IBS treatment

[Bella33355]

I have had IBS for quite some time now. I have undergone lots of tests and treatments with pro/prebiotics, painkillers, and pills for gas and fluctuation. But after a small trigger, whether it is a food trigger or an emotional one, I fall into the same circle. After each travel, I am having very bad symptoms which don't go away without long treatment. I have full-time work, I travel several times a year but this condition has made my life incompatible with anything normal. MY gastroenterologist told me today that the IBS protocol requires an antidepressant treatment otherwise the symptoms will persist. I have taken antidepressants(different ones) some years ago when I had a post-covid depression. The drugs made me feel awful, I wasn't able to concentrate, to drive or smth else, the doctor ended up changing the dosages and drugs but that didn't help either, and finally, we decided to stop the treatment and my condition got way better.

My question is -have you used antidepressants as an IBS treatment and if yes, are the effects constant?

[Bloatedlady]

I used amitryptaline but only for a month as I was so tired and exhausted I found it hard to work and look after a family, it was impossible. But I think the tiredness is supposed to go away after a while but I didn't persist with it.

[Stacy86]

I have been on Amitriptyline for a long time on and off. I came off it when I was pregnant a few years ago and once my hormones had returned to normal my symptoms were on overdrive and restarting the Amitriptyline was the only thing that gave me normality again. It does make you drowsy so it's advised to take it 10-12 hours before you are due to be awake and it does take some getting used to but I am now able to function whilst taking it, dealing with a 1 year old who doesn't sleep and work during the week.

[JaneGPF]

Like somebody else who commented, I have just recently been started on Amitriptyline 10mg once a day. It has only been 6 days. I was told it may take 2-4 weeks to see any effects. It does make me drowsy so I take it early evening and keep myself well hydrated to avoid constipation and dry mouth. It seems to help as I do not feel bloated all day long anymore and no pain after meal. It could also be because I am more careful with my diet. I am hoping the one month I have been prescribed Amitriptyline, I will aim to stay disciplined with my diet and lifestyle changes and hopefully won't be needing it more.

[GoldenFudgenugget]

I'm on amitriptyline 20mg for my IBS...the side effects do eventually die down once your body is used to them. For me the benefit of the medication far outweighs the side effects anyway. I hope you find something that works for you!

[Jackie1612]

hi, I tried amitriptyline for about 8 weeks . It only helped for a few weeks and then caused very bad constipation so I stopped. A few years ago I was prescribed sertraline for severe anxiety, and I found this helped the IBS somewhat.

[ELLE7771843]

I'm on 40mg of amyltriptaline it actually feels like it does nothing as I still have incessant diarrhoea I've doubled up on imodium and peppermint capsules I have pain relief to .by any doctors standards my medication should be bunging me up to the eye balls .only it's not so my suggestion would be just try amyltriptaline for 3 months .it's meant to help with nerve pain aswell and is an old school antidepressants. The tiredness does not last long and it's certainly not excessive. I think it's one of those drugs that it feels like it's not doing anything at all then you come off it and go oh yes the amiltryptaline was helping

[xjrs]

The statement that antidepressants are a must have for IBS is not true. Low dose antidepressants such as amitryptiline are used as nerve pain agents to treat IBS pain, but these can be constipating (which can help some people with diarrhoea, but only as a side effect). I did not get on at all well with amitryptiline. I had palpitations after 1 pill, so I couldn't continue with it.

The treatment that has given me most progress with IBS is Alflorex probiotic, which has been scientifically studied for IBS. Not all probiotics are the same. This has helped a lot of people, not always, but is worth a try.

There is also gut directed hypnotherapy (such as the Nerva app). Anything that helps you to relax such as mindfulness, meditation, pilates, exercise etc. might improve things.

Beyond all of that there is the FODMAP elimination and reintroduction diet, but Alforex is worth a try first since it may make you more tolerant to a wider range of foods and FODMAPs are good for the health of your gut.

[Starfush]

it’s probably all stress caused by and inducing a magnesium defiency. Good mental state is always ideal though. The idea that a food all sudden causes lots of bad symptoms is a bit mythical

[Harley1020]

Hello, I take 10mg Amitriptyline, once a day prescribed by Gastroenterologist. This dosage helped enormously but I do get a very dry mouth overnight which can wake me up.

I’ve been on this dosage for over ten years now.

The consultant did say I could go up to 30mgs, tried 20mgs once but found I was too sleepy the next day.

I have tried to come off the 10mgs a couple of times but found each time I had a stressful time I would have a flare up without taking the Amitriptyline.

Hope this helps.

[Bella33355]

Hi everyone thank you so much for your answers, I didn't know that so many people have tried antidepressants and they helped at least some of you or the majority. I am gonna try this out, because I have a stressful job or more precisely a toxic manager and the stress has always taken a toll on my stomach health previously and on my gut currently ))

[Bella33355]

I know that we can't drive when using anti-depressants. Is any of you able to drive a car being on 10mg dosage? What do your doctors say? When I was on Zoloft just 2 -3 days later I wasn't able to concentrate, it affected my attention I had a bad diarrhea and we decided to stop. My depression passed on its own 😆