, I believe they are a muscle relaxant, might be worth looking into?

[Hidden in reply to 224390]

Thanks I'll look into that. Do you think the symptoms may also be related to a food intolerance?

[224390 in reply to Hidden]

I'm unsure about food intolerances at this moment, cutting things out of my diet one at a time to see if there is links but this hasn't caused any changes in my symptoms so far.

[Hidden in reply to 224390]

Sounds familiar. I thought I might have a gluten intolerance but evidence doesn't suggest I have. All I do know is that a glass or two or red wine solves the problem!!!!

[MrAddy]

I was given antidepressants a long time ago because whilst in a continuous flare up I ticked all the boxes for being depressed. I have always argued that I am not depressed, but I do get fed up when I cannot do the things I want to do, due to my health.

My experience has shown me first hand someone that is depressed, and I just don't tick all the boxes, although I guess it could be interpreted that I tick a some.

I was on sertraline for a bout 5 years starting fro 50mg to 150mg. It wasn't until a bad flare up where I was given more medication, mebeverine and fibre gel, that I actually read all the side affects of the medication I was taking. This was a OMG moment!

It seems I was taking medication that was meant to help my pain, but not pain killers, which had side affects that match IBS symptoms. But it was some kind of IBS that was causing the pain. Although I was not having all the side affects I was clearing have some which made it hard for me to find out what was side affects and what was just me.

So in September 2020 I decided that I would just stop taking Sertraline, and in November 2020 I decided to stop everything, and just run medication free. It took some adjustment and my body was not overly keen and I had multiple episodes (flare ups) which made me think several times about going back on them.

But I didn't and I stood strong and suffered thinking, remembering, even when I was taking them, I still had episodes which was bad.

I WOULD NOT SUGGEST OTHERS DO THIS, it was just a decision I made because I have been like this for so long I wanted to try something myself. Just stop taking pills is never a good idea and can be incredibly risky without consulting a doctor.

If I was, today looking back, asked was it a positive move, I would reply I don't know! Not helpful I know, but I still get good days and bad days. I still get the pain, and have IBS-D and C. It feels like during a flare up it takes longer to recover by a few days.

But on the other hand I do not feel any different in my mind, I still try different things, I still push myself and I still have to starve myself before I do anything that puts me in a situation that could cause stress/embarrassment.

With me, a lot depends on my feeling of vulnerability, which stems from a trauma in childhood. Social anxiety, and IBS symptoms, always depends on mental strength. Medication did not do as much as just not eating for a few days before I have to do something. I still get the same symptoms but not as intense with no food and I feel stronger in getting through it.

All I do is concentrate on the end game, from the second I leave the house, I plan my route with emergency fail safes (exit plans) should it just get too much. Makes me very unreliable but this is how I roll!

I cannot give you any advice on what medication you should, or should not take, that's for you and doctors, but this has been my experience. I do not take any pills now accept Amitriptyline 30mg each night because it helps me brain switch off so I get some sleep. I also take Paracetamol for the pain, but only when it's really bad, and mostly at night. I find a good night sleep helps me with the morning routine.

Hope this helps anyway Stay safe!

[Hidden in reply to MrAddy]

Thanks MrAddy........I'll bear in mind your experiences with medications in deciding the best way forward for myself

[Rossan]

Hi Mullio,

I was prescribed sertraline for my IBS last year & I wouldn't recommend it. After one month of being on it I had a huge flare-up. My symptoms have been vastly worse ever since then - I don't think it was caused by the sertraline, but it certainly didn't help. One of the most common side effects of sertraline is diarrhoea! (nhs.uk/medicines/sertraline/)

Coming off it was also horrible, it gave me terrible withdrawal even though I was coming off it very very slowly.

Amitriptyline is also an antidepressant prescribed in low doses for IBS & it worked much better for me.

It's interesting you think grassy places might be a trigger - have you looked into histamine intolerance? I took antihistamines all last summer for hay fever symptoms (for the first time) & it helped with many symptoms I thought were my IBS.

I would also recommend taking a look at the Nerva app (mindsethealth.com/nerva) which is a hypno-therapy program for IBS.

Good luck!

[Hidden in reply to Rossan]

Thanks Rossan. All really useful tips I'll follow up on

[Antiques72]

I have been put on amiltriptyline ... it’s for relaxing muscles and really helps you sleep ..

[Krisbetty in reply to Antiques72]

I have just started amiltripyline and it really has helped me sleep no more waking up in the middle of the night with cramps.

[Antiques72 in reply to Krisbetty]

Great ... it’s a horrible thing to live with so any help with those cramps is a massive relief

[Bass20]

I've recently been diagnosed with ibs i have to say I don't agree i think it was the omeprazole I was taking that is causing my problems as since I've stopped taking them ive improved no end now the doctor has told me since I've convinced myself the omeprazole was the problem stopping them has given me a whole new mindset basically ive convinced my self im better and I feel better what I'm trying to say i had all the same feelings you describe but its just a state of mind you worry because ie your not near a toilet or stuck in the car so for me stopping omeprazole worked how ever you want to look at it

[Hidden in reply to Bass20]

I think you're right....much of it is a state of mind