IBS anxiety antidepressant help

Posted , 6 users are following.

hiya im new to this group and wanted to ask some advice as I have reached rock bottom now. I was diagnosed with IBS about a year ago now and am taking Colofac MR and loperamide which to begin with seemed to work but I would still have the odd bout of uncontrollable stomach cramps and on a couple of occasions I had accidents on my way to work on the bus, it was awful, the worst experience of my life. I wasn't very happy at work at the time so put it down to that as the reason for the flare up. I changed job within the company and it eased off again. Unfortunately my new job hasn't worked out how I had hoped and I'm under even more pressure than previously, that and im having troubles at home with my teenage daughters behaviour and having to take her to the police for the things she has done. I have sudden periods of dizziness to the point I feel like I will pass out and uncontrollable urges to cry, this can happen at any time and is horrendous because I don't know the trigger or how to stop it. I went back to the doctor 2 weeks ago who signed me off work for 2 weeks and put me in touch with Italk and discussed CBT and the possibility of antidepressants. I go back to see her tomorrow, I wanted to avoid antidepressants but I'm now at the stage that I feel nervous doing the things I have always enjoyed, like going out with my best friend and my driving lessons. I really enjoy my driving lessons and have booked my test as this is my key to changing career and being happier in life but just lately I have been confined to the toilet prior to lessons which I have never experienced before. Im really scared that it will cause me to to fail my test but if I go on antidepressants I'm worried that the side effects may also cause me to be unable to drive. I'm stuck in a vicious circle and wondered if anyone else had been in the same situation as me?

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Rachel. I was too at rock bottom when I made the journey to the doctors. My ibs was all over the place. The doctor who was excellent said I should take citalopram. This calmed me and made my stomach better. Of course you have to eat and drink correctly but they helped.
    • Posted

      Did you get many side effects Steve? I'm scared that the side effects will be worse than the symptoms I've got at the moment. That's probably not helping my situation. 
  • Posted

    Take care and good louck with your driving test.

    The most important thing about driving is to be able to enjoy it.

    Thinking of you

    Sarah

  • Posted

    sounds like you are depressed. take the antidepressants, they help you feel stable so you can make changes yourself. what kind of side effects are you expecting?! i cant think of anything that would be as serious as you seem to be implying
  • Posted

    Thanks for your replies. I have been put on citalopram and signed off work for a further few weeks. I will take my first tablet this evening and see how I get on. My next driving lesson is on Saturday so will see how I get on this week x

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