Questions about Anti Depressants
#79576 - 06/15/04 03:32 PM
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Hello, I was just reading through alot of the posts and noticed ALOT of people here are on anti depressants or anti anxiety meds. Without being too nosey, I'm just wondering if they are really that phenomenal for helping IBS, or if they are for other reasons.
I've never been on them, or known anyone on them, but it seems like alot of people on the IBS boards use them. Is this merely a coincidence?
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Nope. Anti-depressants at a low dose can def. help some people's IBS. However, alot of IBS get depression (not helped by having crappy IBS!) and need them for that - there may be a link between IBS not processing serotonin properly and this. Also, many people with IBS conform to a certain personality type. Loads of us have perfectionist, controlling tendencies, etc and that type of person is more prone to depression I think.
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Linz you summed that up well. I wonder if it is the case that many of us have that type of personality? Hmmm....well I sure do! 
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It's in one of my books abuot Fibro - most Fibro patients are women with type-A personalities!
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ahhh so thats just for fibro though? how interesting tho!!!
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Ashley, I don't think it's a coincidence. You tell your doc that you have IBS, and bingo, he wants to put you on an antidepressant. At first, I fell for it, and went on Wellbutrin. Despite the fact that it most definitely curbed my appetite, and I lost weight on it, I didn't like it because it made me feel a little crazy -- and not a good crazy like from my friend Jack.
I understand these things are difficult to get off of; thankfully I didn't have a problem with the Wellbutrin, but maybe I didn't take it long enough.
There are good sides to antidepressants as well. Back in the '80's my hormones were so out of control that I would burst into tears if someone smiled at me. I almost threw myself down the stairs at work; it just looked so inviting to me. I was a mess. My doc put me on Prozac, and it totally turned me around -- not my hormones, but my suicidal ideation, and I was able to speak to people in a civil way instead of running from the room in tears.
As far as helping with my IBS, I can't say they did. Michael did more for me than the Wellbutrin.
Bev
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<img src="http://home.comcast.net/~letsrow/smily3481.gif">Bevvy
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Hi,
In my case anxiety causes a lot of my IBS problems. So that's why I take Librax daily and Xanax (only on really bad anxiety day). If my anxiety is relieved then my stomach feels better. That's the only way I can explain it.
I've never been on depression med but Prozac literally saved my sister's life. Whe was dwindling away in depression and now she is living a happy life again.
I have also heard some bad things about these meds so it is a choice you and your doc need to make together.
Barbie
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They didn't help my IBS, either, but I am SOOOOO glad I took them! My depression and my IBS were both triggered by the same difficult event (MIL's sickness and death from cancer), and both needed to be treated. Unfortunately, the same treatment didn't work for both.
In any case, I took Wellbutrin for about a year, and I have only good things to say about it!
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Christine
Those who can do; those who want it done better teach.
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Thanks guys for all the answers..
I was just hoping that I didn't miss the memo that these drugs were good for ibs and helping alleviate symptoms and/or attacks.
Otherwise, I don't need them.. I don't have alot of anxiety.. and I don't think i've ever been depressed. well I'm really feeling down now.. but for explainable reasons. I don't think I've ever been in actual depression.
I was hoping that maybe they were related in some way
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It's part of a combination that helps. The antidepressant, reducing stress, getting out, but even more important I find is the fiber.
I was first put on some mild traquilzers to help me relax and they did help a bit to lessen my attacks.
I don't know if we have depression cause we have IBS or if we have IBS cause we are derpressed. LOL
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I've been on Paxil for about 3 months and I love it. My anxiety would trigger attacks, so Paxil is kind of necessary for me. Now my attacks are basically from food, instead of me worrying my head off. But if you don't have a lot of anxiety/depression, then I wouldn't think that you would need them.
Just my 2 bits.
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Quote:
Also, many people with IBS conform to a certain personality type. Loads of us have perfectionist, controlling tendencies...
This just made me laugh. You described me to a T! (sans the depression) 
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It would be interesting to do a little survey and see how many people DON'T fit this personality description! It certainly fits me!
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Christine
Those who can do; those who want it done better teach.
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I take Librax daily for my IBS and find it helps, but when I have really bad anxiety days, I still have attacks. Did you have to see a different dr. to get the Xanax? I've taken it before when I had some surgery go bad and ended up in the emergency room. They gave it to me for about a week to calm me down. It really helped. I have the type of personality that worries about everything. Even getting excited about an event triggers my IBS and then I can't get out of the bathroom. Do you have to see a psychiatrist to get a prescription?
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Hi,
My regular doc prescribes Librax and the Xanax, too. Can you get the doc that prescribed your Librax to do the same?
I think it's best to only take the Xanax on really stressful days and not all the time. I haven't even taken one in a long, long, time. I'm a "chronic worrier", too.
Barbie
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Thanks. I don't know. I haven't asked him. If I'm still having a lot of problems he wants to do the big C operation next. I'm trying to avoid it right now. I know the Xanax could be addictive. I've never felt so great from a med. in my life as that one. It makes you totally stress-free! Thanks for the info. I never even used to take a whole pill, usually a portion of one would be enough to calm me down. I think my Librax is a pretty low dose b/c I don't have any side effects and I can take up to 4 a day if needed. One before each meal and one at night before bed.
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What's the big C operation? I was taking 3 Librax a day
30 minutes before each meal. I cut down to 2 and now I am trying to cut down to 1. I still have to take 2 most of the time because I am usually stressed out about something.
