Amitriptyline for Irritable Bowel Syndrome User Reviews

• Gol...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 3, 2021

"I started Amitriptyline (Endep) for IBS-D that was mainly triggered by anxiety but sometimes food also. After trialing SSRIs and having no luck, I did some online research and noticed the older antidepressants helped regulate gut mobility. I asked my doctor if I could trial them so I did. At first, I noticed the deep sleep but also the lack of that 'spaced out' feeling you get with the newer antidepressants. I actually just felt like myself. After about 3 months on 20mg, I slowly, week by week, increased the dose to 50mg and that was my perfect fit, no more anxiety attacks or running to the bathroom due to fight or flight, cortisol throwing my gut into spasms. I’m able to go out, have fun, and not worry about IBS at all. If you are suffering from IBS that stems from or has led to anxiety, give this drug a try and don’t be scared to increase the dose till you find the perfect fit for yourself, you’ll get your life back! Good luck!"

• Hap...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 27, 2020

"I still have yet to receive a solid diagnosis on why I am nauseated 24/7, but in the meantime, amitriptyline has been a miracle drug. I know a few people who have also used it and experienced significant side effects, however, on 10mg, I haven't noticed a single side effect. I went from puking daily, visiting the hospital every other week, to eating literally anything I wanted. I have tried tecta, PPIs, probiotics, elimination diets, everything you can imagine. I can even drink coffee in the morning now!!! Literally changed my life overnight. I can now work without worrying about sick days. Please, please, take a chance with this. If it works for you, it's a miracle drug."

• Abi...
• December 6, 2016

"Since being on amitriptyline, my IBS symptoms are pretty much not there. I used to be in horrific pain all day every day and would even feel hot, dizzy, and in so much pain that I would actually faint off the toilet. I didn't want to leave the house, and IBS literally took over my life. I never write any reviews like this, but if I can help even just one IBS sufferer, then it's worth it. I gradually increased my dose to 50mg per night. Seems like a lot, but it's worth it in order to live a normal 21-year-old girl's life. For the first week, I did get the side effects (tired, dry mouth, a bit faint), but after that, I felt absolutely fine again. Please try this drug. I didn't think it would work, but it did, and I have honestly never been happier!"

• Joa...
• January 17, 2020

"After suffering for many years with IBS and trying almost everything from cholestyramine to FODMAP, I was feeling hopeless. As I got older, it was worse. Lucky to have found a brilliant gastroenterologist who prescribed a low dose of amitriptyline, and within six weeks of starting it, my IBS is 80% better. I feel like my life has been given back to me. I have some minor side effects, but I think for me it’s a miracle. In time, my dose might be increased, and perhaps I will be even better. No matter, I am so happy now."

• Mer...
• January 9, 2020

"After years of suffering from IBS-D, trying multiple prescriptions, diets, over-the-counter meds, etc., I heard about the use of antidepressants to treat it. My GP prescribed Zoloft, but after reading about side effects and personal accounts from other IBS-D sufferers, I decided the risk outweighed the reward. Continued doing research and came across posts about amitriptyline. Sounded promising, side effects of constipation/sleepiness were very appealing. I've also been dealing with intermittent sleep anxiety and insomnia. GI doc agreed to prescribe amitriptyline. Starting dose was 10mg/night. Didn't notice any change or side effects or improvement. Bumped it up to 20mg and definitely noticed a difference. BMs were improving, anxiety and stress levels were way down, sleeping great. Started to feel like my old self again. Been taking 25mg since Nov 2019 and have had 0 negative side effects. Highly recommend this drug amitriptyline to those suffering from IBS-D whose main trigger is anxiety."

• Kay...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 22, 2018

"I've had IBS-D, endometriosis, and chronic pain for fifteen years. I went on amitriptyline after reading this message board, with the deepest desperation but also complete disbelief that it would help me. Three months on and I hardly have any pain, maybe once in the last month (I used to have chronic pain every day). I can't believe it. It's a miracle, my life is changed, I can live. I don't know why no doctors ever suggested it all the times I went to my GP crying in pain, it was never mentioned. I just stumbled on this message board when researching. It's also really helped my diarrhea, basically disappeared compared with having to take an Imodium every other day and buscopan all the time. Thank you to everyone who commented on here before me and helped me on my journey to a pain-free life :). You saved my life."

• kel...
• April 14, 2015

"I have been taking amitriptyline for 3 months now. I take 10mg in the morning and at night due to how severe my irritable bowel syndrome is. I can eat everything now and have no side effects. I used to have diarrhea, bloating, stomach cramps, and bad gas every time I ate gluten, dairy, spicy foods, onion, garlic, and coffee. I've suffered from IBS for 8 years. This medicine has changed my life."

• Bet...
• September 23, 2019

"I take amitriptyline 30 to 35 mg for IBS-C since being diagnosed 10 years ago. Truly a miracle drug for me. The pain, nausea, and bloating were unbearable and ruining my life. Amitriptyline took care of it all! It took about 4 to 6 weeks for full effect and I felt pretty spacey and almost like in a drunken state until my body adjusted. But it was well worth it and I would highly recommend it. I take it at bedtime and drowsiness is not an issue. Dry mouth is tolerable. I wish more doctors would prescribe it for IBS and start patients on it sooner to decrease patients' suffering."

