Stelara and Depression: What Users Say

• Sun...
• February 13, 2020

For Crohn's Disease "Stelara was effective in the sense that it quickly healed my colon that had Crohn's disease. I would be thrilled, except that after a few doses, I developed horrible anxiety, depression, tinnitus, and headaches. I have been on other biologics without these issues. I did not feel like myself anymore, so I chose to stop it because the negative outweighed the positive. Everyone responds differently."

• Lin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 8, 2020

For Crohn's Disease "I have recently had my second bowel resection for Crohn's, and today have started my first infusion of Stelara. No other drug has helped, unfortunately. Chronic constipation, bloating, and an inability to digest or process food have left me not really eating at all for the past 2 years. I am hopeful this drug will give me a quality of life again, but am also aware the side effects may become an issue. The depression side of things may be interesting as I am bipolar... hopefully I'm covered there.. Good luck to us all on our journey."

• Kar...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 19, 2021

For Crohn's Disease "I was diagnosed 20 years ago and had a right hemicolectomy 15 years ago. Humira stopped working for me, so I was changed to Stelara 6 months ago. The first couple of doses caused intermittent headaches and I felt tired but kept on them. Started with urinary infections, bad constipation resulting in internal bleeding and hemorrhoids, really tired and depressed caused by the constant headaches and joint pain, so I'm giving up on them."

• Bar...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 20, 2021

For Crohn's Disease "I just started Stelara to treat Crohn's. It's been a rough year with 4 hospitalizations and constant illness related to the disease. I'm so hopeful that Stelara will allow me to stay off the oral steroids. The steroids are super effective but of course, horrible side effects. I've gained so much weight I don't recognize myself. I've only been on Stelara a week, so it's too soon to tell, but I do notice I'm sleeping a lot more than usual and I've been noticing a slight soreness in my throat. As I've been reading the reviews, I noticed a lot of people mention depression, which is concerning as I struggle with depression anyway. I'm hopeful Stelara may be the drug that finally works for me. Good luck to everyone in your healing journey."

• Tob...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 28, 2019

For Psoriasis "After the load Stelara shots and before the first maintenance dose, my psoriasis cleared up almost completely. Then it stopped working. I now also feel lethargic and am depressed, crying for no reason. I will be trying something else more targeted for psoriasis. There have been a lot of new products coming out now, some of them are just for psoriasis. I am glad I gave it a try, though."

• gle...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 15, 2018

For Psoriasis "Unbelievable that this can be true! My last escalations were particularly ugly and all over my body. I was getting very depressed as the other treatments did nothing to help. Winter was ending, and you can't cover up forever. I have had this heinous disease for 35 years. I am now on this for 9 months (1st shot, booster shot, then 2 more). I am 100% cleared!!!! Beaches, swimming pools, short sleeves!!! I pray it keeps working :)"

• Eli...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 13, 2019

For Crohn's Disease "Stelara put my Crohn's into remission within a couple of doses. However, I developed horrible depression and had to stop. No other side effects."