Severe bloating after quitting SSRI's abruptly

Hi everyone,
I have an onging problem, which the doctors don't know how to solve and they only tell me that it's a severe case of IBS.

I stopped taking SSRI pills cold turkey, and immediately experienced severe bloating- which have only gotten worse over the years. The thing is, I took those pills for only 5 or 6 weeks, and now 4 years have passed since I stopped taking them and my symptoms are getting worse. I cannot eat because of the bloating and I am now underweight. I have done many tests- colonoscopy, gastroscopy, some hormonal tests, breath testing, allergies and many more.. The docs only discovered that I have an allergy for fructose (which I am sure I did not have before taking the pills, as I used to eat lots of fruits with no physical inconvenience).

I'm constantly bloated (even if I don't eating anything), but after eating and drinking (even just water) the bloating gets worse and painful. Alternative treatments as well as conventional (antibiotics, probiotics, supplements..) did not help.
I cannot sleep (as the pain from the bloating wakes me up), I'm constantly hungry (and this also wakes me up), and the bloating does not seem to get any better even after I go to the bathroom.

I have tried infinite types of diets but noting works.

I am really desperate and getting back on the drugs is not an option for me, as in addition to the bloating (and other "less" disturbing physical symptoms- such as clogged ears, constant mucus, fatigue and more..) they actually caused me to suffer from panic attacks and OCD- both of which symptoms were none of my innitial emotional problems- I took the pills only to relief a very minor stress problem which I experienced at the time.

Does anyone know how to solve this bloating problem?

I would really appriciate any help!!
Thanks!

Hello rachel_1, first of all let me Welcome you to the HW anxiety forum. I hope you stick around and let us walk this journey with you as this really is an awesome place full of caring people.

I seriously doubt the SSRI caused your bloating, and especially now after 4 years. I fully agree with SC that IBS can be totally debilitating.

I also Echo the rest of SC's post and have the same questions she does.

Hi Rachel,
Did you ever get any relief from this?? I have been off of celexa two weeks and also cannot get any relief from the constant bloating.

Did this end up going away over time? Did anything you took help?

Thanks so much
-Brooke

Hi Rachel,

I just took myself off of 50mg. Only took for 4 weeks. Of this medication. I noticed stomache swelling after 3 weeks and loosing weight. Now my stomache is really bloated. I am hoping after going off medication it goes away. Also have muffled ears and my vision is blurry at times.

Julie