Amitriptyline for IBS rather than Sertraline?

[Tastytreats]

I’ve had primarily anxiety led IBS D for a few years and I’ve increasingly become more bothered by it.

My anxiety has got worse and I now have TMJ and lots of muscle aches and tension.

I have toilet urgency and loose bowel along with cramps and heightened sensitivity due to anxiety which then gives me anxiety.

I saw GP and today she immediately said that Sertraline is the answer. I’ve read lots of reviews for it with IBS D that it makes bowel problems worse. GP was dismissive about this.

After reading a lot about Amitriptyline being a better option I’ve pushed for that. She reluctantly prescribed it but said it was like putting a stocking plaster on the issue and that it won’t address the underlying anxiety.

Anyone have any insight to this? What are your experiences for these drugs?

I have IBS D and have recently been prescribed Sertraline for stress and anxiety. So far, I wouldn't say it had helped the IBS exactly. My stomach has been pretty unpredictable on it, but I would say that I'm less concerned about it. I used to have to visit the toilet many times before I left the house. I don't really do that anymore for instance.

I’m on low dose Amitriptyline for migraines but they also 100% have helped with my IBS. Previously i would need the toilet, unexpectedly and with urgency (and the urgency would make me anxious which worsened the problem!). Now, I have a routine and I haven’t had the problems for 5 months - literally within a week of being on amitriptyline. I take them at night as they made me sleepy to begin with but thats the only side effect i had from them.