SSRI's for IBS?
#223277 - 11/05/05 08:23 AM
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Hello all. New here, but not new to IBS. (primarily IBS/D but IBS/C has started coming around to visit occasionally) Have had it since 11/12 yrs old and am 36 now. (I'm male, BTW) Had a particularly bad flare and doctor gave me a sample of Zoloft (an SSRI)and told me that it would help w/my IBS symptoms. I'm particulary sensitive to "psychotic" drugs, so he gave me a sampler of the lowest dose. I'd never tried it before and had heard that SSRI's can help w/IBS symptoms, so figured why not.
MISTAKE!
I'm only on day 3 (at only 25mg/day) and it's creating more problems than what I had- mostly emotional/psychological--and I wasn't having problems with that before...just had a little stress, which probably triggered the latest flare of IBS. Diarrhea got worse, stomach is soured, the flushing I used to get from panic attacks is back--haven't had in a long time, thoughts are all over the board, and my sleep pattern is mangled...haven't slept really good for 3 nights now.
WHat are your experiences and have suggestions? Think I'm gonna just treat the D w/Immodium as it flares and get back on the high fiber. Had a 8 mos spell there where everything was great, no flares, no fiber...all quiet. But, alas it has returned.
(have been to doctor, everything checks fine physically...he's sure it's just more IBS)
Thanks,
Drew
PS the "stress" I was having was over not being able to make myself quit smoking.  I know I need to, and also know it probably is causing some of my IBS symptoms, at least exacerbating them. Had several failed attempts and that was getting to me. Like most IBS'ers, I have a very strong relationship between my feelings and my gut. If I'm worried or stressed, it shows up in my gut FIRST. That's what I went to the doctor for....
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Hi Drew and welcome! Lots of folks around here have found SSRIs helpful with IBS because, as you said, of the brain-gut connection. Remember, the first week or so of a new SSRI can be very difficult - the worst of the nasty side effects are in these few first days. I would say give it another week if you can - see if it gets any better. However, if you feel you just can't, go back to the Doc. You can always try another one as well - different SSRIs work differently on different people. Also, do a board search on SSRIs. Hit the search button at the top of the page. There have been many previous discussions on this topic - there may be something else there that's helpful for you.
Good luck and let us know how you're doing!
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Formerly HanSolo. IBS, OCD, Bipolar, PTSD times 3.
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The first few weeks are the worst. Give it at least a month, maybe longer. It just may turn out to be very helpful for you. I take Prozac, another SSRI. I know the research on antidepressents for IBS support the Tricyclics more and treating with SSRIs is not as well tested or validated. But for me, the trycyclics made my C so much worse I wanted to die. Not the point of taking an AD! 
You know, even though I've been on Prozac for about 2 1/2 months now, I still cannot sleep! This side effect did not go away...and I take Valerian and Klonopin to help me sleep. Not even these can compensate the effect of Prozac on my sleep.
Good luck and keep us udated.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Thanks for the reply. I am also finding through searching here that the Zoloft may be the wrong AD for me anyway. I am a primarily IBS-D, and Zoloft exacerbates IBS-D according to info here.
I remember taking amitryptiline in the past for mild depression and not having any side-effects to speak of. Granted, I was on a VERY low dose. I understand that for someone like me, IBS and anxiety go hand-in-hand... but I'm not thoroughly convinced that AD is the way to go. I just don't like the feelings that the AD's bring on. Perhaps I should get w/the doctor and make some changes. I just can't deal with the side effects from the Zoloft.
Thanks again,
Drew
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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My IBS is also triggered by anxiety, and I had great (albeit gradual) results from the IBS hypno program. It helped me learn how to relax into an attack, which often stops it. I finished the CDs 10 months ago, and I keep learning new ways to talk myself out of attacks. It might be worth a try! The only side effect is that you might fall asleep during a session... 
--AC
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Did you see this post in the LR? Melatonin
I don't know how often you use it, but I would be careful. I'm too afraid to take it because of this post.Although, there is an article in the Research Library about how Melatonin can help IBS Melatonin
What are your thoughts? Safe or unsafe for everyday use? 
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Woke up with nosebleeds when he used Melatonin. He hasn't had another nosebleed since he quit using it. I have never tried it. Maybe it just reacts badly with certain individuals.
Michelle 
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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the last sentence says it didn't help with sleep? "Melatonin at 3 mg daily for two weeks is not associated with improvement in sleep disturbance."
Am I interpreting this incrorrectly? And the test was only done for 2 weeks, meaning a longer period of use could be bad. Yet one more thing to be confuse about I guess.
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~ Beth
Constipation, pain prodominent,cramps, spasms and bloat!
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Hi Beth, Thanks! I knew about the article in the research
library, but not the LR post. Geez, I gotta start reading the
other boards more often. I've been taking one 3mg tablet
every day for probably over a month now. I already went
through one bottle of tablets. Well, no more regluar use for
me. Thanks again for pointing that out, the last thing I need
is some autoimmune disorder on top of IBS. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Beth, With them, yes, with me, my Dad, and a couple of friends
of mine, no. Altough, when I talk to my Dad tonight I'm going
to tell him about the LR post and ask him what his Doc said.
A longer period of use isn't necessarily bad insofar as the
pain is concerned becuase it did real well there. They just
want to see if it would continue to do so. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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Thanks Michelle! Luckily I haven't had any bad symptoms as of
now, and I'm chucking the bottle as soon as I get home. -Bob
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<img src="http://www.math.mtu.edu/~rwkolkka/BritPicA.jpg">
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I'm glad that it didn't give you nosebleeds, too. Just make sure to be careful with that stuff....
Michelle
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IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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Hi and welcome. I am on an SSRI as well, Lexapro. I am mostly IBS-C, but it has relaxed me a huge bunch so that I am more able to live a more regular life. I only take 10mg in the morning and at first I was drowsy, but after a week, it got better. Best of luck to you and I hope you find something that works.
~Beth
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--------------------
IBS-D. Hiatal Hernia, GERD
Unstable
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