Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards | Anxiety meds that are ibs safe?

I just came from my doc appt. today so hopefully my info can help you. I've been taking lexapro 10 mg. since February and it has helped tremendously with d (made me more constipated) and kep my anxiety at bay on a daily basis for "low risk" things. What I mean is that I am now able to do simple things without anxiety, like taking my kids to the park or going to dinner with my husband. HOWEVER, if it is a "higher risk" activity, like going to that same park to meet some other moms for a play date, or going to that same restaurant with a bunch of couples, my anxiety kicks in and gets the best of me. Let me remind you that I have done a round of hypno., been on this diet for almost exactly a year now, take acacia (reduced after starting the lexapro), and occassionally do yoga. SOOO I have clorazapam (generic for klonopin) which I try so hard not to take but I need to for big events like a wedding or even a freak out over a night out.

Doc says that b/c I am having some "breakthrough anxiety" (this has been an overwhelming month in my life), I can either increase the lexapro to 20 mg (starting with 15 mg first) or take the klonopin as needed...she assured me that 3x week will not make me addicted. I understand your concern b/c I feel the same way. How she explained it is that our seratonin levels are probably lower than other people's levels and the meds raise our levels so that we can lead productive lives, just like a person with high blood pressure would take meds. She reminded me that I wouldn't psychologically feel like I should be able to "control" my blood pressure, diabetes, etc. if I had another condition so I should not feel weak for needed to take these meds. That's such a message that I struggle with all the time and then I wind up "muddling" through situations rather than enjoying them fully.

I'm going to mull it over and decide. I will probably stick with the 10mg for awhile and take the klonopin more regularly if needed, especially b/c this is a tough period that may/should pass in my life. Also, as you asked, yes, I did have side effects of the lexapro for about 10 days (night sweats, nausea, sleeplessness, and bad d/stomach pains just the first night) so I'm not looking forward to that again if I increase. If you just started, hang in there...it took me the full 5 weeks I would say to start seeing a real difference. Oh...and the klonopin (like your lorazapam I think) should also "relax" your GI system as well as deal with the anxiety.

I hope this helps and I also helps it sheds some light on those of you like me who are hesitant about the varying opinions of taking meds.

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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C

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