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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Are Hunger Pangs, Hot Flashes And Difficult Bowel Movements Caused By Depression Medication?

I m a 25 year old woman who at night sometimes has extreme hunger pains (despite just eating a snack,) and hot flashes sometimes to the point of sweating. Usually, when this happens, I feel like I have to both vomit and have a bowel movement at the same time. I go back and forth to the bathroom, but only gas comes out. Eventually, I normally am able to have a lot of bowel movement come out and then I feel back to normal. I m on venlafaxine for depression and for a over the past few years I ve taken other medication for depression as well. Could my symptoms be related to my medication?
posted on Thu, 31 Jul 2014
Twitter Tue, 9 Sep 2014 Answered on
Twitter Wed, 10 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Hello,

Venalafaxine can produce a GI upset but is more like nausea or anorexia rather than feeling of hunger. It is likely that you have an acid peptic disease which an inflammation or ulceration of the stomach or duodenum. You could try taking antacids when you get the hunger pains. If it helps you should try to get an upper endoscopy for diagnosis. If that will have to wait, you could do a urea breath test to detect the bacteria causing peptic ulceration and start on a proton pump inhibitor. You should avoid spicy food, caffeinated beverages, smoking, chocolates and acidic foods like lemon, tomato etc.
If you have further query i shall be happy to give my opinion.
Hope you get better soon.
Dr. Noble Zachariah
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Are Hunger Pangs, Hot Flashes And Difficult Bowel Movements Caused By Depression Medication?

Hello, Venalafaxine can produce a GI upset but is more like nausea or anorexia rather than feeling of hunger. It is likely that you have an acid peptic disease which an inflammation or ulceration of the stomach or duodenum. You could try taking antacids when you get the hunger pains. If it helps you should try to get an upper endoscopy for diagnosis. If that will have to wait, you could do a urea breath test to detect the bacteria causing peptic ulceration and start on a proton pump inhibitor. You should avoid spicy food, caffeinated beverages, smoking, chocolates and acidic foods like lemon, tomato etc. If you have further query i shall be happy to give my opinion. Hope you get better soon. Dr. Noble Zachariah