Antispasmodic medicines and further IBS treatments
Antispasmodic medicines
These are medicines that relax the muscles in the wall of the gut. Your doctor may advise one if you have spasm-type pains. There are several types of antispasmodics, and they work in slightly different ways. Therefore, if one does not work well, it is worth trying a different one. If one is found to help, then you can take it 'as required' when pain symptoms flare-up. Many people take an antispasmodic medicine for a week or so at a time to control pain when bouts of pain flare-up. Some people take a dose before meals if pains tend to develop after eating. Note: pains may ease with medication but may not go away completely.
Antidepressant medicines
An antidepressant medicine in the 'tricyclic' group is sometimes used to treat IBS. In particular, it tends to work best if pain and diarrhoea are the main symptoms. (Tricyclic antidepressants have other actions separate to their action on depression. They are used in a variety of painful conditions, including IBS.) Unlike antispasmodics, you need to take an antidepressant regularly rather than 'as required'. Therefore, an antidepressant is usually only advised if you have persistent symptoms, or frequent bad flare-ups that have not been helped by other treatments.
Psychological treatments (talking treatments)
Situations such as family problems, work stress, exams, recurring thoughts of previous abuse, etc, may trigger symptoms of IBS in some people. People with anxious personalities may find symptoms difficult to control. The relationship between the mind, brain, nervous impulses, and overactivity of internal organs such as the gut is complex. Some people have found such things as relaxation techniques, stress counselling, cognitive behaviour therapy, psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, and similar therapies useful in controlling symptoms of IBS.
Psychological treatments are generally mainly considered in people with moderate to severe IBS, when other treatments have failed, or when it seems that stress or psychological factors are contributing to causing symptoms. However, some of these treatments may not be available on the NHS in your area, or there may be long waiting lists.
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Jeanette Elliott, about 1 year
Hi i have read your articles bout ibs i have ibs and i have found it very difficult to deal with i live with my boyfriend my parents dont understand they just want me workin in my life i had to give up my job as i cant work and my boss would have sacked me help wat should i do with my life now i have ibs.
Report this commentsusan spear, over 2 years
I read your report with interest. I have literally been 'laid up' for a week with terrific pain in my stomach - my Dr. said it was the irritable bowel syndrome which I suffered from yrs ago but which has been bearable since then. However I was also on an anti-depressant drug which I self weaned off, and ever since then the iIBS has been getting worse - My Dr. said at first that people lack serotonin in the brain and it is not always a situation that can cause depression, but having read your article I am beginning to feel that the anti depressant actually helped the IBS as well as kept me SANE because I have nothing now to be sad about, so can only assume that by finding out about the anti depressants has actually helped me to stay on them, both for my sanity and to be painfree from IBS
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hayley hill, about 1 year
i am currently suffering severe bouts of ibs. having about 3 episodes a week at the moment. tried nearly all the drugs available and nothing is touching it, the one thing that is helping slightly is of all things Peppermint Oil which is a natural remedy. it is so right that problems can effect your ibs more. your article more informative than some doctors who do not class ibs as a real illness despite millions of sufferers. painkillers do work - but, i feel like i am living on tablets. tried changing diet and it made it worse as too much fibre makes mine too painfull to describe. trying the antidepression tablets at the moment, not working yet but have to be on them at least 3 mmonths before it works.
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