GI Problems

[ALA]

Hi all. I was on SSRI's for nine years. I took 11 months to withdraw from 50 mg. of Luvox and have been SSRI-free since July 9, 2004. Two months after I took the last dose, I started getting severe GI disturbances, (stomach pains, diarrhea, etc.), which have been going on now for the last six weeks. I'm totally exhausted! The pains come on at any time of the day, but are especially frequent after I eat anything. I've had all the tests, which have come back negative, (i.e. no bacterial infection).

I know that GI problems are pretty common during withdrawal, because of all the serotonin receptors in the intestine and stomach. But I never had any GI problems during the 11 months of withdrawing, or for two months after my last dose. So, my question is: Is it plausible that my GI problems are caused by withdrawal? (Unfortunately, I have a new doctor who knows next to nothing about withdrawal.)

The other thing is that I started on a complex and extensive vitamin/supplement program, (of my own design, through research from withdrawal sites and books), when I started to withdraw, and which I still take. All the usual stuff, plus a megadose of fish oil, B12, amino acids, milk thistle, acidophilus, noni juice, etc. etc. And quite a bit of magnesium, which I have since read can cause diarrhea. I don't drink coffee or take any other form of caffeine.

My doctor wants me to quit taking all vitamins for two weeks to see if they are the problem. I am really leary about doing this, especially stopping the fish oil, which I believe has helped me from relapsing into depression. If the GI problems are still there after not taking the vitamins for two weeks, she will send me to a gastroenterologist, (who will likely know nothing about withdrawal).

So my questions to you are: Is it likely that my problem is withdrawal related? If so, can the problem last for months? years? Should I quit taking the vitamins? What can I do, in terms of diet or supplements, or anything else to help my miserable gut?

Thank you in advance for any and all input. I love this site; it has been saving my life for the last three years. Thank you so much!

Amy

[MizzT]

Magnesium may help the GI problems as it relaxes smooth muscle tissue.
There is a great thread going on it this week....you might read the article linked in the very first post on the thread.

[safarigal]

I'd do as the doc suggested and stop all the supplements for 2 weeks and see if everything clears up. GI problems are generally over within a few weeks during withdrawal.

[silence4now]

Welcome Amy. Wow, 9 years is a long time on SSRIs. Are the GI problems the only problems you've experienced during withdrawal? Why did you start on the vitamin regimen?

It could be the vitamins, but it's not unheard of for these things to crop up several weeks after withdrawal either. I had similar problems, starting about week 4 after quitting Paxil, and they would come and go for about the first 4 months. I had a very intense period of problems that lasted about 6 weeks. I developed a hiatel hernia and had to sleep with my mattress propped up at the head to reduce the acid reflux. Mega doses of any vitamins especially B6, and fish oil, would really aggravate the problem. Zantac gave me some temporary relief. I cut my daily multi-vitamin to every 2-3 days, and didn't take extra B then- only C and Magnesium. I took raw ginger (by juicer) for 2 weeks, which burned like crazy for about 2 days, but totally got rid of my hernia. I started to eat fresh and raw foods every day (an apple a day!) and increased my fiber. I don't have these problems anymore, now 6 months Paxil free!