Which antidepressant for IBS?

Hi,

I have been sufferring from depression and anxiety and everything else for as long as I can remember. I am now 33 and started on SSRIs (Prozac) when I was 16. about 1 year ago I stopped SSRIs (I have been on every single one I think!) - and switched to Lamictal, which hasn't done anything. Also about 1 year ago is around the time my horrible IBS started (when I switched to Lamictal).

I spoke to my dr and he said he is basically willing to let me try any antidepressant, and I am meeting with him Sunday, so I'd like to come with some ideas. 

I have IBS-D (most of the time), and HORRIBLE night stomach pains/cramps/spasms that always wake me up. From reading it seems like I should be on a tricyclic antidepressant like Elival - does anyone have experience with this?  What about other SSRIs?  I never thought any of them really worked for my depression (depression is just something I have learned to live with ), but at least I didn't suffer so badly from IBS.

Anyone have experience with Celexa?

I am also on Klonex for anxiety.  I am sooooooooooo frustrated! I am sure many of you can relate (unfortunately). I just want to feel somewhat normal and be able to enjoy my life and family and kids..... .  *sigh*

Thanks!

 

Post Edited (TLV) : 3/22/2007 12:11:15 PM (GMT-6)

Hi NJK,

Thanks for your reply - but I disagree. I know that I need to be on meds.... my father suffered greatly from mental illness, and refused to take his medicine and in the end the illness took his life. My cousins also suffer. It's genetic, it's an illness and needs conventional medication. I know it's a cliche, but if you have a headache, you take a Tylonol, you don't suffer.....

I'm not on antidepressants either however I know that they sure help some people with their IBS. In addition to SSRI's, there are tricyclics also like Elavil that have shown good results. I know a few of our members have been on anti-d's for their IBS so hopefully someone will come along and give some info. :)

Hello,   My gastro doctor just prescribed Remeron for me..  I have not taken it yet.. He said it does not have all the nasty side effects that the SSRIS do.. It supposed to help with direah.  It also is suppose to help with sleep..  Anyway just thought I would let you know... Hope you feel better..

njk,

You are telling people what they should and should not do for treatment.  Do you have any formal medical training?  We offer suggestions but don't tell people what's best for them; that's presumptuous, especially when we are on an internet forum and most people don't have much medical training.  It's also presumptuous to judge others based on your particular beliefs about God and how humans were created. 

I take remeron.It has really helped me................

Im new here, but I find this post particularly interesting. As my IBS symptoms grow worse, I find myself visiting the doctor more and more. I have now seen 3 different types of MD's (gen. physician, gastroenterologist, surgeon.)

What is interesting is that all three of these doctors have more than suggestively tried to get me to take the antidepressants. This has me very confused.

Why would all of them try to get me to take a drug created for a problem that I do not have. If the drugs cure depression, why get me to take them for IBS, I don't have depression I have ibs.

The more I think about it the more it starts to scare me :(.

gutshurtbad,

You have to be comfortable with what you take and what you don't take to relieve your symptoms. If you don't feel comfortable with an antidepressant, then you need to be adamant about it with your doctor.

The fact is that most of our serotonin (~95%) is in our gut and any imbalance can cause effects which is why doctors are not ruling out anti-depressants for IBS patients. Zelnorm acts on this also and is not an anti-depressant. Anti-depressants also have been found to work on pain and the body's receptors to pain.

There are other options however be prepared for a lot of trial and error, unfortunately that is the reality. I know its frustrating but don't give up hope.

I have had IBS for 18 years and I don't have enough fingers to count the number of ways I have been treated (either self treated or under doctor's care). And to make matters worse, my IBS fluctuates between diarrhea and constipation so finding that magic treatment has been very hard. I have gone both conventional and unconventional medicine and have found good and bad with both but where I am today with my treatment has given me a better quality of life which to me is the most important thing.

I hope you find what works for you and please let us know how you do.

This is very good info and may answer your question

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/532089_3

Here is another link

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=17241888&dopt=Abstract

Serotonin is affected by hormones, environmental factors, moods, vitamins, genetic makeup, etc. (the list goes on). From what I understand, everyone has different reasons for having a serotonin imbalance and you can't pinpoint it to just one cause. Of course, I don't have any degrees in this study however this is what I understand from reading lots and lots into it and different medical articles and abstracts on my voyage to healing well. :)

Take Care

I totally agree with what you're saying.... But how do you get the medical community to make a med just for you? I can understand a vaccine, I've had that done specifically for me, but an actual drug? It might be possible if you were filthy rich.

Hey Laloopo,
Thanks for chiming in!! Great to hear you are doing well on Paxil... especially since you have enough to deal with, with IBD & divirticulitis. I wondered about taking an anti-d med, but I could never decide on which. Did you only try Paxil or was it trial and error with others?