Amitriptyline for Irritable Bowel Syndrome User Reviews (Page 5)

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2016

"I was on Acutane for acne. However, it caused my IBS. I was in severe pain. I tried diet changes and that seemed to help. My doctor gave me this wonderful pill! If i take it every night, I have almost no pain. I would recommend this to anyone! The only side effect that I have is a dry mouth, but I can handle that any day!"

• Dolores
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 19, 2022

"Amitriptyline works for me for IBS, and I tried everything under the sun since 2010. I had the bad idea few weeks ago to decrease the dosage from 20mg to 10mg to see if my body tolerated it. My symptoms came back in full force. Now I have gone to 25mg. I hope I will get better. it seems that for the sedative effect of the drug it can take from 4 to 6 weeks to take effect. I'm counting the days."

• Meano
• February 17, 2022

"Oh my gosh miracle drug right here!! I have been taking amitriptyline for years now and it has made all the difference. When I first started it took about a little over a month to kick in but it has been great! No longer having to worry about the pain, diarrhea, and discomfort. I take 10mg before bed each night. I did gain about 30lbs within 3 months of starting it #yikes, but it has stayed the same since. And though the weight gain wasn't too fun, the positive side effects outweigh the negative 100%. Dry mouth, fatigue, and dizziness are manageable but pooping ever 10min isn't. So a big shout out to whoever created this drug because it is a miracle!"

• Tinker
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 19, 2018

"I've used this before and felt like my head was going to explode I was in so much pain. Avoid if you can. I had blood tests, stool and urine tests and scans for IBS, daily diarrhea and severe bloating. I kept a food diary and I decided to cut out one thing at a time so I cut out dairy: milk, cheese and cream and also avoided spicy foods. This stopped my daily diarrhea and bloating completely. I have also now cut out bread. Also you could try the FODMAP dietary option to help too."

• Ed Bo...
• January 18, 2022

"A year ago I developed a CDiff infection from over prescribed antibiotics. After they were able to clear it up (30 days drugs and finally a fecal matter transplant) I developed IBS. Everyday was brutal. Pain, diarrhea, bloating and anxiety. I tried all sorts of drugs, buscopan, Clonazepam, hypnotherapy, metamucil and I was becoming depressed. I was at a dermatitis specialist to treat a 6 month skin infection caused by the IBS when she suggested I try 10mg of amitriptyline at night. After the first 2 weeks I overcame the dry mouth and weird dreams side effects. The pain was about 30 percent better. The doctor suggested I bump it to 20mg. After a week I felt great. No more pain, bloating, feelings of fecal urgency or urge of incomplete evacuation. My bowel movements started to normalize and bowel movements went to once a day. I have now started to introduce new foods. My doctors have assured me that 20mg a day can be taken long tern with little risk of dangerous side effects. A"

• Najee...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 17, 2022

"It has miraculously treated my IBS D symptoms overall it's best medicine to be used for IBS symptoms especially D predominant likely preferred almost by IBS patient it can ease abdominal pain, diarrhea, urgency and gives constipation as a side effect which could easily tackles IBS D symptoms. Amongst you try this medicine if it worked and be patient for some time and don't give up it will give positive effects."

• Lorra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 13, 2022

"I started on 5 mg after my IBS got so bad I could not even go into a food shop due to cramping and sweating as soon as I walked in. After a week felt much better still some slight discomfort in social situations but 80% better have now gone up to 10 mg and can now go shopping. After 25 years of being up and down I now feel like something actually works"

• RaRo
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 17, 2023

"I suffered from IBS-D, pain after eating, and flare-ups that lasted weeks at a time for 3 years after giving birth to my second child. I saw a GI who never mentioned actual IBS medication, only low-FODMAP and gastritis dietary changes, which only helped short term. I switched doctors a couple of months ago and was prescribed amitriptyline at 10mg. I am extremely sensitive to anti-depressants/anti-anxiety medication, so I started out splitting the pill and taking it at night to great results. My stools were better formed and the pain was gone. After a couple of weeks, I noticed a couple of urgent rushes to the bathroom and sensitivity, so I increased it to the full pill and was feeling great, except a couple of weeks further in I started to notice a general melancholy settling over me, some irritability not related to my cycle. I also started having some sudden headaches. I am working to see if it's related. I don't want to stop it since it's the best thing for my IBS, so I'm feeling it out."

• Sooze
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 6, 2019

"I was given 10 mg elavil for my continued gastric distress and trouble sleeping. I was taking a PPI but still had stomach pain and reflux in the middle of the night. I had stomach pain after eating. It works well for me. I no longer wake up with reflux and my reflux is even better in the daytime. I only take a PPI every other day now. At first it helped me go to sleep, but since it causes dry mouth I wake up several times because my mouth is totally arid. Also, I notice my urine stream is diminished in the morning but becomes more normal during the day. I was given a different generic this time around and it gave me stomach pain and insomnia. I was awake all night so am now trying to get another prescription for the same brand generic I was taking. I don't care if I have to pay out of pocket for it!"

