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Anti-depressants

butt-eze

Superstar
anti-depressants

I've been on zoloft 100mg for over a year now. Recently I tried to get off of it but found myself very moody and irritable. I got back on it not only to keep my sanity but also because I figured if I was constantly irritated it was more likely to cause a flare. I figure that we all generally agree that stress can trigger a flare.

How many of you are on an anti-depressant? If so, have you had a flare during that time?

Amy
 
hi,

I am also on anti depressants (prozac 60mg) for just over a year and yes you are not alone.

I tried to get off of them and i felt worse than before to be honest so I continued them, and when I am stressed or annoyed my stomach also gets very angry and the bowels open as it where lol.

But yes I am also in a rut now with it all, I have high anxiety and am frightened to go out (sad i know lol) so have become somewhat of a recloose.

all the best

Aaron
 

Kev

Senior Member
Think that a lot of people, regardless of their situation, get to a point where they are reluctant to admit to themselves that their continued good state now depends on a drug. I've seen it with diabetics, folks with angina, you name it. Perhaps its a form of denial, or a feeling of rebelling, what have you. folks who suffer from any form of depression can/seem to get to a point where they are feeling better, then.. for a variety of reasons, have this desire to come off those life altering drugs.. I started LDN, it has improved things for me, but I've still a long way to go... yet I'm already thinking/planning on getting off that wonder drug somewhere down the road. And you know, I really don't have a rational reason for thinking/feeling that way. Not sure if anyone else can relate to that.
 
R

ruthymg

Guest
I have been on Cipralex for over 12 months now. I was originally put on them after 3 good pain free years and then a rather painful relapse involving multiple fistulae. Things eventually became a bit much when I had to have the right hemicolectomy, bowel resection and a stoma. I definately find they help, not looking forward to the day when I need to start weening off them to be honest.


Ruth
 

butt-eze

Superstar
Ruth

Has your doctor said that you should ween off your anti-depressant? Mine said it wasn't necessary to stay on them but now I know that it is :)
 
C

Chris25

Guest
Aren't you suppose to avoid antidepressants with inflammatory bowel disease?

I guess it depends on the type of AD.

I was on a tricyclic antidepressant for 3 years, called clomipramine (Anafranil) which the specialists believe greatly contributed to my problems because of the effects this med has on the digestive track.

For me, antidepressants never did work. I have been on 18 different antidepressants (seriously) over the years and never found any relief.

Something to make note of is that everyone will get depressed when stopping an antidepressant. It is normal and does not necessarily mean you are getting depressed again from your illness but is rather a reaction caused by the withdrawal effect of the medication in question. I am not saying that everyone should stop their medication but it is not good to be forced to stay on a medication that you do not necessarily need either.

For me I started to stop my psych meds about 10 months ago and I actually slowly improved. I also lowered the dosage very slowly. It took me quite a long time before I was off them and I still think I went too fast.

In regard to zoloft, I had a very bad reaction when withdrawing from this medication a few years ago. I was on 200mg per day and the doctor made me stop the drug over a 5 day period. It was way too quickl. I developed akathisia which is not that uncommon with SSRI's. The doctor thought I was anxious and he was afraid of benzo's so he gave me an antipsychotic instead. The antipsychotic gave me more akathisia. I went back and saw him and he said I was still anxious and increased the antipsychotic and to take another pill if I am still anxious. It was hell. I have never been so depressed in my life. It is hard to explain what akathisia is and what it feels like. Most definitions talk about how it is inner-restlessness For me I was very depressed, could not sit still (rocking back and forth when sitting, walking up and down if I was standing .etc) and the anxiety was intense. It is hard to explain. Anyway, I really do not wish anyone akathisia or anything like this but it is common with antipsychotics and not that uncommon with SSRI antidperessants.

I am not anti psych meds at all and still take valium occasionally but It is not good to be locked into taking a drug because the withdrawal is too bad to bare. I have a friend who is stuck on effexor as he cannot come off it without severe withdrawal. I think he is going into hospital soon to see if they can withdraw him from it there as his pdoc is scared he will suicide if they try again in a home setting.

Take care,

Chris.
 

