I have been on Cymbalta for over 10 years. I finally weaned off at the beginning of this year. My LC has improved, I am not in total remission but I am much better. The problem now is I have a very large distended abdomen. It is extremely uncomfortable and painful to sit. If I am not standing I have to lay down. For the past 2 month I have spent the majority of my day laying down. I have had multiple tests and scans and have seen multiple Dr's.
The Dr's now believe that this is caused by going OFF the Cymbalta. Some kind of functional nerve problem that has caused my stomach and intestines to stop working properly. I believe the Cymbalta caused my Colitis and now they are telling me I need go back on it to resolve my abdomen. I can't stand the thought of going back on something that caused my LC. But, at the moment I have no quality of life. I can't sit at a table or ride in a car. My life has completely stopped, my abdomen is huge and causes rib pain if I sit more than a few minutes. I am having another colonoscopy next week to see if the LC has really improved and also taking a mast cell biopsy.
Has anyone heard of this or have any suggestions or ideas?
I am desperate and can't get any help after months of new DR's and tests.
Thanks, Kristen
antidepressants help distended abdomen
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Re: antidepressants help distended abdomen
Hi Kristen,
I have never heard of that happening, but it sounds like quite a problem. I'm not sure I understand the situation completely. Are you saying that weaning all Cymbalta caused you to have ileus? in other words, your digestive system completely stopped working, and there's no longer any peristaltic functioning by your intestines? Or are you saying that your digestive system is still working properly, but your abdomen is extremely swollen?
I certainly wouldn't want to go back on Cymbalta, either. Amitriptyline is not the same as Cymbalta, but it's somewhat similar. I wonder if a small dose might do the trick. I'm aware of a few members here who have used small doses of amitriptyline to regulate their intestines to control their MC symptoms. 10 mg appears to be the optimum dose for this purpose. Significantly higher doses can become addictive. In other words, I'm wondering if 10 mg of amitriptyline might be sufficient to undo the damage done by stopping Cymbalta. You might ask your doctors if they think that might be worth trying.
Tex
I have never heard of that happening, but it sounds like quite a problem. I'm not sure I understand the situation completely. Are you saying that weaning all Cymbalta caused you to have ileus? in other words, your digestive system completely stopped working, and there's no longer any peristaltic functioning by your intestines? Or are you saying that your digestive system is still working properly, but your abdomen is extremely swollen?
I certainly wouldn't want to go back on Cymbalta, either. Amitriptyline is not the same as Cymbalta, but it's somewhat similar. I wonder if a small dose might do the trick. I'm aware of a few members here who have used small doses of amitriptyline to regulate their intestines to control their MC symptoms. 10 mg appears to be the optimum dose for this purpose. Significantly higher doses can become addictive. In other words, I'm wondering if 10 mg of amitriptyline might be sufficient to undo the damage done by stopping Cymbalta. You might ask your doctors if they think that might be worth trying.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Re: antidepressants help distended abdomen
Hi Tex,
Thank you for responding. I do not have a blockage. For the most part my digestion is working properly. The Dr. mentioned I could have nerve damage from the Cymbalta that is causing this sensation and slowing digestion. Although, it is not just a sensation, my abdomen is extremely swollen. I spoke with a psychiatrist but it is amazing to me how little they know about the mind and gut connection. No one seems to know if this nerve damage from the Cymbalta is going to heal itself.
My GI doctor did give me amitriptyline 10 mg to try but I didn't take it long enough to see if it helped because it made me groggy and dizzy. Maybe I should try it for longer and see if those side effects will pass.
I remember you saying in another post that all antidepressants can cause or make MC worse. And that Wellbutrin might be better for people with MC.
I wonder if Wellbutrin would help if I can't do the amitriptyline? I wish I didn't have to take any antidepressant because I feel like it caused my LC, but I can't live this way much longer without some relief.
Let me know if you have any thoughts on the Wellbutrin or the other Tricyclics, although I would imagine all Tricyclics have the same side effects.
Thank you for taking the time to try and help, I am so grateful.
Kristen
Thank you for responding. I do not have a blockage. For the most part my digestion is working properly. The Dr. mentioned I could have nerve damage from the Cymbalta that is causing this sensation and slowing digestion. Although, it is not just a sensation, my abdomen is extremely swollen. I spoke with a psychiatrist but it is amazing to me how little they know about the mind and gut connection. No one seems to know if this nerve damage from the Cymbalta is going to heal itself.
My GI doctor did give me amitriptyline 10 mg to try but I didn't take it long enough to see if it helped because it made me groggy and dizzy. Maybe I should try it for longer and see if those side effects will pass.
I remember you saying in another post that all antidepressants can cause or make MC worse. And that Wellbutrin might be better for people with MC.
I wonder if Wellbutrin would help if I can't do the amitriptyline? I wish I didn't have to take any antidepressant because I feel like it caused my LC, but I can't live this way much longer without some relief.
Let me know if you have any thoughts on the Wellbutrin or the other Tricyclics, although I would imagine all Tricyclics have the same side effects.
Thank you for taking the time to try and help, I am so grateful.
Kristen
Re: antidepressants help distended abdomen
Kristin,
I'm definitely not an authority on antidepressants, I'm only familiar with how they affect MC patients. Actually, I'm not sure that anyone is an authority on antidepressant medications, because no one knows how they really work, or why they work. And as you probably are aware, in clinical trials, most antidepressants barely have more efficacy than placebos. But they seem to be able to work wonders for certain individuals, when the chemical formulation and the dose happen to be a good match for the needs of the patient's body. The problem is, we don't understand how those criteria apply, so antidepressants are pretty much a trial and error option, in most cases.
Basically, all I know about Wellbutrin is that it has a significantly lower side effect risk for most patients who take it for anxiety or depression issues, and it definitely has a lower risk of triggering MC. And remember, this is just my strictly unprofessional opinion.
Tex
I'm definitely not an authority on antidepressants, I'm only familiar with how they affect MC patients. Actually, I'm not sure that anyone is an authority on antidepressant medications, because no one knows how they really work, or why they work. And as you probably are aware, in clinical trials, most antidepressants barely have more efficacy than placebos. But they seem to be able to work wonders for certain individuals, when the chemical formulation and the dose happen to be a good match for the needs of the patient's body. The problem is, we don't understand how those criteria apply, so antidepressants are pretty much a trial and error option, in most cases.
Basically, all I know about Wellbutrin is that it has a significantly lower side effect risk for most patients who take it for anxiety or depression issues, and it definitely has a lower risk of triggering MC. And remember, this is just my strictly unprofessional opinion.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Re: antidepressants help distended abdomen
Hi Kristen,
I hope you got your issues resolved.If so what are you taking? I am currently searching for depression meds that won't mess with my MC. Thanks, Wendy
I hope you got your issues resolved.If so what are you taking? I am currently searching for depression meds that won't mess with my MC. Thanks, Wendy