Please help

Posted , 4 users are following.

I had to come off Sertraline 3 weeks ago due to chronic diarrhoea. This got better but my anxiety/depression got worse. I am now on day 8 of Escitalopram 5mg,feeling very anxious and low,and to make it worse I think the diarrhoea is starting to flare up again. If all ssris are going to cause this problem (possible microscopic colitis) what do I turn to next? Snris,such as Venlafaxine or older tricyclics? I would welcome any advice as I feel desperate. 

1 like, 12 replies

12 Replies

  • Posted

    Can't you try counciling? And come off tales,  try and beat it with a  strong mind, don't let it beat you, we can all beat this illness together and talking x
    • Posted

      Hi Emily,thank you for your reply. I am waiting for cbt through the nhs,although it is a long wait :-( x
  • Posted

    HI Justine

    How long were you on Sertraline for?  Diarrhoea is one of my most common anxiety symptoms, it's so bad when I'm anxoius that I'm scared to leave the house because I ALWAYS need the loo.  The amount of times I got halfway on the school run and had to turn back for the toilet hence making my daughter late for school was unreal.  AD's tend to make your anxiety worse before it gets better so could it be that do you think?  When I started on Citalopram back in July I had really bad diarrhoea for a few weeks as my anxiety was higher.  Glad to say it's gone, but if ever I'm nervous or anxious it's the first symptom to come back, I literally loose everything in my stomach.  Sorry for the graphic detail!

    Louise x

    • Posted

      Hi Louise,thank you for your reply. Please don't apologise for the graphic detail,I know exactly what you mean. I was only on Sertraline for 5/6 weeks but it really messed my bowel up,far more than the usual anxiety diarrhoea. Glad you are better with it now x
  • Posted

    venlafxine is not too bad start up wise, but hard to come off.

    Mirtazipine also an option, which is from another family of anti depressants

    • Posted

      Thank you,have heard that about Venlafaxine. Do you think those two are less likely to cause diarrhoea?
    • Posted

      That is such a relief to hear,I just find the constant diarrhoea so awful and makes my anxiety rocket. What one of those do you take,if you don't mind me asking? 
    • Posted

      venlafaxine, but ut is starting to fail for me unfortunately
    • Posted

      venlafaxine but it is starting to fail for me unfoirtunately
    • Posted

      I'm so sorry to hear that,would a dose increase help? Or what would you try next?

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