Citalopram

[Fredof]

I am new here but have suffered badly with ibs for last two years Been admitted to A and E three times but given morphine and sent home.Previously l was a fit75 year old walking and dancing each week.Now l am inside in bed most of the time unable to walk because of pain every day or travel in car as this increases pain. My ibs is constipation led and l have had several tests which confirms ibs,.l have recently been prescribed Citalopram 10Mg daily for the pain. it seems to be making me very tired and at first nauseous but that seems to have worn off. Has anyone else tried this medication would love to hear if it improve your symptoms

[Catty1234]

Hi there I have been taking citilopram for months as I have awful pain with ibs c , it helped more with my mood and sleep but not so much with the pain which is lower right and low back x

[winfong]

Just curious what tests were done to confirm IBS. Or were these just to rule other possibilities out?

[Fredof in reply to winfong]

Test include three c t scans barium follow through Fit test and x rays

[rosco1]

Hi, I'm just curious about you being prescribed Citalopram for IBS. I was under the impression it was a Antidepressant Tablet

[Fredof in reply to rosco1]

It is a antidepressant but low dose for ibs

[rosco1 in reply to Fredof]

I don't understand how medication can be a help for 2 different illness

[Stella-123 in reply to rosco1]

I also take citalopram. I take diazapam 2mg . I am now trying to reduce diazspam and finding this really difficult to stop. My bowels are worse. Every day I struggle.

[Miff1973]

I’ve been in citalopram for two years and it’s the only thing that has settled my symptoms of ibs. Was prescribed it as my anxiety was making my symptoms worse. Side affects should ease off after a short while.

[Mojo18 in reply to Miff1973]

Hi . I am interested in your reply as I’ve been taking citalopram for nearly 3 months now to help with ibs. I haven’t really noticed much change. I have mostly ibs d. How long did it take before it began to work?

[Fredof in reply to Miff1973]

Thank you for your reply it is encouraging

[Iggls]

I was prescribed Citalopram several years ago for the same reason and it helped quite a lot.. I took it for about 15 months. I can no longer take it as it aggravates my heart arrhythmia and my pain is now pretty bad again. Next week I am having a series of injections for the pain which helped 12 months ago so fingers crossed!I have often been told never to spend more than 8 hours a day in bed but to move around as much as possible owing to the severe constipation, stretching exercises are good and actually help with the pain. I am 78z

[Catty1234 in reply to Iggls]

Hi just curious as to what the injections are please ? X

[rosco1 in reply to Catty1234]

I got injections once for the pain from a emergency Gp and I was told it was Morphine.

[Fencinggirl]

I've taken Citalopram on and off for a few years now and I can't say it has done anything to alleviate my pain.

[Boxroad]

Have you seen a dietitian? You might need to drink more water and eat more fibre, look into soluble and insoluble fibre they both are needed but play different rolls in the digestive system. When I get a blockage I use lactulose it can cause a git of gas but I find it gets things moving, then it’s a matter of eating the right foods and drinking plenty of water each day.

[MatthewU]

Citalopram is one of the better off label treatments for symptoms of IBS since it's principle action is normalise serotonin in the gut. The gut has more of this chemical than the brain, but is not fully understood, but often people who suffer from IBS have low gut serotonin. If you are stressed or anxious you often find that the gut reacts negatively very quickly and can give symptoms of pain, IBS C/D; used as a treatment is off label but effective in many cases. You can't just rely on medication to help with your symptoms, you need need to follow the Fodmap diet and work out triggers for your symptoms. I've have been taking Citalopram for years; it has a few side effects but the fact it helps with my stomach cramps trumps everything else, beforehand the pain was ruining my life. I've also cut out the vast majority of caffeine, dairy and wheat from my diet, which I think as also helped and take a multi probiotic each day. Treating IBS symptoms is more of an individual journey than anything else, find out what works for you and never give up.

[Fredof in reply to MatthewU]

Thank you for your reply l have bee following fodmap for 18 months now and my consultant says to start reintroducing foods. I have never found food triggers but do have lactose free milk.Have recently started hypnotherepy sessions but so far no great pain relief but will try drinking more . Not sure movicol helps me as seems to cause more wind. Thank you again.

[Iggls]

Agree that medication alone is not enough.. I follow Fodmap to the letter, strict vegetarian ( meat is constipating), small regular meals and exercise. It’s no fun and needs lots of willpower.. Tens machine also helps.