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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sarita0001 on November 9, 2003, at 7:17:28
Hi,
Has anyone on SSRI's had stomach problems like gas or having to do a #2 more often? I am only on 5mg Prozac and this is already happening to me- but I just started and wonder if this continues.
Thanks
Sara
Posted by Larry Hoover on November 9, 2003, at 8:39:44
In reply to SSRI's and stomach problems, posted by sarita0001 on November 9, 2003, at 7:17:28
> Hi,
>
> Has anyone on SSRI's had stomach problems like gas or having to do a #2 more often? I am only on 5mg Prozac and this is already happening to me- but I just started and wonder if this continues.
>
> Thanks
> SaraSerotonin regulates peristalsis, the rhythmic contraction of smooth muscles around the digestive tract, that propel food from your stomach until it re-emerges. There's more serotonin in your gut than in your brain, in fact. In effect, the SSRI has induced something similar to irritable bowel syndrome. You may or may not find that your body adapts to the drug. It may also happen every time you increase the dose. It will probably subside, but it's one of the reasons people can't tolerate this type of med.
Lar
Posted by sarita0001 on November 9, 2003, at 10:00:20
In reply to Re: SSRI's and stomach problems » sarita0001, posted by Larry Hoover on November 9, 2003, at 8:39:44
Posted by MoonWitch629 on November 9, 2003, at 12:52:42
In reply to Re: SSRI's and stomach problems » sarita0001, posted by Larry Hoover on November 9, 2003, at 8:39:44
Also...in addition to diarrhea, I have had MAJOR acid reflux, especially with higher doses of several SSRIs, including Prozac, Paxil, and Lexapro. That's one of the reasons I have gotten off all of them. I have a hiatal hernia, which predisposes me to acid reflux anyway, but as long as I am careful about not eating too close to bedtime, I am usually okay. With the SSRIs, I not only have acid reflux more often, but with higher doses, it gets really severe, to the point where it literally burns my esophagus.
One of the things that ticked me off about my current shrink is when I complained about the acid reflux to him, he said he had "never heard of anybody complaining of that problem with SSRIs before." He didn't come right out and say he didn't believe me, but it was pretty obvious he didn't. What a quack.
Posted by Jasmine Neroli on November 9, 2003, at 16:29:56
In reply to Re: SSRI's and stomach problems, posted by MoonWitch629 on November 9, 2003, at 12:52:42
Hey: Yes I'm sure Serotonergic drugs can have a huge impact on digestive tract.
I had initial nausea on Celexa at 20mg that faded away after about 2 weeks, but I also got stomach pains similar to gastro-enteritus type stomach flu's in the middle of the night/early morning, on it too, which lasted at least 2 months. I stayed on Celexa for over a year with only an occasional return of those symptoms, but gave up in the end because of other S/E's. I've recently been on BuSpar 30mg (which is also a serotonergic drug) and that gave me bloating and severe am nausea!!! I tried BuSpar for 2 months with no change in those S/E's. As soon as I stopped BuSpar the symptoms disappeared and have not returned at all! I'm sure Larry is right in his explanation. Good luck!
Jas
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