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antidepressants for IBS

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Irritable Bowel Syndrome
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Posted 9/22/2007 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
I'm about to start on Lexapro as I have had every IBS med kown to mankind . I am so very weary of wondering EVERY day how and when I'll  have gas and bloating and despite my problem being C, I usually take imodiun before an event just to make sure.This in turn messes me up for days afterward. I have always been resistant to the idea of getting involved with drugs like antidepressants but am ready for the trial. I'm already concerned about how I'll get to an event at 10 am on Dec 27th so this obviously tells me something about IBS and mind games. I understand that the newest theory is that an inbalance in serotonin is a prime cause of IBS. I'll let you guys know what happens. I'm starting Monday. Incidently Digestive Advantage is somewhat helpful.           Merri
Posted 9/22/2007 5:42 AM (GMT 0)
Oh Merri, taking the Immodium is the worst thing you can do if you suffer with IBS C.  That stuff messes up even the regular bowel!  Why would you take it if you have constipation?  Even taking it on rare occasions can do such damage to a colon that is already working overtime just trying to function at it's most basic level. 

Posted 9/22/2007 5:40 PM (GMT 0)
This I know but I think many of us do it to get through very important occasions. The last thing I wanted was to have it turn to D when I was at a wedding with 200 people. It's a rare solution for me but there are times...............    You know we constipated people do at times have D to straighten out and public bathrooms are less than ideal for the purpose. Merri                 
Posted 9/22/2007 7:23 PM (GMT 0)
Merri, it sounds like you have a lot of anxiety which is understandable. Give the Lexapro a chance. My friend was put on Paxil for her stomach and it helped but she went off because she kept falling asleep and now the stomach thing is back. Have you tried just an anxiety drug like Xanax, low dose.

How come I never get D to straighten out my C? I have to either wait it out or take a laxative. I usually go some everyday but not like I should so I do like a cleanout every once in a while.
Posted 9/22/2007 8:57 PM (GMT 0)
Hi, I have an RX for Valium and have tried 1/2 a valium soon after taking Bentyl. This has helped. Lets face it, I don't want to abuse a tranquilizer by making these judgments on my own. I have heard SO much about the value of antidepressants and IBS I just thought it was something I should try. Perhaps it won't work. I'm not a person who is that trusting of drugs anyway. The dr said I could start with 1/2 dose for a week. This idea appeals to me as I kow if it knocked me out I'd never take a second pill.     Merri
Posted 9/22/2007 9:07 PM (GMT 0)
That is interesting because they are both relaxants. Valium is often given for muscle spasms and Bentyl is an antispasmotic so they are sort of similar. I am surprised it didn't make you dopey.
Posted 9/22/2007 9:53 PM (GMT 0)
Remember it was only 1/2 of a 5 mg Valium and only 10 mg ( 1/2 dose) of Bentyl. Merri
Posted 9/23/2007 8:08 AM (GMT 0)

Canyonbabe711 said...

How come I never get D to straighten out my C? I have to either wait it out or take a laxative. I usually go some everyday but not like I should so I do like a cleanout every once in a while.

You made me laugh with this one!  I think we're gut sisters!  Even though I sometimes get D, it's never like what I've seen described on these forums - certainly never bad enough to take Immodium!  I'm usually thrilled with D because I know I'm finally getting a thorough cleaning! 

I had to take a laxative this weekend and I can't tell you how bummed out it made me.  I think the worst part of taking them (besides the fact that your housebound for at least 24 hours!) is that they really don't work for me like they used to.  After using them for so many years, they've really lost their effectiveness.

I dream of the day when I will be completely laxative-free!

Posted 9/23/2007 1:09 PM (GMT 0)
 Oh! I didn't mean I ALWAYS get the D to cure the C. More often I use stool softners as I'm leary of what and more likely WHEN a laxative  kicks in. My guts have become creatures of great enthusiam in whatever direction they plan to go. That is why I want to try Lexapro. If you knew me you'd know how really desperate I am to factor this out of my life. I'm more than hesitant about anything that even MIGHT make me tired ( hate to miss anything I guess) and had to  convince myself that it was no more a sign of weakness than an asprin for a headache. I realized I was already concerned about getting from Long Island to Madison Square Garden on the train by 10am for my grandson's graduation from the police academy ( and that's not until Dec27!) so it was time to try anything new. I wish I could have kept my Gall Bladder. Things worked better then.    Merri

Posted 9/23/2007 6:20 PM (GMT 0)
I take one Dulcolax instead of the 2 when I need it. Not the stool softener one, the other. It can still take 2 days for it to work but it is a natural BM when it does, no running fast with buns held together and I can go carry on my regular things without worry. I don't do this very often, maybe every couple weeks at most. Right now because I am taking 80mg of Nexium which is supposed to constipate you I have diahrea. Oh, well, unique again! tongue
Posted 10/1/2007 9:24 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Merri -

I was nodding my head the entire time I was reading your post!  That was truly my life!  I was always very worried about any event i was attending, always made sure I had a stash of Immodium "just in case" and even avoided some situations b/c I was afraid of an attack.  But let me tell you, after trying mulitple drugs for IBS to no avail, my PCP put me on the lowest dose of Zoloft and my life has changed dramatically!  I still get those thoughts, but they are fleeting.  And the more events I attend "sucessfully" the less I worry about the next one.  It is truly amazing and life-changing.  I encourage you to work with your doctor to find the best solution for you, but I am living proof that anti-depressants do help combat symptoms of IBS!

Best of luck to you!

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