I will add that I fully appreciate that many people have no choice with meds, they have to take them to save their lives regardless of the risk, I do appreciate that but it doesn’t stop the fear that I genuinely feel right now.
So long story short. I have suffered from digestive issues for decades, over the last 5 years these digestive issues have become all consuming and have literally ruined mine and my family’s lives.
As a result of my unpredictable gut I only work very very part time hours which obviously impacts my finances greatly, I’d love to work more, earn ,ore and have more fun in life. Over the last 5 years I’ve become quite reclusive, I hardly ever go out for meals or socialise due to unpredictable guts. My poor dc (now teens) have never been abroad because of my dodgy tummy and general fun stuff often goes out of the window when my tummy decides to play up which is very often. My reluctance to want to do anything due to my painful and embarrassing flare ups cause issues between my dh and I and I can’t blame him tbh but no one understands just how bad my guts can actually get.
I have had endless gastro tests and all come back clear so I have a continuing diagnosis of IBS with functional dyspepsia.
Before anyone suggests, I have tried absolutely everything to ease this issue. Spent a small fortune on medication, off the shelf products, private consultations with gastros, dieticians, hypnotherapists, psychiatrists and psychotherapists etc. I exercise and do yoga. I have a cupboard full of IBS medication and book shelves for of diets, IBS books etc. I am diary and gluten free, avoid all my known triggers, follow the low fodmap diet, drink only water. I keep a food dairy etc and just can not see a link to anything. I have invested heavily in the hope of feeling better within my body but hear I am still, at 51 and struggling.
I do take imodium but in all honesty it often causes me more issues than not in the long run.
On to the actual question.
One medication which is supposedly very helpful for IBS-d sufferers is Amitriptyline or Nortriptyline. I know from my support groups that these drugs help a lot of people. However, these are anti-cholinergic drugs and have been linked to dementia. My poor mum has Alzheimer’s and I help care for her.
I suppose caring for a loved one with dementia has skewed my thoughts over this but I live in constant fear of succumbing to this wicked disease, I do not want to end up being cared for by my children in the way my mum is, the thought of ending up like this has left me in fear every day and has put me off taking the medication.
BUT I also can’t live like I am anymore, my life is so small. Most of the enjoyment people get from life is done through socialising, traveling , eating out with family and friends and not being tied to one’s home. I want to live that life but am constantly apprehensive about taking a med and it’s potential harmful side effects but which could also, just maybe, give me back my life, but am so very much out off by this potential and probably small risk. I tell myself that 10mg-20mg a day could change my life for the better but I can’t get over this fear ffs, wtf is wrong with me?
WWYD? Would you take the med, hope for the best and put any long term risks out of your mind?