• Hea...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 13, 2021

"I don't know where I'd be if I hadn't found these reviews. After 17 months of daily pain & worsening diarrhea (which started out of the blue), I stumbled across this page & asked my gastroenterologist to prescribe this med. Within 10 days on 10 mg my pain was gone. After increasing to 20 mg, I started having normal bowel movements most days. I did just have a bad 4-day flare-up so I'm increasing to 30 mg. In the last year, I've had endoscopy, colonoscopy, CAT scan, swallowing study, fecal & blood tests, & gene testing. I've tried Imodium, Bentyl, Pepto, iron pills, fiber & Gas-X, acupuncture, probiotics, meditation. Nothing worked. I have never been suicidal but had been wondering (at age 49) if all my good years were behind me & life wasn't worth living. I hope my dose increase helps. If so, this is a miracle drug. The dry mouth & slight fatigue are worth it."

• Lcr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 3, 2020

"I have suffered from IBS-D related to anxiety since I was 21 (now 26). I self-diagnosed and attempted to self-treat, but nothing worked. I'm not someone who likes to take daily medication - I have ADHD and I rarely take my Adderall. I originally went to the doc for headaches - I was having 15-20 headache days a month. My doc prescribed me Amitriptyline for 3 months. I was skeptical at first because I do not like taking daily medication. I thought about it for a couple of days and decided to try it. It has changed my life. I have had 9 headaches since taking it (I'm now starting my next 3-month round of it). My sleep has vastly improved, and I started to notice in the first few weeks I was having regular bowel movements. I have never had 'regular bowel movements' in my life. My anxiety level has drastically decreased, and my IBS has basically disappeared. I highly recommend this medication for headaches, anxiety, IBS, sleep difficulties, etc."

• Mub...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2021

"I have IBS for 16 years. Too much pain, bloating, and discomfort. Tried many medicines. But amitriptyline is the best among them with almost no side effects for me. I had a severe IBS episode and was in so much trouble. My doctor advised me amitriptyline 25mg at bedtime and an unbelievable wonder happened in 2 weeks. All the symptoms reduced, and I felt much better. For acute attacks, I take librax with it. Amitriptyline is really a miracle drug. If you have IBS, give this medicine a chance. I am sure it will work for you, and you will lead a normal life like me."

• IBS...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 30, 2014

"I was skeptical and did not want to take this. My doctor prescribed Amitriptyline and Citalopram in approx. 1/4 dosage given for depression. I had just gone through the worst 4 four months of my life with debilitating Irritable Bowel Syndrome attacks nearly every day that would last for two to up to 8 hours. I gave in and tried the medications. I have not had a single IBS attack since the very first night I took the medications. It feels like a miracle. My attacks were so bad the thought of dying seemed better than having the attacks regularly. I thank my incredible doctor and God for introducing me to this medicine."

• dav...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 16, 2015

"I have had IBS since I can remember. As a child, I thought it was a normal thing because I've had it all my life. I'm in my 20s now, and a few years ago is when my IBS got out of control. I've had many medical visits to the ER for my IBS pain, and let me tell you, the pain is unimaginable. I even contemplated suicide, yes, I was in that much pain and suffering. After many failed attempts with different medications, I did my extensive research and pretty much told my doctor that I wanted to try this medication. I'm on 25mg. This medication is a miracle! Why have these doctors been hiding this medication from IBS sufferers? I am now pain-free and I can live my life with my family and enjoy every minute of it. Please try this medication, it does wonders."

• Fox...
• July 14, 2019

"I have had IBS-D for many years. I was in so much pain every single day, the cramps were unbearable. I couldn’t leave the house. I’m on 50mg, and I cannot tell you enough how much it has helped me. It has made me feel normal again. I can do day-to-day things without needing to run to the toilet every 5 seconds. I honestly recommend trying this to anyone with IBS. I hope it helps you as much as it has helped me."

• Ver...
• May 5, 2019

"Last summer I randomly woke up with the strangest stomach problems. I have never had stomach issues in my life prior to this, nor do any such problems run in my family. I had intense stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation, you name it. All summer I had every test under the sun (blood work, CT, colonoscopy, endoscopy), all negative. For about 7 months, my stomach felt like someone was ringing it like a rag, and I was nauseous 24/7, and I constantly felt full. My doctor started me on 25 mg of Elavil, and it kicked in after about three weeks of use. I no longer have that sensation anymore, I can eat and enjoy my life in college. This drug truly saved my life, and I wish more doctors knew about it. I am beyond grateful for this medication."

