7PeTL7Iweswi: Cognitive Problems on Trintellix

[7PeTL7Iweswi]

Hello. I have been taking 10mg of Trintellix for about a year or year and a half. I am having cognitive problems (among other things) and processing information is becoming increasingly difficult. I write software, so this is becoming a major problem for me, to the point that I can barely do my work. I have to be able to think clearly and solve problems. Just now, I was barely able to decide which animal sings, a fish or a bird, in the registration form. I am confident that it is due to the medication and would like to stop taking it. My doctor suggested reducing the dose by half, but a colleague of mine has suggested that I register here and ask for advice about the best way to taper so that I don’t make the problems worse by reducing too quickly.

 

As of now, my plan is to start reducing my dosage next week. I am considering tapering over the course of 6 or 12 months. Instead of cutting the pills, I thought I could crush all of them and then weigh out the amount needed per day, gradually reducing my dose each day or each week. 
 

Would appreciate any feedback on that approach or any insights you can offer. Thank you.

Edited November 23, 2019 by Shep
added username to title

[7PeTL7Iweswi]

My friend said I should also mention that I tried to reduce my dose a few months ago in the way my doctor suggested (reducing by half), and after only a day or two, I became severely depressed and nearly suicidal. I increased the dose back to 10mg and felt a little better for a while.

 

Lately, I mostly haven’t felt depressed (some here and there, but not severely), but my inability to think through simple tasks has gotten gradually worse and worse.

[Gridley]

Welcome toSA 7PeTL7Iweswi.  I'm glad your friend suggested you contact us.  Doctors invariably recommend tapering too fast.

 

To give members the best information, we ask them to summarize their medication history in a signature -- drugs, doses, dates, and discontinuations & reinstatements, in the last 12-24 months particularly.  

 

Account Settings – Create or Edit a signature.

 

We recommend tapering by no more than 10% of current dosage every four weeks.

 

Why taper by 10% of my dosage?

 

Your idea of crushing tablets and weighing powder is a good one.  Many members use the AWS Gemini-20 scale, available on Amazon.  Other methods of tapering are in the following link specifically about tapering Trintellix.

 

Tips for tapering off Trintellix (vortioxetine), previously called Brintellix

 

This is your Introduction topic, where you can ask questions and connect with other members.  Again, welcome.

[7PeTL7Iweswi]

Thanks Gridley

[leavingorganon]

Gridley,
I’m going through the same thing. Would love to hear how are you doing right now. Are you still tapering? Have your cognitive abilities improved?

[Gridley]

I'm doing pretty well, what they call WDnormal, some symptoms but no big changes from day to day, a feeling of general blah most of the time as to be expected.  I would say my cognitive abilities have improved lately, able to find humor in things and even tell a joke or story.  

 

I'm still dealing with WD exacerbating existing non-WD conditions, for example social phobia, which I've always had, is worse.  I had to go to a wedding and party this Saturday and it was very difficult for me.  Sleep is fair, anhedonia continues, morning cortisol has disappeared.

 

Yes, I'm still tapering.  This Thursday I'll go down from 1mg Lexapro to 0.9 then hold for four weeks.

[7PeTL7Iweswi]

@leavingorganon are you taking Trintellix? That’s what I am taking.
 

I have reduced my dose by 10% twice now (just started the second cut). Not much has improved with my ability to concentrate, problem solve, and work, but I haven’t experienced many significant new symptoms with the exception of a few hours here and there where I felt more irritable than I should have been under the circumstances.

 

The company I work for has been generous enough to give me some time off of work, so day to day has been easier, but I’ve noticed that when I am faced with situations where I need to be able to problem solve or situations that are stressful, my brain completely shuts down, and I can’t think at all. It’s a very frustrating problem to have. The times when I most need to be able to use my brain, I physically can’t think through simple situations. It’s not like me at all and it can be quite upsetting. I’m just holding onto the hope that I’ll eventually feel normal again.

[7PeTL7Iweswi]

I have updated my signature. Tapering by 10% every 4 weeks has been working pretty well for me. I’ve been encouraged by this. I’ve noticed some minor withdrawal symptoms, particularly the first week after cutting each time, but nothing terrible. My ability to concentrate has improved some.

 

I have a new situation that I need help with, but wanted to post an update here on how tapering has been going. I’m not sure if I should create a new thread, but I’ll start by posting here...

 

As mentioned, tapering had been going pretty well. This week, I had to have a surgery to repair a deviated septum in my nose. I decided not to cut my Trintellix dose this month due to the surgery. I was put to sleep during this surgery. After surgery, I was prescribed Oxycodone for pain. I’ve been taking it for 3 days, every 4 hours, and have experienced some pretty significant issues: dizziness, extreme sensitivity to light and sound, some shakiness, difficulty communicating/concentrating and some anxiety. My last dose of the Oxycodone was last night. I’m not planning to take any more of it.
 

Does anyone have thoughts on why I’m experiencing these symptoms? Should I just stop the Oxycodone?