Can taking a course of antidepressants help wi... - IBS Network
Can taking a course of antidepressants help with really bad ibs
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Have you tried the FODMAP diet or any other elimination diet?
Hi there! I would say yes they would, I was on Amitriptyline last year for my migraines I am an IBS sufferer as well and while they did nothing to help control the migraines all the time I was taking them I never had an IBS flare up at all, I only came off them because I was put on them for migraines not IBS and I need to get them under control just as much as the IBS. Speak to your doctor about going on a low dose for a while and see what happens but be warned weaning off Amitriptyline is not fun if you do it too fast. I found 20mg was enough to control my symptoms. Good luck
I tried everything under the sun but have recently gone onto Amitriptyline and it's been excellent. 10mg wasn't quite enough but 20mg seems to be doing the trick.
Hi, I tried Amitriptyline 10mg then 20mg but it totally spaced me out, making me very very sleepy/groggy & like I had a bad hangover all day. If this happens to you try Sertraline. I have not noticed any major improvement in my symptoms (IBS-D with Insomnia) but some people have commented I'm brighter. Good Luck.
Would you mind if I ask why use antidepressants? Have you all tried diet elimination? Curious to know.
I am glad refused anti depressants because they have their own 'side effects'. Plus now that I have found FODMAPS it has eliminated all those horrid symptoms.
Hope you don't mind me asking....I know everyone is different so would be cool to get your perspective. Thanks
No, but my neurologist had me take xanax for the pain (I have IBS-C and PD). It did not work and in fact made me depressed. Now I only use it if I have a really bad attack (like last night) and wake up in the middle of the night.
Taking antidepressants isn't actually for the antidepressant affect. In low doses antidepressants are a muscle relaxant and so relieve much of the cramping you get from IBS. They are found to work in a lot of IBS patients so it may be worth a go, just be careful of the spaced out feeling you may get too!
Unfortunately they didn't work for me-I was on 100mg and it disturbed my sleep patterns and didn't help the pain. Now I just take 60mg Zomorph and then Oramorph as needed but fed up of collapsing and my husband having to dial 999! Had every test under the sun except a stool sample tested-I would say to to try it but be aware of the many side effects and keep getting tested to exclude other conditions as well. Good luck
Doctor gave me Amitripyline 10 mg .Did try them for 3 days but could not sleep, also found I felt a bit high.
Reading all the posts makes me realise how so many people suffer with IBS, it amazes me that with all the advances in medicines there is not a lot the medical profession can do to treat or cure it! My GP has told me that he dose not know what to advise me to do next to help. I am at present trying FODMAP and Gluton free foods, I have also been to see a Hypnotherapist, but the last two days the pain is so bad that I am at breaking point. Please to find this site because we can share our misery.
I can really understand how you feel like all the other sufferers .I have had it daily for over 10yrs,I've just began the Fodmap diet with a dietician ,so can't comment on that yet .But what I will tell you is antibiotics really upset IBS .Good luck just keep trying different things ,and this site is really useful