Antidepressants and Mood Disorder Meds

[birdlover3]

Hi.
I have completely weaned off Cymbalta (which I started taking at the exact same time that MC appeared). Well, I was hoping that once the Cymbalta was out of my system, that maybe I could live without it. I CAN'T. I'm going to have to find something that I can take that will not affect/cause my MC.

I'm still in the Budosenide weaning process. I wanted to wait until I could get off of that and have some good 'normans' for a time before trying to add a 'mood' drug but life is just too miserable like this....I'm going to have to do something sooner.

Tex has told me about a few drugs that others have found effective and also that everyone is different.

I know it's individualized per each of us, but could anyone please post what has or hasn't worked for you for either anti-depressants or mood disorders, and how it has affected your MC?

I'm supposed to see my General Doc concerning this on Saturday morning, so would appreciate any feedback. I'm not sure whether a plain anti-depressant will do the trick for me or whether it's going to half to be a mood disorder "adjuster" of some type also. IT's been too long and I just have to start back on something before I completely loose it. Thanks, Barb

[mzh]

I'm taking generic Lexapro. It has helped anxiety a lot but I am getting so sore I've been wondering if it's too high a dose for me - or that maybe I needed Cymbalta. I am relatively constipated - the D is gone so it hasn't affected the MC in that way at all.

[tlras]

Amitriptyline seems to work for some. I've been on it for 20 years for chronic pain and anxiety. However, when my doctor told me that Paxil worked better for anxiety/depression, I opted for that but it gave me D for a whole month! When I got off the drug the D luckily went away. I have no issues with Amitriptyline and I know it didn't cause my MC. But like you said, we are all different when it comes to meds.

Why do you feel you need these types of drugs? Are you depressed and have anxiety?

Terri

[birdlover3]

I'm taking generic Lexapro. It has helped anxiety a lot but I am getting so sore I've been wondering if it's too high a dose for me - or that maybe I needed Cymbalta. I am relatively constipated - the D is gone so it hasn't affected the MC in that way at all.

I used to take Lexapro but had to go on something else because my body was 'twitching'. It was involuntary movements and it scared me. That is when I went on Cymbalta. It's hell to get off of and I thnk that may have been what caused my MC but I don't have proof. That is why I stopped taking it and am now looking for something else.

[birdlover3]

Amitriptyline seems to work for some. I've been on it for 20 years for chronic pain and anxiety. However, when my doctor told me that Paxil worked better for anxiety/depression, I opted for that but it gave me D for a whole month! When I got off the drug the D luckily went away. I have no issues with Amitriptyline and I know it didn't cause my MC. But like you said, we are all different when it comes to meds.

Why do you feel you need these types of drugs? Are you depressed and have anxiety?

Terri

I'm depressed. I went off of Cymbalta because I suspected it may have caused my MC, but I find that I cannot live without anything...(was hoping maybe I wouldn't need it), but life is very 'black' for me right now, so it appears I'm going to have to find something...I'm just so afraid it will cause "D".

[tlras]

Ya know...this disease really makes me mad sometimes! I get how you feel in that you need a certain med but afraid it will cause the D to come back. I'm that way with beta blockers. My heart rate is still high but totally terrified to go on a beta blocker as I've tried 4 or 5 and they all gave me D...in fact those were the meds that triggered my MC in the first place. So what to do? Do we suffer with something else to avoid the D or do we just live with the D?

I have heard of Zoloft causing D so probably wouldn't chance that one. Amitriptyline can help with depression when taken in a dose larger than what they consider a small dose but it makes you very sleepy and very hungry for sweets. It also helps with the gut. When I try to get off my stomach gets all messed up and I do get some D so that's one med I won't be trying to get off of.

I hope you can find something that will help with your depression. I would breakdown and try some Effexor since you sound like you really need it. But those are sure some hard drugs to get off of as you now know. No fun.

Wishing you the best!

Terri

[birdlover3]

Ya know...this disease really makes me mad sometimes! I get how you feel in that you need a certain med but afraid it will cause the D to come back. I'm that way with beta blockers. My heart rate is still high but totally terrified to go on a beta blocker as I've tried 4 or 5 and they all gave me D...in fact those were the meds that triggered my MC in the first place. So what to do? Do we suffer with something else to avoid the D or do we just live with the D?

I have heard of Zoloft causing D so probably wouldn't chance that one. Amitriptyline can help with depression when taken in a dose larger than what they consider a small dose but it makes you very sleepy and very hungry for sweets. It also helps with the gut. When I try to get off my stomach gets all messed up and I do get some D so that's one med I won't be trying to get off of.

I hope you can find something that will help with your depression. I would breakdown and try some Effexor since you sound like you really need it. But those are sure some hard drugs to get off of as you now know. No fun.

Wishing you the best!

Terri

Terri, If it works, I'll probably be on it the rest of my life. I seem to be one of those people that needs that serotonin chemical help. It's ok if it works and doesn't cause the "D". It's such a predicament because going on something now while weaning off The Budesonide....I won't know if the new drug is making me have "D" again (IF I DO) or whether it's just the MC. This is the frustrating part. I am with you on your frustration as well.

