I know antidepressant helped keep my flares under control when I had UC. I have been in the same antidepressant for 16 years. Lately, I feel like I'm building a tolerance for my antidepressant. So I wanted to see what worked for other j pouchers before I went to my doctor.
Question #1. Do you feel like antidepressant help control your pouchitis?
Question #2 What antidepressant are you taking?
Thanks for your input
2 part j pouch surgery in fall 2017
1st pouchitis diagnosis. 2019
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My dad has a ileostomy and he is taking Venlafaxine 75mg 4X a day and he is happy all the time 
Whatever antidepressant you go, make sure its NOT EXTENDED RELEASE Extended release does not absorb properly in us because we are missing a colon. Always choose IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
How is Stelara for you? I know you have been on it for a while
So far, Stelara works for the first 4 to 5 weeks then stop. I have only had one shot and due another one in 2 weeks. Right now, I am taking cipro and flagyl to sustain me until then. I have been on effexor for 16 years. It worked great until recently. I think I am just building up an intolerance for it.
@RondaC posted:So far, Stelara works for the first 4 to 5 weeks then stop. I have only had one shot and due another one in 2 weeks. Right now, I am taking cipro and flagyl to sustain me until then. I have been on effexor for 16 years. It worked great until recently. I think I am just building up an intolerance for it.
What I do whenever I get depressed is to out loud the things I am grateful for, maybe that can help you with your depression a little bit?
Sorry to hear that hon! I heard from a therapist that if Venlafaxine/Efexxor stop working, it might be time for Cymbalta. Have you heard of Cymbalta?
I have heard of Cymbalta but not used it. I know that is has some anti-inflammatory properties that could help with pouchitis. So that would be a win. I am not severely depressed. Just sometime, I think tomorrow I need to this and that. When morning comes, I have no desire or energy to do it. Plus I am struggling with allergies this spring and I never had problems with them before and I have an UTI. So I am fighting so many things going off in my body then the side effects of the medicine I take to fight these ailments. So I have a lot going all. Oh well this to shall pass.
@RondaC posted:I have heard of Cymbalta but not used it. I know that is has some anti-inflammatory properties that could help with pouchitis. So that would be a win. I am not severely depressed. Just sometime, I think tomorrow I need to this and that. When morning comes, I have no desire or energy to do it. Plus I am struggling with allergies this spring and I never had problems with them before and I have an UTI. So I am fighting so many things going off in my body then the side effects of the medicine I take to fight these ailments. So I have a lot going all. Oh well this to shall pass.
I am glad you are not severely depressed, I am still worried about you though. I hope everything gets better for you dear, I know a pandemic is not helping either but at least things are getting better.
I forgot to ask, you are not taking extended release EFFEXor right???
Do you exercise???? That can help with depression
No I'm not in extended release. I do need to exercise more.
@RondaC posted:No I'm not in extended release. I do need to exercise more.
Oh good!!!! Glad to hear that! I found out the hard way, on here lol. I like to dance for exercise, what would you like to do???