• Happy...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 29, 2021

"I have never written a review before but I feel like I should now! I have had IBS-C for 12 +/- years now. I'm 26 and my IBS has been awful for 1-1,5 years now. I couldn't work, couldn't go out and still lived with my parents (I was too scared to be alone when I had pain attacks). I started out with 10mg about 3 months ago, this worked but only for 1 month. I'm now on 50mg and not experiencing a lot of pain anymore. I can still feel that my stomach feels uncomfortable but I can live with it. Before starting I was thinking about suicide every day, I even made plans. The pain felt like torture and I felt like life wasn't worth living anymore. I have only started taking 50mg for a couple of days so I'm not sure how it will progress in the next couple of months. I hope it will stay like this! The first week (10mg/25mg) I experienced dry mouth and sleepiness, but it got better after 1 week. with a vengeance"

• helpf...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 5, 2022

"Amitriptyline (10 mg in evening) has helped reduce my IBS/SIBO pain by about 90%. After 6 years of trying a host of medications, my MD agreed to try this, and it has helped give me my life back. I still need to do low FODMAP at times, and sometimes I still find I get bloated in the evening, but overall this has been tremendous (and incredibly inexpensive)."

• Ajay
• August 28, 2017

"After surgery to remove a kidney I developed IBS mixed. I was missing so much work and school and it only got worse as I got older. After moving I saw a new digestive health Dr. He put me on this with Levsin, omg the change was almost immediate. Within a week I was so much better. I've been on them for about a year now and I still have a couple episodes once every 3 months or so but it's managed and controlled now. If I forget to refill or skip a dose, I suffer within 12 hours of the missed dose."

• Lbano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 1, 2022

"I am diagnosed with 2 functional gastrointestinal syndromes. One is Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome, with abdominal migraines - and the other is Irritable Bowel Syndrome Mixed. I asked my doctor to put me on amitriptyline. He started me on 10mg for 10 days, then I increased to 25mg. This medication has saved my life. I was very suicidal and ready to end my life. Between my bowel issues and throwing up for 10 days straight leading to ER admissions... I had no quality of life. I was moving my bowels up to 15 times a day in complete agony. I have been on this medication now for only a month. It has made a drastic improvement in my symptoms. I can move my bowels and completely empty them with little to no discomfort. My stool has also changed back to much more normal consistency. I no longer have my stomach migraines, and I no longer wake up nauseous. I have much more energy and my muscles and bones are not stiff anymore! Amitriptyline is a miracle drug."

• nmn
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2021

"I must admit I was BEYOND skeptical, then in less than 1 week near all my symptoms were either gone or SIGNIFICANTLY reduced. It has been 2 months since I began the drug and have had 2 minor flair-ups. As opposed to nearly continuous symptoms which were making me homebound and nearly bedridden."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 28, 2021

"I have had IBS for almost 20 years. Bloating and abdominal pain have been my main symptoms, and they were constant, just to a lesser or greater degree. I have been taking 20mg of amitriptyline each night before bed for about 9 months now and the improvement has been remarkable - I'd say 80% better, some days 100%. Initial side effects were dry mouth and feeling quite "out of it" for a few days but they passed. One side effect I think has remained is that I have slight muscle fatigue, most noticeable when I go running. I definitely can't run like I used to. But the benefits of the reduced pain definitely outweigh this - I may try reducing the dose to 10mg to see if I can get a happy medium. Overall, I can't recommend amitriptyline highly enough."

• CapeC...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 11, 2022

"Took 25mg amytriptyline for 3 months but I am still having symptoms. I have no idea why it hasn’t worked and do not know what to do next. The doc said he would call me but never did so I guess I have to find a new one. So disappointing."

• Bob
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2021

"I have been battling with weight gain, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and heartburn for years. I have watched what I eat and I am a very active 50 year old. Finally, my GI scheduled me for a colonoscopy. That is when he found severely ulcerated Ileum. It was so bad that they thought I had colon cancer. I had surgery and removed all infections. About 2 1/2 month later I started to have cramps and diarrhea again. It was so bad that I had missed work again. My GI did another colonoscopy and endoscopy to make sure I did not have Crohn's. I do not have Crohns. I have IBD with Diverticulitis and regional Colitis. My doctor prescribed 100mg of Amitriptyline. At first, I felt woozy (lack of better terms) and dry mouth. It has been only a week and my pain has subsided. I felt apprehensive about taking an "antidepressant" until I came to this page. I am so glad I am finally getting relief and that I don't have to find a bathroom every 5 minutes, or not eat out because of how my stomach acted."

