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Amitriptyline for IBS_c and stomach pain attacks

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 5/18/2011 8:45 AM (GMT 0)
I suffer from chronic gut pain attacks which have been occurring on average every 9 days for the past three years when I developed Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The pain attacks usually last about 30 hours. After a recent visit to my sixth gastroenterologist I have been advised to start on 10mg of amitriptyline and am keen to hear any stories from people in a similar situation IBS_C (with C.F.S too?)…

The pain is broad-spectrum, unabating gut-pain across the whole abdominal region the pain cranks up over the 30 hour period before disappearing as suddenly and randomly as it occurs. I also suffer highly irregular bowel problems with a tendency towards constipation – notably I suffer from feeling blocked up and/or not eliminating enough, or at all. Diagnosis is IBS with Chronic Idiopathic Constipation/ Slow Transit Digestion.

I can no longer work due to my illnesses but have 10 years background in nutrition and as a health writer for UK National newspapers – my nutrition is excellent though I have been underweight since developing CFS. I have pursued numerous extra nutritional-based avenues since 2008, I have also tried first-class probiotic interventions, including probiotic retention enemas and have done several rounds of the controversial Fecal Bacteriotherapy treatment pioneered by Gastroenterologist Dr Thomas Borody. All psycho-emotional etc interventions do nothing for the pain attacks – positive stories gratefully received.
Posted 5/18/2011 11:23 AM (GMT 0)
I too suffer from IBS and find the use of amitriptyline interesting. I have used it in the past as a semi-tranquilzer (my term) but I've never heard it connected with IBS. I'm willing to try anything because, like you, when the attacks occur they are totally debilitating. Currently I take Symax which lessen the spasms that make me so very sick. I does do a creditable job but it does not eliminate the attacks totally. Maybe I'm being unrealistic in looking for a medicine that will stop the attacks but I'll give the amitriptyline a try. Thanks.
Posted 5/18/2011 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
I also took amitriptyline for IBS. All it did was knock me out. I tried several different doses but everything made me sleep 24/7. I could not function on it. I will pray it all to work out.

Serenitee
Posted 5/19/2011 1:16 PM (GMT 0)
I used it for chronic neck pain for 3+ years- worked great, except for a few side effects. I gained about 7-8 lbs., was sun-sensitive, drowsy in the evening (not so bad though) and a little groggy in the morning. Now I have IBS-like symptoms and will probably try it for that.
Posted 5/19/2011 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Movieman, thanks for the post. Did it work straight away? I was told it would take approx 6 weeks to kick in. Did you find that it took some time, if so how long?
Posted 5/19/2011 2:01 PM (GMT 0)
I do recall that it took at least a couple of weeks to begin to lessen the neck pain. On the other hand, the drowsiness kicked in the very first time I took the stuff. I was an early riser for work at the time and my system was take the drug at about 7:30 PM and in 1 or 2 hours I was falling asleep while trying to watch TV.
Posted 5/19/2011 2:06 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for this
Posted 5/19/2011 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
Hey,
I am 19 years old and I started Amitriptyline when i was in grade 9 or 10. I was on it for a long time but I never really found any big difference. I found it constipated me after a while and I stopped taking it in grade 11. I have severe IBS and chronic pain. I also get very bad pain attacks. I am now on Lyrica to help the pain but nothing else.
I hope it works out for you!
-Jess
Posted 5/20/2011 12:33 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Jess. Do you have IBS_D or IBS_C? D is diarrhea and C is constipation.
Does the Lyrica help with the pain then?
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