Sertraline / IBS

Posted , 6 users are following.

Hello.

I started taking Sertraline this morning and after a week of no stomach problems (I've been following a low-FODMAP diet) I've had to come home from work as I feel terrible. I know it does take a while to get used to but what I'm most worried about is that I have bad diarrhea. The Sertraline was prescribed to help the effects of my IBS-D. So now I'm at a quandary as to whether to keep taking it or not bother at all. I also feel extremely sick and quite dizzy. Any advice out there? Thanks!

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • Posted

    Hi Amy I remember those feelings all to well. Though I am not a Dr, I would recommend not taking the meds. This is a serious medication that should not be on the matrket. It does so many bad things to you mind and body. I recommend that you research it more before continuing to take it. Hope I am of help
  • Posted

    It's hard to start but in the end it will work. You're the only one that knows how you're feeling...but the part that sucks is that it takes a few weeks to benefit you. It's a roller coaster...good luck.

  • Posted

    hi amy, if you can continue on sertraline for a few more weeks, you might find that your stomach settles down and gets used to the new med.  i had the upset stomach issues myself for the first few weeks but now i'm ok

    don't let the user 'HalleluYah' scare you.. yes of course sertraline is not suitable for everyone, but you can say that about any medication including aspirin which some people cannot take because they have a bad reaction

    sertraline helps some people and for others it does not.  the important thing is to try (if the initial start up side effects are not too intense) and try to keep going for at least a month, while keeping in touch with your doctor about your progress

    you can of course go and search the internet for horror stories about sertraline or any medication you can think of.  but i wouldnt waste your time because for all the negative stories out there about sertraline, there's a lot of positive stories about sertraline also, but the people who have had success on sertraline are simply less likely to report on the internet how well they are doing, so instead all you find are the reports from the people who had a bad time taking it - so it's not a fair picture at all.

    • Posted

      Hi sparrow. I hope you don't mind me asking but do you take the medicine for IBS? This is the reason I've been prescribed it, so I wonder if it's worth continuing if the main symptom I have is worse from taking Sertraline?! If I was on them for depression I think I would keep giving it a go, but I'm not. You make a very good point about horror stories on the internet. Most people will talk more about negative experiences than positive so it's important people share positive stories too.

  • Posted

    Hi Amy I'm new to sertraline but I'm going to continue with it I'm on week 4 have no stomach upset only anxiety which I hope will go eventually  I'm praying it will work for me! Please give it a go and we can both let each other no how we get on 

    • Posted

      Hi Julie. I'll let you know how I get on with it. I think for anxiety / depression it would take time and is worth persevering. I'm just questioning taking it because it's making my stomach worse when that's what I'm trying to make better! But I guess sometimes things get worse before they improve. Wish there was a magic wand. I hope you feel better soon.

  • Posted

    Hi Amy, I've never heard to give this medicine for IBS but I got it for anxiety. I don't have IBS but I do have diarrhea :-( I've got 50 mg also but I started with lower dose and increased it do not a lot of side effects really. I am not saying my diarrhea is perfectly gone but better.

    Maybe should try to take only half for a while and increase it.

    Hope it help.

  • Posted

    Day two and feeling A LOT better. Still getting waves of queasiness and feeling a bit dizzy but a huge improvement. If anyone else is thinking of taking Sertraline I'd definitely suggest starting it over the weekend so you can stay at home and lie down if need be. My stomach has been OK so far today too. Think I'll continue taking it for a bit and see how I get on. My main goal currently is to get through our wedding day next year without being ill! In the meantime will continue with the FODMAP diet too which does seem to help.

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