Tricyclic antidepressants for IBS?

[tak1ngchances]

Has anyone tried TCA and do they work? I am at my wit's end with IBS and am willing to try anything at this stage...

I had Prozac once for PMT and discovered that they also helped IBS symptoms. I stayed on them for a while, then came off them. I don't really like taking medication. But a year or two later i was having problems with IBS again and went back on Prozac. Once again they worked. If you're having a rough time, i'd say give them a try. Good luck!

Wow! That seems serious medication for dealing with IBS!

I am an IBS sufferer - albeit that these days it is mostly under control.

For me, diet is the key. I am a long-term low carber. Although I started low carbing to lose weight, I quickly realised that eating a low carb diet was keeping my IBS under control.

You say little about your history in your OP, but is this something that you have explored/tried?

I have IBS. I also have depression and when I started taking anti depressants, the first thing I noticed was the positive effect on my IBS! In fact, I felt so much better that it also helped with the depression so it was kind of interlinked. I would try it for sure, what's the harm? If it doesn't work, you stop.

I have tried lots of things - yoga, eating small amounts regularly, cutting out dairy, cutting out refined starches.
My symptoms are bloating, pain, rush to the toilet, explosive bowel movements, diarrhoea. Sometimes I faint from the pain. I have endometriosis as well and when my period comes the whole thing is unbearable.

I was diagnosed aged 15, I am 32 now. I don't know if I should go back and make sure it's still IBS but I'm pretty sure it is. I take Immodium maybe once a week and have just bought some Buscopan to try. But then I read online about antidepressants working and thought it might be an option.

Glad to hear a couple of you have found that they work, I know it is a bit extreme but I am sick of being held hostage by my bowels!

When was the last time you saw your GP? I'd be inclined to go back and ask for a confirmed IBS diagnosis, to be honest. You shouldn't be taking Immodium so often - and I wonder if that could be making it worse in the long run?

And have you considered eating a low carb diet - in the longer term, not just for a few days? It really does work for me.

Yes I think I will go back to my GP. Have a dodgy back too so I might as well get everything looked at together.
I just know from experience that IBS is only diagnosed when they have excluded everything else...more tests and being poked at. *sigh.

I'll let you know how I get on!

Have you been tested for coeliac disease? I would request a test. Many, many people are diagnosed with IBS when they really have coeliac.

One other thing to consider - how about taking a good probiotic? After lots of consideration, I think that one of the things that could have triggered my IBS was taking lots of antibiotics during my teens, for acne.

If you buy a good probiotic (something like acidophilus) then this helps to re-populate the gut with good bacteria. Go to a good healthfood shop to buy some - it should be kept in the fridge.

Worth a try!

Taking - I was diagnosed with IBS about 7 years ago, but only seemed to suffer from constipation, wind and bloating, not diarrhoea. Over the last 2 years, I've also surfed from terrible backache

I saw a consultant who diagnosed me with a prolapsed uterus and bowel and suggested repairs for both. However, in surgery, they discovered a grapefruit sized cyst on my ovary which may well have been causing much of my pain and discomfort over the last few years.

I'm not suggesting that this is what is affecting you, but I just think it's worth asking for re-investigation. I was diagnosed with IBS on the elimination of other conditions, but they just got it wrong!

Mmm, my IBS symptoms are quite different to yours, so maybe my solution wouldn't work for you. I've tried all sorts as well over the years but i'm finding everything pretty much calmed down now and wonder if it's anything to do with menopause? Sounds weird but the further i go into it, the better my stomach has been. Having said that, i've probably just jinxed myself and will get a huge dose of it!!

Hope you find the solution for you.

Sorry, my post was aimed at OP.

Another vote here for probiotics - the ones you keep in the fridge .

Initially I found that I had stomach cramps first thing , but the following BM would be it for the day ( very unusual for me and preferable to the constant smaller explosions ).

And now I don't have the cramps at all .

Also worth considering if you have an overgrowth of Candida. Do you ever suffer from thrush? IME the two are closely related

... thrush and IBS, that is

Ok I will try the probiotics.
littlefish I had a laparoscopy last year when they diagnosed my endo and I did have an ovarian cyst. I get them quite often and when they rupture it's awful.
So that's IBS, endometriosis, cysts...oh and recurrent cystitis.
Does anybody want to swap pelvises? I'll take anyone's at this stage

ouch ,ovarian cysts that rupture !
sounds awful ,you poor thing .

Gosh no wonder you'll try anything! I have I've which is definitely worse when I get my period.
For me it's a combination of a wheat free diet hard to stick to initially but has made a radical difference, probitics and buscopan before meals. I agree though, IBS is a questionable diagnosis and if you're suffering that much - particularly passing out from the pain - I would push for further investigations. If you're into it, a lot of people say acupuncture is very helpful.

Sorry I have IBS damn autocorrect

tricyclic AD can cause constipation as a side effect, is this the reason they may be prescribing them for you?

low dose amitriptyline sorted mine out many years ago. It honestly changed my life. But have you seen a gastroenterologist?

as well as slowing the bowels down, my gastro explained that they also help with the particular type of pain you get with ibs.

Hello OYBBK!! . Loving all your weather updates. I haven't seen a gastrenterologist, I think I'll be referred though. Did the amitrip have any side effects?

I took amitriptyline for a head virus because they think it helps with neurological pain. The main side effect I got was drowsiness so I took it last thing at night.

Hi I would question your diagnosis of IBS as your symptoms sound a lot like mine. I was diagnosed with IBS about 15 years ago & have been up & down ever since. Last year the symptoms got much worse & I was referred again - turns out I actually have Crohn's disease & I needed to be admitted to hospital for 3 weeks to get it under control. I still have the IBS as I suffer with constipation although that's also now under control.

I take Fluoxetine (Prozac) for depression & was prescribed Amitriptyline for the IBS last year. I couldn't say for definate that it helped with the IBS but it did help me relax & sleep which I needed at the time.

Good luck - hope you get sorted soon.