Crohn's Disease & Ulcerative Colitis Support Group

Crohn's disease is a systemic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) of unknown cause, that results in chronic inflammation of the intestinal tract. It can affect the entire gastrointestinal tract from mouth to anus, and can also cause complications outside of the gastrointestinal tract. There is no known medical or surgical cure for Crohn's disease, but there are many medical...

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Antidepressants

BBZinnia
BBZinnia
Hi Everyone. Wanted to know how many of you are taking an antidepressant for stress/anxiety. I recently started taking lexapro after stopping Azathioprine when i got pancreatiits. I'm still taking 10 mg of prednisone and colazal. My UC/Crohns symtoms have virually disappeared. I'm feeling great! Less stressed and more stable with much less anxiety. I think that this may be the answer for me!(fingers crossed) I've always had a very strong fight/flight response and this drug seems to be keeping the cortisol levels down. I'd much rather be taking this than Azathioprine any day! Any similar stories or comments greatly appreciated.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Wow, this is what I needed to hear. I just saw my GI yesterday and told her that I've been under so much stress with anxiety and how much I believe it contributes to my UC. I've been fighting a flare for almost a year now, I was in remission for 13 years previous to the birth of my 2nd child. Stress/anxiety has always been my big trigger.
My GI is having me see my GP next week to discuss starting something (antidepressant/anxiety meds). I'm hoping it can help balance things out just as you're saying! It makes sense to me as you said "strong fight/flight response & keeping cortisol in check".
Thanks for posting this, it's very motivating to me. I'm glad you're feeling so great!
deleted_user
deleted_user
This is great news....


This is great news. I have been on prozac but have not noticed a difference. I will arm myself with the names of your med and march right to the dr. Thanks for sharing
deleted_user
deleted_user
I just recently started taking Celexa (aka Citalopram). I guess it's a common starter Selective Seretonin Reuptake Inhibitor, SSRI, antidepressent. So far for me it hasn't done much for mg Colitis OR my depression just because I have been at such a low lately with having to hear about my friends graduating and getting into Grad schools while I had to sit it out this year because I got caught in this flare up at such a bad time. But serotonin I believe does have a positive influence on the gut from what I hear, as well as keeping that stress and anxiety down which definitely does not help the flare ups.

I like to take small doses of Lorazepam too as well when I have a really stressful event(s) coming up just to make sure the anxiety doesn't get the best of me. It does help a lot I feel. I know it can be addictive but I have personally taken it for months and stopped cold turkey and didn't have any withdrawal symptoms that I am aware of.

If any one knows if Citalpram is a good one for Colitis or if people have heard other ones are better let me know. I don't know if there are better antidepressents than SSRIs for colitis. I know my mom takes small doses of Paxil and complements it with Welbutrin (dopamine) and that works well for her Colitis and depression, but I haven't bothered to look up the class of Paxil yet, too lazy :P
deleted_user
deleted_user
I was on Zoloft for OCD and Anxiety. It wasnt until I started it that I got symptoms for UC (not saying one had to do with the other). I recently quit taking it (I DO NOT SUGGEST TO DO THIS- EVER!) It was the most horrible thing Id ever done.

I'm really happy for you! Crossing my fingers that you stay in remission.
deleted_user
deleted_user
It seems like everyone I know who has taken Zoloft has never had a good time with it. A few people I know had it end up making their depression worse.