Irritable Bowel Syndrome Message Boards

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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