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anti-depressants vs. cognitive behavorial therapy with IBD

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Posted 3/2/2010 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
I'm a basket case since getting off prednisone and I was on anti-depressants before i got my first flare. I feel that for constant anxiety, worrying, insomnia, loss of appetite, depression, I need an anti-depressant (doc wants me on anti-psychotic because I'm being treated for bipolar, but that's another story).

anyway, i heard that studies were done that proved anti-depressants much more effective in lengthening remissions, etc... with IBD.

Any thoughts? Any experience. Also, concerned about weight gain and the insomnia inducing effects of anti-depressants. I'm done with sleeping pills and anti-anxiety meds. Just don't really offer a solution. trying the exercise and sleep hygiene routine, but I get overwhelmed by the other issues.

ellen
Posted 3/2/2010 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
Ellen,

My experience with antidepressants as a help to UC is that they are prescribed at a non-therapeutic value. The dose is very low so it won't help with depression but can help with UC symptoms. It didn't work in my case but it was worth a shot. I have never heard of UC being helped with a therapeutic dose of AD but maybe?

Sue
Posted 3/2/2010 6:57 PM (GMT 0)
My GI gave me an anti-depressant last summer when I first started this current flare, and although it was supposedly a low dose, it KNOCKED ME OUT! It made me so incredibly sleepy! I don't know why it affected me so much but I couldn't take it for longer thank like 3 days. I am interested to see if anyone got some positive results from this.
Posted 3/2/2010 7:20 PM (GMT 0)
Yes. I've had issues with sleeping too much while taking Lexapro. I read somewhere that anti-depressants will cause some people to not go into REM sleep. I'm still dreaming, but not in REM. I'll sometimes skip a dose once a week just so that I can make up my REM sleep. It seems to do the trick.

I've had very positive results with Lexapro.
Posted 3/2/2010 7:42 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting about Lexapro. I've been taking it for about 6 months now and I found that I sleep better. I still feel fatigued at times, but my biggest problem was falling asleep. I think for me Lexapro help reduce my anxiety and let me relax better to actually fall asleep.
Posted 3/3/2010 5:23 AM (GMT 0)
Who would be prescribing you the ADs? Talk to your psych doc about that.

If you're anxious, etc, an AD that will make you extreme in a manic state won't be good, but one that's geared more for anxiety such as Celexa or Lexapro could be of help.

I wouldn't suggest Effexor or Welbutrin.

CBT.....awesome!!!!

I've done both, but still have UC and flares. I can't say either helped, but I didn't do either for UC.

q
Posted 3/3/2010 6:07 AM (GMT 0)
what about weight gain and lexapro? Experience with that?
Posted 3/3/2010 6:13 AM (GMT 0)
I believe all antidepressants would cause some weightgain.
Posted 3/3/2010 2:24 PM (GMT 0)
Not all ADs cause weight gain. I took Celexa for 4 years and didn't gain weight.

Sue
Posted 3/3/2010 8:40 PM (GMT 0)
yet my SIL porked out bigtime on it. Guess it depends on one's situation. I have gained on Effexor, but that is also in conjunction with middle age and my eating habits.

Oh...I loved every pound of it..lol, for a while anyway.

q
Posted 3/3/2010 10:58 PM (GMT 0)
I was in tears in my Pdoc's office yesterday. I was flat on the floor in misery, fear and axiety, hadn't slept in five days. I started Wellbutrin today (my choice) and will stay on low dose. I realize it can create anxiety and insomnia, but maybe not at low doses. May be a mistake, she says, but that's what I was on for years before this new UC struck back in August. Just about to refill when doc pulled me off everything except lamictal (bipolar) last August because I was getting sick (UC) beyond belief. Hospital, etc... then prednisone for four months and we believe it caused some psychosis afterwards, hopefully only temporary. Her answer is an anti-psychotic but I nor my husband can't deal with the sedation. If wellbutrin is not right, I'll try Lexapro or Cymbalta (hate the idea of piling on weight)
Posted 3/3/2010 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
Last time I was on pred I became depressed. Something I have never experienced. All my life I have had anxiety but never found anything to help. (Lexapro, Celexa and Zoloft all made me feel out of it and completely zapped my sex drive, I never lasted long on any of them.) So, after becoming depressed and more anxious from the pred I started on Effexor XR. The first week was a little rough adjusting to the med, but after that I started to feel SO much better. Now my worrying doesn't run away with me and ruin my whole day, I'm much more calm. I do feel tired some days and need a nap. Don't know if that is the meds or chasing 2 toddlers around all day. I've been on it almost a year and gained 10 pounds. Not sure if it was Effexor or just b/c I let my eating get out of control. I have been eating better and working out and have lost 8lbs. I'm curious to see hear how you do on Wellbutrin. Keep us updated! I hope you feel better soon.
Posted 3/3/2010 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks AMK77. I don't feel alone with your response. Pred did a number on my brain considering I'm also bipolar. Wellbutrin is an upper anti-D. So I'm looking out for insomnia, edginess, irritability, but generally to pick my head off the floor (relief from depression). Trying to keep dose as low as possible. We'll see
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