• Kat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 13, 2017

"After a long period of stress, I developed functional dyspepsia, which included ulcer-like pain, lots of belching, a horrible taste in my mouth, and nausea. It got so bad that I was struggling to eat anything at all without being in pain. I lost weight and started to become depressed because I felt like life wasn't worth living. In desperation, and after a lot of online research, I went to my doctor and asked for amitriptyline. I started on 10mg at night, and my symptoms began to disappear almost instantly. By day 4 or 5, I was virtually symptom-free. I upped my dose to an extra 10mg in the morning to ensure that the effect didn't wear off during the day. I can now pretty much eat what I like, and I have hope for the future! Give it a try :)"

• Bad...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 19, 2014

"If you are thinking about going on this medicine for irritable bowel syndrome, do it! I have been suffering for almost 5 years now, and I was missing work and was terrified to leave my house. Any social event I would go to, I would be terrified I would have a flare-up. I used to LIVE off Pepto, and I started taking amitriptyline (25mg), it has changed my life! For real! Besides a little weight gain, which is much better than living the life I was, it has truly saved me. This dosage is really good for me, and my irritable bowel syndrome was very severe. I take it with dinner so I don't wake up too tired! Good luck!"

• loo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 28, 2014

"This medicine is amazing. After 10 years of chronic diarrhea, fecal urgency, and other Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms, I went to see the gastro as I was doubled over in colic-type pain up to 3 times a month. He gave me 25mg to take at night and I haven't looked back."

• Lou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 25, 2014

"I suffered from irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea at least 3 times a day. I have now been on the medication for over two months, and I cried with happiness at my follow-up! I have had diarrhea TWICE since I started taking the medication. This medication has genuinely saved my life."

• Vro...
• May 25, 2016

"I have been dealing with IBS for about 2 years now. NOTHING was working. The doctors tried everything to see if they could help my pain and stomach problems. About 1 month ago, my doctor prescribed this medication, and my stomach pains are 99% gone. I take a 10 mg pill every night, and it not only helps with my IBS, it also helps with my anxiety. I would recommend this medication to anyone! I can start living the life that I had before IBS, it's amazing!"

• Lil...
• May 30, 2019

"I had stomach problems for years and had gone through several gastroscopy tests and was diagnosed with acid reflux. Doctors prescribed me different antacids for a year that never helped. Luckily, I met an amazing GI Dr. He questioned me a bit about my life and figured out that I had a deep depression due to my mother's loss 2 years ago. We were fighting for her cancer for 2 years, and she passed away in the end. So the doctor said it's nothing but a depressed mind and depressed stomach. He prescribed me Elavil 10mg for one year. It's been 10 days since I started taking it before going to bed, and I can say it has changed my life. No more pain, no more symptoms, and I can eat pretty much everything, even coffee and sweets. The only side effect is that I have a great appetite, gained 1 kg, and have difficulty waking up in the morning, but once I'm up, I'm full of energy again. I totally recommend it."

• Mag...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 28, 2013

"Irritable Bowel Syndrome sufferer for years. Amitriptyline works really well for me. There are still certain foods I avoid and I very occasionally get a flare up (normally because I have either overeaten or eaten something I would normally avoid). I take 20mg at nighttime. I did try to reduce this down to 10mg but after a couple of weeks, all my symptoms were back - pain, bloating, constipation, etc. I'd advise anyone suffering to give it a go. It took several weeks of taking it before I experienced significant relief of symptoms. Although I read that for some people it works straight away. Hope this helps."

• IBS...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 20, 2018

"I've had IBS for years, but it was just in the last couple of years that it really started taking its toll on my life. I couldn't leave my house for fear of an attack without access to a bathroom. Then, the normal lower abdominal cramping changed to excruciating upper abdominal pain. The pain would get so severe at times, it triggered a vasovagal response, causing me to pour sweat, have insanely loud ringing in my head, and nearly faint. My whole body felt so strange and weak. I don't know how IBS can cause such horrible pain, or how an antidepressant can stop it, but it does, and it has. Amitriptyline has changed how I spend my days. No more brutal pain and minimal episodes of diarrhea. I hope I never have to stop taking it. Honestly, if I have to go back to dealing with that pain again on even a semi-regular basis, it would be too much. So, I guess, in a sense, amitriptyline has saved my life."

• Gus...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2021

"I was literally suicidal before I started this medication. I fought having to take it, and now I wish I'd taken it sooner. It has quite literally saved my life. I am very sensitive to medication, so I started on 2.5 mg and crept it up to 5 mg. I am at least 90% better! I absolutely fully recommend giving this drug a chance if you get to the point where not living feels like your only escape. I was scared, but I need not have been. Very mild side effects... slight weakness and tiredness at first, and a headache for a few days."

• alw...
• August 7, 2011

"Having suffered with irritable bowel syndrome for about 20 years and experiencing a bloated stomach and being doubled up with stomach pains after virtually every meal, I had consulted a specialist, tried various diets and self-medication, and had no relief. This led to me feeling constantly worn out and depressed. I really thought I was stuck with this for life and then... I was prescribed amitriptyline. I started with 20mg and gradually increased to 50mg over a period of 6 months. The dosage was then gradually decreased and I was fine until I got down to 10mg, when the pains started to come back again. I increased to 20mg, which I have been taking for about 2 years and other than the occasional short flare-up, I have been fine. I have my life back again!"