SSRI drugs and chronic severe diarrhea

[Llyn]

I took high doses of SSRI's for roughly 5 years.  Chronic severe diarrhea began with the first one (Zoloft/sertraline) and has continued.  It became a little less severe when I was switched to Effexor/venlafaxine, which caused a host of other problems.  I have now been off these drugs and back on my original antidepressant, Wellbutrin, for roughly two years and nine months.  The chronic severe diarrhea has never gone away, although the fecal incontinence is not as severe as it was while I was on the Zoloft/sertraline-- then, it was during the day and at night; now it happens primarily at night.  My body is desperately and constantly trying to flush my system.  I am concerned that long term use of SSRI drugs may permanently damage SSRI receptors throughout the body.   Is anyone else out there experiencing this in conjunction with long term use of high doses of SSRI drugs?  Following long term high doses of SSRI drugs?   Thanks in advance for any information that you can provide.

[bricedu]

Oops! I forgot to tell that I take magnesium and b6 pills 4 times a day. I read that you can take up to 1000 mg of magnesium a day.

[bricedu]

Hi Annie,
I am still taking my SSRI (zoloft 100 mg) . Magnesium and B6 have eased my diarrhea. Although it is not completely gone. I just need to go to the bathroom once a day or every over day. In my case it's a huge improvement. My bloating is under control, but I really need to pee more than usual. I guess it's a good sign. I take 400 mg of magnesium and 60 mg of B6 a day

[Annie_B_Happy]

Hi!  Am having chronic diarrhea/bloating taking Prozac.  Just wondering, your post says that magnesium and B6 has helped.  Are you still taking your S.S.R.I and these two supplements have helped or have you gone off of your S.S.R.I and have eased your diarrhea taking the two supplements you'd mentioned?  Am so hoping you reply...just for curiosity's sake, which S.S.R.I are you taking/were you taking?  Thanks, Annie.B.H.  

[bricedu]

SSRI user with chronic Diarrhea for two years, I might have found the cure : Magnesium and B6 vitamin. I guess the SSRI depletes your body of magnesium and B6, that might have been the cause all along.
It really does the trick. I have no more diarrhea and I can eat everything. My bloating is also gone I lost 9 pounds in two weeks, all water.
It works for me

[sickleigh]

I'm in a similar situation right now. What did you find out?

[Ittiebrattie]

I'm glad I ran upon this. I've been experiencing the same problem now for a long while. They have been changing up my meds trying to find something to help me. I'm currently on Lexapeo and have been having major bowel problems. I just recently went to the Dr about the problem actually and had to take back 5 stool samples. I've not gotten any results back yet, but I guess I will see what he has to say and keep pushing the issue until something is figured out. I don't know how much more my sore bottom can take.