I have taken Prozac for years but it does make me sleepy...don't think that one will be the one I want. I certainly don't want something that will make me crave sweets. I'll research the Effexor...will talk to the doc tomorrow. Barb

[birdlover3]

Ya know...this disease really makes me mad sometimes! I get how you feel in that you need a certain med but afraid it will cause the D to come back. I'm that way with beta blockers. My heart rate is still high but totally terrified to go on a beta blocker as I've tried 4 or 5 and they all gave me D...in fact those were the meds that triggered my MC in the first place. So what to do? Do we suffer with something else to avoid the D or do we just live with the D?

I have heard of Zoloft causing D so probably wouldn't chance that one. Amitriptyline can help with depression when taken in a dose larger than what they consider a small dose but it makes you very sleepy and very hungry for sweets. It also helps with the gut. When I try to get off my stomach gets all messed up and I do get some D so that's one med I won't be trying to get off of.

I hope you can find something that will help with your depression. I would breakdown and try some Effexor since you sound like you really need it. But those are sure some hard drugs to get off of as you now know. No fun.

Wishing you the best!

Terri

Terri, Have you had the Enterolab tests?

[tlras]

Hey there,

Do you feel you need to wean off the Budesonide now? Are you getting constipated? Maybe you could stay on the Budesonide ( same dose) and start a new anti-depressant and see how that goes for a while and then try tapering off the Budesonide. How long have you been on it now? I'm just now recalling your recent vacation and some constipation. Am I right? In that case I would definitely start weaning to a smaller dosage.

Like my GI doctor told me yesterday, "Ya just never know with meds". You may find an anti-depressant that works for you and won't give you D.

I have yet to do Enterolabs. I decided to wait as I seem to tolerate quite a bit. Now that I'm off meds, I still don't react to anything I've eaten so far. I'm testing soy in a couple of weeks and if it gives me issues, I will then know! Eggs are being tested now. So I don't see the point in the Enterolabs for me at this time. It's a whopping $650.00 that I just don't want to spend at this time. Got too many medical bills as it is. Leah is another one on this board who I know didn't do Enterolabs due to IGA deficiency. She has been very successful in figuring what foods her body can't tolerate and sticking with the safe ones and she is doing very well it sounds. I'm hoping I've nipped this in the bud already and won't need the labs done.

Let me know what your doctor says. I think another med is Wellbutrin.

Take care,
Terri

[birdlover3]

Hey there,

Do you feel you need to wean off the Budesonide now? Are you getting constipated? Maybe you could stay on the Budesonide ( same dose) and start a new anti-depressant and see how that goes for a while and then try tapering off the Budesonide. How long have you been on it now? I'm just now recalling your recent vacation and some constipation. Am I right? In that case I would definitely start weaning to a smaller dosage.

Like my GI doctor told me yesterday, "Ya just never know with meds". You may find an anti-depressant that works for you and won't give you D.

I have yet to do Enterolabs. I decided to wait as I seem to tolerate quite a bit. Now that I'm off meds, I still don't react to anything I've eaten so far. I'm testing soy in a couple of weeks and if it gives me issues, I will then know! Eggs are being tested now. So I don't see the point in the Enterolabs for me at this time. It's a whopping $650.00 that I just don't want to spend at this time. Got too many medical bills as it is. Leah is another one on this board who I know didn't do Enterolabs due to IGA deficiency. She has been very successful in figuring what foods her body can't tolerate and sticking with the safe ones and she is doing very well it sounds. I'm hoping I've nipped this in the bud already and won't need the labs done.

Let me know what your doctor says. I think another med is Wellbutrin.

Take care,
Terri

Hi Terri,
You are right about constipation on vacation. Yes, I'm on the weaning process for Budesonide right now. I'm down to 2 pills a day for another week, then I go to 1 pill for a week. Meanwhile I just started Prozac today which I had taken in the past and never caused "D" so I'm hoping I should be ok. So therefore I have 2 weeks on the new anti-depressant while I'm tapering off the Budesonide. While on vacation I was able to get myself back on track. Whenever I went on vacation (before MC) I would get constipated and I was surprised that it happened this time with the issues I have. I haven't been constipated here at home. I think it's a pretty good plan right now for me. I did the Enterolab because I don't have the patience (unfortunately) to go through the food process that alot of people are doing. Sounds like you are doing fine with figuring out what your issues are!

Yes, Leah is doing great on her plan....glad for her too!!! Thanks, Barb

[tlras]

Oh wow...you're weaning off pretty quickly. I'm praying it all goes well. Good luck with the Prozac! I took it for 3 weeks many years ago and it gave me the hives....such a shame as it worked so well on me. They then put me on Paxil for 8 months which also worked great and I had no issues with it at the time. However, like I said before, when I tried to get back on it 10 years later, I got D from it. Weird.

Glad you did the Enterolabs....it is the quickest way to find out what you are intolerant to. I guess you don't have the results yet?

