After my J-pouch surgery , I have become depressed. My doc gave me "Celexa" to take. I'm taking 20 mgs. Has anyone taken this before? I'm feeling tired all the time after taking this. Are a lot of you depressed even though you have had your last surgery? I appreciat your help. Thanks,Joe

I was depressed throughout much of my last 2 year flare. I thought surgery would change that but 6 months post-op I started taking ADs. I also took Celexa, I never noticed any side effects; it worked for me. Many of us have had to resort to medication after surgery.

Sue

Hi Joe,

I am sorry to hear that your are depressed. I think this is normal. You have been through a long ordeal and I guess you are still having to work hard getting the J-Pouch to work etc.

I had my takedown 2 weeks ago and I have to admit that I am really very low. Going to the loo 15 times a day, no sleep, I have a fissue that is so painful I am nearly vomit every time I go to the loo. The whole process has been an ordeal.

My first operation (the ileostomoy) went badly wrong and I nearly died. I had to have 3 emergency surgeries to survive.

But, in between operations I have been fine and led a very active life. I am hoping I get back to that state but this time around without having to wear a stoma bag.

I did have to take antidepressants but stopped taking them when I started to lead a normal life again. They are a good idea for some people. This whole thing is very tuff and we need all the help we can get.

I am told that over 90% plus of people are happy with their pouch and lead normal lives. So we both have to keep this vision in our minds.

Lets try to keep the faith.

Cheers,

Paul

i took Lexapro for several weeks after my step 1. i would break down and cry all the time .

Depression is a familar place for me, although I have not been able to find a med I can take.
But if celexa isn't working for you, there are others that might help. Although I believe the SSRI's take a few weeks to get the full effect.
Keep working with your doc, hopefully you'll find the right one soon.
LoriP

And also make sure you get a clear picture of how long you need to be on them. I was told to take the 2 years of my illness (which was the start of my depression) and multiply that by 2 and that would equal the amount of time I would need to stay on ADs. So, the total was 4 years. I thought I was okay after a year of successful AD treatment and against the advice of my doctor I weaned off ADs and slowly became depressed again. I started back up and continued the treatment for the entire 4 years and have been fine off ADs since, which was 3 years ago. Basically what I am saying is don't all of a sudden think you are fine and then stop.

Sue

hang in there westcoast joe. most people have no idea what a life altering process this procedure is and what we've been through. at first i was unsettled about the whole event but as i got into my "new normal" as my wife and i call it, i'm much more confident. you'll find yours. keep working with your doctors, i went to minnesota for my surgery and have been super pleased with the attention i've received. and continue to receive. keep the faith.

Hi Westcoast,I see a shrink every 3 months,it really helps me to talk about how I feel.Maybe you can check into seeing one.Good luck and God bless you friend.

First and formost...You are not alone!
Depression after this type surgery(s)is normal. It is part of the recovery process your body and mind go thru after losing a part of itself, just like losing a arm or leg, your body goes thru some major adjustments.
20mg of Celexa is a very low dose. I take 60mg, which is the maximum dose and also take Welbutrin. Neither one of these medications have given me any side effects. BUT you can not go off these meds cold turkey as there are withdrawal effects that can make you feel really weird.
I would ask about increasing the amount and venture into the idea of a MFT LCSW. It can't hurt and you may get some good ideas on ways to ease your depression with less meds..
Hang in there!
Julie

Julie, what is a MFT LCSW?
LoriP

Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

kathy

Thanks Everybody , your the best. I asked the same question at the healthandwellness.com and got no answer. I'm feeling a little better today. I'm still really tired and this started after I started taking the pills. My stomach is also upset. My doc told me today to try to ride it out for a few more days or we will switch drugs. Thanks again for all your help. Joe

hey Joe,
thats good that you are on anti depressants cuz i was terribly depressed at the age of 16 when having to go through all this... its totally normal and understandable. Alot of us on this site seem ok with what we have, and thats why we are on this site for support.
I am a recovering drug addict ...i used drugs to ease the mental and emotional pains from all this...i realize now that everything in my life happens for a reason and that there is a plan for me.... i wouldnt be who i am today without what has happened.....same goes for you. Just keep your head up! we are all here for support...
you can probably try different medications.....find the one that best helps you....
take care

WC Joe..Feeling exceptionally tired is another symptom of surgical recovery. Your body is working twice as hard right now not only changing it's digestive rythyms but also still healing. I found that for the first year I could eat anything and everything and NOT gain weight(YA COOL!)But then came the second and third, and fourth...etc..Yep I gained it back + some..
Julie

While recovering from my colectomy, there were some rotten days. I tried to get out of the house at least once a day, even if just going to Chick-Fil-A to read the paper.

I got home from my colenectomy in early Jan. 2007, and found it easier to be free from depression when the weather was good. Being January, there were quite a few day of poor weather in which it was difficult to keep my spirits up.