Lexapro and IBS
#370151 - 09/09/13 10:57 AM
|
|
|
|
|
|
I have panic disorder....was in remission for 12 months and off my low dose 5mg prozac...relapsed in april 2013 and havent gotten better.....went back on prozac and it didnt help, so switched to lexapro 5mg......seems helpful for anxiety and depression but makes my ibs really bad(thought it would make it better)......i noticed my stool is differant...light brown and thin as opposed to darker brown and sausage like...sorry if gross.....but its not D but i go to bathroom several times per day with bowel movement and feel sickish most of the day...i also lost my job when this all started, so under stress but when i was on prozac(or nothing), my ibs was better....my dr wants me to go up on lexapro but afraid it will get worse? My diet is ok but not great....i have to cut out the 1 iced decaf per day and i probably eat too many grains......oatmeal, quinoa, whole wheat bread......to be honest, i dont have the energy to go back to a strict diet again.....but maybe i need to.....bfast now is oatmeal, walnuts and banana, lunch is quinoa, cucumbers, olive oil and tomato and dinner is chicken or fish with veggie...i snack on peanut butter and bread several times per day....weekends i allow myself a little bite of sweets, cereal wth milk and perhaps red meat....so my diet isnt horrible(and i excercise daily) but its probably not the IBS diet? I was listening to Dr Hyman(world leading naturopathic dr)...he was saying to stay off gluten, eggs, soy, daily and nuts for 12 weeks.......that seems harsh.....dont know what to do..come off lexapro(which means finding another med) or change diet again....but do i follow the IBS Heather diet or Dr Hymans elimination diet....oy!!!!!!!!
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Someone else here might be able to answer that.
I firmly believe that IBS makes it harder for us to absorb nutrients( i know for some it's not an issue but for me it is) and it has an affect on our brains and seratonin etc...aswell as our immune system which is also housed-you guessed it- in the gut. A lot of people with IBS also have CFS or Fibromyalgia and Panic Disorder. I get crippling panic attacks and unfortunately, no meds worked for me. What DOES work better than anything is eating Heather's diet and exercising every single day when I can. Honestly,exercise has helped my panic attacks so much better than any med did but I am NOT saying you should stop meds. Work with a trusted Dr and ensure you have had all the tests to eliminate other causes for your IBS. It may be something else like parasites or an infection. Remember too that many Drs do not test for parasites etc..it requires specific testing.
You might find that after some time and under guidance from your Dr, following the diet and getting more exercise (increase gradually so you dont burn out) might mean you can eventually get off the meds. But never stop taking meds without consulting a trusted Dr. And if you do not trust your Dr or are dis-satisfied-get a 2nd or 3rd opinion! 
Here's the link that shows the tests you should be getting to ensure that it IS IBS and not something else.
http://www.helpforibs.com/footer/ibs.asp#tests
I will keep you in my prayers. Please stay positive. As terrifying as panic is...it can and it WILL get better! i know from experience!
Edited by Roxstar (09/09/13 05:15 PM)
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
|
Thanks....I excercise daily....run, workout, etc...its always been helpful for my panic but never curative.....low dose meds always helped but not as much anymore.....my real queston was regarding the lexapro....it seems to have aggravated the IBS....wondering if going up witll make it better or worse...Ive had panic on and off for 20 yrs...i black out during my major attacks.....ive tried so many therapies.....sometimes i go into remission but doesnt last and now at 52 after having lost my corporate job...stressful! Ive also been tested by a GI guy a few yrs back ....he said its IBS..
Print
Remind Me
Notify Moderator
|
|
Posts