• Denise
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 22, 2022

"I find this drug magical!! I have literally tried everything for my severe IBS problems and nothing worked. I'm only 35 but was so poorly I couldn't work anymore and needed help looking after my kids. I finally saw a gastroentologist privately who suggested amitriptyline 10mg. I now have 20mg in an evening and am feeling better every day. Only down side is I have put on weight but then I was so poorly before I was barely eating so it's not surprising. For anyone out there anxious after reading side effects etc I would say give them a try!"

• Vishm...
• August 7, 2016

"I had a bowel moment problem since I was child .in early stage the bowel moment was less after some yrs it increased and with pain also. I use to feel uncomfortable due to it.in 2012 I did suffered from tuberculosis and then medicine were starter my bowel moment went normal and pain also disappeared for next one year.I did recovered from tuberculosis in 4 months but I did continued the medicine for 6 months. I have a gut feeling that tuberculosis medicines can overcome bowel and pain problem. Need a doctor who can start a research on this and let us know which is that medicine which was helpful to stop the IBS problem from the given medicine of tuberculosis."

• AAano
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 22, 2021

"I have had this stomach discomfort and pain for about 10 months. I don't think mine is IBS related as all I've had is stomach pain and nausea. Mine started after a bout of food poisoning whereby I constantly felt discomfort and pain and unable to focus. This pain would be constant everyday and was interferring with my life. I had done 3 stool sample tests, 3 blood tests and an endoscopy. There was nothing to be found by any tests. My GP doctor had prescribed me omeprazole assuming I had IBS or some stomach acid problem (which was not the case). Eventually I went to a gastroenterologist whereby I have been prescribed to take a low dose of Amitryptline, I am taking 20mg of this a day. I have been taking it for 3 days now and I have felt a drastic improvement in how I feel, the discomfort and pain has drastically decreased less and I hope that it eventually completely takes care of it. I would highly recommend discussing this medication with you GP/Doctor if you have a chronic stomach issue"

• Puds
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 23, 2022

"Amitriptyline 10mg once a day, they are small tabs which I like & taking them once a day taking them is enough for me, but made no difference to me for IBS, all they did was make me sleep a lot longer. I had a job getting up in the mornings, made me have some weird dreams, made my fingers go white,I had dry mouth, constipation, Now worse, I also put a stone & a half on within 2 weeks, I am still bloated so it has done nothing for me. I have lower right abdominal pain. I changed my eating & drinking habits, so many times & tried different things, had so many scans, endoscopy etc, I know I have 3 gallstones, but they are not blocking my bile ducts, so I know they are not the problem. Docs & hospital says it's a mystery, I say no I am in pain. No one helps over the counter meds like buscopan anti acids, priobotics, I have tried them all & non of them work. I have feeling I know what it is but trying to convince my doctors is another matter. I am glad this is working for some of you, but it is not for me."

• Triplej
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 1, 2024

"I have Ulcerative Colitis, IBS-D, and anxiety. I was using Lexapro to control IBS-D for 3-4 years, and it was working great until one day it stopped working. I tried a bunch of other drugs, and nothing worked. Metamucil helped a bit, but didn't do anything for the cramps and gas. As soon as I started 10 mg, my symptoms were basically gone. I am taking 20 mg now. Hoping it will work long term."

• Lil
• December 21, 2017

"I have had IBS my whole life. Seven years ago I developed intermittent upper abdominal pain and nausea. Six months ago it stopped being intermittent. I have tried lots of diets to no avail and Drs didn't offer me any help after many tests. I found a new Dr and one pill of amitriptyline changed my life. I have occasional pain which I can handle and NO nausea. Even my wakefulness at night is much improved. I don't notice any changes mentally and my only side effect is mild dry mouth."

• Nana...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 21, 2016

"I was given elavil for my migraine. .I've been taking 10 my for 1 week N now week 2 up to 20mg..I also have dealt with ibs-c..the migraine/headaches hav subsided a little..but my bloating N cramping N nausea r all still there..it did help my sleep the first week but I've had trouble sleeping on week 2..from the other testimonials on here I'm gonna give it a couple more weeks to see if more improvement occurs.."

• Jean
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 14, 2021

"I was prescribed Amitriptyline for nerve pain in my shoulder. At the time I also had severe stomach pain, caused by taking ibuprofen - I thought. My mother was also seriously ill, had had to go into full time care, which she didn't like and I felt responsible for. I have had mild to moderate IBS most of my adult life, I had learned which foods to avoid, which pain relievers to eat with and that stress was likely to set off an attack. I took 10mg Omeprazole daily and Buscopan when needed, which was often, going out without it brought on its own stress! My stomach felt so much better, I stopped taking Omeprazole regularly, have hardly had to take any Buscopan. I was ‘cured’ In discussion with my physio, we decided I no longer needed the amitriptyline. 3 weeks later - lying in bed waiting for IBS spasm to pass, full of Omeprazole and Buscopan, urgent toilet visits. Research led me to this discussion, pain and discomfort is taking me back to GP to talk about restarting Amitriptyline!"