I found that my mental health was far and away better without my colon and I came off my SSRI's after my colectomy.  Sorry this does not directly answer your question but thought I'd throw it into the discussion.

The GI tract is second only to the brain for the number of nerve endings.  the relationship between gut health and serotonin is unfathomable.  There is far more research to be done in this area.  I find it fascinating.

thanks yes, I've considered starting zoloft again, but I'm not sure yet.

My overall (including GI) health got better when I started taking Chinese herbal formulas that support mental health (for depression/anxiety, monkey mind). 

Ack! I wish. I do not know why, probably due to the brain gut connection of my unique physiology, but I am not able to tolerate SSRIs. I have tried them all and even at the smallest fraction of a micro-dose they cause level 10 out of 10 diarrhea. Bah humbug! When I was younger, pre-j-pouch days, I became severely depressed after a miscarriage and Zoloft was the miracle cure. Depression still shows up at my door from time to time and I wish an SSRI was still an option for me to kick it to the curb. I walk 3 to 5 miles out of doors daily and that helps - but - I remain hopeful Big Pharma will invent a different formulary I can tolerate.

@SeattleJane posted:

Ack! I wish. I do not know why, probably due to the brain gut connection of my unique physiology, but I am not able to tolerate SSRIs. I have tried them all and even at the smallest fraction of a micro-dose they cause level 10 out of 10 diarrhea. Bah humbug! When I was younger, pre-j-pouch days, I became severely depressed after a miscarriage and Zoloft was the miracle cure. Depression still shows up at my door from time to time and I wish an SSRI was still an option for me to kick it to the curb. I walk 3 to 5 miles out of doors daily and that helps - but - I remain hopeful Big Pharma will invent a different formulary I can tolerate.

There is a Chinese herbal formula I take that helps with this.  It is made by "Herbalogic" and it is called "Decompress" and is formulated for depression/anxiety.  The effects are subtle but noticeable for me.  I have been using acupuncture and Chinese herbs to support my hugely imbalanced body due to having no colon and this has been more successful than anything western medicine has offered as of yet, though I keep checking to see what they have come up with.  None of it has been for me yet, so far.