1. < Mental Health

SSRI's causing debilitating stomach issues. Any luck with SNRIs?

Posted by ematthew13 @ematthew13, Apr 30, 2023

Hi there, I have general anxiety and have taken SSRIs on and off for the past 7 years. I have noticed that SSRIs give me terrible stomach issues in the beginning 4-6 months but end up leveling out eventually. Wondering if anyone has had luck switching from SSRIs to SNRIs?

I started with Zoloft when I was 30 and it seemed to be working until a month and a half into the cycle I had terrible stomach issues. liquid, irregular, and greenish stools, for about 6 months. I finally was able to adjust and had a good run for about 2 1/2 years.

I switched to Prozac when I was 34 and the stomach issues were not as bad but I felt very manic/out of control.

I started Paxil 6 months ago, currently on 40mg of Paxil and 2mg of abilify but experiencing the same gastrointestinal issues I had with Zoloft.

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mbryan | @mbryan | May 1, 2023

Hey! I'm so sorry to hear this, GI issues are not fun. I actually have just been going through some withdrawal symptoms from venlafaxine/effexor which is an SSRN, and those withdrawals cause lots of stomach issues. It's almost been debilitating, but it's gotten easier to handle as I've been getting better.

I definitely had trouble with being able to wait to eat while I was on my medicine. If I didn't eat right when I was hungry, my stomach would scream at me, which isn't normal. I also had a friend on prozac who sort of dealt with the same thing. It's okay for your body to be hungry, and these GI issues that we go through getting on medicines and then getting off are so unnecessary and not normal!!

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1 reply
alice36 | @alice36 | May 1, 2023

Hello,

The only SNRI I've been on was Venlafaxine. While I didn't have any GI issues from it, it did cause other issues for me like night sweats, brain zaps and libido problems. After a few months, I switched back to an SSRI.

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1 reply
graciepeanut521 | @graciepeanut521 | May 1, 2023

Hi there,
I had the same thought about 4 years ago. I had been on SSRIs for a few years and I noticed that I was always constipated and my colon was extremely slow. I thought switching to Effexor (SNRI) would be of help, but unfortunately I had the same result. I am now on my second SNRI (Cymbalta) and I’m hoping for a different result than what I’ve had. Hoping that you find your answer as well. I also had 2 colonoscopies because I thought I had IBD, but the gastroenterologist said that both SSRIs and SNRIs cause gut issues and recommended a strong probiotic.

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1 reply
ematthew13 | @ematthew13 | May 1, 2023
In reply to @graciepeanut521 "Hi there, I had the same thought about 4 years ago. I had been on SSRIs..." + (show)
@graciepeanut521

Hi there,
I had the same thought about 4 years ago. I had been on SSRIs for a few years and I noticed that I was always constipated and my colon was extremely slow. I thought switching to Effexor (SNRI) would be of help, but unfortunately I had the same result. I am now on my second SNRI (Cymbalta) and I’m hoping for a different result than what I’ve had. Hoping that you find your answer as well. I also had 2 colonoscopies because I thought I had IBD, but the gastroenterologist said that both SSRIs and SNRIs cause gut issues and recommended a strong probiotic.

Jump to this post

@graciepeanut521 Thank you for the feedback as I am considering switching to an SNRI. Interesting that it causes the same gastrointestinal symptoms for you. I as well had a Colonoscopy, years ago thinking there was something wrong with me. Hoping that Cymbalta works better for you!

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1 reply
ematthew13 | @ematthew13 | May 1, 2023
In reply to @alice36 "Hello, The only SNRI I've been on was Venlafaxine. While I didn't have any GI issues..." + (show)
@alice36

Hello,

The only SNRI I've been on was Venlafaxine. While I didn't have any GI issues from it, it did cause other issues for me like night sweats, brain zaps and libido problems. After a few months, I switched back to an SSRI.

Jump to this post

@alice36 thank you for the feedback. I have night sweats as well on Paxil but they seem to be subsiding.

REPLY
ematthew13 | @ematthew13 | May 1, 2023
In reply to @mbryan "Hey! I'm so sorry to hear this, GI issues are not fun. I actually have just..." + (show)
@mbryan

Hey! I'm so sorry to hear this, GI issues are not fun. I actually have just been going through some withdrawal symptoms from venlafaxine/effexor which is an SSRN, and those withdrawals cause lots of stomach issues. It's almost been debilitating, but it's gotten easier to handle as I've been getting better.

I definitely had trouble with being able to wait to eat while I was on my medicine. If I didn't eat right when I was hungry, my stomach would scream at me, which isn't normal. I also had a friend on prozac who sort of dealt with the same thing. It's okay for your body to be hungry, and these GI issues that we go through getting on medicines and then getting off are so unnecessary and not normal!!

Jump to this post

Thank you for the feedback and very informative as well.

REPLY
graciepeanut521 | @graciepeanut521 | May 2, 2023
In reply to @ematthew13 "@graciepeanut521 Thank you for the feedback as I am considering switching to an SNRI. Interesting that..." + (show)
@ematthew13

@graciepeanut521 Thank you for the feedback as I am considering switching to an SNRI. Interesting that it causes the same gastrointestinal symptoms for you. I as well had a Colonoscopy, years ago thinking there was something wrong with me. Hoping that Cymbalta works better for you!

Jump to this post

Thank you! I will say however, that Effexor is the worst SNRI if you ever wish to discontinue. The withdrawal effects can last up to 8 months and they are extremely debilitating. If you look up Effexor on this forum there are horrible stories of withdrawal and having to relapse. I suggest that you stay far away from it, as I am trying to switch medications and the side effects of getting off Effexor have stopped my life altogether.

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1 reply
ematthew13 | @ematthew13 | May 3, 2023

@graciepeanut521 really appreciate this information and this is very important to keep in mind for me moving forward. I hope your side effects begin to improve and life can return to normal for you.

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da69 | @da69 | May 3, 2023
In reply to @graciepeanut521 "Thank you! I will say however, that Effexor is the worst SNRI if you ever wish..." + (show)
@graciepeanut521

Thank you! I will say however, that Effexor is the worst SNRI if you ever wish to discontinue. The withdrawal effects can last up to 8 months and they are extremely debilitating. If you look up Effexor on this forum there are horrible stories of withdrawal and having to relapse. I suggest that you stay far away from it, as I am trying to switch medications and the side effects of getting off Effexor have stopped my life altogether.

Jump to this post

Agree on Effexor Whithdrawals

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