I'm curious how many IBS'ers take an antidepressant?
#97294 - 08/10/04 05:56 PM
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You know, I take Paxil and have been for 2 years, and I've noticed how it has worsened since then. I read that Paxil can cause constipation, so I'm going to try Prozac and see if it makes a difference. ARe you becoming more constipated as well?
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It depends on what you mean. I took a low dose of Elavil... just for the IBS, not enough to have any psychological effect.
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I take Zoloft but not for anything related to IBS.
Meg
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Quote:
It depends on what you mean. I took a low dose of Elavil... just for the IBS, not enough to have any psychological effect.
Me too, I tried the lowest dose of Elavil for IBS and didn't notice a thing after a few months so stopped.
BUT, everyone I know, family and friends is on an antidepressant for one reason or another.........Almost makes me left out...........left out of the side affects that is........I don't seem to need them for any reason. SFS, herb teas, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and occassional Bentyl does just fine for me.
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What is Bentyl?
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My doctor just prescribed me Effexor XR for IBS, anxiety, and depression. I don't think he would have given it to me for just IBS, but he said that some people's brains are really connected to their guts and so sometimes fixing what's going on above will help what's going on down below. So far the depression and anxiety have been much better and my stomach is much more relaxed and the IBS has been better.
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I take only 5 mg Lexapro... I started with 10 mg but it effected my libido so the Dr said to cut it in half.
-------------------- www.facebook.com/shell.marr
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I use too. Heathers diet helped more. 3 years on the before bedtime dose did nothing.
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Quote:
What is Bentyl?
An antispasmotic..........Heather lists all of them in her First year book. If you do a search you will find lots of info on Bentyl. Some here like it, some don't.
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I just started Zoloft for anxiety.
-------------------- ~Cara~
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I take Wellbutrin and Topamax. I've been on about 3-5 other combinations (maybe more?). I was placed on Lamictal, and it completely halted all peristalsis -- and I truly think it worsened my IBS. I'd say my IBS was a 3/10 and it turned it into a 5-6/10...and it's pretty much stayed there. My shrink wants to change antidepressants but I don't want to because so many of them cause constipation. And I'm just full of dread about that (as well as all the other side effects...PLUS the usual lack of efficacy). The antidepressants have been prescribed for clinical depression...not IBS. I was prescribed Zelnorm for IBS, and that's another story...
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I'm new at this posting thing and I think I just posted this in the wrong place...so you might see this answer twice. So, just a technical question here. If I want to reply to your question...I do hit reply to YOUR question even though there are 10 other posts below you? I DON'T go to the end of the list and hit reply to the last person who answered YOUR question (which is what I did)...
Anyway...answer to your question: I take Wellbutrin and Topamax. I've been on about 3-5 other combinations (maybe more?). I was placed on Lamictal, and it completely halted all peristalsis -- and I truly think it worsened my IBS. I'd say my IBS was a 3/10 and it turned it into a 5-6/10...and it's pretty much stayed there. My shrink wants to change antidepressants but I don't want to because so many of them cause constipation. And I'm just full of dread about that (as well as all the other side effects...PLUS the usual lack of efficacy). The antidepressants have been prescribed for clinical depression...not IBS. I was prescribed Zelnorm for IBS, and that's another story...
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I'm doing ok. I don't feel any different yet. Most side effects are gone, except I still have D every morning - and I can't figure out why. Do you think it's still from the Zoloft?? It's been a couple days over 2 weeks now. Anyways, thanks for asking me!! ~Cara
-------------------- ~Cara~
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I used to. But it was for Bipolar -- which of course made my IBS worse. Every time I had a mood swing my IBS was triggered. Your mind and body are connected -- mental anguish or upset shows itself in your body. I think actually that my IBS started to manifest at the same time as my bipolar.
