How many MAV'ers Have GI probs or IBS constipation etc:

Sorry about the delay in replying. I am on topiramate and nortriptyline in very small doses for VM.

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Yes, i have ibs too.

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Me, too

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I will be your Guinea pig for the gut/vm relation.
I just got my stool test result back and it seems there is a bacterial party going on in my gut!
For the next 5 weeks i will be taking anti worm/ antibiotic/ antimicrobal / anti fungus medication with a ton of probiotic. Starting today!

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Celiac for me, between that and the MAV diet (which ove strayed from a bit) tough to find things to eat at all ha

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I m also borderline celiac ( also came out from stool test) so no more gluten for me

Did you try to reduce nort again ? I know you were wanting to come off it.

No I had too many relapse not stable enough to reduce it, will see after this gut clens

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I was wondering if anyone experiences the same as me when it comes to IBS. A lot of times if I relieve myself or gas then the dizzy episode goes away. (Hopefully not TMI) haha

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Brittini, yes! Me too! May be TMI :joy:, but a good BM is always a relief. I am taking amitriptyline which is known to give constipation. I take daily fiber pills, probiotics and also senna to counteract.

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This year’s migraine world summit talked about that. Often vomiting or defecating will relieve migraine, even in just garden variety migraine patients, let alone us fragile flowers. Personally I end up with diarrhea that tends to be the herald of worse to come.

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I think I am at that point now, Amitriptiline has worked wonderfully… but for its effect on my bowels! Severe constipation , my GP now wants me to have a colonoscopy to rule out anything serious. I know it’s the meds but it’s really getting me down. It’s like I have to choose between my head not working or never going to the toilet again! Frustrating

That is silly. It’s almost certainly the Amitriptyline. Oh the joy I had when I gave all meds up! “Bathroom normal” again! And intellectually sharper too.

A friend of mine had the exact same issue with venlafaxine. Doctor sent her for an expensive colonoscopy for no reason. The cause was obvious, especially for anyone with experience of antidepressants. Doctors need to get more informed of AD side effects!

Can you reduce dose-age a bit?

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Do you take a magnesium supplement? I found taking 500-600mg of magnesium a day helped with the constipation on Ami (plus it’s supposed to help migraineurs).

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Doctors really should be more aware for sure. Although Ami’s not so much used as a AD these days its still in common usage for chronic long term pain from many conditions. The constipation that comes with these drugs really is something else. Far beyond the ‘try prunes and eat more greens’. I remember my mother going for weeks without passing anything on Amitriptyline. So uncomfortable. It really is too bad

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I’m going to start reducing the meds a bit more, my head has been great. Yes the constipation is really something else, nothing seems to work except the stimulant laxatives which you aren’t supposed to take long term. I will try magnesium it’s probaby the last thing left to try. I will discuss the colonoscopy with a specialist, the problem is sorry if TMI … I had blood in stool, but I’m thinking it’s just due to constipation, but now I feel a bit spooked

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Yep, the ignorant doctor who performed the colonoscopy suggested, patronisingly, she consider more fibre in her diet! :roll_eyes:

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Yes Its quite a conundrum! :tired_face: honestly without this amazing forum, I doubt anyone would’ve diagnosed the MAV! Everyone on this forum had my exact symptoms which enabled me to pursue getting better. You help so many people

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Really interesting thread. I’ve been battling unexplained acid reflux/GERD, belching and indegestion for the past year. At the time when it started, I was on a super clean and healthy diet too, which makes it even worse! I’ve had all the usual tests (endoscopy, bloods, stool etc.) but everything comes out normal. They said i have some mild gastritis but ive tried PPI’s and it hasnt helped. Im completely at wits end.

I’ve also tried a daily dose of probiotic supplements, organic ginger and turmeric in my breakfast smoothies, but it hasnt helped much really.

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So I totally get this connection now.

Yes, recently I’m getting the fallout from a bout of Gastritis last year and it seems like the gas I get causes me to get slightly dizzy again, especially late in the evening. This is after years of recovery from MAV almost completely, so I don’t think it’s related directly (though my compensated vestibular system may be less ‘flexible’)

@Brit_Tino, @ak90 how are your bowel issues now? Did you ever find a way to navigate out of these symptoms and the gas?

Thankfully I’m totally off all medication so at least I know it’s not that.

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