Trintellix (vortioxetine) for Major Depression or possibly Anxiety.

I was on Trintellex for approximately 3 years after my previous medications, sertraline and Wellbutrin stopped working and also had two rounds of TMS.
I’ve suffered major depression and anxiety my entire life, I’m 70 now. I also have been taking Xanax for 30 years which I continue doing with a small dose of lamictal to help stabilize my mood. No more antidepressants for me.
Trintellex was awful for me, not only did it not work it made me very nauseous. I would never take it again, I believe it actually made my depression worse. I hope you have a better response. Good luck yo 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.

@ daveshaw

I have NEVER refused treatment! Who are you to assume I haven’t done everything I could do for the past 50 years if my life?? I took medication for 40 years with varying success.

My point was that antidepressants no longer work for me and haven’t for years. I have been under the supervision of the same psychiatrist for the past 35 years.
Zoloft, Wellbutrin and other antidepressants had worked for me over many years but then I became “treatment resistant. “
I don’t know what’s so hard to understand. Trintellex was the final antidepressant I ever took. Depression remains a part of my daily life but I’m done trying drugs that do not work for me and gave nasty side effects.

Don’t feel sorry for my family, they are educated and understand that for many, medication either doesn’t work or stops working. Your comment was insensitive at best and downright judgmental at worst!

I haven't investigated it for myself, but perhaps you could look into TMS - Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation? There is a discussion of it on today's "Connect". You can look at Reddit as well for more first hand experiences.
BTW, I just turned 80 in April, diagnosed with early PD two years ago and have suffered from depression since 16 years of age. I just switched from 20 mg Prozac (after nearly 35 years, coincidentally ) to Trintellix (5 mg) this past Monday. I was anxious about the change but am hoping it will be for the better. I was primarily motivated by alleged potential benefits of Trintellix on cognitive stability in PD patients. That is being studied now, after some initial research was positive.
I'm sorry, though not surprised, to learn of your difficulties at the VA treatment centers.
Best of luck.

I did 2 rounds of TMS already. I had no positive response the second time so it will not be covered again. I just don’t appreciate a user that implies that I haven’t tried anything. I’ve was on medication for 30 years that worked but stopped working. I’d call that trying. It’s difficult enough as it is and I was just relaying my personal experience with Trintellex. I’ll just keep my mouth shut from now on. It’s not worth being attacked as I was with another user.

Believe it or not the current antidepressants do not work for many people. The person is saying the side effects were not worth taking antidepressants and they will no longer torture themselves with things that don’t work. What’s so hard to understand about that? If they work for you, consider yourself fortunate. I am a mental health professional and, believe me, there are many people for whom antidepressants don’t work, cause more issues than they are worth and most definitely don’t help them with anxiety. I thought your reaction was judgmental and I’m sure the person doesn’t need to be reminded how hard this is on themself and their family. You seem to think they have made an unreasonable decision when this is the decision many are forced to make.

My sincere apologies. I did not intend this as a response to your post. It was my error and I should have paid closer attention to the protocol. I meant to respond to the comment posted by Horowitz71.

I did not mean to offend anyone but having suffered depression for most of my adult life I know how debilitating it can be. You are a health care professional so you certainly must know there are other options for treating depression. My only point was it might be good to look in to other options.
Maybe electroshock therapy might be an alternative. It is far more sophisticated than it used to be and a person I knew had it administered to him and he said it changed his life.
Finding the right medication to treat someone’s depression is one of the most frustrating things in the world. Unfortunately it takes six weeks to start to work which as a professional you are aware of. If it doesn’t work you can always try a combination of antidepressants. I take Zoloft, Buspar, Wellbutrin and Clonazepam and fortunately it has worked for me. My first psychiatrist actually said Zoloft and Wellbutrin complimented each other so well they had a name for it. They called it “Welloft”
My final point is knowing how terrible depression is for the person suffering from it and the people around him I wouldn’t give up.
I wish him all the luck in the world. If that is being judgmental I am truly sorry.

@rosebookay and @daveshaw, I see that you both agree that not one size fits all and that finding the right approach to managing depression is as unique as the person dealing with it. I also acknowledge that both of you are here on Mayo Clinic Connect to share your experience, knowledge, and to support others along the journey. Thank you.

We only have words on the screen without the benefit of body language and tone of voice. Sometimes, the lack of body language and tone of voice can lead to misinterpretation of someone's supportive intent. As per the etiquette of this forum, I thank you for treating each other and other members with respect. 🙂

That is always my goal. Depression is terrible disease and any help is appreciated.