Zoloft causing long term IBS

Zoloft/Sertraline/SSRIs is one of the known medication triggers for microscopic colitis - so called because you can only get a definitive diagnosis by taking random biopsies of the colon via a colonoscopy. The biopsies are examined under a -you guessed it - microscope 🙂 There are two types - Collagenous and Lymphocytic. It mimics other types of bowel irritation and is frequently misdiagnosed as ulcerative colitis. But it’s very specific.

The treatment is a steroid called Budesonide. Entocort is another name. It is colon targeted so there are none of the systemic side effects of other steroids.

It is given as a initial dose you take for three weeks and then it is stepped down until you stop it. Although my course of taking it was 3 months, I got major relief of the diarrhea in about 4 days. After 7 months of being on house arrest essentially.

Are you seeing an gastroenterologist?

The drug is really expensive but can be affordable if you take advantage of GoodRx and see which local
Pharmacy has the best deal. It was a pharmacy in a local grocery store chain for me. Cross that bridge if/when you get there. I just wanted to warn you in case your doc takes you that route.

Talk to your doc.

I discontinued Zoloft about 7 weeks ago, suspecting it was the cause of my diarrhea and gas. What is the longest amount of time that I might have to wait for the diarrhea and gas to dissipate? Please note that I've already had a colonoscopy to rule out microscopic colitis.

There is someone in my family who's had zoloft induced diarrhea for a year! If you find something that helps, please let me know. I hope this doesn't happen to you. We seem to have an unusual case.

Hello @mmm48tx, I combined your discussion with an existing discussion titled, "Zoloft causing long term IBS" - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/zoloft-causing-long-term-ibs/.

I did this so you could meet other members talking about similar symptoms when taking Zoloft.

Is it responsive at all to anti-diarrheal meds like Imodium?

I have IBS-D and 6 other diagnosed digestive disorders for 10 years.
I was put on Mirtazpine 15 mg in Oct 2023 . My IBS - D has gotten worse.
I also deep wet belch over 800 x a day & night w/ non stop churning. I eat small and healthy but always sick 🤢.
I’ve tried everything, I mean everything in these 10 long years .
I’ve had all the tests you can do .
I’m thinking of getting off the antidepressant now .

Have you been checked for h-pylori

Thank you for suggesting that. I will check the tests that were run. Good idea.

I don't know if you received my "post" so I'm sending in Reply format. I appreciate your reaching out.