Colonoscopy Results - SIDE EFFECTS NOT GOOD

**Queen of Poop** · 02-10-2010, 07:36 AM

Well it only took 2 months after the event to get the results. No colitis, the good news. Serious case of IBS, the bad news. Will start taking amitriptyline to see if that can settle it down some. Has anyone taken this drug? Know anything about it?

**moosmom** · 02-10-2010, 07:49 AM

Yeah, I've had experience with Amitryptaline. I took it for depression years ago. It's not a nice drug and the doctor will need to monitor the dosage carefully. You have to start small and gradually work the miligrams up. And, if you go off of it, you have to be weaned. If you miss a dose, it wreaks havoc with your head, i.e., drousiness, vertigo. I'll put up a couple of links for you to read. It's a good idea to do your homework, especially when it comes to pharmaceuticals.

This will tell you everything you need to know:

http://health.yahoo.com/depression-m...-d00146a1.html

**rosethecopycat** · 02-10-2010, 08:01 AM

I hope now that they have pinpointed what the problem is, that they will be able to treat it effectively.
I hope you can feel better soon.

Rose

**pomtzu** · 02-10-2010, 08:02 AM

I can't believe it took that long to get the results back, but at least it isn't terrible news.

Amitriptyline is used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and bulimia, most commonly. I guess IBS could be associated with those, thus causing flare-ups.

I've had IBS for years, and don't usually take anything for it, but when I do have a serious flare up, I take Bentyl (dicyclomine), and it helps to some degree. You might also want to try over the counter fiber tablets and the probiotic tablets you can get now, in addition to your prescribed med. I started with those too this past December and I have noticed an improvement.

I was scheduled for the dreaded colonoscopy next week, but I had to reschedule into March. I didn't get a chance to get my bloodwork done, and my car is still snowed in from our weekend blizzard, and now we're getting socked again, so I have no hope of getting out to the lab any time soon.

But when I do have it done, I'll be scheduled to see the doctor within a week afterwards, and have the results then. I can't imagine waiting and worrying for 2 months.

My father died of colon cancer, and one of my brothers had it also, so I'm in that high risk category. I'm supposed to have a colonoscopy every couple of years, and I kind of slacked off since I've had an array of other medical issues. My last one was 10 years ago, and my GI specialist is not happy about that! This recent IBS flare-up scared me into it since it was so bad - never had one so severe or last so long.

Hope the new med works for you - keep me posted please.

**Queen of Poop** · 02-10-2010, 08:18 AM

Originally Posted by moosmom

Yeah, I've had experience with Amitryptaline. I took it for depression years ago. It's not a nice drug and the doctor will need to monitor the dosage carefully. You have to start small and gradually work the miligrams up. And, if you go off of it, you have to be weaned. If you miss a dose, it wreaks havoc with your head, i.e., drousiness, vertigo. I'll put up a couple of links for you to read. It's a good idea to do your homework, especially when it comes to pharmaceuticals.

This will tell you everything you need to know:

http://health.yahoo.com/depression-m...-d00146a1.html

Thanks for the link. It could be worse than the actual IBS. Not sure this is the best plan.

**Queen of Poop** · 02-10-2010, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by pomtzu

I can't believe it took that long to get the results back, but at least it isn't terrible news.

Amitriptyline is used to treat depression, anxiety disorders, and bulimia, most commonly. I guess IBS could be associated with those, thus causing flare-ups.

I've had IBS for years, and don't usually take anything for it, but when I do have a serious flare up, I take Bentyl (dicyclomine), and it helps to some degree. You might also want to try over the counter fiber tablets and the probiotic tablets you can get now, in addition to your prescribed med. I started with those too this past December and I have noticed an improvement.

I was scheduled for the dreaded colonoscopy next week, but I had to reschedule into March. I didn't get a chance to get my bloodwork done, and my car is still snowed in from our weekend blizzard, and now we're getting socked again, so I have no hope of getting out to the lab any time soon.