Kev

Senior Member
I suppose that one of the things to check is drug interactions, anti-depressants & IBD meds. And, also, that your GI, GP or any other prescribing doctor is 'totally' aware of ALL meds (even the non prescription kind). Some of the first GI's I saw all asked whether I ever suffered from depression. Pre-illness, that wasn't me at all. I even recall getting a little defensive (wondered why they were focusing on my mental health INSTEAD of concentrating on my GI tract). I did take some, at the very beginning (right after my dx). After I adjusted to my illness, accepted it, etc., I stopped. I've had my occasional down days since, it only stands to reason... and I'm not particularly phobic of mood altering meds. No more so than my typical loathing of tossing chemicals into the human body. I guess, in watching the recent entertainment stories, if a celebrity such as Eva Mendes can have a sufficient bout of depression, she checks herself into clinic, a person who isn't young, rich, beautiful, famous, talented AND suffering from an incurable disease CAN be allowed to get depressed too. Give us a break!!!
 
Omega three fatty acids, such as what is in Fish or Krill Oil helps some forms of depression. Turmeric in higher doses helped me out. LDN also seems to help from what I have read.

All of these can help Crohn's also, so give them a try if you do try to come off of a depression prescription.

I hate to worry people, but these drugs can permanently change the brain. I do not remember which are more prone to this. A doctor we do business with is an expert on this subject, and he sends me studies on occasion. I am not an expert, but these drugs are way more experimental than most. The mechanism the SSRI type drugs are working on is blocking reabsorbtion of serotonin by nerve cells. This leaves more for the brain, in theory. However, no conclusive evidence exists that the brain is low on Serotonin , in cases of depression, in the first place.

These drugs can help people, if it is needed. But they are not something to take without some thought. Some doctors are not disclosing how powerful and problematic, these drugs can be.

My son purposely drove his car into the woods by our house while on Paxil. This is not something he ever would normally do, but he was out of control because of the drug. So I have some personal experience with this also.

Dan
 

Kev

Senior Member
I should have elaborated (yeah, that's just what this forum needs, me going on N on even MORE!).. about the med phobic thingy.. Pre-illness, I disliked, avoided even, taking anything more than the occasional aspirin. Still not comfortable with popping pills... but there you go. no other alternative under present circumstances.. Years ago, I worked driving cab.. one of the guys I worked with N got to knew fairly well (or so I thought) was bi-polar, in the days before the term was coined. He self medicated, using uppers and downers as a way of coping. I don't know if he was ever properly dx'd or given anything by a reputable doc for his illness. Years later, I fell into a relationship with lovely lady... Sweet, kind, intelligent, eye catchingly beautiful, and incredible maternal instincts N capacity. since I was a single dad, raising kids, this seemed just like a match made in heaven.. however, she had a dark secret... she was bi-polar.

I didn't find it out till she had a literal melt down in front of me and my boys. its a sad condition of the disease that, periodically, esp. when things are going great... folks with this ailment will be compelled to take themselves off meds. The upshot was that the relationship ended. If I'd been alone, I would have risked it.. she meant that much to me. But my sons meant more, and I simply couldn't risk exposing them. If that sounds mean, cowardly, shallow of me, I don't give a .. well, you know what. Those of you who believe in kharma in the here AND now (as opposed to the next life) might ponder if the development of my IBD is some form of mystic payback. However, I wonder what others 'theoretical' stand would be IF... they had kids, were single, didnt' have IBD, but a longtime 'dating' partner developed the disease. Anyway, I digress. There are just days when I wonder what might have been IF one of the symptoms of her disease wasn't that apparently inevitable, inexorable 'tug of war' whether to continue taking her meds/not.
 
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Ilysha

Guest
I know that there are some doctors in Chicago doing research on using antidepressants to treat Crohns. I heard it mentioned during a Crohns Colitis Foundation lecture last year. So, it doesn't seem far fetched at all. If you are keeping your mental and emotional state in check, the gut should benefit. I will see if I can find any articles about their research.
 
My dad is taking Lexapro for his Parkinson's Disease caused depression... I can really tell a difference in his mood and his tiredness. It took about 2 weeks for it to kick in for him though. That was the problem with him, he tried the AD for one or two days, didn't see a difference and gave up, but I basically made him take them and he's a lot better now.
 
personally, i wouldnt really want to take antidepressant drugs, because i'm stuck with the reason for my depression - crohns, and on my bad days it will always bring me down, make me feel tearful, frustrated, and yeah even wishing i wasnt here to feel like that any more, & drugs are not going to take away the cause - so the future dilemma would be either to come off the antidepressants and face it all again, or stay on them indefinitely.

for now, i am facing crohns head on, and trying to find my coping mechanism, which isnt easy for any of us. however, if i ever felt my sadness was really taking me over, i wouldnt hesitate in seeking help in the form of medication - i just wouldnt take prozac again - i was on it many years ago, and it made my emotions numb. i couldnt cry, nor laugh - i just felt distanced from any kind of feeling whatsover. i came off it after 3 months, cold turkey, because i couldnt stand feeling like that any more.
 
