Anti depressants do they help?

[Tamarit]

Fluoxetine meds I'm just wondering if anybody has been helped by taking an anti depressant?

[Grammainpain21]

I am 64, I have been on various anti- depression meds for approx 25 years, (a side effect of an under active thyroid) they have all helped to a degree, but I find after 2 years or so, they started making me feel numb, ( Fluxetine being the last one I came off) I am now on Sertraline, which seems to be helping. I’m afraid it’s a bit of trial and error, I hope you have an understanding doctor that can help.

[Wheatstone20 in reply to Grammainpain21]

Hi, I have just read your post, I have just been prescribed Sertraline for my anxiety associated with IBSD, I have read loads of reviews and I am extremely reluctant to start them due to what sounds like extreme side effects, which include Diarrhoea ( something I need less of not more!!!!) what is your advice please??

[HBpencil in reply to Wheatstone20]

Hiya. I have been on sertraline for 3 months now. They were prescribed for my mood and help me cope with multiple health issues. Including fibromyalgia and migraines. The most noticeable improvement has been my IBS. The side effects are not great for the first few weeks but it's worth a go.

Hazel.

[Wheatstone20 in reply to HBpencil]

Do you mind me asking how much you took for that first few weeks? I have been prescribed half a tablet 12.5mg

[HBpencil in reply to Wheatstone20]

I was on 25 mg for 6 wks then alternated between 25 one day and 50 the next for a couple of weeks. Now on 50mg. It's a slow process but like l said l noticed after a couple of weeks my IBS improved.Still have bad head tho...

[Wheatstone20 in reply to HBpencil]

What kind of IBS do you have if you don’t mind me asking? What improvements have you seen? Sorry for being a pain I am just desperate for something to work!!!

[HBpencil in reply to Wheatstone20]

I have ibsd. And had bile acid malabsorption. Used to go up to 8 times a day. Now only 2/3. But it was the pain that was bad. That has improved...

[Wheatstone20 in reply to HBpencil]

Thank you for all of this information and sharing your experience with me, I really appreciate it

[HBpencil in reply to Wheatstone20]

Not a problem l understand your reluctance to trying new meds. I am super sensitive to medication and usually give up early on because of side effects. But you are on a very low dose and it's good to go slow. Ps. I also take Symprove everyday.

I wish you well.

[Eliana5 in reply to Wheatstone20]

I take this. Don't be afraid about the side effects. If one person..let's say out of 400 people who take this has a side effect the FDA has to report it. If there are side effects (not life threatening) I always say to give the medication at least 4 weeks to get in your system. If the medication makes you feel you are a zombie (which is what the class of SSRI's do for me) ask your doctor to get you on a different class of medications. Or they can also do a cheek swab to match your DNA with the right medication for you. 😊

[Gardenlover2020 in reply to Eliana5]

Hi ,I’ve never heard of a cheek swab , could you tell me how it works please ?

[Eliana5 in reply to Gardenlover2020]

Most mental health agencies will do this. It's fairly new. But not all. They take something that looks like a cue tip and sweep across the inside of your cheek..

[Grammainpain21 in reply to Wheatstone20]

This a difficult one for me to answer, as I did have diarrhoea for 6 weeks after starting Sertraline, but did not connect the two together, I have IBS too, and just put it down as something not agreeing with me, I had a stool and blood tests at the doctors, and they never connected the two either, so I’m sorry I can’t be of much help to you there. But hope you get the answer.

[Wheatstone20 in reply to Grammainpain21]

6 WEEKS!!!!😩 I have COVID at the moment and just started the Sertraline, so far the diarrhoea has been horrid and it’s only been a day! I spoke to the doctor about how depressed the IBSD was making me, why would they put me onto something that is making the thing that makes me so anxious 1000 times worse!!!!!!!

[Grammainpain21 in reply to Wheatstone20]

Omg my heart goes out to you, one of them is bad enough. Hope your on the mend soon.

[Wheatstone20 in reply to Grammainpain21]

Thank you, I just hope this doesn’t make my life unbearable, I’m popping Imodium like sweets just to get through the day lately!!!!

[Pte82]

Tamarit, research thiamine for possible relief of ibs . The fat soluble forms such as TTFD, benfotiamine and sulbutiamine offer advantages compared to water soluble forms. Adequate magnesium is needed for to become bio active. Always consult with your health care professional before using any supplement.

objectivenutrients.com/insi...

eonutrition.co.uk/post/thia...