Terri

[birdlover3]

Oh wow...you're weaning off pretty quickly. I'm praying it all goes well. Good luck with the Prozac! I took it for 3 weeks many years ago and it gave me the hives....such a shame as it worked so well on me. They then put me on Paxil for 8 months which also worked great and I had no issues with it at the time. However, like I said before, when I tried to get back on it 10 years later, I got D from it. Weird.

Glad you did the Enterolabs....it is the quickest way to find out what you are intolerant to. I guess you don't have the results yet?

Terri

Hi Terri,
Yes, I posted the results the other day. The only thing I showed was sensitivity toward gluten but only a '14' score, so that's pretty low. Also a bit sensitive to oats on the second panel test.

You mean weaning off quickly from Cymbalta or Budesonide?

[tlras]

Meant the Budesonide. But wow....only a little intolerant to gluten and oats....incredible! You may have much success getting off the Budesonide with only those intolerances. Of course, that nasty gluten stays in our system forever it seems. Please let me know how you are when you wean off the med. I've been wanting to try some GF oats as I just found out my cholesterol is high....ugh! That's what this low fiber diet is doing to me....messing me up cardiovascular wise. I just hope and pray I'm not intolerant to the protein in oats. All this white rice I'm eating and corn chips aren't helping my Trigs any either. So frustrating. Just wanted to gain my weight back. I get one thing under control then "Bam" something else. One good thing is that my good cholesterol is so high that I'm protected for now so no statins! So "Yay" on that.

Terri

[birdlover3]

Meant the Budesonide. But wow....only a little intolerant to gluten and oats....incredible! You may have much success getting off the Budesonide with only those intolerances. Of course, that nasty gluten stays in our system forever it seems. Please let me know how you are when you wean off the med. I've been wanting to try some GF oats as I just found out my cholesterol is high....ugh! That's what this low fiber diet is doing to me....messing me up cardiovascular wise. I just hope and pray I'm not intolerant to the protein in oats. All this white rice I'm eating and corn chips aren't helping my Trigs any either. So frustrating. Just wanted to gain my weight back. I get one thing under control then "Bam" something else. One good thing is that my good cholesterol is so high that I'm protected for now so no statins! So "Yay" on that.

Terri

I had to beg my GI to let me stay on the Budesonide these last 2 weeks!!! He wanted me to go off before this!! It has worked beautifully for me...started working on day 1. I know I'm fortunate in some of this, but terrified about getting the "D" back and what will happen then?

I don't know if I have EVER been tested for cholesterol. I'm 60, you'd think I would have huh? I'm not a 'chip' lover so that won't be an issue for me, but I'm a big sweet lover. How much weight have you lost? I have lost about 30 pounds but the first 1/2 of it was voluntary. I was trying to lose a few pounds before the MC kicked it, then YAM it came off in a hurry. Now I'm so used to eating less that I just don't really want to gain it back. Of course while on this med, I can eat anything without it affecting me, but trying to eat softer foods and stay away from the hard veggies, fresh fruits and eating more of the softer stuff. Fortunately I didn't have a reaction to potatoes so I can eat those. Can you eat potatoes?

What are statins?

[tlras]

It's weird how some doctors will let you take certain meds for a long time but others go strictly by the book. I'm glad it works so well for you! That's how it was for me with Pepto. Again, my doctor was okay with taking it for 2 months whereas some others recommend only 2 weeks. That probably wouldn't have cut it for me.

Wow...60 and no cholesterol checkup. I'm 46 and they've been checking my cholesterol for many years. Probably because high cholesterol runs in my family so I'm screwed. Oh, I love those sweets too! I can stay away from those luckily but those dang corn chips keep calling out to me from the pantry...lol! Probably shouldn't buy them anymore. I lost almost 20 lbs with this nasty disease. I went from 125 to 110 and freaked out. Once I got on Pepto, I started to gain it back and now have gained 10 lbs back. Want to gain 5 more if possible. Need to start up exercising more but terrified of losing weight from that, but it'll help with my cholesterol levels so I guess I'll just have to be skin and bones so my heart will be healthy. (sigh)

I gave up the potato over the summer but have added some back in. I eat red potatoes like once a month and I indulge in some french fries once a month. So don't think I react to the potato. Definitely miss my baked potatoes with cheese and butter! Won't be able to indulge in that ever again. I wish I liked sweet potatoes but they are nasty....lol!

You mentioned being able to eat anything while on Budesonide. I was the same with Imodium! I was still eating gluten, dairy, everything when I had my symptoms and while I took Imodium I reacted to nothing. However, when I got off it, the D just came back. But, hey, I got to enjoy a week in Destin, Florida so that was very nice! Three weeks later, I had my colonscopy and then was diagnosed with this nasty disease and Celiac as well. I had already known I was gluten intolerant but they didn't want me to give up the gluten until I had my endoscopy. I think that week of my colonscopy I must have lost 6 lbs. Don't want another one for a long time.

Hope that Prozac kicks in soon! BTW...when I got off Pepto....actually when I started weaning down....I was also terrified of the D returning. Who wouldn't right? It took awhile for that feeling to go away....now I don't think about it much at all. It gets better.

Terri