I have suffered for decades with anxiety, depression, panic disorder, phobias, sleep disorder, ocd. I am desperate to feel well.
However, I have tried various medications and they all exacerbate my IBS and functional dyspepsia (which I am struggling to manage every day), they give me such a bad tummy/diarrhoea. The doctors say to persist and it will get better but it never does, my digestive system is so super sensitive.
I struggle to function with my IBS as it is but when it is made even worse I end up in a very bad place so persisting for months on end just doesn’t work for me.
The meds which seem to have had the strongest side effects on my digestive system have been Sertraline and Citalopram. I have also tried Mirtazipine which sent me loopy.
TCA’s were also suggested for my IBS but both Amitriptyline and Nortriptyline leave me very spaced out and light headed, I drive as part of my job so wasn’t ideal.
My GP has said that’s basically all she can suggest so I am currently stuck between a rock and hard place, feeling absolutely shit having exhausted all non medical options and medication yet still feeling as rough as I do every day.
I know we are all different and respond differently to meds but which antidepressants have worked well for you and help you function in life without horrible side effects?