But when I do have it done, I'll be scheduled to see the doctor within a week afterwards, and have the results then. I can't imagine waiting and worrying for 2 months.

My father died of colon cancer, and one of my brothers had it also, so I'm in that high risk category. I'm supposed to have a colonoscopy every couple of years, and I kind of slacked off since I've had an array of other medical issues. My last one was 10 years ago, and my GI specialist is not happy about that! This recent IBS flare-up scared me into it since it was so bad - never had one so severe or last so long.

Hope the new med works for you - keep me posted please.

It was an incredibly long time for the results, guess it wasn't considered "life threatening" so I had to wait. The colonoscopy itself was the easy part, the hard part was the prep for it. I've been doing fiber for months now, it's bulked up my output so I have better control. Did a huge run on probiotics but saw no benefit from them at all, unfortunately. After reading up what Moosmom sent about the drug I'm quite nervous about taking it. Will discuss with the pharmacist when I pick it up this evening.

Hoping you don't get too much snow in this next winter punch.

**kokopup** · 02-10-2010, 08:43 AM

I started taking amitriptyline about 3 months ago. I had two problems that it has done wonders for. I have been taking Neurontin for several neuropathic issues created by my Chemo and Radiation. I had maxed out on the Neutontin I could take, and the dose I was taking made me a stumble Bum. I couldn't walk anywhere without running into things. I researched and found amitriptyline was good for neuropathic pain. I got my primary to write a prescription for 50 mg that I started out taking 1/2 tablet at bedtime. I later went to the full tablet.

So far this drug has been a Godsend, since my pain levels are very manageble except in low pressure weather. I am sleeping all night for the first time in 5 years. A lot of nights I was up at 2 am soaking in the tub to ease my leg and foot pain. Also for the first time I have a normal stool now. Since I also had IBS I had lose stools or no stools for 5 years.

The only side effect I have seen so far is I have a little more dry mouth. It was worst in the beginning but is getting better and I'm not as dry. I have kept biotene gum in my mouth for 5 years to help diminish the effects of not having much saliva.

I have read a lot of horror stories on this drug and also heard a lot of good things about it also. It is working for me so I am staying with it until something happens that prevents me from taking it. I actually got 3 benefits from one very cheap drug.

I say give it a try.

**Queen of Poop** · 02-10-2010, 09:23 AM

Originally Posted by kokopup

I started taking amitriptyline about 3 months ago. I had two problems that it has done wonders for. I have been taking Neurontin for several neuropathic issues created by my Chemo and Radiation. I had maxed out on the Neutontin I could take, and the dose I was taking made me a stumble Bum. I couldn't walk anywhere without running into things. I researched and found amitriptyline was good for neuropathic pain. I got my primary to write a prescription for 50 mg that I started out taking 1/2 tablet at bedtime. I later went to the full tablet.

So far this drug has been a Godsend, since my pain levels are very manageble except in low pressure weather. I am sleeping all night for the first time in 5 years. A lot of nights I was up at 2 am soaking in the tub to ease my leg and foot pain. Also for the first time I have a normal stool now. Since I also had IBS I had lose stools or no stools for 5 years.

The only side effect I have seen so far is I have a little more dry mouth. It was worst in the beginning but is getting better and I'm not as dry. I have kept biotene gum in my mouth for 5 years to help diminish the effects of not having much saliva.

I have read a lot of horror stories on this drug and also heard a lot of good things about it also. It is working for me so I am staying with it until something happens that prevents me from taking it. I actually got 3 benefits from one very cheap drug.

I say give it a try.

Thanks for the good report. I am so glad it is working for you. I just wanted to clarify, your pills are 50 mg each? I've been prescribed 10 mg.

**Grace** · 02-10-2010, 09:47 AM

I took amitriptyline (same dose as you - 10mg) many years back. It was to relieve neuropathy brought on by a severe ankle fracture.