[Acehearts]

hi i have had IBS for some time, Diahorea in morning usually 4 r 5 times before it settles. I am on Citramil 20mgs now (citalopram ) plus take imodium 2mgs when necessary. I m alot better. Dont like taking meds either but Im 74 and what the hell' i want to enjoy life . !! I also dont eat much fatty food as think that makes me worse.

[Eliana5]

Yes. I take Seroquel, Clonazepam for panic attack's and severe anxiety. Remeron for Major Depressive disorder, Wellbutrin, and Busphar. It has changed my life.

[Pte82 in reply to Eliana5]

Eliana5, please look into thiamine as a complement to your current treatments. Be aware of anti thiamine factors that diminish thiamine. Of course check with your health care professional.

scirp.org/html/13-2100169_7...

stuttersense.blogspot.com/2...

[Eliana5 in reply to Pte82]

I'm taking enough medication..sadly. I don't want to go in any supplements. My Pdoc says no. I feel great the way things are. Thanks for your reply. 😊

[Eliana5 in reply to Pte82]

I did take a look at both sites and the articles were too long to read. I have ADD. I just wanted to know how much I should take and when. I gather it's a B1 vitamin. I think I may have tried this as well as L-glutamune at one time but they were not enough. Thanks for the articles..

[swampygirl7 in reply to Eliana5]

Someone put you on 5 psychotropic drugs at the same time????? That person should have their license revoked! You will never be able to get off of these drugs. If you are good w/that then so be it. I am basically commenting on this for other's that are looking for help. Please DO NOT take this road! This is malpractice!

[Eliana5 in reply to swampygirl7]

Woa..wait! Settle down. I feel attacked. I see one of the most reputable Psychiatrists in the city. The only Psychotropic medication I take is Seroquel and it's low dose. The rest are antidepressants. Wellbutrin, Remeron, Busphar, and Clonazepam. With Busphar and Clonazepam being anti anxiety. Please Google if you want and research. My Psychiatrist hasn't been doing this for 20 years and she gets no complaints and certainly not "malpractice"..also where does it say you can get addicted to antidepressants?? I have had depression my whole life. Without medication I would not be alive today. Many people like me *have* to take medications their whole life. Do you realize that many people have suicidal ideation? Depression is a disease and there is NO cure. I also see a wonderful therapist and case manager. Please don't tell people what they should or should not do without proper research!

[Meleber]

Antidepressants are a life saver for me. I have been using venlafaxine for a long time. Unfortunately they don't work for IBS, at least in my case they aren't, but are good for anxiety and depression which are, amongst all my other bodily symptoms, the result of a dysfunctional gut / IBS / dysbiosis I think.

[Eliana5 in reply to Meleber]

Exactly. They saved my life too.

[Eliana5 in reply to Meleber]

Have you tried Bentyl or Levsin? It helped my cramping and spasming and even anal spasming. Sadly I had to go off of them due to constipation.

[Meleber in reply to Eliana5]

Hi, never have used these. I did use pregabalin for a while for anxiety related symptoms, not for IBS. Now think that pregabalin may also have helped a little for IBS, bowel related symptoms, cramping/tension.

It wasn't till 2019 (I'm 52 years old now) that I was diagnosed with IBS but probably have had a dysfunctional gut since my early childhood as a result of several courses of penicillin before my third birthday, no breastfeeding, mother with dysfunctional gut, early life hood stress, genes. All resulting in all over the body symptoms like chronic fatigue, digestive problems, food intolerances, chronic skin problems (inflammation), anxiety, depression, tinnitus, memory problems, brain fogginess, etc.

Now trying to adjust the bacterial dysbiose in my gut by taking a probiotic in a very low dosage hoping that it will help in improving my quality of life a bit. I still can enjoy the occasional ride on my motorbike , when I have the energy, feeling a little bit better.

[Eliana5 in reply to Meleber]

I too have Tinnitus since 2001 from the medication Lexapro. It's there constantly. I wish there was a cure. How did you get yours? I also have rashes and skin inflammation as well..I wish I had the answer..

[Meleber in reply to Eliana5]

I'm not sure when my tinnitus started, must be a long time ago. It's always there but especially noticable when tired, unfortunately most of the time.