has anyone ever tried SSRIs for their GI issues?

[happytummy98]

My GI doctor suggested I take tiny doses of something like Prozac to help with my "sensitive stomach" since everything I eat hurts me and I've ruled out all other possible causes.

This seems like my only answer for now although I'm not crazy about the idea, even if it is a tiny dose.

Does anyone have experience with this?

Edited October 4, 2020 by happytummy98

[Esjie]

I don't know enough about SSRIs and the way they work, to be able to tell you a large amount of info. I haven't taken them.

If anxiety/stress etc are making your symptoms worse, then it might be worth a try?

But from what I researched about them, and about serotonin and its effect on the gut, it might be that an SSRI could be very helpful if someone has IBS-c , as they can increase serotonin "the happy chemical". However, too MUCH serotonin in the gut can cause looser stools.

So I have no idea what would happen if someone had IBS-D.

Anyway, that would be something to discuss with your GI doctor if you are considering giving them a try. A low dose may also have different effects than a standard dose.
He/she will be able to explain it, I'm sure

[Jeffrey Roberts]

Low doses of antidepressants are commonly used in IBS for the anti-cholinergic effect as well as the side effects. Anti-cholinergic medications cause the nerves to not "fire" as strong so this is helpful in controlling abdominal pain. SSRI's tend to have a looser stool as a side effect, whereas tricyclic antidepressants tend to make you constipated.

I have been using a low dose tricyclic antidepressant for about 20 years. The tiny dose doesn't really work as an antidepressant, but the anti-cholinergic effect seems to be helpful for my abdominal pain. 

[karen123]

I have just started taking the antidepressant Celexa (citalopram). I wasn't happy about it when my doctor prescribed it either,  but nothing else was working for me. I'm only 3 days into it so I can't tell you about the side effects or about if it helps or not. I can say that SSRI stands for Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor and my understanding is that it specifically works on serotonin levels in the brain and can be helpful for IBS with constipation. 

 I've had it for almost 40 years (I'm 72 years old). As I age my IBS is getting worse and worse. This is my first time on an antidepressant.  I've tried every antispasmotic medication out there and nothing helped. I've tried the low FODMAP diet  and even that didn't give me much relief. 

I wish you all the best on this IBS journey. 

[Jeffrey Roberts]

I hope the Celexa offers you some relief karen123. It can take 4-6 weeks to get the full benefit so hang in there.

Jeff

[brownin]

I also suffer anxiety and depression with my IBS-mixed now morphed mainly to IBS-C.  I was prescribed Prozac when nothing else worked to relieve my symptoms but unfortunately it exacerbated the anxiety. So then I was prescribed a low dose anti-anxiety med. Rivotril with an anti-psychotic drug Sulpiride (off-label anti-anxiety) and those are the only things that gave me some kind of relief.  Not even the low FODMAP helped and the insoluble fibre wheat bran helps me, I cannot tolerate the insoluble fibres, the worst of which is oats!

[Jeffrey Roberts]

That's amazing that you found a combination of meds that gave you some relief. Once you get over the labeled use - off-label use in the right hands can really provide a benefit. The low FODMAP diet is not for everyone, but for the right person, it gives them great relief.