clothesminded
Cathlete
I thought I would post my story in the hopes it might help someone else. I'm NOT saying what has worked for me will work for you. I'm hesitant about posting my personal business here, but if it helps someone then it's worth it.
In 2006, I had 2-3 months of reoccuring yeast and bacterial infections. Took a ton of antibiotics. After that, my stomach was never the same, and that's when I started having problems- gas, bloating (I looked 4 months preg. by the afternoon), and constipation. I went to a gastroenteroloist and had every test done known to man, seriously, except for a colonoscopy. I was even tested for food allergies and intolerances. I took out every food that can cause problems. After taking Zelnorm and a very expensive antibiotic for bacterial infections (Zafaxin), I was better for a year or so. Then Zelnorm went off the market. I became very depressed, due to stomach issues and a host of very tragic, unexpected events. I was put on a low dosage of Zoloft for depression. I stopped taking it late last summer. All my stomach problems can back in a month or so.
I then tried modifying my diet again. Took out the BSN Lean Dess. protein powder, Kashi Go Lean cereal, and added digestive enzymes, peppermint oil, and Cuturelle. That helped for about 2 weeks. It wasn't what I was eating that was causing the problem. So, I went to a gastroenterologist in my new area. When I told him I didn't know the problem was because I had tried everything, and mentioned that the only two real changes I'd made were really cleaning up my diet and stopping the Zoloft. He just about fell out of his chair.
He then told me that Zoloft is used to treat IBS, not because of depression or stress, but because most of the serotoin is found in our intestines, not in our heads. I didn't want to be back on Zoloft, but I decided to try it. Heck, I was out of options, and I couldn't walk around looking preg. every day. I skipped out on a beach vacation because of this problem! The doctor said that drugs are used for all sorts of reasons. Prozac being one of those. It's used to treat severe PMS.
It's been a month now, and I am back to normal. I'm taking 50 mg of Zoloft, Miralax, and Align probotics. It's been a miracle. The only side effect for me has been that I have to make myself eat. The Zoloft is making me not hungry. I think of it as being on Zelnorm again, and the doctor even said that Zelnorm did the same thing has Zoloft does, but people weren't freaked out about taking it because it was for stomach issues.
Here's a link to info. on using Zoloft to treat IBS. There are many on the internet, but they say the same thing.
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-can-zoloft-help-with-irritable-bowel-syndrome.html
Sorry this got long. I hope it might help someone. I'm not saying to go out and get a prescription. Zoloft is only prescribed for people who have severe IBS, and it doesn't work for everyone, like any drug. But it sure has given me my life back. In the afternoons, I now look like I do in the mornings
In 2006, I had 2-3 months of reoccuring yeast and bacterial infections. Took a ton of antibiotics. After that, my stomach was never the same, and that's when I started having problems- gas, bloating (I looked 4 months preg. by the afternoon), and constipation. I went to a gastroenteroloist and had every test done known to man, seriously, except for a colonoscopy. I was even tested for food allergies and intolerances. I took out every food that can cause problems. After taking Zelnorm and a very expensive antibiotic for bacterial infections (Zafaxin), I was better for a year or so. Then Zelnorm went off the market. I became very depressed, due to stomach issues and a host of very tragic, unexpected events. I was put on a low dosage of Zoloft for depression. I stopped taking it late last summer. All my stomach problems can back in a month or so.
I then tried modifying my diet again. Took out the BSN Lean Dess. protein powder, Kashi Go Lean cereal, and added digestive enzymes, peppermint oil, and Cuturelle. That helped for about 2 weeks. It wasn't what I was eating that was causing the problem. So, I went to a gastroenterologist in my new area. When I told him I didn't know the problem was because I had tried everything, and mentioned that the only two real changes I'd made were really cleaning up my diet and stopping the Zoloft. He just about fell out of his chair.
He then told me that Zoloft is used to treat IBS, not because of depression or stress, but because most of the serotoin is found in our intestines, not in our heads. I didn't want to be back on Zoloft, but I decided to try it. Heck, I was out of options, and I couldn't walk around looking preg. every day. I skipped out on a beach vacation because of this problem! The doctor said that drugs are used for all sorts of reasons. Prozac being one of those. It's used to treat severe PMS.
It's been a month now, and I am back to normal. I'm taking 50 mg of Zoloft, Miralax, and Align probotics. It's been a miracle. The only side effect for me has been that I have to make myself eat. The Zoloft is making me not hungry. I think of it as being on Zelnorm again, and the doctor even said that Zelnorm did the same thing has Zoloft does, but people weren't freaked out about taking it because it was for stomach issues.
Here's a link to info. on using Zoloft to treat IBS. There are many on the internet, but they say the same thing.
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/how-can-zoloft-help-with-irritable-bowel-syndrome.html
Sorry this got long. I hope it might help someone. I'm not saying to go out and get a prescription. Zoloft is only prescribed for people who have severe IBS, and it doesn't work for everyone, like any drug. But it sure has given me my life back. In the afternoons, I now look like I do in the mornings
