Trintellix: Is is effective for you?

@ rosebookay

Thank you for your comment. You articulated exactly what I was trying to say. I have had periods during this fight of many decades where antidepressants along with therapy both by a psychiatrist and a therapist in addition to the meds. Unfortunately, they all stopped working for me and yes some were torturous for me personally. I also had mentioned I did do TMS twice, once with limited success and the second with no success. I have never stopped trying to treat my depression until my last experience with Trintellex which made me so sick but I still took it for 2-3 years. I had decided enough was enough and believe it or not, my depression has at least been somewhat tolerable since stopping antidepressants. I’m happy that they work for the person who commented to me that he felt sorry for my family. I thought it was truly the most insensitive response I’ve ever heard or read. Thank you for your explanation and validation that there is not a one fix for all.

Does anyone take Trintellix for Major Depression or Anxiety?My doctor recently (5 weeks ago) took me off Zoloft/sertraline and prescribed me the relatively new medication Trintellix (vortioxetine),10 mg/daily. Along with Parkinson's Disease, I've lived with PTSD most of my life (currently 74 yrs old), was diagnose Bipolar 1 many years ago, and my social anxiety has gotten progressively worse. I went out on my own at age 14 after being severely beaten by my stepfather (my father was incarcerated for four years when I was eleven, and I had been living with various relatives until returning home at age 13). I'm a Vietnam vet, seeing a psychiatrist and neurologist through the VA--a hit and miss situation, especially since the recent staffing changes. I'd been taking Benzos (prescribed as much as 4 mg/day, along with Ambien, for more than 30 years when diagnosed with PD while living abroad). Upon my return to the states, I had a doctor who continued my Benzos--2 mg/daily until relocating to Monterey, CA. The VA does not prescribe Benzos, but my neurologist (outside of VA) prescribed Xanax/alprazolam 2 mg/day (for my Parkinson's) until I found a better neurologist at the Palo Alto VA Hospital--next to Stanford Univ., where I got the head of the school's neurology department to see me, but abruptly stopped Benzos. That was about five months ago. I'm not adapting well at all. Without being active: surfing , playing tennis regularly, and doing martial arts, I've become isolated and nervous/afraid; I have horrible insomnia and am afraid to even leave the apartment unless necessary. I try to go to a H2O class for people with MS and PD, but am no longer able to drive and can only afford Lyft for seniors when I share a ride--doesn't happen often. My psychiatrist understands my situation, but cannot prescribe anti-anxiety meds (prohibited by the VA). I haven't found anybody in my area (through Medicare or otherwise) who will prescribe Benzos). My VA doctor prescribed Trintellix because it "may" have a side effect of reducing my anxiety. It's been five weeks since I began taking 5 mg/day (dr. says if it helps, he will increase to 10 mg.) I haven't felt any difference between the Zoloft I'd been taking and Trintellix. Has anyone taken this medication, and if so, how long did it take to work, and what did you experience? I know that abruptly stopping Benzos is no advised, and even gradually reducing them can be extraordinarily difficult and may take years to adjust even when tapering under clinical supervision. Has anyone tried either inpatient or outpatient treatment for Benzo detox? I don't even know if that is an option for me, but it's difficult for me to make it through each day. I'm nervous, afraid, and have never felt depressed for such a long time as now. I've gotten used to brief periods of depression, but have never suffered major or long-term depression. I know it will end, but currently, life is not much fun.

I am sorry and I will stop posting on the site. I was just trying to share my experiences hoping it might help others.
You will see no further posts from me.
Good luck to you.

I am confused. You suffer from major depression and anxiety and in the same breath you say no more antidepressants for you.
From someone who is 74 and also suffer from major depression that makes no sense. I take Zoloft combined with Wellbutrin and Buspar and have been taking it for thirty years. I also take clonazepam and unlike you I have a very enjoyable life.
I can’t imagine what it must be like to be in a major depressive state and resign yourself to that for the rest of your life.
All I can say is good luck to you. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy. I also feel sorry for your loved ones. I can’t imagine what they must be going through.
The shame is depression is treatable and yet you refuse treatment.

I feel certain that I'd be doing much better if I were able to continue with the small dose of clonazepam / Alprazolam that I'd been taking as needed (for anxiety and occasional panic attacks.) We're the same age, but somehow you are able to find a doctor who will keep prescribing your Benzos. I was initially prescribed clonazepam by the VA some 30-some years ago. They no longer prescribe Benzos at all, and haven't been fortunate enough to locate anyone within the tri-county area in which I currently live who will prescribe Benzos at all, regardless of the dose or circumstances. Doctors have sympathized about my abrupt discontinuance of the meds, but tell me to "hang in there" or "tough it out." Both the physicians and I know that it's not only extremely difficult, but dangerous to just stop taking these meds. I've done well enough throughout life coping with trauma, depression, and anxiety, but I've never felt so horrible as I do now. Therapists and psychiatrists are mandated reporters, so I refuse to tell them I'm leaning toward suicide if my depression and anxiety doesn't improve. Until I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease, I was quite active--surfed, played tennis, did martial arts, and even played pick-up basketball at the school yards. Now, I am able to walk--using a walker or, if I'm well-enough, using a cane. I know that depression eventually subsides, having lived with it most of my life; but never have I had long-lasting and major depression. I know that if I could takes as little as 0.5 or even 0.25 mg/day of either clonazepam/alprazolam I could at least begin socializing, going outdoors regularly, and regaining my life. I'd finally found the ideal "cocktail" for treating Bipolar, depression, anxiety, and enjoying life. Now, it seems over. Just wondering; but how would you react to having your clonazepam stopped.

