[Tiss]

I am one of the rare persons that cannot tolerate SSRI antidepressants (4% of population)-causes agitation, racing thougths, insomnia, etc. Also tends to aggravate my C. Has anyone heard of an antidepressant that may not cause or aggravate C? I am very leary of trying anything new but am really in need of an antidepressant to get a hold on this funk I'm in. I've suffered off and on all my life with depression and have yet to find a medication that works without causing all kinds of other unpleasant side effects. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am taking medication for anxiety which overall has helped some with the depression ( IBS) but I think at this point in my life I need something more intensive. My psychiatrist keeps saying there are "new drugs on the horizon" but who knows what that means-could be 10 years or more. Thanks, Tiss

 

[AD]

I know you can't tolerate SSRIs, but there is a new one called Celexa that has a lower incidence of side effects than all the others. You may have to ask about MAOIs. They interact with ALL medication and are a last resort but may help if the depression is severe.

 

[NewForMe]

I am in the same boat as you - I tried Zoloft and ended up throwing up for 24 hours straight. That was a real good time. So I only take Ativan which keeps me calm and happy most of the time. I don't take it on the weekends just while at work. I am thinking of trying a few day off while I am at work to see how it goes since IBS wise my symptoms (as you know) are gone. I ended up going to a hypnotherapist and it helped a great deal. I had 10 sessions with her that she recorded and gave me the tape. My sessions revolved around my IBS and constant thinking about it. I go to bed every night listening to the tapes. I am going to try and go to her to quit smoking next - hopefully it will work as well for that as it did my IBS. It sure isn't cheap though $60 per session. I ended up getting 6 free for sending a friend who wanted to quit chewing tobacco. Mikes tapes (a guy on the board) are I think (don't quote me) $88 for tapes and I can't remember how much for the CD's. They are IBS specific and it is a 100 day program. It's that link on the top of the page that says IBS Audio 100 Program. I still am thinking about ordering those too so I have something different to listen to. I know I like that better than the side effects from the pills.

 

[Tiss]

Ad and Newforme-I tried MAOI's many years ago. I do think it helped with depression but I gained 25lbs! THAT sure didn't help my depression. I'm thinking about trying the tapes.Did you say that Mike? has infor about the tapes?

 

[Guest]

Tiss,Nefazodone, venlafaxine and bupropion might be alternative medications to try. One new drug on the horizon (not yet approved in the US, but is approved in Europe) is reboxetine, a norephinephrine-reuptake inhibitor. If you were IBS-D, I'd suggest Mirtazapine (Remeron), but that drug would likely make your C worse.

 

[NewForMe]

Here is the exact link to the tapes: http://www.ibs-register.co.uk/audio_100_program.htm Mike is a member here and he is a hypnotherapist dealing with IBS. I think, but not sure, that his name on the board is Mike001. Many members are using the tapes with great success. He has a whole website which explains everything. I think I am atticted to hypnotherapy because it used to take me an hour or more to fall asleep, now about twenty minutes into the tape I am out like a light. I think that the subconsious mind will hear and understand up to 90 minutes after falling asleep. Good thing for me if that is true.