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Loose bowels with Sertraline, Anyone having porblems

Posted , 5 users are following.

richardxx
richardxx

I am 73 and my GP prescribed 50MG sertraline at the end of March 2017 for my anxiety. I am also on Losartan Potassium and Amlodipine to control my BP and also Simvastatin. For the first 10 days I a felt a bit sick for a while in the mornings but this passed and I began to feel much better in myself. However, two weeks ago I started having very loose bowel movements with quite a lot of flatulence and rumbling at times. I have only found the need to go to the loo on say three occasions on a few days as opposed to my usual three visits. I had my annual routine blood tests including full blood count on the 16th June and all the results were normal. I have consulted my GP who has said to leave it for 3/4 weeks but requested a sample. She did not say that the Sertraline was a factor but I when I brought up the possibilty she said it was possible but didn't want to stop or change it as it was working for my anxiety. However, I am worried about bowel cancer and would rather have the anxiety than that hanging over me. I do not want to go through invasive proceedures if the problem lies with the sertraline. Can others indentify with my problem?

0 likes, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • julie89512
    julie89512 richardxx

    Posted

    Hi Richard.

    I was the same when I started on sertraline,

    But now I have days were I'm the opposite.

    Iv Been tested and all was clear. Keep checking for signs of blood like

    everyone should.

    I suffer from health Anxiety so I know how you must be feeling.

    If you read posts on here quite a few suffer with the same.

    Good luck

    • Lori000
      Lori000 julie89512

      Posted

      Hi Julie,

      I am wondering if you are taking the zoloft currently for health anxiety? And if it's working for you.

      Thanks 😊

    • julie89512
      julie89512 Lori000

      Posted

      Good morning Lori

      im on a low dose of sertraline for health anxiety and I’m 99% better than I was. 

      Iv been on them for a year now and they are definitely working for me.

      I do get the odd days when my anxiety creeps in but I can cope with it

      All mine started with having really bad acid reflux and I thought it was a heart attack and one thing led to another, I was in a right state, 

      so they are working for me. 

       

    • Lori000
      Lori000 julie89512

      Posted

      Thanks so much for the reply. I am dealing with heartburn and esphugus spazms and my anxiety is about maxed .. I started on 25 mg of the same about 7 weeks ago . I thought the first month I noticed that this might be the thing to help me, but it's been slowly creeping back . I have been a health worrier for ever but this heartburn stuff is just to much.. I am obsessing about every single thing I feel going on with my body.. yuck it's horrible ..I can THINK I am going to get heartburn and it will start up 😔.. thanks so much for responding, I appreciate knowing someone might have some understanding of the feelings!

    • julie89512
      julie89512 Lori000

      Posted

      Hi Lori.

      just want to add that it took about 12 weeks for me to get the full benefits of sertraline. At about 7 weeks I was ready to quit this med and try another, but on this forum a lot of people said sick with it, I gave it the extra weeks and it worked. 

      If you have upped your dose some side effects do come back, including anxiety. Reflux is a horrible to to deal with, honestly I thought I was dying.

      i do know how you are feeling, 2016 I had the year from hell. My gp was throwing tablets at me left, right and centre. He was at a loss what to do. 

      i eventually saw a female doctor who listened, by the time I saw her I was in a state and I asked to go on antidepressants. She asked me lots of questions before she agreed to let me have them, but before that I had lots of blood test and ECGs most came back fine.

      a year on and I’m doing ok, don’t know how long I will have to take these for tho, will have a chat with my Gp when I can get and appointment. 

      Good luck, keep me posted on how you are doing x

  • margaret11165
    margaret11165 richardxx

    Posted

    Hi Richard xx, i was prescribed 50 mg Sertraline in April. Not thinking it was the drug , i had very very loose motions then nothing for 2 days . I am 69 also on Simvastatin so it was which drug was making me loose . Dont think im ever without Immodium. No pains in the tummy etc . I am also on a blood pressure tablet but was sure it was the Sertraline

    wishing you well and thanks for sharing 

    • richardxx
      richardxx margaret11165

      Posted

      Thank you for your response. Am I to take it that you are still having problems?. Wondering if you have consulted your GP and, if so, what was his/her opinion?
    • margaret11165
      margaret11165 richardxx

      Posted

      I phoned the Dr this morning Richard and told him about the bowel problem. The reply was from the Dr .. take 1/2 of 50 then carry on if you want or if you want to stop , one day on 12.5 and one off . Your diarrhoea should clear up. I took the 12.5 last night but still the same . Im of the opinion that the Doctors dont know what they are talking about . Maybe your Dr is better clued up. Id certainly mention your bowel problem to him/her. Im not sure whether to take 12.5 or nothing tonight . Im so scared of this drug as my anxiety is higher and I know its messing with my brain. This is just my opinion . Let us know how you get on 

      Take Care 

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