Does amytriptiline stop working for IBS?

the only problem i had with amytriptiline was it sffected my waterworks i could not urinate.as you can imagine that has its own load of problems,i am a 56year old male with severe stomach pain cant eat solids jst soup and i have had this systoms for 3 years now tried everything with no luck,but back to that amytriptiline as i say mucked me up something terrable had to be catherized 3 times and belive me you dont want anybody shoving a pipe up there no matter how reassuring the staff are this went on for months sent home from from hospital with a urine bag strapped to my leg not nice as soon as my doctor stopped amytriptiline my problems stopped so it could well have just been a reaction to my body an you might be ok i just thought you should be wanened about the affects it can have on someones body.

all the best

little mac

The effects of Amytriptiline soon wear off re IBS, even when the dose is raised and it also brings with it a load of unwanted side effects, such as water retention, weight gain and psycological disorders and sometimes a strong reliance/addiction to the drug. Much better to concentrate on the diet side of things.  Regards, Val.

Two thoughts:

1. Have your stools been checked for all bacteria? Sometimes, it is not possible for most labs to check for bacteria like Cyclospora and your symptoms seem familiar to me. Specialised labs undertake the testing of this bacteria and I got tested in Paris. I assume you've had a colonoscopy and endoscopy which has ruled out H.Pylori, Celiac disease, Diverticulitis, inflammation etc.

Chronic IBS, from my experience, becomes a battle between good and bad bacteria. Once you are infected with say a bacteria Cyclospora, it remains a resident in the gut despite treatment. Antibiotics help subside it but it can't eliminate it for good. It flares up when the gut is irritated, which is almost always because we constanty eat foods that cannot be digested properly.

2.To make my IBS worse, I developed food intolerances. Even the most extensive allergy tests cannot confirm accurately what foods your gut cannot tolerate. My tests didn't show any allergy to milk but it's a killer for me. You have to listen to your gut. To figure out whether some foods are irritating your gut lining - start by eliminating a few foods for 2 weeks and see if it makes a difference. Milk and dairy products are the first thing to eliminate. If you feel better, then you know you have to avoid them at all costs. Thereafter eliminate yeast - which includes breads, wine, beer etc. See how you feel after 2 weeks.

Ask your GP/gastroenterologist for a good Probiotic while you do this. They really helps my IBS symptoms. Some people don't respond to Probiotocs and you will know within a day or two. If you respond to them, you will feel better. They are safe and have no side effects. Ask you doctor's advice on this. 

While you are working out food intolerances, give up coffee, black tea, cigarettes, go slow on the alcohol intake, chillies, popcorn, cabbage, green beans, chick peas and similar legumes. The above are difficult to digest for any sensitive gut. It sounds tough but you will be amazed to see the results. Sometimes, all the gut lining needs is time to heal and then slowly you will be able to bring certain foods back into your diet. Some you may not be able to. Your gut will tell you.

I start my day with Chinese green/Oolong tea. Try and find raw tumeric root - shred 1/2 tsp and boil in water and drink daily. if you can't find it - don't use the powder. Try 1 tsp of cold pressed Coconut Extra Virgin oil every morning. Coconut Milk and Oil really help my gut. I had wine last night and I couldn't tolerate it 2 years ago. 

I still have IBS but the symptoms are more managable. I cant seem to get rid of Cyclospora from my system. 

Best,

dds

Hi Agnes, Same with me too. My Doctor increased strength of amytriptiline up to 50mg. Now finally...he asked me to go for Yoga (specifically for IBS-D) and water therapy (start morning with 3 glass of lukewarm water ) and 3 Km walk daily. I just started this but his old patients are saying..it actually works. Lets hope betterment. You too start with this.

Regards,

Singh