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I got my j-pouch 13 years ago and have FAP.  I have been on Effexor XR 225mg for over 14 years.  Over the past year, depression has gotten worse and my doctor recently changed my antidepressant.  He lowered the Effexor XR to 150mg and added the Lexapro 10mg.  I am to do this for two weeks and then lower the Effexor XR to 75mg and increase the Lexapro to 20mg. 

 

I have been on the on the Lexapro for about 1 1/2 weeks so far.  I don't want to say I am constipated but I feel I am on the verge.  My bowels have slowed down considerably.  Since I got the j-pouch I have always had liquid stool.  This is the first time since I got the j-pouch that I have gotten this type of cramping in my j-pouch and think I I have a small hemorrhoid.  I have never had a hemorrhoid in my life.  I am having a hard time releasing my stool.  I have called my psychiatrists office twice in the last two days.  The first time I spoke with the nurse and never heard back.  The second time I called I left a message and have not heard back.

 

Should I be concerned about this?  I don't want to get completely plugged up.

 

Last edited by ksr
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You definitely don't want to get constipated. While you're waiting for guidance from your doctor, there are a few things you can do: 1) drink plenty of water, probably more than you want to, 2) consider Metamucil or some other soluble fiber (although J-pouchers often use it to bulk up liquid stool, it also prevents constipation as long as you drink plenty of water), 3) immediately stop any bowel slowers (Imodium, Lomotil, or other oopioid pain meds).

 

The Effexor XR is an extended release pill. These are not generally recommended with a J-pouch, since after a colectomy our intestines may be too short for them to have time to work.

 

Good luck!

I am not taking any lomotil or imodium.  I am worried about taking anything to loosen it because I don't want to have stool leakage.  That has been a major problem.  I am calling my GI doctor's office to see what they say.  I left another message for the nurse at my psychiatrist's office.  Waiting for a call back.

 

FYI - I too changed antidepressants 5 months ago.  As the Amitriptyline dose was increased the Viibryd dose decreased.  There was almost an immediate effect on my j-pouch function.  I no longer need Lopermide, Imodium, as the consistency of my stool's improved.  I was told by my neurologist and GI that not only was it going to rid me of my migraine headaches but help my depression and GI tract as well. It's nice having doctors that work together like mine do at Mayo's. 

 

In other words it could very well be your antidepressant change that is causing this. You are going from a SNRI to a SSRI class of antidepressants.  I still take Wellbutrin along with the Amitriptyline and they are 2 different classes of antidepressants.  

Last edited by TE Marie

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