Hi, I'm new to posting, but I am desparate for advice. I have tried a bunch of antidepressants in the past few years and after a month or so they all give me harsh stomach pain, bloating, etc. So I always go off, but I'm finding I really need to go back on. I was wondering if anyone else, that suffers from stomach trouble, has found a way to deal with being on medication and if anyone can recommend one medication over another for having less side effects on the stomach. Thanks.
-September Sun
Welcome to the community. Sorry you haven't had much luck with the meds. It might be easier to let us know what meds did not work for you rather than the other way around. I know I have not experienced these problems with either Paxil or Effexor XR. Good luck and hope you find the answers you are looking for.
We can respond to irritation with a smile instead of scowl, or by giving warm praise instead of icy indifference. By our being understanding instead of abrupt, others, in turn, may decide to hold on a little longer rather than to give way. Love, patience, and meekness can be just as contagious as rudeness and crudeness.
Randy
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Hi, I used to be on Paxil, with no stomache problems.
I've been on Effexor for 3 years with no stomache problems
but my good friend has had really bad stomache problems
with almost every anti-depressant he has tried. He is
on Lexapro with no problems but also no help with his
depression. Sorry I don't have any helpful advise. 
Try to be patient until you find one that doesn't give you
problems!
Thanks. I've tried Paxel, which also made me gain about 25 pounds, Zoloft, Celexa, Lexapro, Effexor, Prozac...and Wellbutrin (which had no negative side effects, but also didn't really help). I have a prescription for Cymbalta, waiting to be filled, but am to afraid to try it.
-Septembersun
Hi September, and welcome to the forum!!
I did have some stomach distress initially with various meds (anti-d's and others). But I found that after a few weeks, the stomach distress went away entirely. I do make sure that I take my meds with food . . . that does make a big difference. I do have one med which must be taken on an empty stomach, but most anti-d's can be taken with food to minimize the stomach probs.
Good luck with the Cymbalta . . . and keep us posted!!
Blessings!
In His Grip,
I did have some stomach distress initially with various meds (anti-d's and others). But I found that after a few weeks, the stomach distress went away entirely. I do make sure that I take my meds with food . . . that does make a big difference. I do have one med which must be taken on an empty stomach, but most anti-d's can be taken with food to minimize the stomach probs.
Good luck with the Cymbalta . . . and keep us posted!!
Blessings!
In His Grip,
AlwaysRosie "We can't control the waves, but we can learn to surf!"
Psalms 139
UCTD (Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease), Hashimoto's, Plantar Fasciitis, Inflamatory Arthritis, High BP, GI Inflamation, Diverticuloses
Plaquenil, Methotrexate, Folic Acid, Synthroid, RX Motrin, Lexapro, Amitriptelyne, Salagen, Lotrel (Centrum Silver, B12, B6, Calcium+D,)
Thank you. For me, it's the opposite, where at first I don't have stomach problems, but instead they devleop after a month or two and get worse. I was wondering if anyone has ever try Zelnorm with an antidepressant? I read it works on the seratonin in your stomach.
zelnorm is for irritable bowal syndrome (the constipation kind)
not depression.
not depression.
Right, I was wondering if anyone had taken it while suffering from constipation which was caused by the antidepressants.
oh, i'm sorry, i read "as and anti-depressant" 
i have IBS which i know is made worse by depression,
my doctor won't prescribel zelnorm because it's
expensive. i would definately ask your doctor
about it! i'd like to know how it goes if you try it.
good luck!
