Side Effects for person with colitis (help)!

I was diagnosed with colitis when 19 and depression when 22.  I have been unable to find an antidepressant that does not aggravate my GI....generally rectal/intestinal bleeding seems to occur.  This has happened with Zoloft (it stopped when discontinued) and also Effexor.  

I have read about a new medication called Remeron that may offer hope for me as it blocks a seratonergic receptor that is likely associated with this annoying problem.

My mood is alright but understandably not as good as it could be.

Please respond with advice.

Sincerely

John Corbett

[HFHS M.D.-SW]

Dear John Corbett,

It is must be frustrating to find the correct medication without exacerbating your colitis.
The medicatin Remeron is an effective antidepressant, it may though increase the histamine level causing increased stomach acidity.
Most medications are equally effective for depression, but there side effect profile differ.
Ironically the same medication may cause different side effects in different patients. For example, Paxil is sedating in over twenty percent of patients, yet may cause insomnia in ten percent of patients. Prozac may cause constipation in some and diarrhea in others. It may simply be trial and error.
The majority of side effects resolove with the duration of treatment, but they may reoccur if the dosage is increased.
The benefits of medication versus side effects needs to be evaluated by your psychiatrist.

Best Wishes,

HFHS M.D.-SW