I tried for ever and ever to deal with it without help and it just wasn't working. I am dx'd bipolar as well .. when it rains it pours I guess. I was taking Lithium and Lacimtil and they were helping but nearly as much as the Lexapro and Resperdal mix I'm taking now. I hate taking pills all the time too but damn I can really say it makes a difference.
 

butt-eze

Superstar
I used to be against taking pills. I felt the same way some of you do. I thought I should deal with it all on my own. The trouble is that some times people that are dealing with a lot (such as crohn's) just can't do this mind over matter.

I have come to grips with the fact that I may need to be on an anti-depressent forever. At least I will live a more carefree life and be less of a bitch to my family, co-workers, and friends.
 
I felt so much better after the anti depressants that I won't stop them. As much as I hate taking pills I'd rather be functional and as you mentioned Butt-eze not such a bitch to my family and friends. Its easier to be nice then it is to be in pain and creating trouble within your circle of people.
 
W

wesb1977

Guest
St. Johns Wort?

Hey everyone, lately I've been feeling depressed, and I really don't want to go on prescription drugs for it. What do you guys know about St. John's Wort and Crohn's? I'm seeing my GI in a few weeks and I'll ask him about prescription drugs at that time, but if the Wort truly does help, is that a better road to take?
Thanks!
 
While I was treating my Crohn's with 2000mg of Turmeric and Ginger, my depression I had all of my life, went away. I have often said that I traded my depression for Crohn's because of this reaction. I also have since found out that Fish oil is supposed to help. All these help Crohn's anyway, so it can't hurt to try it out.

If you are on Blood thinners, you should ask your doctor if you can take Turmeric as it can thin the blood slightly.

I have used St. John's Wort in the past, but did not notice any difference. It supposedly can help mild depression in some cases.

Dan
 

butt-eze

Superstar
I would agree with Dan. I'm sure that the Wort can help with mild depression. So, if that is all it is for you then it is worth a shot! If it's something a little more you may want to consider a low dose prescription. You don't have to go high dose to start.
 

Kev

Senior Member
I recall... unfortunately very, very vaguely, hearing about a drug interaction while using St. John's Wort. As to whether it has any connection with IBD or not, I can't say.. Just that there was a 'news' item about folks taking such OTC supplements AND the interactions they commonly caused with prescription meds that simply most folks were ignorant of, under the mistaken impression that there couldnt' be any really serious issues to watch for or guard against. It could have ranged from lower tolerance to sun exposure to lessened effects of prescription meds. I just wish that I had paid more attention, or that my memory was more reliable.
 
I think I remember something about photosensitivity and St. Johns Wort also. I would dig into it some more before using it, and any other supplement or medication.

D Bergy
 

Kev

Senior Member
Yeah, see how easy it would be to get yourself into real trouble, or at least really increase the odds of possible 'bad' issues. Like, say, just for argument sake, that St johns' wort made one more photo-sensitive... and you were taking azathioprine

To me, there's a 1, 2 combo that really could come back to bite a fellow, right in the proverbial heinie.. Like, some folks may or may not pay heed to warnings about azathioprine/imuran and UV exposure... but if SJW or other supplements made one more UV sensitive, (and they didn't know it) there could be trouble!!
 
I too am taking antidepressants. Started taking them for valid reasons and am now weaning off them. One of the side-effects was restless leg syndrome which, for me, is worse than depression. Besides, now that I have a diagnosis and am no longer having the "mystery disease", life is a somewhat better.

MJo
 
ruthymg said:
I have been on Cipralex for over 12 months now. I was originally put on them after 3 good pain free years and then a rather painful relapse involving multiple fistulae. Things eventually became a bit much when I had to have the right hemicolectomy, bowel resection and a stoma. I definately find they help, not looking forward to the day when I need to start weening off them to be honest.


Ruth
Hey Hi Ruth
Do you take them everyday?Im not sure whether to take Cipralex or Zoloft?
 
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