Tsokar - Vortioxetine fast tapering after 6 months

[TsokarLake]

Hi all,

 

This is my introduction:

I took short term sleeping pills in 2023 for severe insomnia.

I had to do it again this year but did not help me sleep.

 

I went very down (burn-out, depression, I don't know) and ended up at my GP. He gave me some anxiolytics (forgot the name), did not help and ended up in emergency service on the next day.

There I started Vortioxetine and was given diazepam 30mg for 1 week (+1 week of tapering).

 

After that I took some Atarax to transition from diazepam.

 

Recently, my psychiatrist prescribed me some Quietapine to be used when needed, not on a regular basis.

 

I recently tapered down vortioxetine to get off medication. It was my wish and my psychiatrist suggested to do one month at 10mg (from 15). It was OK. Only 24h of anxiety.

When I tapered down to 5mg, I became extremely moody for 48h (around 3 days after the taper). Being very angry, anxious, sad at the same time (very weird).

 

I completely withdrew from vortioxetine a bit more than 1 week ago. Since that, I feel very moody. I experience mood swings, feeling low, very anxious (specially when I try to sleep) and I easily become angry.

 

According to my psychiatrist (I did not see him since I tapered), there are not really any withdrawal symptoms. As well, according to the professional information for Brintellix, the side effects are rather minor (headache, that kind of stuff).

 

I think that what I experience is explained by the withdrawal, but how to be sure ?

Are these effect going to remain long-term ?

 

Thanks for any advice and support.

 

Berst regards,

TL

[Emonda]

Welcome @TsokarLake

 

You have tapered your Vortioxetine way too quickly: Why taper by 10% of my dosage? The reductions should get smaller and smaller each month, for example: 10mg, 9mg, 8.1mg, 7.3mg etc. This process involves a degree of trial and error, as there is no way of predicting how an individual will respond. Importantly, if you develop unpleasant side effects from tapering, halt the taper, give yourself time to settle, and once stable, taper more slowly and by smaller amounts moving forward. The experience of others suggests that the lower you go in dose, the slower you need to go with tapering.

 

Those that taper too quickly often develop very unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. This Daily Checklist of Antidepressant Withdrawal Symptoms (PDF) is a helpful summary of what many experience.

 

On 8/9/2024 at 6:04 AM, TsokarLake said:

I completely withdrew from vortioxetine a bit more than 1 week ago. Since that, I feel very moody. I experience mood swings, feeling low, very anxious (specially when I try to sleep) and I easily become angry.

 

I suggest you read this:

About Reinstating and Stabilizing to Reduce Withdrawal Symptoms

Kindling

I tapered the same AD from 15mg way too quickly, and realised I had a problem around 5mg. I increased slightly, held my dose for 5 months, and I found stability (all before finding this site).

So most recently, you took 5mg for two weeks, then stopped on 31 July? If you were going to consider reinstating, it's best to start lower and see how you go. Perhaps you could try 2.5mg at two weeks off....but the decision is yours. I have no way of knowing how you will respond.

On 8/9/2024 at 6:04 AM, TsokarLake said:

According to my psychiatrist (I did not see him since I tapered), there are not really any withdrawal symptoms.

Complete garbage.

 

On 8/9/2024 at 6:04 AM, TsokarLake said:

according to the professional information for Brintellix, the side effects are rather minor (headache, that kind of stuff).

Yes, I read that info, too. They also say you can stop your medication rather quickly. That's certainly not my experience, nor the experience of many others on this site.

 

On 8/9/2024 at 6:04 AM, TsokarLake said:

I think that what I experience is explained by the withdrawal, but how to be sure ?

Can you relate to the items on the WD symptoms checklist?

The speed of onset suggests WD. A relapse is generally not that fast.

On 8/9/2024 at 6:04 AM, TsokarLake said:

Are these effect going to remain long-term ?

It's not permanent, but WD symptoms from a CT can last a very long time.

At two weeks off, reinstating a small amount could relieve the symptoms. Once stable, you start the very slow tapering process.

Sing out with any questions.

 

Emonda