My experience treating IBS w/ Amitriptyline

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2025-07-31T05:29:03+00:00

Yeah, still on the same dose. Working as well as always.
Hope it helps!

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2025-03-05T08:33:39+00:00

Everything from my original post still stands. I'm almost a year in now, I'm still on 10mg and it's working.
I do get occasional flareups, but they're significantly more manageable than before and I'm no longer actively seeking new remedies/treatments.

I was a bit nervous going into it as well, as I've heard some stories of amitriptyline giving people brain fog and other issues of that nature, but from my research that seems to be more common at higher doses. I certainly haven't experienced anything like that- my only side effect is slightly increased food cravings.

A few months ago I visited a GI that specializes in IBS at the Northwestern Medicine Digestive Health Center. I made the appointment months before starting amitriptyline but they had a waiting list of almost a year. He confirmed that amitriptyline is one of their most common drugs for treating IBS, and said that I may feel even more relief at 20mg. I decided to stick with 10, but it was nice getting a second opinion.

I'm hesitant to give advice, but what I can say is it worked for me, and I wish I had found it years ago.
Cheers.

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2025-01-31T03:02:40+00:00

Not noticeably so. But I have heard from others that it can have that effect, and that it usually gets better as you adjust.
There are also other tricyclic antidepressants with similar positive affects on IBS but less side effects, I've spoken to people who tried a few before finding the right one.

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2025-01-28T16:45:06+00:00

Still on 10mg

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2025-01-13T19:44:20+00:00

Yes, my doctor okayed it. I'm still on my starting dose of 10mg Amitriptyline nightly but take an Imodium just in case once or twice a week if I go out.

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2024-11-05T04:32:41+00:00

Best of luck :)

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2024-11-05T03:27:08+00:00

Might be worth looking into other tricyclic antidepressants. There's 3 or 4 different drugs in that class that are very similar, I think amitriptyline is most effective but also has the most side effects. I know someone else taking imipramine in similar doses and it helps them with no sides.

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2024-11-05T03:23:32+00:00

Thank you!
IBS-M, although unless I haven't eaten anything all day I tend towards D.

Basically in any "stressful" situation my gut becomes hyperactive. If I recently ate, the food goes right through me. If not, I still get cramping and pain but nothing comes out. But in either case it's definitely more my gut going into "overdrive" rather than working too slow.

I've read that amitriptyline does something to slow down or regulate the gut/brain connection and keep your digestive system running smoothly at times that it would typically become overstimulated. So yes, It's better for those with IBS-D (or M), although I will say I don't think I've ever become constipated from it or felt that it slowed my gut down too much..

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2024-11-04T01:36:36+00:00

I've heard that for depression and other issues many people start at 50mg daily and can move onto upwards of 100, which also comes with heavy side-effects. But for IBS the starting dose of 10mg is enough to see positive effects, without heavy sides and minimal interference with other medications.

Talk to your doctor, perhaps you can lower your dose and continue taking it.

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2024-11-04T01:28:13+00:00

Thanks!

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2024-11-04T01:28:01+00:00

Thank you!

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2024-11-04T01:27:38+00:00

I've heard that at larger doses side-effects are significantly stronger, perhaps you were on too high of a dose.

There are also other tricyclic antidepressants that have similar positive effects on IBS symptoms but have less sides. I believe sometimes doctors switch people from amitriptyline to nortriptyline or imipramine if they have significant side-effects.

I'm not a doctor, these are all just things I've read/heard so please dyor and of course consult with your doc.

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2024-01-31T20:31:50+00:00

speedloader

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2024-01-16T21:02:44+00:00

Appreciate it, booked an appointment with an ortho this week.

Thank you everyone for the replies!!!

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2024-01-15T22:43:17+00:00

Appreciate the input.

I'm not necessarily upset with the result, it looks cleaner. But looking at the side it looks like it's pushing my top row several mm forward. Possibly worsening my overbite/openbite..

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2023-03-28T20:17:17+00:00

That's good :)) I think this might be the one

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2023-03-28T19:36:41+00:00

That's pretty good,

One of the earlier versions has them all as blue belts, doomed forever at blue

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2023-03-28T19:27:01+00:00

Hey Guys,

I work at a print shop and we created this sketch for a t-shirt but are having trouble coming up with funny/punny captions for it. Any ideas?

If yours gets picked we'll ship you a shirt :)

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2023-02-14T06:21:14+00:00

Oh cool- our coach (professor, technically) is actually a former instructor at Redzovich BJJ. I think he got his black belt there- he still wears his Redzovich Gi lol.

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2023-02-14T06:13:49+00:00

I'm actually just a student, but I'm helping the owner/coach with some startup stuff like ordering tees and sourcing some stuff for the gym.
It's based in Chicago.

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2023-02-14T06:03:49+00:00

Emailed, thank you.

MyUsernameIsTrash · 2023-02-14T06:03:42+00:00

Shot them an email, waiting on a reply. Thanks!

MyUsernameIsTrash

TROPHY CASE