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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by pedr on September 2, 2009, at 16:18:41
Hi all,
I have IBS-C (C = the "I can't poo" variant) and so am very constipated anyway. However recently this has got a lot worse and I believe this is due to the Nardil I am now taking. I have now been on 60mg for 2.5 weeks after building up dose 15mg/week.
I literally have not had an urge to go once in the last month.Has anyone else experienced this severe constipation, or is it just that I was predisposed to it because of the IBS-C?
Cheers,
Pete
Posted by jms600 on September 2, 2009, at 16:56:20
In reply to Nardil + Constipation, posted by pedr on September 2, 2009, at 16:18:41
> Hi all,
> I have IBS-C (C = the "I can't poo" variant) and so am very constipated anyway. However recently this has got a lot worse and I believe this is due to the Nardil I am now taking. I have now been on 60mg for 2.5 weeks after building up dose 15mg/week.
> I literally have not had an urge to go once in the last month.
>
> Has anyone else experienced this severe constipation, or is it just that I was predisposed to it because of the IBS-C?
>
> Cheers,
> Pete
Never taken Nardil but I had terrible constipation with Amitriptyline. I got through it by taking LOTS of fibre and plenty of senna at a weekend.
Posted by maxime on September 2, 2009, at 18:10:42
In reply to Nardil + Constipation, posted by pedr on September 2, 2009, at 16:18:41
I've never heard of nardil being associated with constipation. I know a lot of the TCAs will make you constipated, but not MAOIs. I've been on both Nardil and Parnate and I never experienced that side effect. Are you allowed to take sienna when you have IBS?
Posted by maxime on September 2, 2009, at 18:15:27
In reply to Re: Nardil + Constipation » pedr, posted by maxime on September 2, 2009, at 18:10:42
I stand corrected. I just looked up the side effects of Nardil and found this:
Gastrointestinal Constipation, dry mouth, gastrointestinal disturbances, elevated serum transaminases (without accompanying signs and symptoms).
Posted by Phillipa on September 2, 2009, at 20:20:52
In reply to Re: Nardil + Constipation, posted by maxime on September 2, 2009, at 18:15:27
Agree with above but if nothing in a week and I also have IBS maybe a fleets enema to get things going? Then plenty of fluids. Phillipa
Posted by stargazer2 on September 2, 2009, at 20:58:23
In reply to Nardil + Constipation, posted by pedr on September 2, 2009, at 16:18:41
Yes, it is a side effect and I had it. I never had that side effect before Nardil. I have spoken to other posters who have had the same problem.
Solutions include using a stool softener like Colace, eating dried fruit (this works pretty well) and another laxative, whose name escapes me. I took it, mised with water when I had a colonoscopy. IT is a white powder, no taste and can be used to help move things along.
When I took Nardil more than 20 years ago the formula was differnt and there was not this side effect, so it is a newer one related to the reformulation. The side effects of Nardil usually subside over time, as this one has for me. It is very unpleasnat though and I have more sympathy for people who have constipation, as I was never afflicted with it before.
others may know the name of the medication for constipation, over the counter, in a purple container. Sorry, I'm very tired right now.
Working wears me out these days, when I was really sick with depression, I was unable to work, but I can now, but it is still very hard to keep up with taking meds and still worrying about relapsing and having to fake it so often at work. Sorry, I digress, but life is very, very difficult. 30 years of depression has taken it's toll.
Good luck with Nardil, it can make a big difference for severe deprssion that doesn't respond to other medications.
Posted by maxime on September 2, 2009, at 21:21:48
In reply to Re: Nardil + Constipation, posted by stargazer2 on September 2, 2009, at 20:58:23
> others may know the name of the medication for constipation, over the counter, in a purple container. Sorry, I'm very tired right now.
>It's miralax and it's very effective without all the nasty cramping that you get with other laxies. I recommend it.
Posted by atypical on September 2, 2009, at 22:19:03
In reply to Nardil + Constipation, posted by pedr on September 2, 2009, at 16:18:41
Yes. I have definitely had constipation as a side effect of the Nardil. Not as severe as you though. For me, thankfully, it passed after two weeks. For you the same thing may happen. It may pass. It may help to divide your Nardil dose two to three time a day, if you don't do so already.
