Anyone taking antidepressants?

In my opinion like taking any type of medication you have to decide if the benefits outweigh the risks. I think yes. I am taking Lexapro to help manage a particularly difficult year where I lost my Mom to colon cancer after being her caregiver, being diagnosed with UC (proctitis) during the same time, been in a flare for 18 months now and I recently lost my grandmother to cancer. I find that Lexapro has helped me make better decisions regarding my UC, diet and overall treatment and management. I think it has been helpful for me.

If I were to take a conventional antidepressant it probably would be wellbutrin because it may help with IBD and doesn't kill your sex drive. I will never advise anyone to get off of medication. Having said that there are several natural supplements that some have been found to be very effective. Those same supplements seem to work for both depression and arthritis.

First of all get your blood levels of vitamin D checked. Most people are low especially those with IBD. Vitamin D is a universal panacea for almost everything from IBD to cancer but it also works for depression.

Omega-3s in fish oil are very effective for depression, and some of us also take it for fibromyalgia and IBD. Calcium and magnesium seem to help also, especially magnesium.

Probably the most powerful supplement for depression is SAMe (known formally as S-adenosylmethionine). It is also very effective for arthritis, and heart disease. The only drawback to it is that it is very expensive. Studies suggest that like all the other antidepressants, it may trigger manic episodes in people with bipolar disorder. Aside from that, the most serious side effect is a mild stomach upset.

Small studies suggest that St. John's wort can ease low-grade melancholy, but SAMe has been tested to be effective against far more serious disorders.

I take St. Johns Wort.

All antidepressants I tried except Wellbutrin gave me HORRIBLE side effects. Cymbalta made me an insomniac (and my sleep is still messed up months later after only taking it for a week...never had sleep problems before) AND made my colitis flare-up horribly in just a few days. Do NOT take Cymbalta!!! I went from having 2-3 BMs/day to 20/day.

Cymbalta and zoloft both made my sex drive non-existent. I took geodon for 6 weeks (similar to abilify). It made me sleep 15 hours a day and pass out at work. It was given to me for anxiety... Those drugs are hardcore and I do not believe they should be given out as easily as they currently are.

Wellbutrin had absolutely no effect on me good or bad.

Post Edited (Sara14) : 3/26/2012 5:00:39 PM (GMT-6)

Thank you all for taking time to reply to my post. I appreciate your imput so much. There is just so much to consider about going back on the meds.

masschaos

Xanax is not an antidepressant per se, but it really helps break the cycle when not sleeping.
My doc prefers me taking the occasional xanax to adding another maintenance drug to the mix I'm already on.

masschaos,

You said, "I have read where colitis can be a side effect of certain antidepressants."

Can you please cite the source(s) where you read this? I have never heard of this before.

BTW...I took Celexa for years. I reached a point of diminishing returns on it, and my Doctor switched me to Effexor ER 75mg 1x daily last year. Best move I ever made as far as my depression!

But, I want to read about this antiD - Colitis connection you mentioned.

For Celexa:

Gastrointestinal Disorders - Frequent: saliva increased, flatulence. Infrequent: gastritis, gastroenteritis, stomatitis, eructation, hemorrhoids, dysphagia, teeth grinding, gingivitis, esophagitis. Rare: colitis, gastric ulcer, cholecystitis, cholelithiasis, duodenal ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux, glossitis, jaundice, diverticulitis, rectal hemorrhage, hiccups.

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/celexa-side-effects.html

For Wellbutrin:

Digestive

Infrequent were abnormal liver function, bruxism, gastric reflux, gingivitis, glossitis, increased salivation, jaundice, mouth ulcers, stomatitis, and thirst. Rare was edema of tongue. Also observed were colitis, esophagitis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, gum hemorrhage, hepatitis, intestinal perforation, liver damage, pancreatitis, and stomach ulcer.

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/wellbutrin-side-effects.html

For Abilify:

Gastrointestinal

Gastrointestinal side effects have included nausea (14% to 16%), dyspepsia (15%), constipation (10% to 13%), vomiting (11% to 12%), dry mouth (5%), abdominal discomfort (3%), and salivary hypersecretion (2%). Increased appetite, dysphagia, gastroenteritis, flatulence, tooth caries, gastritis, gingivitis, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hemorrhoids, gastroesophageal reflux, periodontal abscess, fecal incontinence, rectal hemorrhage, stomatitis, colitis, tongue edema, cholecystitis, mouth ulcer, oral moniliasis, eructation, fecal impaction, loose stools, abdominal distention, hematochezia, gingival pain, lower abdominal pain, oral pain, retching, fecaloma, tooth fracture, dry lip, and cholelithiasis have been reported infrequently. Esophagitis, hematemesis, intestinal obstruction, gum hemorrhage, peptic ulcer, glossitis, melena, duodenal ulcer, cheilitis, abdominal tenderness, chapped lips, periodontitis, aptyalism, gastrointestinal pain, oral hypoesthesia, inguinal hernia, hyperchlorhydria, irritable bowel syndrome, esophagitis, gingival bleeding, glossodynia, melena, and pancreatitis have been reported rarely.

http://www.drugs.com/sfx/abilify-side-effects.html

Post Edited (masschaos) : 3/26/2012 8:27:13 PM (GMT-6)

colitis isn't UC...it's inflammation of the colon.
q