antidepressants and ibs
#320713 - 12/14/07 04:54 PM
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erica123
Reged: 12/14/07
Posts: 5
Loc: New York
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I have suffered from IBS for the past year. It has totally taken over my life, I was scared to go out of the house in fear of an attack. I couldnt find anything that helped me, fiber, exercise, peppermint oil, diet changes , ive tried it all, and nothing would help. But last week I started Lexapro and antidepressant/anxiety medication. I have only been on it for a week and my IBS symptoms are almost non existent. I just wanted to let people know that if you guys are still struggling after trying every option, you should go to your doctor and see if antidepressants are right for you. They usually take a few weeks to work, my symptoms improved within days, and I feel like I can live my life again.
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I'm very happy for you! I wish I could say the same worked for me. I was on Elavil then Zoloft, and my IBS symptoms were still very much present. The newest thing is Bentyl, which I have only been taking for 2 days... I know that's not an anti-depressant, but I sure hope it works! Nothing else has!
Did you ever try an anti-spasmodic?
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"I have no patience for lactose. And I won't stand for it." -Jerry Seinfeld
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Yes, Ive tried them. They didnt seem to help me much though.
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I am on bentyl i have been for the last 9 months! I truley belive it has helped me! hang in there!
emmasmom
ibs-c
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Can I ask you if you are IBS-D or C? My GI doc prescribed Lexapro for me but I never took them. I had read that they can aggravate D in the beginning and wasn't sure if I wanted to try it.
I control mine a lot with diet but in addition (when I have to go out) I take preemptive imodium or lomotil. I've had too many anxiety type attacks of thinking I had to go far away from a bathroom. I grew tired of dragging my kids all around looking for one!
I'm glad you are being helped!!! What mg are you taking?
Sandy
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I am an IBS-A, but mostly C. I usually only get D when I have anxiety attacks.
What do you mean by mg?
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I meant what the dossage was. sorry! If it helps with anxiety, and that's the main cause of my IBS, then maybe it's worth a try!
Sandy
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Im on the lowest dose of 10mg. Sometimes it can take a few weeks to feel the effects so if you start it and dont feel any changes you have to keep taking it. Its the same way if you feel any side effects, they may be there in the beginning but you have to keep taking them for side effects to go away.
-Erica
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caitlineb
I was given Bentyl and havent taken it yet. It just all makes me nervous. My doc. also told me to take it as needed... like if I feel an attack coming on. Do you take it everyday no matter what or as needed? And has it caused any side effects? If theres a side effect listed, I will get it. Also now I might have celiac, so I am wondering if I should take bentyl or not.
Stefanie
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Bentyl is an antispasmodic so it will calm abdominal cramping. I'm usually very sensitive to meds & the only side effect I noticed w/bentyl is a feeling of light-headedness, not dizzy, but kind of a fuzzy feeling, if that makes sense. It did make me a little drowsy but not enough to cause problems. Other side effects listed were nausea & dry mouth, but I didn't experience those. HTH!
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IBS-A...I can never make up my mind 
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