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Original poster

Any anxiety sufferers on here? Antidepressant question.

26 replies

Inaworldmadeofsteel · 08/08/2023 08:44

Have meds helped you at all?

Although I have had anxiety and depression for decades I have always put off trying any prescription meds as I have a huge fear of them. Mainly because I also have awful IBS as well and most of the side effects of antidepressants state diarrhoea and gut issues as one of the main side effects (any exacerbation of the bad gut issues that I have daily already would just tip me over the edge).
However, my anxiety has been sky high for some time now and it’s preventing me from living a normal life (despite exercising, eating well, doing meditation and hypnotherapy etc).

I am fed up with just limping along with my life but am absolutely petrified to try meds.

Has anyone has success relieving their anxiety with meds (or even off the shelf products?) without experiencing horrible side effects, especially digestive ones?

OP posts:
Octavia64 · 08/08/2023 08:48

I have IBS. I'm also on duloxetine for anxiety. It's had no impeccable on my IBS at all.

Octavia64 · 08/08/2023 08:49

I mean no impact!

Doggymummar · 08/08/2023 08:50

I took Sertraline for many years and have IBS. It made no difference to it. My mood was joyful tho

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cherryassam · 08/08/2023 09:00

I’m on Sertraline and have terrible IBS.

No bowel side effects for me.

It does affect my sleep I think, I had some nausea when I first started or when I up my dose but manageable and it went away within a couple of days, and I have a dry mouth which again was worse when I first started but is still dryer than my normal.

Mabelface · 08/08/2023 09:26

My ibs is caused by anxiety and massively improves when I'm on citalopram and beta blockers. In fact, my whole life improves. I get a slightly dry mouth when I start them, jaw clenching when the dose is increased, but they pass on a couple of weeks. Nothing drastic.

Original poster
Inaworldmadeofsteel · 08/08/2023 11:11

Octavia64 I’ve been prescribed duloxetine but was hesitant to take it as I’ve read it’s a nightmare to come off. When you say it’s had no impact on your IBS do you mean either way (negative/positive) as in no change at all?
Doggymummar ideally I’d love for my ibs to get ‘better’ but feeling joyful whilst still having symptoms would be great as I am currently in that awful cycle of symptoms/low mood and anxiety then more symptoms.
cherryassam I could definitely live with a dry mouth and have daily nausea anyhow so as long as that wasn’t exacerbated I could handle that. Maybe I should try Sertraline?
Thanks Mabelface that’s good to know. Have you tried the beta blockers just on their own? I have had several people recommend them to me for my physical symptoms of anxiety/panic. I often wonder if I should start with those?

OP posts:
Lookitaahhh · 08/08/2023 11:35

I don’t have IBS, so can’t help with that but can say that, after many years of refusing them, going on ADs changed my life and made me human again! If you do decide to take them, just remember that things can feel worse to begin with-I remember having to stop my car because I became really anxious doing a journey that I had done every day for years. I just had to tell myself that these feelings would pass after a few weeks and they did. Good luck

Octavia64 · 08/08/2023 12:23

No change at all in my IBS symptoms as a result of duloxetine.

I know my triggers - caffeine, lactose and spicy foods - and avoid.

roarrfeckingroar · 08/08/2023 12:34

Sertraline made me me again with no side effects

Beetleback · 08/08/2023 12:43

I take duloxetine and the impact on both anxiety and depression has been transformative. I only take a low dose but I stopped taking it with no issues at all. Recently started again after about 9 months off (as anxiety and depression returned) - get a few side effects for the first week or so but within 10 days I've both shaken the side effects and feel back in control of my mental health.

I understand the hesitancy as I've heard horror stories about side effects and coming off ADs but I'm so glad I started taking them. My partner takes a different AD for depression and has had no side effects and it's been an absolute transformation for him too.

Aquamarine1029 · 08/08/2023 12:45

If you've had anxiety for years, and it's gotten worse lately, it may be because of peri-menopause. HRT can really help and may even help with some of your other issues. Ad's are not recommended to treat peri-menopausal issues because they can often make things worse.

FartSock5000 · 08/08/2023 12:47

@Inaworldmadeofsteel I don't have IBS but I do have bad anxiety and this causes tummy troubles more often than not. If I wasn't taking Mirtazepine for it, it would be worse.

Go see the GP and ask for meds. If you get Sertraline, give it 3 months and if no change or help, go back and ask for something else as GP's seem to dish out Citalopram for depression and Sertraline for Anxiety first and they don't always work.

TruthThatsHardAsSteel · 08/08/2023 13:02

Hmm I take duloxetine for pain and only recently learnt they were antidepressants (which I could definitely benefit from). So this is interesting. I take 60mg once a day.