Susan
Thanks Susan. Is your IBS made worse by depression or if you take an antidepressant, does the actual medication make it worse? Or both? How do you deal with it? I'd love any insight as it's a huge issue for me.
well, i've had IBS problems on and off for years, and i've been taking effexor 225mg for about
3 years - and i've just started Neurontin. for me, i have problems when i get really constipated.
it takes effort for me to deal with my constipation - i have really bad eating habits. i highly
recomment Citracel. it's a fiber supplement that you mix with water. unlike metamucel, it doesn't
cause gas,bloating, or cramps. it really helps me. for my cramps, i'm taking Bentyl (DICYCLOMINE)
as needed, it really soothes my insides. i'm a vegetarian, but for my mom, her IBS practically
disappeared when she stopped eating red meat. oops, to answer your question, i'm not aware of
any side affects from the effexor. i've read so much about IBS and how your digestive system
works, so i know that stress and your emotions has an affect. also, each person has to find out
what works for them, doctors can't do much. i never tell people to stop eating meat, but for sure
dairy. even doctors advise patients to cut out dairy products if you have IBS. a lot of people
swear by teas, like peppermint and other kinds that soothe your stomach and assist digestion.
about the zelnorm,again, i don't know ANYTHING about it but maybe you might be able to find out
what's "triggering" your problems before you try adding another medication. it just seems to me
what's causing the problem before adding another rx. what exactly are you experiencing?
3 years - and i've just started Neurontin. for me, i have problems when i get really constipated.
it takes effort for me to deal with my constipation - i have really bad eating habits. i highly
recomment Citracel. it's a fiber supplement that you mix with water. unlike metamucel, it doesn't
cause gas,bloating, or cramps. it really helps me. for my cramps, i'm taking Bentyl (DICYCLOMINE)
as needed, it really soothes my insides. i'm a vegetarian, but for my mom, her IBS practically
disappeared when she stopped eating red meat. oops, to answer your question, i'm not aware of
any side affects from the effexor. i've read so much about IBS and how your digestive system
works, so i know that stress and your emotions has an affect. also, each person has to find out
what works for them, doctors can't do much. i never tell people to stop eating meat, but for sure
dairy. even doctors advise patients to cut out dairy products if you have IBS. a lot of people
swear by teas, like peppermint and other kinds that soothe your stomach and assist digestion.
about the zelnorm,again, i don't know ANYTHING about it but maybe you might be able to find out
what's "triggering" your problems before you try adding another medication. it just seems to me
what's causing the problem before adding another rx. what exactly are you experiencing?
Thanks so much Susan for that info. If you don't mind my asking, has Effexor led to any weight gain?
funny you should ask, there's another thread i posted on, she
said she had been on effexor for 3 years and initially lost weight,
but has recently been gaining. i had to respond and tell her the same
thing happened to me! i got pretty thin, i'm 5'4 and went from 130
to 110 without even trying and actually started to worry because i
"couldn't" eat. it did something to my appetite. now i'm back to
normal, unfortunately, and have to work to lose weight. it seems
like every anti-depressant has side-affect of weight gain or loss.
good luck!
said she had been on effexor for 3 years and initially lost weight,
but has recently been gaining. i had to respond and tell her the same
thing happened to me! i got pretty thin, i'm 5'4 and went from 130
to 110 without even trying and actually started to worry because i
"couldn't" eat. it did something to my appetite. now i'm back to
normal, unfortunately, and have to work to lose weight. it seems
like every anti-depressant has side-affect of weight gain or loss.
good luck!
Hey i am new but i read your case (septembaur) . I had exactly same problem . I have been in need for anti depressants for a long time but i couldn't take any because it would cause intense gastric problems and i would need to take tramadol for numb the pain . I have been prescribed all sorts of SSRIs but none worked as in they would help the depression but would cause extreme stomach pain . but then i started out with mirtazapine . Initially i took 15 mg but it caused stomach pain , so i reduced it to 7.5 mg . it worked perfectly . The sedative effect wares of in a week or so . My doc told me to take 7.5 for couple of months , by then i would be able to increase the dose . Hope this helps
hi there,
This thread is from 2005. I dont know if these members are still around. But welcome to the forum any way and I am glad you found something that works for you. I hope that you keep posting.
Hugs Karen
Moderator-Depression and fibromyalgia
fibromyalgia, Chronic fatigue, depression, allergies
This thread is from 2005. I dont know if these members are still around. But welcome to the forum any way and I am glad you found something that works for you. I hope that you keep posting.
Hugs Karen
Moderator-Depression and fibromyalgia
fibromyalgia, Chronic fatigue, depression, allergies