> Hi all,
> I have IBS-C (C = the "I can't poo" variant) and so am very constipated anyway. However recently this has got a lot worse and I believe this is due to the Nardil I am now taking. I have now been on 60mg for 2.5 weeks after building up dose 15mg/week.
> I literally have not had an urge to go once in the last month.
>
> Has anyone else experienced this severe constipation, or is it just that I was predisposed to it because of the IBS-C?
>
> Cheers,
> Pete
Posted by ace on September 2, 2009, at 22:44:02
In reply to Nardil + Constipation, posted by pedr on September 2, 2009, at 16:18:41
> Hi all,
> I have IBS-C (C = the "I can't poo" variant) and so am very constipated anyway. However recently this has got a lot worse and I believe this is due to the Nardil I am now taking. I have now been on 60mg for 2.5 weeks after building up dose 15mg/week.
> I literally have not had an urge to go once in the last month.In my experience, quite common. However, does usually abate after a while. In the meantime I would try eating bran, in addition to using laxatives. Try and be patient.
>
> Has anyone else experienced this severe constipation, or is it just that I was predisposed to it because of the IBS-C?
>
> Cheers,
> PeteAll the best!
Your on the best medication now!Ace
Posted by pedr on September 3, 2009, at 8:29:01
In reply to Re: Nardil + Constipation, posted by Phillipa on September 2, 2009, at 20:20:52
> Agree with above but if nothing in a week and I also have IBS maybe a fleets enema to get things going? Then plenty of fluids. Phillipa
yes I've been using Fleet enemas and suppositories. As a straight person I've never had so many things up my bum in my whole life lol. I have partial success with them, which will do for now.
Posted by pedr on September 3, 2009, at 8:35:13
In reply to Re: Nardil + Constipation, posted by stargazer2 on September 2, 2009, at 20:58:23
> Solutions include using a stool softener like Colace, eating dried fruit (this works pretty well) and another laxative, whose name escapes me. I took it, mised with water when I had a colonoscopy. IT is a white powder, no taste and can be used to help move things along.
unfortunately things like dried fruit are the worst possible things you can eat when you have IBS-C since they cause gas, which causes cramping and pain. Could the white powder be miralax? I tried that and it has no effect :/
>
> When I took Nardil more than 20 years ago the formula was differnt and there was not this side effect, so it is a newer one related to the reformulation. The side effects of Nardil usually subside over time, as this one has for me. It is very unpleasnat though and I have more sympathy for people who have constipation, as I was never afflicted with it before.I've heard a lot about the old formulation. It made me worried that the new formulation wouldn't work but I'm feeling quite a bit better which is a relief. With IBS-C, in my experience, the constipation is annoying but it's the daily pain, sometimes excruciating, which is the primary problem.
> others may know the name of the medication for constipation, over the counter, in a purple container. Sorry, I'm very tired right now.
yeah that's Miralax. Lots of people swear by it.
>
> Working wears me out these days, when I was really sick with depression, I was unable to work, but I can now, but it is still very hard to keep up with taking meds and still worrying about relapsing and having to fake it so often at work. Sorry, I digress, but life is very, very difficult. 30 years of depression has taken it's toll.I hear you. I am 12 years and counting of depression. It's a living hell, as I'm sure lots of people on this site can attest to. The faking and lying to cover it up is horrible.
>
> Good luck with Nardil, it can make a big difference for severe deprssion that doesn't respond to other medications.Thanks man. It's already helped a lot when all the other meds I've tried (15+?) did pretty much nothing. I hope things improve for you.
Pete
Posted by pedr on September 3, 2009, at 8:36:53
In reply to Re: Nardil + Constipation, posted by atypical on September 2, 2009, at 22:19:03
> Yes. I have definitely had constipation as a side effect of the Nardil. Not as severe as you though. For me, thankfully, it passed after two weeks. For you the same thing may happen. It may pass. It may help to divide your Nardil dose two to three time a day, if you don't do so already.
I was taking 30mg a.m. and 30mg p.m. for a month or so and it had no effect unfortunately. I am beginning to think that I have concrete in there somewhere...
Posted by pedr on September 3, 2009, at 8:40:39
In reply to Re: Nardil + Constipation » pedr, posted by ace on September 2, 2009, at 22:44:02
> In my experience, quite common. However, does usually abate after a while. In the meantime I would try eating bran, in addition to using laxatives. Try and be patient.
thanks for the suggestion but counter intuitively bran is one of the worst things for people with IBS-C. It's very high in insoluble fibre which often causes a lot of pain. Soluble fibre (Metamucil, oats, potatoes etc.) is the recommended alternative. I tried that also and predictably it did zip. It does cause less pain though.