The Xanax does make you feel good but be careful. My niece
became addicted. That's why it is better to take it on an "as needed basis". If your gastro doc won't give you the Xanax you might try asking your regular doc or you may have to see a psychiatrist.
Barbie
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Sorry. The big C is a colonoscopy. I lost so much weight this year that I think he's trying to hold off putting me through that prep of losing more unless I continue to have lots of D. Unfortunately, I can never pinpoint my triggers. I know I cheat and eat one or two things I probably shouldn't, but again the stress or worry, anxiety in general, are usually the problem. I can be excited about going to a party and end up sick. Some of the worry is due to whether or not I will feel good when the time comes to go! I create my own stress most of the time. I don't know how to control that...psychiatrist??
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You and I are so much alike. I worry about everything, too. Antidepressants might help but I am afraid to try them. Psychiatrist might help but I am really a happy person and have a good home life. Between the Librax and Xanax I can usually keep it under manageable control. I wish I could be like my husband....he doesn't worry much at all. He says if you can't do anything about it then why spend time worrying!
If it were only that easy. I do find that watching something funny on TV or laughter is a really good stress reliever. Also, if I go out an cut the lawn and really work hard it relieves the stress.
About the IBS triggers. Have you checked to make sure anything you use such as gum, mints, vitamins doesn't have sorbitol/mannitol in it. It's a big trigger for me.
Barbie
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I am IBS-D and I take an old antidepressent, nortriptyline, which tends to constipate or make the stool more solid and it helps with my nervous nelly belly. But before my GI prescribed it I tested the calcium supplement Caltrait(?) and it helped with my BM but not with my nervous nelly belly. I do find if I miss a dose my sleep time is all a mess. These pills are also used for those who can't sleep. I go back and forth between liking the meds and wanting not to take them. But I felt I was in a loosing situation and needed the help. I know you can go off of them and it can be hard depending on the person and dosage.
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IBS-D
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I felt the same way as far as being alike after you've responded to my questions. My husband is the same way, too. I think it's just in my genes! I am still having to take the full dose (4 a day) of Librax right now. I started taking them back in Dec., but have had things trigger the IBS at different times (stomach flu, vacation, end of school activities, etc.) The last time I really had problems like this was when it first started in 1986. That was my first year of teaching...stress, stress, stress!!! This year I became a librarian, but it was the "beginning" again. I LOVE my job, but worry about doing everything right. That is half or probably the majority of my IBS, but the food makes it worse. Any suggestions on how to put on some weight? I cannot eat any spicy foods, dairy, or chocolate. I am drinking rice milk and eating rice bread. It actually has more calories in it than regular white bread. The girl at the health food store has IBS as well and thought I should stay away from wheat and see if it helps even though I'm not allergic to it. I'm a bit overwhelmed by the recipe board and don't know where to start. I definitely have the D not the C. I lost about 10-15 pounds this year and desperately need it back. I have always been very small anyway, and this has caused me to become weak and very nonenergetic. You've been great to talk to. Please stay in touch. My name is Nan.
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To Nan
#80550 - 06/17/04 04:16 PM
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barbie
Reged: 04/22/04
Posts: 2435
Loc: Texas
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Hi Nan,
I used to work in a library, too. The NASA Technical Library. Long time ago.... I really liked it.. 
If I were you, I would stay on the 4 Librax for now if it is helping you. I went through that weight loss thing, too.
I got down to 108 and was weighing myself several times a day to see if I had gained. Finally, I went to my doc thinking something really bad was wrong. She told me that when my stomach felt good to try and eat anything I could tolerate that had lots of calories. She said that she thought that my stressing out about losing weight was making me lose more weight. It didn't help when my friends would say, "my, you have lost a lot of weight." Just what I wanted to hear. 
I can tolerate dairy if I take a lactaid pill before eating it. So, I had a shake made with Lactaid Milk and Yogurt ice cream every night. Could you make a shake with the rice milk and maybe yogurt ice cream.. Or put some sort of fruit in it and make a smoothie. Also, I ate things like mashed potatoes, rice, lots of pasta. Loved Little Debbie snack cakes.
Finally, I started seeing some weight gain..it was very gradual but now I weigh 123lbs. That is a good weight for me so I will try to stay there if I can. Also, try to take a multivitamin. Do you take Immodium for D? It helps me.
Keep in touch and let me know how you are doing.
Barbie
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Thanks. I know exactly how that feels. I went to a cookout last night and was basically able to eat nothing! I felt like everyone was looking at me and thinking, "Why isn't that skinny girl eating?!" That creates even more stress. Oh, well. I'm trying really hard to ignore that part of it. I've pretty much explained the sit. to my inlaws so when we all get together, they know. That has helped ease my mind a bit. I did find out that the Rice Dream products also come in a frozen bar form. I'm hoping that will be an addition I can eat with more calories. I have been eating pasta this week and plain Ital bread with a bit of olive oil. I definitely should try the smoothies. I guess I've been a bit chicken b/c I tend to associate fruit with fiber and D. However, if I'm not getting enough fiber, then I go three or four days w/out going to the bathroom, and the cycle starts all over again. Is that pretty typical? You have been unbelievably helpful. Please keep writing. I need all of the support I can get right now. I won't even get on the scales at this point. It's too depressing. My mom and I went shopping yesterday just so I could have some summery capris that fit. Everything from last summer falls off of me. I have to shop in the junior dept. (of course I only have ever weighed 110 max in my life anyway), but losing that 10 hurt a lot. Any suggestions you can keep coming my way are GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!! Thanks again for caring.
Fondly,
Nan
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