Hello fellow J-Pouchers. I am 70 years old. I had chronic UC since the age of 19, and bowel cancer at the age of 49. My final pouch surgery was in March 2005 and I developed pouchitis almost immediately. Cipro and flagyl worked well for me but I was taken off them because of side effects (nerve damage). I started Stelara last fall and have had three injections at 8-week intervals, with some success. Frequency of bowel movements has dropped from an average of 11 daily to 8.5 daily, which is significant to me believe it or not. My recent scope showed 40% improvement in the pouch in terms of the inflamed area but the disease is still active. I just had a call from my gastroenterologist who wants to move me to 4-week intervals immediately. The only side effects I have noticed are lower back pain and headaches but neither is constant.