Posted by Justherself54 on September 3, 2009, at 10:37:58
In reply to Re: Nardil + Constipation, posted by pedr on September 3, 2009, at 8:40:39
I have irritable bowel and diverticulitis. The magic laxative for me is cherries, as many as I can eat at one sitting (which is a lot as I love them). Sometimes, they've worked in under an hour. Might be worth a try? Constipation is awful. My grandmother's first question to any of us if we complained about not feeling well, was if we were constipated!
It may be just me that responds to the "cherry bomb" but it works every time.
Posted by stargazer2 on September 3, 2009, at 20:27:55
In reply to Re: Nardil + Constipation, posted by Justherself54 on September 3, 2009, at 10:37:58
Just Herself/Pedr.
Can you get the cherry bomb year round. I love cherries too but usually seasonal around here. The season just passed.
Pedr...I would opt for a stool softener before a fleets or suppository. Those are for relief and a softener is to prevent the problem in the first place.
Ther are probably more foods that might help, I would have to google which I do for any solution to a problem...
Posted by pedr on September 8, 2009, at 8:35:44
In reply to Re: Nardil + Constipation/JustH/Pedr, posted by stargazer2 on September 3, 2009, at 20:27:55
> Pedr...I would opt for a stool softener before a fleets or suppository. Those are for relief and a softener is to prevent the problem in the first place.
Hi, I tried a stool softener alone for a while and predictably it didn't work. However that's a good idea in conjunction with a suppository actually - thanks.
Posted by pedr on September 8, 2009, at 14:12:09
In reply to Re: Nardil + Constipation, posted by Justherself54 on September 3, 2009, at 10:37:58
> I have irritable bowel and diverticulitis. The magic laxative for me is cherries, as many as I can eat at one sitting (which is a lot as I love them). Sometimes, they've worked in under an hour.
I would give it a go but pretty much all fruit leaves me in intense pain for a day or two unfortunately. Probably since cherries are loaded with sorbitol which causes bloating (and thus the pain). Bummer.
Posted by ColoradoSnowflake on September 9, 2009, at 0:33:01
In reply to Re: Nardil + Constipation, posted by pedr on September 8, 2009, at 14:12:09
Since I was a little girl I have always had digestive problems, stomach aches, constipation, diarhea etc. especially around stress or emotional issues.
About 5 years ago my doc had me work up to taking FOUR heaping tablespoons of psyllium husks every single night with lots of water. I have not had one problem since then.
It works so well that if I have gone to bed, maybe to sleep, I will get up and take it.
And I DETEST it!! I've even considered staying up all night to avoid taking it. It's disgusting. I moan and groan and complain to myself the whole time I'm taking it.
But it has totally freed me from any problems at all in my intestines, so I make myself do it.
It works.
Gayle
Posted by pedr on September 9, 2009, at 10:03:11
In reply to Re: Nardil + Constipation, posted by ColoradoSnowflake on September 9, 2009, at 0:33:01
> About 5 years ago my doc had me work up to taking FOUR heaping tablespoons of psyllium husks every single night with lots of water. I have not had one problem since then.
> But it has totally freed me from any problems at all in my intestines, so I make myself do it.
> It works.
> GayleI tried Benefiber, Metamucil and even Heather's Tummy Fiber and didn't find much difference in pain levels or constipation unfortunately. There's a lot of evidence out there (including very recent trials) that points to soluble fibre's efficacy though, so I may give it another go.
Thanks.
Posted by pedr on September 15, 2009, at 12:51:57
In reply to Re: Nardil + Constipation/JustH/Pedr, posted by stargazer2 on September 3, 2009, at 20:27:55
> Pedr...I would opt for a stool softener before a fleets or suppository. Those are for relief and a softener is to prevent the problem in the first place.
I tried Docusate sodium (Colace) as you suggested and it immediately helped soften the stool so that the suppository was much more effective and I had to strain much less (apologies for the detail!). However as before, Docusate sodium seems to cause quite bad abdominal pain for me which is a real shame. Gutted.
Pete
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