I said I would not post anymore but I am making an exception for you.
Unfortunately because of the Opioid epidemic in this country “ benzo’s” have been lumped in as a controlled substance. I have never heard of anyone overdosing on clonazepam and I can speak from experience that I certainly don’t use it to get high. I have taken the same dose for over thirty years to treat my depression and I know what I would go through if I tapered much less had to quit cold turkey. I did try tapering because of this site and when I told my primary care physician her comment was why would I do that. She told me that since I don’t smoke or drink and exercise vigorously 6-7 days a week there is no reason for me to stop taking clonazepam. She told me to tune out the chatter on the site regarding “benzo’s” and just continue what I was doing.
I don’t know where the Tri State area is but my guess is it is in a conservative part of the country. Have you tried going outside of the VA network? I would imagine the VA doctors are strictly by the book.
Hang in there. I hope you can find some Doctor willing to think outside the box. They are out there but normally they have been in practice for quite awhile. My primary care physician sees only elderly patients and does think outside the box.
Good luck and I am glad you reached out to me. I wish I could do more for you.

Does anyone take Trintellix for Major Depression or Anxiety?My doctor recently (5 weeks ago) took me off Zoloft/sertraline and prescribed me the relatively new medication Trintellix (vortioxetine),10 mg/daily. Along with Parkinson's Disease, I've lived with PTSD most of my life (currently 74 yrs old), was diagnose Bipolar 1 many years ago, and my social anxiety has gotten progressively worse. I went out on my own at age 14 after being severely beaten by my stepfather (my father was incarcerated for four years when I was eleven, and I had been living with various relatives until returning home at age 13). I'm a Vietnam vet, seeing a psychiatrist and neurologist through the VA--a hit and miss situation, especially since the recent staffing changes. I'd been taking Benzos (prescribed as much as 4 mg/day, along with Ambien, for more than 30 years when diagnosed with PD while living abroad). Upon my return to the states, I had a doctor who continued my Benzos--2 mg/daily until relocating to Monterey, CA. The VA does not prescribe Benzos, but my neurologist (outside of VA) prescribed Xanax/alprazolam 2 mg/day (for my Parkinson's) until I found a better neurologist at the Palo Alto VA Hospital--next to Stanford Univ., where I got the head of the school's neurology department to see me, but abruptly stopped Benzos. That was about five months ago. I'm not adapting well at all. Without being active: surfing , playing tennis regularly, and doing martial arts, I've become isolated and nervous/afraid; I have horrible insomnia and am afraid to even leave the apartment unless necessary. I try to go to a H2O class for people with MS and PD, but am no longer able to drive and can only afford Lyft for seniors when I share a ride--doesn't happen often. My psychiatrist understands my situation, but cannot prescribe anti-anxiety meds (prohibited by the VA). I haven't found anybody in my area (through Medicare or otherwise) who will prescribe Benzos). My VA doctor prescribed Trintellix because it "may" have a side effect of reducing my anxiety. It's been five weeks since I began taking 5 mg/day (dr. says if it helps, he will increase to 10 mg.) I haven't felt any difference between the Zoloft I'd been taking and Trintellix. Has anyone taken this medication, and if so, how long did it take to work, and what did you experience? I know that abruptly stopping Benzos is no advised, and even gradually reducing them can be extraordinarily difficult and may take years to adjust even when tapering under clinical supervision. Has anyone tried either inpatient or outpatient treatment for Benzo detox? I don't even know if that is an option for me, but it's difficult for me to make it through each day. I'm nervous, afraid, and have never felt depressed for such a long time as now. I've gotten used to brief periods of depression, but have never suffered major or long-term depression. I know it will end, but currently, life is not much fun.

