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I know exactly what you're saying. I'm the same way. Why take an antidepressant when I don't have a problem with stress and am not
depressed or anxious. In Feb. my reg doc put me on Librax and it took me
a long time to even try it. But I did and didn't get many positive results, so I quit. Then this past Monday saw the GI and he put me on Elavil which is another antidepressant. I was bound and determined I wasn't going that route
again, but alas! I've decided to give it another try. Plus, my GI assured me that the low dosage the he prescribed is definitely not labeled an antidepressant. So, I would advise you to give it a try. I'm willing to try ALMOST anything once to see if it would get me stable. And the brain/gut idea does make sense. Good Luck!
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Just because a drug is used primarily for one condition doesn't mean it isn't prescribed and used for other things. This is very common! (it's called an "off label use") For instance, most of the medications now used for bipolar are actually meds for epileptic seizures.
Just because a GI doctor prescribes an anti-depressant for you does not mean he thinks you are depressed. The teeny-tiny dose prescribed to help alleviate IBS symptoms wouldn't do a thing to help depression!!!!
I don't know why so many IBS'ers are fighting trying something that could help alleviate their symptoms and get their life back under control. I guess it's the stigma of taking an antidepressant.
Sorry to vent but I just get sick and tired of hearing so many of the IBS'ers whine about there being nothing that can help them----and when a doctor suggests an anti-depressant, they throw their hands up and say, "No, I'm not taking that!"
And no, taking an antidepressant for 2-3 days will not give you an idea if it's gonna work. Most of them take TIME---even several months---to work.
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I feel that it is a large step for someone to take a medication which has the possibility to cause various side effects, which could be for IBS or any other health condition. I don't feel that I am whining. I feel that I am trying to gain information from other sufferers. I appreciate the forum I am given through the internet to receive support from people who understand what I am going through and can give feedback to various treatments. I enjoy researching medicines, whether conventional or alternative, that I may use to ensure that I am making the best or most informed choices for myself, and I believe that this forum is perfect for that type of dialogue. Thanks to everyone for all of their support!!
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Taconno
#103624 - 09/03/04 06:48 AM
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BL
Reged: 06/01/03
Posts: 3522
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I apologize for coming on so strong in my post yesterday. I did not mean to offend you. I agree with you ---taking a medicine is a personal decision and should not be taken lightly.
Patience is not one of my virtues! I guess it just ticked me off that the SAME question keeps popping up over and over again on this board. It seems like every day someone asks, "Why is the GI doctor prescribing an anti-depressant when I'm not depressed?" This question has been answered so many times. I forget that we have a lot of new people on the board who may not have seen the research articles on this.
Heather has info on this very subject in the next forum (the IBS library), including a very informative article from the UNC Center for Functional GI& Motility Disorders entitled "The Use of Antidepressants in the Treatment of IBS." That might be a good source for those who are considering the use of an antidepressant.
I will try to be more patient in the future! Sometimes I just need a good slap on the hand! Thanks for reminding me why we are all here---to help each other.
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I tried an antidepressant. My dr. said that antidepressants work for some people by blocking pain receptors, so if you have major cramping problems, it might help. I found that I had major side effects (could not concentrate, extreme fatigue) that were just not worth it BUT I often have problems with medications. I also used to use Lotronex before it was taken off the market. It worked wonders for IBS-D, but I'm afraid to start taking it again now that it's back on the market. Too many dangerous side effects! I have more success with managing my diet, stress reduction, and now that I've found this list, I'm going to try some of the fibers suggested.
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