Escitalopram

[Lattelaura]

Hi all,
I've had microscopic colitis for 6 years and have been in and out of remission a couple of times. I've been in remission for 3 years now and have been diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. I went to the doctor and they prescribed Escitalopram. I took 1 pill then I read the side effects and saw diarrhea. Then i looked up what was posted here and found out people that had trouble with it. I'm not sure what to? This is just making me anxious and depressed thinking about it. Any words of advice? Should I find some others medicine, Or just see what happens?

Scared,
Laura

[tex]

Hi Laura,

I see that no one has responded to this, so I'll take a shot. In general, it appears that virtually all antidepressants have the potential for causing the development of microscopic colitis, especially with extended use. That said, some people have developed MC after only a few days of use. As far as I'm aware, the safest antidepressant available (although it's claimed to be more effective as an antianxiety medication), is bupropion (Wellbutrin). Doing a quick Internet search for case studies, the first one to come up shows that:

Although the frequency is not defined, there appears to be an association with microscopic colitis onset and the use of antidepressants. In the presented case, we describe a patient with a history of escitalopram use who was diagnosed with collagenous colitis over five years after starting escitalopram.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10855906/

I'd also like to point out that all types of microscopic colitis deplete magnesium, and one of the primary symptoms of magnesium deficiency is chronic depression. Your situation is quite common among microscopic colitis patients.

I hope this helps.

Tex

[Lattelaura]

Howdy Tex,

Thank you for the response. I will look into the Wellbutrin. I decided not to take the Escitalopram, it's not worth risking a relapse. I'm taking 200 mg of magnesium now. Maybe I should up my dose?

I appreciate all your time and caring,
Laura

[tex]

That may or may not be enough supplemental magnesium, depending on the brand, and how much magnesium is currently in your diet. For some of us, oral magnesium supplements can cause diarrhea, especially larger doses. When that happens, the only practical alternatives seem to be rubbing magnesium lotions or magnesium oils on our skin (at various times during the day), or using foot soaks in a basin or bucket in which Epsom salts have been dissolved, or soaking for 15 or 20 minutes once or twice per week in bathwater in which about a cup of Epsom salts have been dissolved.

Tex

[Lattelaura]

Thank you again!