Krispin90: Stomach issues

[krispin90]

Hi,

 

I took amitriptyline for 2 weeks starting at 10mg moving up to 50mg within 2 weeks, this was all for the purpose of trying to treat my chronic cough, which was suggested by my cough specialist. After those 2 weeks my symptoms did not improve and my doctor told me to stop the medication abruptly, which i did. 5 months on and my only post withdrawl symptom i'm still suffering from are stomach issues, specifically mild pain in the lower abdomen area. The pain is constant every day and has subsided but is still bothering me. I've gone to see a Gastroenterologist who suggested having both an ultra sound scan and MRI of my lower abdomen, which the results all came both negative. I've also been tested positive for various intolerances since coming off the medication, such as dairy, gluten and certain vegatables/fruits. As such i now follow a LOWFODMAP diet, which has helped but it still hasn't prevented the ongoing stomach pains i suffer daily from. Could anyone please share some light on this and let me know is this a permanent symptom or do this eventually pass and roughly how long should this continue for given that its been 5 months since i came off amitriptyline?

 

Kind regards,

 

Chris **********

Edited January 15, 2021 by Altostrata
masked identifying information

[Altostrata]

Welcome, @krispin90

 

It seems you were taking at least 25mg amitriptyline for about 6 weeks, then abruptly went off. Did you have withdrawal symptoms shortly afterward? What were they? How have they changed?

[krispin90]

@Altostrata

 

I started on 10mg and gradually built up to 50mg within 2 weeks and then stopped abruptly after then. i initially had flu and fever like symptoms for the next 2 days as well as loss of appetite and lots of sweating but this calmed down after 3 days. The following months i had brain zaps and headaches as well as mild insomnia. These symptoms passed and then the last few months i've had severe abdominal pain and now 5 months from my last dose i'm still suffering with stomach issues e.g. stomach pain, volatile bowel movements and i've also built up food intolerances such as dairy and gluten however i am following a low FODMAP diet, which has helped. Will the stomach issues pass away over time and how long? Also the food intolerances will these be permanent or will they eventually fade?

[Altostrata]

You have described acute withdrawal syndrome followed by protracted withdrawal syndrome.

 

You might consider reinstating a very low dose of amitriptyline, such as 1mg, stabilizing for a while, then tapering off using the liquid form of the drug. See 

What is withdrawal syndrome? 
 
About reinstating and stabilizing to reduce withdrawal symptoms 
 
The Windows and Waves Pattern of Stabilization 

 

To help us out, follow these instructions Please put your drug and withdrawal history in your signature You may need to use a computer to do this.

 

 

[Sicksagittarius]

On 1/15/2021 at 4:44 AM, krispin90 said:

@Altostrata

 

I started on 10mg and gradually built up to 50mg within 2 weeks and then stopped abruptly after then. i initially had flu and fever like symptoms for the next 2 days as well as loss of appetite and lots of sweating but this calmed down after 3 days. The following months i had brain zaps and headaches as well as mild insomnia. These symptoms passed and then the last few months i've had severe abdominal pain and now 5 months from my last dose i'm still suffering with stomach issues e.g. stomach pain, volatile bowel movements and i've also built up food intolerances such as dairy and gluten however i am following a low FODMAP diet, which has helped. Will the stomach issues pass away over time and how long? Also the food intolerances will these be permanent or will they eventually fade?

Hi @krispin90

 

I'm so sorry to hear about your stomach problems. I'm having the same issue as you. Have you gotten any better? If so, what did you do to heal your gut? 

 

I had stomach issues a month after I started weaning off Lexapro. I'm still dealing with them 6 months later as I believe I tapered too fast and screwed myself up. I am now trying to stabilize at 2.5 mg. I have stomach burning, pain, diarrhea, and gluten, dairy, and inflammatory food intolerances. I've done the low fodmap diet as well. What type of doctor can I go to (naturopathic/homeopathic?) Can you point me in the right direction of threads with others who have healed their gut issues from SSRI withdrawal? Thanks!!