Hello all,

I was diagnosed with IBS at 16 and have struggled since. I have had a colonoscopy and OGD which came back nil acute. I am now 25 and for the past two years have been having frequent accidents and my bloating has got progressively worse where I am severely bloated everyday. I am an ICU nurse and have been signed off as my symptoms have got so much worse. My IBS has sent me into a downward spiral with my mental health and i've been on Fluoxetine since 16 but have recently increased to 60mg. I feel completely lost and stuck. Struggle to leave the house don't know what to do about work. Currently having therapy for my mental health. I've had all treatments the NHS will offer including Hypnotherapy nothing has helped. Anybody have any similar things and any help is welcome please. I have been on low fodmap diet for 4 years take buscopan every day.

Dear Mattw, that truly sounds awful. I'm sorry to read that it has really contributed to your mental health and are not able to work.

It sounds like you are describing IBS-D, but you didn't say. I suggest you speak with your doctor about trying the medication ondansetron which will slow down your bowel considerably. You can start on 4 mg daily and increase to 24 mg daily if it doesn't give you constipation. You can search on this website for the research done in the UK for this medication. It is called the TRITON study.

Happy to provide more info.

I am 72 and haven't been diagnosed with IBS but wonder if I have it, the D version. I was on Fluoxitine for depression for almost 20 years, with final dosage the highest prescribed. It tore up my stomach, causing me to vomit whenever I leaned over or got dizzy. I stopped taking it cold turkey and the vomiting went away. I really wasn't depressed so much as anxious, so am now taking Effexor for anxiety.

I am experiencing a different symptom for the last couple of years – watery diarrhea that I discover in my panties when I go to the bathroom but do not feel when it's coming out. I've spoken to my doctor several times but never seem to get any good advice – strengthen pelvic floor, stop drinking milk, coffee, tea, etc. No tests have been recommended. I've also been taking 10mg melatonin in gummy form and found a forum on this website about unfortunate side effects of melatonin. Looks like I'll give it up and see if that works.

Dear @PattiR , I read that fluoxetine does have nausea as a primary side effect so it's possible that was contributing yo your vomiting.

Effexor is a class of medication called SNRI. It can contribute to diarrhea or leakage, but not usually. Different antidepressants have different side effects and perhaps you would benefit from one that has constipation as a side effect. Remeron or Cymbalta might be a better choice. The other approach would be to add another antidepressant in a small dosage to aid with the loose stool. Amitriptyline might be a good choice at 10 mg.

Another approach is to increase your daily fiber. Using something like metamucil or Citrucel. They work by forming larger and fuller stools and absorbing the water. It takes about 1-2 weeks to adjust to it. During that time you may have more diarrhea.

One other approach is to use Imodium on a regular basis, but that might constipate you. You could try 2 mg per day and see if that helps. Even 1 mg might be enough.

You generally only need 2-3 mg of melatonin at bedtime. Anything more than that is excessive. I'm not really certain about the effect on the bowel. I take 3 mg daily and I don't feel it affects my gut at all.