Anxiety meds that are ibs safe?
#315336 - 09/20/07 12:29 PM
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Thinking about starting one, for a few weeks...then doing hypno ...and hopefully getting off it. Any suggestions? One that won't hurt ibs-d?
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IBS-D, stay at home mom of a beautiful daughter...
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I've been on clonzepam (general of Klonipin?) for a few years now. I abrutely went off it due to an insurance problem and my IBS went nuts. So it was definitely helping that. I'm IBS-A. So it seemed to help with cramping, anxiety about the pain and D.
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Cymbalta and Topamax are both good for IBS-D since their main side affect is Constipation. Both will help "even out" your moods too. Topamax is also approved for migraine maintenance.
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IBS-D, with Coloitis from surgery
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I was on zoloft for a few months and it seemed to make things worse. i have now been off the stuff for a couple of months. I definitely do not miss that drug! and so far, it doesn't seem like i need a replacement...
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"I have no patience for lactose. And I won't stand for it." -Jerry Seinfeld
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Buspar (generic: buspirone) -- not addictive, not a tranquilizer, and I think they're currently doing some studies on it as a treatment for IBS. You do have to take this for 4 - 6 weeks before you notice a change/improvement in your anxiety. Good for generalized anxiety or OCD, I think.
For short term, fast relief, you could try a benzodiazepene (like Ativan/lorazepam or Xanax), which has tranquilizing affects and also works well for IBS attacks/spasms. Good for panic attacks.
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Hi. I had asked Maria the same question....how much lorazapam do you take and how often? (Yes, generic for klonopin). I am just trying to get an idea as to how much of it people use. Do you take anything else? I take 10mg of lexapro for the anxiety but I supplement with .5 mg of clorazapam (spelled with a "c" on my bottle) as needed and I don't want to get addicted but often feel like I need more. Thanks.
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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I take 10mg Lexapro and xanax .25mg as needed for my anxiety. Lorazepam is the generic for ativan, clonazepam is klonopin, which is longer acting than ativan and xanax. I have always responded better to xanax and ativan. I take my xanax about 2-3 times a week. It is my understanding that tolerance and dependency is more an issue with daily use and higher doses, but when it does happen, the withdrawl from these drugs is horrible. How often do you take your clonazepam?
I have found Lexapro to be a wonder drug and the best decision I made for my anxiety and IBS-C. It's been almost 3 months on Lexapro and I feel like a different person. At first my C was worse, but after about 2 months I saw major improvements. I don't know if it was the reduction in my anxiety or the chemical changes caused by the meds, but it's so much better.
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IBS-C
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I started the lexapro in February and it has made a huge difference with my anxiety in my every day experiences (like maybe something more simple like going to the park). It also caused me to swing from an A (I used to be D but then the acacia/diet/and hypno started to help) to C on occassion. I was doing great and only using the clorazapam for big events like plane rides or trick-or-treating with my kids (yes-big deal for me!!) But I am having an overwhelming month and I would like to take it more b/c I find myself "muddling through" situations instead of enjoying them (I freaked out before going to dinner with my husband and some friends...would not have done that a month ago...don't want it to spiral back to the old me).
Here's something funny but true: it seems that I am leaning toward d during the week when I have to take my son to the bus stop, etc., but then I don't have a bm all weekend when that situation is eliminated! Go figure. So I know it is anxiety induced. I'm actually looking forward to a good BM tomorrow morning but I don't want my anxiety to make it D instead. I'm doing the hypno again here and there and taking calcium carbonate the evenings before school so hopefully that will help. Thanks for the clarification by the way on all the generic forms of the meds.
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Originally IBS-D for a million years!
Then IBS-A, Now a transformed slightly C
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I have been taking 1 mg of clonazepam at night for the last 3 years. It was originally prescribed for anxiety attacks. It is said to be addictive and some people do go through withdrawal when they come off it (ironically enough, one of the common withdrawal symptoms is anxiety attacks). I successfully weened myself completely off it last year. I was actually not taking any IBS meds for about 5 months (2-3 mo. for the clonazepam as it took longer to ween off), but I didn't go through any withdrawal. Right after I finish the weening off, I lost my job and the next day was in the ER with what I thought was an IBS attack. Five days later and three different diagnosis, they realized it was my gallbladder and i had that out. That changed my IBS completely. I went back on everything, and yada yada. Don't wanna bore with all the details. But my new GI said that he would recommend my cutting it down to .5 mg for the IBS and see how I feel. I no longer need it for anxiety, but it clearly helps with the IBS.
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