IBS and GERD

By kevpark

1 min read

I’m 50 now and have lived with IBS-C and GERD for 20+ years. The last 5 years have been fairly good, relatively speaking. My GERD was under control with Nexium and my IBS was being treated by a low-dose anxiety medication called Amitriptyline which I took at night for morning colon spasms. I still had work stress flare ups once or twice a week but I was managing.

Losing its effect

In the last two months, the Amitriptyline started losing effect and my debilitating colon spasms returned. The Nexium stopped working as well so now I have bloating, regurgitation and poor digestion at night and painful colon spasms in the morning that last most of the day. I’m trying to make dietary changes and my dr put me on Hyoscyamine for the spasms but nothing is helping right now. I’m going back to the Gastroenterologist. I feel like I’m starting over.

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tmholland Contributor
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Elizabeth Alvarez Moderator & Contributor
I'm so sorry you are going through this. It is so frustrating when medications stop working. Have you tried diet change? For me cutting out dairy and wheat really helped my symptoms. And of course just overall eating better and cutting out processed foods. I also take probiotics and try to figure out what foods cause the acid reflux and avoid them. I'm sorry you are dealing with all this. It's a hard journey but don't give up and remember you have this community here that completely understands the struggle. You can always lean on us for support. Elizabeth (team member)
jo5781 Member
U sound just like me. You didn’t mention dose of amitriptyline.. I started at 10 mg and presently on 25. That was extremely helpful. I take omeprasole for GERD. Sometimes just a 10 mg dose of Prilosec with a gas x (Over the counter and combined) Which my dr said was ok can be helpful for me at night especially if I eat later than usual. the hyoscysamine was not helpful for me. Hopefully it will work for u..we are definitely all different.
1. kevpark Member
 Hi, Thanks for your response. I was on 10mg Amitriptyline. Perhaps a higher dose would help as that’s the only medication that’s provided relief for my colon spasms. Hyosycamine has been totally ineffective. I’m still taking the nexium for GERD. I used Prilosec years ago, I may give that a try. Thanks again!
Dolores B Member
Try to raise the dose of amitriptyline. I was beginning 10mg and now I am at 25mg and I'm better.
1. Chris H. Community Admin
 Thanks for weighing in! Just wanted to note that what works for one may not work for another. We encourage all community members to speak with their doctor when it comes to new treatments or changes to treatments. Take care. - Chris, <a href='https://irritablebowelsyndrome.net' target='_blank'>IrritableBowelSyndrome.net</a> Team