Does anyone take Trintellix for Major Depression or Anxiety?My doctor recently (5 weeks ago) took me off Zoloft/sertraline and prescribed me the relatively new medication Trintellix (vortioxetine),10 mg/daily. Along with Parkinson's Disease, I've lived with PTSD most of my life (currently 74 yrs old), was diagnose Bipolar 1 many years ago, and my social anxiety has gotten progressively worse. I went out on my own at age 14 after being severely beaten by my stepfather (my father was incarcerated for four years when I was eleven, and I had been living with various relatives until returning home at age 13). I'm a Vietnam vet, seeing a psychiatrist and neurologist through the VA--a hit and miss situation, especially since the recent staffing changes. I'd been taking Benzos (prescribed as much as 4 mg/day, along with Ambien, for more than 30 years when diagnosed with PD while living abroad). Upon my return to the states, I had a doctor who continued my Benzos--2 mg/daily until relocating to Monterey, CA. The VA does not prescribe Benzos, but my neurologist (outside of VA) prescribed Xanax/alprazolam 2 mg/day (for my Parkinson's) until I found a better neurologist at the Palo Alto VA Hospital--next to Stanford Univ., where I got the head of the school's neurology department to see me, but abruptly stopped Benzos. That was about five months ago. I'm not adapting well at all. Without being active: surfing , playing tennis regularly, and doing martial arts, I've become isolated and nervous/afraid; I have horrible insomnia and am afraid to even leave the apartment unless necessary. I try to go to a H2O class for people with MS and PD, but am no longer able to drive and can only afford Lyft for seniors when I share a ride--doesn't happen often. My psychiatrist understands my situation, but cannot prescribe anti-anxiety meds (prohibited by the VA). I haven't found anybody in my area (through Medicare or otherwise) who will prescribe Benzos). My VA doctor prescribed Trintellix because it "may" have a side effect of reducing my anxiety. It's been five weeks since I began taking 5 mg/day (dr. says if it helps, he will increase to 10 mg.) I haven't felt any difference between the Zoloft I'd been taking and Trintellix. Has anyone taken this medication, and if so, how long did it take to work, and what did you experience? I know that abruptly stopping Benzos is no advised, and even gradually reducing them can be extraordinarily difficult and may take years to adjust even when tapering under clinical supervision. Has anyone tried either inpatient or outpatient treatment for Benzo detox? I don't even know if that is an option for me, but it's difficult for me to make it through each day. I'm nervous, afraid, and have never felt depressed for such a long time as now. I've gotten used to brief periods of depression, but have never suffered major or long-term depression. I know it will end, but currently, life is not much fun.

Does anyone take Trintellix for Major Depression or Anxiety?My doctor recently (5 weeks ago) took me off Zoloft/sertraline and prescribed me the relatively new medication Trintellix (vortioxetine),10 mg/daily. Along with Parkinson's Disease, I've lived with PTSD most of my life (currently 74 yrs old), was diagnose Bipolar 1 many years ago, and my social anxiety has gotten progressively worse. I went out on my own at age 14 after being severely beaten by my stepfather (my father was incarcerated for four years when I was eleven, and I had been living with various relatives until returning home at age 13). I'm a Vietnam vet, seeing a psychiatrist and neurologist through the VA--a hit and miss situation, especially since the recent staffing changes. I'd been taking Benzos (prescribed as much as 4 mg/day, along with Ambien, for more than 30 years when diagnosed with PD while living abroad). Upon my return to the states, I had a doctor who continued my Benzos--2 mg/daily until relocating to Monterey, CA. The VA does not prescribe Benzos, but my neurologist (outside of VA) prescribed Xanax/alprazolam 2 mg/day (for my Parkinson's) until I found a better neurologist at the Palo Alto VA Hospital--next to Stanford Univ., where I got the head of the school's neurology department to see me, but abruptly stopped Benzos. That was about five months ago. I'm not adapting well at all. Without being active: surfing , playing tennis regularly, and doing martial arts, I've become isolated and nervous/afraid; I have horrible insomnia and am afraid to even leave the apartment unless necessary. I try to go to a H2O class for people with MS and PD, but am no longer able to drive and can only afford Lyft for seniors when I share a ride--doesn't happen often. My psychiatrist understands my situation, but cannot prescribe anti-anxiety meds (prohibited by the VA). I haven't found anybody in my area (through Medicare or otherwise) who will prescribe Benzos). My VA doctor prescribed Trintellix because it "may" have a side effect of reducing my anxiety. It's been five weeks since I began taking 5 mg/day (dr. says if it helps, he will increase to 10 mg.) I haven't felt any difference between the Zoloft I'd been taking and Trintellix. Has anyone taken this medication, and if so, how long did it take to work, and what did you experience? I know that abruptly stopping Benzos is no advised, and even gradually reducing them can be extraordinarily difficult and may take years to adjust even when tapering under clinical supervision. Has anyone tried either inpatient or outpatient treatment for Benzo detox? I don't even know if that is an option for me, but it's difficult for me to make it through each day. I'm nervous, afraid, and have never felt depressed for such a long time as now. I've gotten used to brief periods of depression, but have never suffered major or long-term depression. I know it will end, but currently, life is not much fun.

So sorry to hear what you’re going through. Abrupt discontinuation of BZDs is absolutely unacceptable care.
Two things I’d like to offer. First, please do discuss the suicidal thoughts with your mental health provider. “Mandated reporting” is for pediatric patients, it has no bearing on this. It’s very important to discuss this with your provider.
Separately, you might want to try medical cannabis as an adjunct therapy. Specifically an edible product with CBD (no THC). It’s not a cure, but it can help.
I know depression sucks. So does anxiety. You’re not alone.