It was the only drug that did give me any relief. However, after a few months I started having extremely vivid dreams that eventually turned into night terrors. So I stopped.

See how it works for you. There isn't a drug out there that doesn't cause some sort of side effect in someone.

**Catty1** · 02-10-2010, 11:32 AM

My sister was on this to control bladder spasms. Perhaps something similar happens in IBS? And others here have mentioned it helps with pain, so maybe that will help also.

10mg strikes me as a pretty low dose, so it might feel all right.

I was on it MANY years ago for depression (this was before SSRIs) and it was okay. My head was calm, but slightly spacy (no more than usual I guess!

) and the dry mouth I don't remember.

It's good to talk to your pharmacist...and glad your test results weren't dire.

HUGS

**kokopup** · 02-10-2010, 12:47 PM

Queen of poop

Thanks for the good report. I am so glad it is working for you. I just wanted to clarify, your pills are 50 mg each? I've been prescribed 10 mg.

__________________

Yes, I am now on 50 mg and started on 25. It looks like you are on a minimum dose. I hope you take it at bed time. If I am very late taking mine at night then I find I am sleepy after I get up. When I take it just before getting in bed I sleep very well and wake up refreshed. I have not had any nite horror type dreams, although I did have a disturbing dream that involved my ex-wife. I guess that is just a bad dream. I don't guess I have had any extreme horror type dream because I avoid that type of movie. Movies Jason like I avoid, I like suspense that has LOGIC not the type that defies all the laws of physic.

**Grace** · 02-10-2010, 01:48 PM

Originally Posted by kokopup

I don't guess I have had any extreme horror type dream because I avoid that type of movie. Movies Jason like I avoid, I like suspense that has LOGIC not the type that defies all the laws of physic.

I also avoid horror movies. I think the last one I saw was House of Wax, back in 1953

I did speak with a co-worker who was also on Elavil, and had a similar experience with vivid dreams. However, hers never progressed to the terror mode.

**kokopup** · 02-10-2010, 04:23 PM

Vivid is ok, I think I have the preset on my projector set to Vivid. Unless I start
having some real bad side effects I am staying on the elavil. Before I started on it I was a zombie most of the time from lack of sleep caused by pain. I am actually motivated to do things that a month ago was just not possible.

Queen of Poop, I hope the Elavil gives you the relief that you need. I will be sending my mail info to you since you are the name ahead of me for the PT Book.

**carole** · 02-10-2010, 05:11 PM

I also have had IBS for many years about 15 or so, and never did anything to treat it, just lived with it miserably, however i found when i went on Weight Watchers, it made a big difference, you really have to know what your triggers are, if i get stressed or nervous still can happen, but diet wise,i hardly ever get it due to that, only had two bouts in one year so far, and i put that down to my low fat and healthier diet.

However i did get prescribed a drug called gastrosoothe old name is buscopan (sp) this was for diverticulitis, and i read on the internet it is used widely for IBS, i take this when traveling and so far have found it wonderful, i think it could be a bit of mind over matter, as when i take it i feel secure in knowing i won't get IBS whilst traveling, and it seems to work for me.

As for Amitriptilene, i can only give you my experience, this drug was a complete nightmare for me, i was given a very low dosage, and i am very sensitive to drugs,for my fibromyalgia, i could not tolerate this drug at all, i was a complete zombie and i found the side effects worse than the treatment, however keep in mind this is me, not necessarily going to affect you the same way.

**cassiesmom** · 02-10-2010, 10:26 PM

I was on amitriptyline for problems with sleep when I was first diagnosed with depression. I felt drowsy all the time while I was on it. But I was on 25mg and that might have been too high a dose. The other big problem I had with it was dry mouth - I drank a lot of water while I was taking it. I was only on it for a few weeks until the SSRI kicked in and I got my sleep/wake cycles back. It did help me to sleep and wake up feeling rested so I could keep working while I waited for the SSRI to reach a therapeutic level.