Antidepressants vs. Excercise
#301486 - 03/05/07 03:28 PM
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I am hoping someone can offer some information in regard to taking antidepressants to treat IBS versus using a strict excercise regimen to treat IBS.
I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder a long time ago, and in the past I have been on and off of several types of antidepressants, including Zoloft, Prozac, Trazadone, Serzone, Wellbutrin XL, and Remeron.
I am trying to decrease the amount of medicines I take every day, and a perfect example of why is that last night I accidentally took two of my antidepressants (Remeron) and ended up having to call in sick to work because they made me sleep for over 13 hours. I feel like my life has taken a more positive turn lately and it would be great to be able to get off of the antidepressants so that I can have a somewhat normal life that isn't reglated by my medications (I have to allow a minimum of 9 hours of sleep each night so that my medication has time to wear off before I go to work and this is rather inconvenient, and super expensive). Right now I am taking Wellbutrin XL 150 mg in the mornings and Remeron 45mg in the evenings (the Remeron helps me sleep since the wellbutrin acts as an upper).
Unfortunately, I am afraid to stop taking the meds due to the idea that they are helping my IBS and I don't want to take any backward steps with IBS. I've had IBS for over 5 years and I've been through most of the trial and errors that come with learning what I can tolerate, educating myself on the diet, finding a soluble fiber that works, finding the right combinations of antispasmodics/peppermint/fennel/acacia, eating for IBS diet etc. And now I am starting the hypnotherapy CDs.
I've noticed that my IBS started when I stopped getting regular excercise, and perhaps that is what I need to beat this stuff but I'm finding it extremely difficult to get motivated and get to the gym regularly and I'm sure part of that has to do with taking Remeron.
Does anyone have experience getting off of antidepressants and if so, how did it affect yor IBS, and has anyone stopped their antidepressants and replaced them with regular excercise instead and seen positive results?
If anyone could share their experiences I would love to hear them.
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I used to take large amounts of anti-depressants for major depressive episodes and severe anxiety disporder. I stopped taking those many years ago. I recently started taking very low dose amitriptylin for my IBS. It has made a world of difference. Back then, I was taking Prozac and 150mg of amitriptylin. I felt foggy and drowsy all the time and had other unpleastant side affects (ie intimate issues). On the low dose, I have none of the unpleasant side affects and the IBS attacks are now limited to only the first day of my period. The amount of meds needed for IBS are so much lower that they are much safer. I plan on taking this long term and feel very comfortable with that idea.
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I have experienced major relief from the debilitating pain of my IBS since I started taking Lexapro. I started out taking 10 mg. but experienced some side effects so I tried 5 mg and am very happy with the results. I still have some episodes but the discomfort is minimal. I too am comfortable with this decision and am grateful that their are options out there to try. The reason behind using SSRI's makes so much sense to me. Psychologically, having a reason for it all helps me to deal with my condition tremendously.
As far as exercise, I wouldn't stop for anything!!!!
Regards,
Rosanne
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Be sure to talk this over with your doctor. Stopping an anti-depressant should be done gradually and under a doctor's supervision. I found this advice:
Quote:
How to Stop Taking Wellbutrin / Wellbutrin SR / Wellbutrin XL: Your doctor should be recommending that you reduce your dosage by 100-150mg a day (for the more popular SR and XL forms, 75mg for the immediate release form), every week if you need to stop taking it, if not more slowly than that. Based on the wacky half-lives above. For more information, please see the page on how to safely stop taking these crazy meds.
If you've worked your way up to a particular dosage, it's usually best to spend this many days at the next lowest dosage before going down the next lowest dosage before that and so forth. This is the least sucky way to avoid problems when stopping any psychiatric medication. Presuming you have the option of slowly tapering off them.
The web page this came from is irreverent and not run by medical professionals but I've found it to be straightforward and definite and will at least give you a starting point to begin talking to your doctor.
I imagine it will be important to determine if you are still clinically depressed in which case the anti-depressants are needed for more than your IBS.
I can certainly understand that the meds are making it difficult to get motivated to go to the gym regularly but - since Spring is supposedly almost here - maybe you could start by just taking a walk every day. That would get you gradually into some exercise and then - assuming your doctor believes your going off the meds is feasible - you can slowly increase your exercise level as you slowly decrease your meds.
This process of gradually increasing exercise while you gradually decrease meds will also let you judge the results on your IBS.
HTH. Be sure to talk to your doctor before altering your med schedule. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
--------------------
[Research tells us fourteen out of any ten individuals likes chocolate. - Sandra Boynton]
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First I agree about talking to your docter. I'm on a lot of meds for anxiety and depression and had to learn the hard way not to stop. I know you say things are getting better in life but mayeb the meds assist in that. Also maybe instead of Remeron there is a similar drug that wouldn't casue that. I think with exercise a lot is routine so when you get more in the groove it will become easier.
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I was taking anti-depressants for depression approx 2 yrs ago. I was not taking them for IBS. For about the past nine months I complete a really hard cardio workout for 45-60 minutes 5 days a wk. It took about 5 months of following this regimen before I felt some relief from the depresssion. 9 months later I am no longer taking anti-depressants. Now I'm just focusing on stabilizing IBS. I don't see it better or worse (I'm IBS C). Hopes this helps a little. Don't go off of either of those anti-depressants w/out talking w/your physician. And, when you get an opportunity, I would be interested in how the hypnotherapy goes.
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I agree with the others that you should talk to your Dr about decreasing or changing your med schedule. Remeron not only helps with sleep, but it also aids in boosting your other depression meds. Having studied depression and the effects of antidepressants while in grad school, I learned research shows that exercise can be as effective as antidepr (I saw another post that someone had successfully come off them with a vigorous exercise routine).
I agree with you, the less Western meds you can live with, the better! Dealing with our mental and physical health as naturally as possible is always the best solution. You have to weigh the pros and cons when considering going on/off a med. I'm in the process of trying to get off Paxil which I've been on for years for anxiety. I was told you have to slowly wean yourself off, taking 1-2 weeks for each level, but make sure you discuss with your dr! I wish you good physical and mental health! Be sure to tap into your spiritual self--this has also been found to be beneficial in ALL depression sufferers.
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