Zoloft for IBS-D?
#304685 - 04/12/07 07:30 AM
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caputsky
Reged: 03/24/07
Posts: 256
Loc: Baltimore, MD
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Hi all,
My GI doc prescribed me Zoloft to help with my IBS. I've been taking it for a little over 2 weeks, and I'm pretty sure its not helping much. I know I'm supposed to give anti-depressants at least 2-3 weeks to see any effects. However, I have read some of Heather's book (gotta love it!) and she specifically states that this type of anti-depressant is better used with those with IBS-C. I am IBS-D, and Heather recommends a different type, I think they are called tricyclic drugs, that work better for those with diarrhea. The reason I ask is two-fold. First of all, I don't want to make my D worse with this drug, yet I also don't want to give up on the option of antidepressants as of yet. And secondly, I have an appointment to see my GI tomorrow and am planning on bringing the book with me to back up my reasoning. If anyone else out there knows of having more success with those tricyclics, could you let me know? Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Julie
IBS-D, lactose intolerant, GERD, hemorrhoids
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"We cannot change our past... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it."
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Check this web page starting with the paragraph that says "Low doses of IBS-effective Antidepressants can raise the pain threshold for the painful abdominal cramps of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and they can also either increase or decrease (depending upon the class of drug) the rate of gastrointestinal contractions as well, thus altering bowel function in either direction (and helping diarrhea or constipation)." You will see that Zoloft is not recommended for IBS-D.
Here is a link to an article in the New England Journal of Medicine on drug therapy for IBS published in 2003. There is a long section on the the use of low dose tricyclic antidepressants in the treatment of IBS. At the end of this section it about SSRIs like Zoloft and claims they are not as effective in the treatment of IBS symptoms. It might be helpful to print this article and take it with you to your doctor.
Good Luck
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STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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I take Elavil, which is a tricyclical, for D. It has worked wonders for me. It can cause C, so I now consider myself A, instead of just D, but unless I have major "dietary indiscrestions", as my doctor calls it, I now only have a flare on the day before my period, instead of every day.
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