Anyone on antidepressants and/or anti anxiety meds?

Would love to hear which ones you're on and if you're having good results. I apologize if this topic has been posted before (but I'm kinda new here!).

I realize that every patient is different, but I'm curious to know which ones have worked for you. I have done some research myself via the net, but would prefer to hear from my fellow UCers!

After almost one year of a horrible flare (with no let up whatsoever), I'm not dealing w/ "life" very well. I have a "zillion" stress factors buzzing around (we're moving to caif. from chicago end of january, i'm hardly able to make it to work, we have no social life cuz i'm afraid to leave the house, there's no intimacy in my life and I haven't had a decent night sleep in a year, just to name a few).

Thanks in advance for letting me vent! I appreciate and learn so much from this board!

Sindi
aka Colon Pow

Hi Sindi

I hear ya when you talk about the stress factors and how they dont help you UC.  I would suggest you talk to your GI or PCP about how you are feeling.  I did and they both suggested I take Ativan for my anxiety.  It helps me.  I tried the SSRI types of meds like zoloft and paxil but they didnt help me.  I can totally relate with you as far as no social life.  In fact these last 2 days I have been unable to leave the house.  I am parked between the couch and toilet!!  LOL  I have yet to have a true remission but I try very hard to keep my spirits up!  This site helps me a great deal.  I lost my job about 2 months ago because of my absenteeism but found another and start Jan 2.  I am very scared that I will not be able to fulfill my obligation because of my UC.  Having the time off now is good but I never know how I am going to feel day to day.  The financial stress is not helping me and I am sure your move is not helping your UC either.  I find that I try not to dwell on things too much.  Just try to roll with the punches and I do yoga too.  Helps me relax. 

I hope you feel better soon and find something to help you!  If anything just know you are not alone in this battle, as you can find from this wonderful site there are many others that have been in your situation. 

Take care and happy holidays!

Amy

I'm currently taking Lexapro for depression and anxiety and I do think that it helps with my stomach as well... Mainly because a lot of times if I'm feel really anxious, my guts will act up like crazy. And I think everything we deal with is enough to make anyone depressed so it's completely normal! I've heard people I know tell me that certain anti-depressants actually really upset their stomach but I personally have not had that problem. I had been reluctant to try them but I'm glad I did. Having social anxiety + depression + UC is a terrible mix...

Thanks for all your replies. Very helpful. I did phone my GP and had a lengthy discussion about this subject. He said that Welbutrin is out of the question (d/t seratonin situation) and tricyclics are definitely out of the question for those who have excessive bleeding - tricyclics are constipating. So, with that said, his other IBD patients do very well with SSRI's, namely Cymbalta. 30mg for one week, then 60 mg thereafter. I'm hoping that this will do "something/anything"...I'll keep you all posted if interested! Thanks again...

Sindi
aka Colon Pow

I bet moving to California might relieve some stress and help you into remission. What a PERFECT time to leave Chicago's weather and move to the sunshine.

Sorry Bob!!! I was rambling for a change!

Hi. First, it is totally reasonable that you feel distressed, and the last thing you should do is beat yourself up for that, as your response is completely normal. So, don't be upset with yourself for being upset, as that will just make things worse.

As for meds, I have been on antidepressants for years, way before I got diagnosed with UC. I get panic attacks - started having them when I was 20 years old - and Paxil works really well for me. I have had no problems with it as it relates to my UC, and I think it has been a great drug for me. When I got diagnosed with UC, I did start getting panic attacks again, so if that happens I can take Ativan, which is a tranquilizer, but I almost never need to these days. So, the difference is that i take the Paxil every day, and have for years, but only pop an Ativan very rarely. I also see a shrink every month or every other month, both to check in about meds and just have someone to talk to. I think that talk therapy is very helpful, as drugs only can do so much. You can also develop coping mechanisms through talking, and that's been very helpful for me.

Good luck and hang in there. As my fiance always reminds me when I freak out, we are surrounded by people who love us and who are not going to allow our lives to fall apart. If things stay bad, the people in our lives - and us - can always act to figure out how to make things better. It just may take a long time.

Feel better soon.

Hi there. I just started Buspar for my anxiety. 60mg a day.  it has helped me with mine. I would get really nervous and shaky and not handle things well.  my prednisone trip this time around has effected me quite differently than the last one a few years ago. Anyone have that trouble? -Andrew

Depression/anxiety/stress are really quite subjective and arbitrary conditions.

It's generally down to whether or not you're getting a good nights sleep.

I (occasionally) pop the odd lorazepam at bedtime, a mere half a miligram will do the trick.

Be very careful with this stuff though as I heard it can be habit-forming.

The point I'm making is that if you get a decent nights rest, the chances are your 'stress' or 'depression' may just evaporate.

Effexor XR here. Was on the minimum dose until my last flare. It WOULD NOT go away and the anxiety was making me crazy - not the mention the effect it had on my husband! I'm sure the constant phone calls made him crazy. Haven't been flaring for a while now - knock on wood - but we recently moved and I think the Effexor kept me grounded during that time. We had major issues - not just moving - that were making life hell.

Make sure you keep in touch with your doc when you start a med - to make sure any changes you feel aren't out of the ordinary.

Best of luck!

  I too just started Buspar (I don't know the dose, I take 1/2 in the morning, 1 at night) Breton23.  I don't know if it's helped me but I also am having a really hard time on the Prednisone this time.  Way more unpredictable, way more anxious and horrible mood swings.  I have horrible insomnia that they prescribed Xanax for (1/2 at bedtime).  I think that has helped, when you're not sleeping you're crazy!  What has your experience this time with Prednisone been?  I just wonder.... it's really been rough on me this go around.

Becky

  Breton 23, I'm sorry to hear you're having pretty much what I am on the Prednisone.  I took a final at school and cried the entire test!  I sat there with a box of tissues!  There was no reason other than that I had "cracked under pressure".  I totally get the crying fits and it's funny because my friends have even commented on how I'll be sobbing one minute, then it clears up the next.  Weird.  Yeah my GI wouldn't prescribe anything either.  He sent me to my primary care doctor to get a sleeping med and that's where she decided that I would probably sleep better if I wasn't so anxious.  Like I said, I don't know if the Buspar is helping, but I know for sure the Xanax is.  I take 1/2 at bedtime like I said but I take 1/4 before a test or if I feel myself having a meltdown and it has worked great for calming me down.  It sucks when you can't control the person you are and you know the "old (calm) you" is in there somewhere!  Best of luck to you.  It really helps me to hear from all of you who are having problems with anxiety and depression.  I've been diagnosed with UC now for 11 years and it's never taken this toll on me before.  It's mutating into something new.  One more reason this disease is so terrible...

Becky

We are all different in what works as far as anti-depressants. Zoloft made me suicidal. Wellbutrin XL made life too even - there weren't lows, but no highs either, just mediocrity. There was no joy. Finally, I found Effexor XR. You may have to try different ones 'til you find a good fit for you. Since I'm perimenopausal, I wasn't sleeping well....Doc prescribed temazepam. It works kind of like Ativan- relaxes you so you can sleep. I've heard it can be habit forming, too. I'll ask him about it when I see him on Thursday because he wrote me lots of refills. I've taken Ativan years ago and didn't have any withdrawal problems. I just tapered off gradually and it was fine. I can fall asleep, I just can't stay asleep.