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What Causes Loose Stool While On Amitriptyline?

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Posted on Fri, 24 Aug 2018
Question: Hi i may have a problem may not always good to check for a assurance.

Yes i do suffer from anxiety and have been prescribed amitriptyline.

When i take amitriptyline my bowel function is fine they are solid as usual.

My diet is not the best. I am 13 stone 4 at 5 ft 8.

However at times when i go to the toilet my stool is loose would this be diet dependent?
What kind of foods can i eat?

I am constantly thinking about my bowel and having stupid thoughts. Never use to be like this aswell
There is no pain! All bloods tests were ok until last april ANA was also negative.

Please give your thoughts
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Please go through detailed answer dear XXXXXXX

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Have seen your details and i appreciate your concerns,
As per your query answers are-
The colon a part of large intestine normally absorbs the majority of water in stools leaving soft, solid stool. Food intake, infections by bacteria or parasite and some digestive disorders can lead to increased water in expelled feces, or loose or unformed stools.
In anxiety patients vagal nerve and autonomous nervous system is stimulated causing increased rate of persitalysis of intestines therefore the transit time of food through colon decreases hence cause improper absorbtion of water from unformed stools.

I would suggest you to take a probiotic like VSL 3 twice daily.These probiotic's repletes the gut flora hence would cause proper digestion of food.
Secondly take isapghul husk 2 tsf twice daily with XXXXXXX warm water its a natural bulk forming agent and would help in forming bulky stools.

Take foods rich in probiotic like curd , yoghurt etc.
Take 1 cup of green vegetable salad and fruit salad daily.
Avoid excessive fast food and other unhealthy food.
Drink boiled water.


Lastly amitriptyline is not a good anti anxiety basically itsa tricyclic anti depresssent.
I would suggest you to get a prescription for Paroxetine(it would lower your anxiety levels and would help you to over come repeated thoughts about your stools.

Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (50 minutes later)
Thanks Sir. So the loose stools which i suffer from you think is a big relation with stress anxiety?

Also why does the amitriptyline slow down and stools are therefore solid. Does this basically show this may be a physicologal problem?
When j google things stuff like IBD come up, chrons etc can you give me what the symptoms of these are? Cant just be lose stools can it?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (10 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
follow up.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Your problem is very likely related to your anxiety and may even be termed as irritable bowel syndrome as a result of anxiety.
So yes as per me its some how related to levels of your anxiety and therefore i have suggested you to take paroxetine for stress relief.

Can't understand the meaning of-
Also why does the amitriptyline slow down and stools are therefore solid?
Please elaborate?
Waiting,

Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (23 minutes later)
Im guessing amitriptyline kills of the anxiety and therefore normal function is resumed? Thats what i meant
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up suggestions.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Amitriptyline is basically an anti depressant and is not primarily used for issues related with anxiety.
SSRI and Benzodiazepene's are first line drug to control obsession and anxiety my dear patient.
Its a old drug and often causes a number of side effects.

How much relieved are you after taking this med on a scale of 1 to 10?

Hope I have answered your query.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (17 hours later)
Also having constipation problems? Been ongoing on a d off can you please give me suggestion to get back to normal thx
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Follow up answer.

Detailed Answer:

Hi

I would like to prescribe you
Syrup Lactulose once daily before going to bed.
This is a laxative very safe to use and is very well tolerated by patients.
Secondly add isaphghul husk 2tsf to XXXXXXX warm water before going to bed its a bulk forming natural laxative and add bulk to stools.

To relieve your levels of anxiety
Would like to start you on Paroxetine (need a prescription for the same) with a anxiolytic like Clonazepam once a day for 7 days.

Take Care!
Dr. Ramesh Kumar,
Gastroenterologist
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Ramesh Kumar

Gastroenterologist

Practicing since :1986

Answered : 2906 Questions

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What Causes Loose Stool While On Amitriptyline?

Brief Answer: Please go through detailed answer dear XXXXXXX Detailed Answer: Hello, Have seen your details and i appreciate your concerns, As per your query answers are- The colon a part of large intestine normally absorbs the majority of water in stools leaving soft, solid stool. Food intake, infections by bacteria or parasite and some digestive disorders can lead to increased water in expelled feces, or loose or unformed stools. In anxiety patients vagal nerve and autonomous nervous system is stimulated causing increased rate of persitalysis of intestines therefore the transit time of food through colon decreases hence cause improper absorbtion of water from unformed stools. I would suggest you to take a probiotic like VSL 3 twice daily.These probiotic's repletes the gut flora hence would cause proper digestion of food. Secondly take isapghul husk 2 tsf twice daily with XXXXXXX warm water its a natural bulk forming agent and would help in forming bulky stools. Take foods rich in probiotic like curd , yoghurt etc. Take 1 cup of green vegetable salad and fruit salad daily. Avoid excessive fast food and other unhealthy food. Drink boiled water. Lastly amitriptyline is not a good anti anxiety basically itsa tricyclic anti depresssent. I would suggest you to get a prescription for Paroxetine(it would lower your anxiety levels and would help you to over come repeated thoughts about your stools. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.