LizzieSiddal · 08/08/2023 13:09

Hi I’ve used Citalopram for anxiety, it helps so much, stops the mind racing and just feel so much calmer. The only things I’d recommend is taking the tablet with food, as that usually means no tummy issues.

And as a pp said, you can feel not great for a few weeks when you first go on them, I took a week off when I first went on them and was just really kind to myself for a while. Also informed close family and friends so they knew and could support me.

Beetleback · 08/08/2023 14:09

@TruthThatsHardAsSteel I was originally recommended duloxetine for pain, I wasn't in the market for an anti-depressant specifically but the GP gently suggested that I might need some help in that area...which I did, and I'm very glad she suggested it.

I only take 30mg which is a low dose (normally 60mg is the recommended starting dose for depression and pain relief), so I'm possibly unusual in seeing impacts at this dosage. I think you can take up to 120mg for depresion. But I think it's possible it can work for you for pain, but not as an anti-depressant.

user65754 · 08/08/2023 14:48

I'm on Sertraline. I did have some gut-related side effects in the first couple of weeks (nausea, mainly) but this settled down once my body had got used to the medication. Your GP will probably be able to advise which are best for those with IBS.

TruthThatsHardAsSteel · 08/08/2023 14:58

Beetleback · 08/08/2023 14:09

@TruthThatsHardAsSteel I was originally recommended duloxetine for pain, I wasn't in the market for an anti-depressant specifically but the GP gently suggested that I might need some help in that area...which I did, and I'm very glad she suggested it.

I only take 30mg which is a low dose (normally 60mg is the recommended starting dose for depression and pain relief), so I'm possibly unusual in seeing impacts at this dosage. I think you can take up to 120mg for depresion. But I think it's possible it can work for you for pain, but not as an anti-depressant.

Ahhh I started at 30g and then it was increased. I hoped I was getting two for the price of one 😂. I think it's neurological pain is prescribed for.

I've no idea if it works as an anti depressant for me but it can't be doing any harm. I'm glad it works for you.

I took sertraline years ago and I was very very dizzy and nauseous for about two weeks but didn't notice anything when starting these. Perhaps a bit more dehydrated than usual.

OP, hope the tablets help you 💕

Shrewsbury247 · 08/08/2023 16:51

I take Sertraline for anxiety and I can definitely say that my IBS is nowhere near as bad since I started taking it.
Apparently Sertraline calms the nervous system which has an impact on the bowel.

Original poster
Inaworldmadeofsteel · 08/08/2023 17:10

Thanks everyone. I already have a prescription for Duloxetine which I’ve been too nervous to take but seeing how antidepressants have helped so many of you I will give it a go but I think I’ll go slow and start with half the dose and and work my way up. I know it’ll take longer but hopefully will have less impact on my digestive system.

OP posts:
LizzieSiddal · 08/08/2023 22:15

@Inaworldmadeofsteel going slow at the start is a really good idea. Hope they help you Flowers

Mondaymanic · 08/08/2023 22:24

Starting seteraline was the best thing I ever did. I was worried for same reason as you but actually found it made mine better as mine was caused by anxiety. Give it a go! I wish I'd done it years ago.

The first week of starting was quite hard but I was prepared for that and stuck it out. So glad I did x

WhereshallIwander · 08/08/2023 22:40

I've been on Fluoxetine on and off for years. No side effects except possible weight gain. Has awful anxiety this past year so went back on it and doctor also put me on Amytriptoline.
Once I started that, I started to get much better and I was amazed I sleep through the night like a baby which I'd not done for years.

I'm about 3-4 months into these meds and I'm still sleeping well.

WhereshallIwander · 08/08/2023 22:42

Mondaymanic · 08/08/2023 22:24

Starting seteraline was the best thing I ever did. I was worried for same reason as you but actually found it made mine better as mine was caused by anxiety. Give it a go! I wish I'd done it years ago.

The first week of starting was quite hard but I was prepared for that and stuck it out. So glad I did x

My doc wanted to put me on Sertraline but I was worried about side effects so wanted to stick with Fluoxetine which I was used to. My sister said it really helped her though.

Original poster
Inaworldmadeofsteel · 09/08/2023 08:44

Thank you LizzieSiddal
Mondaymanic that’s reassuring thanks.
WhereshallIwander that’s good to know, glad they are helping you.

OP posts:
Mondaymanic · 10/08/2023 08:34

@WhereshallIwander ah fair enough. I haven't had any (that I've noticed)... Possibly clench my jaw a bit the odd time lol xxx

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