Hi people, can you help. My doctor is threatening to put me on antidepressants for the sake of my mental health being poor at the moment. As I have not long had a diagnosis for diverticulosis I need to know what effect a drug like amitriptyline will have on my bowel please? I am unsure, all the doctors do is bugger the consequences, it seems, to give their anti depressants out like sweets. Don't they mess up your whole system? I know both ibs and diverticulosis are not diseases/illnesses of the mind but I don't want to make my physical health worse. I am not ruling out medication completely but would be willing to try something natural like Evening Primrose which does the same sort of thing. I am scared of taking anything new incase it makes my health worse. Any advice, not vile nasty comments gratefully received.
I have IBS and take the smallest available dose of amitriptyline to relieve joint pain caused by arthritis. I rarely have to take amitripyline for more than 6 consecutive weeks - by that time the joint pains have improved significantly. The drug doesn’t affect my
IBS at all, but I couldn’t comment on any effects a higher dose of amitriptyline might have.
Jan
Antidepressants can help with IBS pain when given at low dose. However, amitriptyline can cause these side effects:
confusion
numbness and tingling in your arms and legs
headache
constipation or diarrhea
blurred vision
skin rash
swelling of your face and tongue
nausea
unexpected weight gain or loss
I was offered this drug for my neuropathy even though it can actually cause numbness and tingling in my arms which I already have! So I decided not to take it and put up with the pain when it flares up. Personally, I would try a natural remedy first to see if that works.
All the best!
I take 100mg of Zoloft daily and it has helped tremendously with my anxiety , sleep and that helps my IBS. I had some slight nausea when I first started it but otherwise no problems and I’m glad to be on it.
What is Zoflot??? Where do you get that from?
It’s an SSRI. My doctor. Don’t be afraid of antidepressants. There’s a link between the gut and brain, and it has definitely done me more good than harm 100 percent.
I also take a strong probiotic everyday and digestive enzymes with each meal; and also IB Guard (over the counter) 3 times a day.
Personally I am anti-medication and pro-natural. To do the latter properly (holistic not just supplements), you can either do significant research or enlist a naturopathic practitioner.
It's sertraline, isn't it? An antidepressant.
Thank you someone who understands me. No drugs! What would you suggest for depression?
What is ib guard?
Sam. This forum will not allow a full answer but here goes. We are all conditioned to just "take something" for conditions - none more so than doctors! But an holistic approach examines root cause.
Hence I'm suggesting a natural practitioner (ideally specialising in areas of depression) is 1 way to go. If you prefer DIY or have no funds for consultants, google Justin Health depression. JH is excellent.
For my conditions (includes some depression), a nutritional consultant was useful but I also research loads.
Good luck!
Thank you for response I will look at his site when I get a chance!
I have taken amitriptyline for 12 years now, but not for IBS, I take it for nerve pain. I would not recommend this medication, especially if you end up on it long term, it is very difficult to get off it and when I reduced my dosage, I experienced bad withdrawal effects, including weak muscles with ‘the shakes’ and anxiety, and have had to go back to my original dose.
Also, as Pippa says, it can have side effects when you start taking it. When I went to see a doctor recently about my symptoms of withdrawal , she said, ‘it’s a horrible drug, but can be useful in nerve pain’.
That’s a strange thing to say! To admit the drug is horrible, but then say it is useful, sounds dodgy to me. If you are having trouble withdrawing from it and having other side effects, it clearly is of no use at all and the side effects outweigh any benefits. So in effect you end up exchanging one problem for another. This is why I thought I would just put up with my nerve pain. I asked my doctor about withdrawal symptoms and he denied there were any at 10mgs! From what you and others on the forum have experienced, it would suggest that what my doctor told me was untrue.
Hi people who kindly commented on here, now I'm even more confused! Do I try ANY antidepressants or not? I think I need to really deeply research some more. I didn't ask to feel like this. I still feel bad but have done what I can may be the health people should have sorted correctly at the original diagnosis. Can someone reassure me my counsellor won't pull out in me? Please help!
Sam. You need to relax and take control of your own condition. Listen to all views on the forum and others eg doctors, but decide what you do yourself. If not ready for that yet, wait a little longer. Take care.
Hi Pippa, I actually wonder if all doctors know about the side effects and the withdrawal problems. I had spoken to another doctor about it, prior to my visit to the one that was honest with me, and she didn’t think there should be much of a problem coming off it and as she’s a doctor I usually get on well with, I was surprised by her remarks. Having experienced problems myself, I wouldn’t advise anyone to go on amitriptyline for any reason, but obviously that’s just my opinion. I would suggest to anyone considering any drug to check the yellow card system on-line where you can check out ‘reported’ side-effects, there will be side effects however, that have not been ‘reported’.
Hi Sam, if you are considering taking amitriptyline for it’s antidepressant qualities, there are a lot more modern drugs for this. Amitriptyline is an old drug used to treat depression.
I would be more inclined to try something natural first. A good counsellor will always be there to support you as long as you need it and will listen to you. I can't see any good reason for your counsellor to abandon you.