Be forewarned, some antidepressants will trigger your IBS. I think I mentioned in post somewhere that taking Welbutrin triggered my D so badly that I dropped 10 lbs (when I didn't have a lb to spare). I have been on a bunch of stuff since then but happily have been able to eliminate all but Depakote (which sadly causes weigh gain -- 60 lbs!). Trying to switch to Lithium triggered my worst ever episode of IBS-D. So if you try something, keep an eye on your condition.
Hope that was helpful.
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I take zoloft
-------------------- Taking it one day at a time.....
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Hi,
I am also on Lexapro (10 mg).
How did it effect your Libido?
Thanks
-------------------- God never promised life would be easy, but he did promise to provide a way out!
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i was prescribed 10mg amitriptylene for IBS, taken at bedtime.
even though this is considered a micro-dose, it made me so groggy, i've been taking 5mg, which still takes the edge of the cramping.
kk
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--------------------
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Can you still take Zoloft when you get pregnant? I remember seeing that you were trying to get pregnant that's why you stopped taking Lexapro. I was given Lexapro and have been hesitant to take it because you were saying how difficult it was to get off it. I am planning on trying to get pregnant next year and I didn't want to go through all that withdrawal side effects. But, I think I need to take the Lexapro because of my anxiety when I need to leave the house. Do you think the Zoloft is just as good as Lexapro?
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I take 50 mg of desipramine at bedtime--have been for about 7 months. Ive only been on the diet for 5 days and Im hoping Ill be able to stop taking it. It increases C. Missy
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Re: heavenlee
#97714 - 08/12/04 07:37 AM
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michele
Reged: 06/02/03
Posts: 6886
Loc: southeastern michigan
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I did a TON of research on SSRI's and being pregnant. They have done the most research on Prozac and Zoloft. What it basically comes down to is this, yes, its probably best not to take anything while pregnant but it is better to have a mother who is relaxed and not freaking out than the small risk involved in taking the medication. I have only found two possible problems with taking these medications while pregnant. SOME studies show there MAY be a link between SOME learning disabilities in childern who's mothers took these drugs. And one study showed that SOME babies whose mothers took these drugs had a little more irratablity in the first 48 hours after birth. There is no trace of the drug in these babies and they can not tell the differentce between babies whose mothers didn't take these drugs after this 48 hour period.
Again, there is no proof that these drugs are to blame. They do not cause birth defects in any way. Zoloft is not passed through breastmilk so you can still breast feed. I did try to go several months without medication and was almost sucidial. I could hardly get out of bed, had several severe panick attacks and just couldn't deal with anything. I made the informed decision to go on zoloft because it is one of the most studied ones in pregnant women. Prozac has also been studied a lot but I don't like Prozac. I took it many years ago and it made me very paranoid.
Over the years, I have taken Prozac, Wellbutrin, Zoloft and Lexapro. Personally, once the severe side effects went away, I did like the Lexapro the best. The Lexapro was the hardest to stop and start. It took almost 6 weeks for the very severe side effects to go away. I don't notice too much of a difference between Zoloft and Wellbutrin.
I have discussed this in leagnth with my ONGYN and he said there was no problem in taking it for the entire pregnancy. I have had 2 miscariages in the last 4 months due to low progesterone and I don't think I could have made it through this horrible time without the help of medication. I am actually in the process of trying again, hopefully in the next 3 weeks or so, you will see a post saying I'm pregnant again!
-------------------- Taking it one day at a time.....
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I'll be praying for you! I hope everything works out well!
Thanks for the information. Maybe I shouldn't start the Lexapro. I would hate to have to go through all that side effects when trying to get off it.
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Re: heavenlee
#97774 - 08/12/04 10:47 AM
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michele
Reged: 06/02/03
Posts: 6886
Loc: southeastern michigan
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The side effects were just as bad when I started it, as well as stopping it! If you know you will be wanting to get pregnant soon, maybe you should just ask your dr for a script of zoloft instead of the Lexapro?
-------------------- Taking it one day at a time.....
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