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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by rgb on November 2, 2007, at 17:01:42
Hello,
excuse the unappetizing subject, but this is beginning to worry me a little...
I'm currently taking sertraline together with caffeine and nicotine (yes, nicotine, not tobacco.). It's working rather well. But, (as could be expected from all the serotonin and acetylcholine AFAIK), I regularly get strong, sometimes audible bowel movements, and I get flatulence to the point where it's becoming inconvenient :(
Is this dangerous? Can the overactivity somehow cause intestinal cancer? (I assume that it is not in itself a symptom of an illness, since it started when I started the medication.) I guess I could take anti-diarrhea medication to counteract it, but if it's not dangerous, I'd rather not.
Posted by Phillipa on November 2, 2007, at 17:58:44
In reply to Intestinal overactivity from sertraline,dangerous?, posted by rgb on November 2, 2007, at 17:01:42
If I were to say no it wouldn't be right as I don't know age or medical history. A question for you doctor. Love Phillipa
Posted by linkadge on November 2, 2007, at 21:14:46
In reply to Intestinal overactivity from sertraline,dangerous?, posted by rgb on November 2, 2007, at 17:01:42
I got major GI upset from zoloft too. Some of it did lessen a bit. I think its due to stimulation of 5-ht3 receptors in the gut.
Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on November 2, 2007, at 21:16:08
In reply to Re: Intestinal overactivity from sertraline,dangerous? » rgb, posted by Phillipa on November 2, 2007, at 17:58:44
Some studies have linked SSRI's to GI bleeding, but that might be a different mechanism (ie blood thinning?). Anyhow if it doesn't get better, you might try switching to mirtazapine, which was easier on my stomach.
Linkadge
Posted by stargazer2 on November 2, 2007, at 22:27:51
In reply to Intestinal overactivity from sertraline,dangerous?, posted by rgb on November 2, 2007, at 17:01:42
rgb,
I got the same symptoms from Nardil at 60 mg but they are not as bad now because I was on 45 for a long time and just went up to 60. I guess my body has gotten used to being on Nardil for many months and it is easier on my gut now than when I first tried 60 mg. That is why I stayed at 45 for many months because I figured 60 was too high for me. Now that my depression returned, I had to increase the dose from 45 to 60, expecting the same problems, but I didn't have the same intensity of symptoms.With Nardil I had lots of gas and constipation which was so unusual for me. I had to take fiber and laxatives for awhile.
Do you have diarrhea or did you just want to slow the gut down? Better to add fiber to your diet then risk having the opposite problem which can be as bad.
Stargazer
Posted by Justherself54 on November 2, 2007, at 22:36:45
In reply to Re: Intestinal overactivity from sertraline,dangerous?, posted by stargazer2 on November 2, 2007, at 22:27:51
The higher the dose the worse my bowels became!
Posted by rgb on November 3, 2007, at 2:36:11
In reply to Re: Intestinal overactivity from sertraline,dangerous?, posted by linkadge on November 2, 2007, at 21:16:08
Phillipa:
I often feel the same when answering questions, being afraid to say something wrong :) Anyway, I have no relevant medical history I can think of and I'm in my twenties.Linkadge:
Fortunately, I think there is no bleeding.Mirtazapine was way too sedating for me (it did help with sleep, which is an issue for me, but too much overall sedation). I took 30mg (saying this since high doses are supposed to be less sedating). I also don't remember mirtazapine (took it for 3 weeks or so) having the same positive effects as sertraline.
Stargazer:
Luckily, no real diarrhea, just quite un-dense :| Yes, maybe I should try more fiber.
Thanks for the answers,
rgb (bad username, I was looking for something related to colors yet unobtrusive, but this one doesn't "sound" so colorful at all)
Posted by Racer on November 3, 2007, at 10:20:35
In reply to Re: Intestinal overactivity from sertraline,danger, posted by rgb on November 3, 2007, at 2:36:11
When I first started Zoloft, I had the sort of looseness you're describing. It did go away after a couple of weeks -- maybe up to five or six weeks? I can't remember now.
And I guess you could try Roygi, or Roygibiv? (But if you do, you'll have to announce, either here or on the Administration board, that you've changed your name. You never have to disclose your old name, only that you used to post under another name.)
Welcome to Babble, my colorful new acquaintance.
Posted by bleauberry on November 3, 2007, at 18:50:32
In reply to Intestinal overactivity from sertraline,dangerous?, posted by rgb on November 2, 2007, at 17:01:42
Not sure how long you've been on it. Maybe it is a 2 to 6 week adjustment period.
If not, it could indeed be intestinal overactivity caused by overactivity of the bad guy bacteria down there outnumbering the good ones. Or insufficient enzyme production to digest all food particles before they get to the large intestine. Try this...get a high strength digestive enzyme, or multiple doses of a weak one, and take every time you eat. Also get a good quality probiotic. The only ones to trust are the ones that say on the bottle they are guaranteed till expiration or some certain date. Most do not. Most say guaranteed at time of manufacture. Bogus.
Anyway, fortify your gut with extra enzymes and an army of good probiotic organisms and your symptoms should subside magically in just a few days.
Posted by Phillipa on November 3, 2007, at 19:44:20
In reply to Re: Intestinal overactivity from sertraline,dangerous?, posted by bleauberry on November 3, 2007, at 18:50:32
What blueberry says is true and I think Dannon just came out with something like this too in yougurt form. Phillipa
Posted by rgb on November 3, 2007, at 23:32:14
In reply to Re: Intestinal overactivity from sertraline,dangerous?, posted by Phillipa on November 3, 2007, at 19:44:20
Hello,
Racer: thanks for the welcome :)
I've been on it for half a year; increased to 200mg - don't know, roughly 8 weeks ago.
Regarding probiotics, I did try Actimel ("DanActive" in US) but I'm not sure whether it did anything. But it tastes ok ;)
rgb
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