2 months on Trintellix (vortioxetine) - my experience so far

Summary

In this episode of 'Living Well with Depression and Anxiety,' Daniel Rosa shares his personal experience with the antidepressant Trintellix (vortioxetine) over two months. He discusses starting at a low dose and gradually increasing to the maximum FDA-approved dosage, comparing its efficacy and side effects to Lexapro. Daniel notes less sexual dysfunction with Trintellix but finds it less effective for anxiety and depression than Lexapro. He considers adding Buspirone for anxiety and remains hopeful for the medication's potential benefits, emphasizing his narrative is personal and not medical advice.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Daniel Rosa shares his personal experience with medication for depression and anxiety on his YouTube channel.
• 💊 He discusses his two-month experience with the medication Trintalix (vortioxetine), which he takes for both depression and anxiety.
• 📈 Daniel started on a low dose of Trintalix and gradually increased to the maximum FDA-approved dose of 20 milligrams, as recommended by his psychiatrist.
• 🔍 He previously used Lexapro, which had positive effects but also caused sexual dysfunction, leading him to switch to Trintalix, known for fewer sexual side effects.
• 📉 Trintalix is described as not as effective as Lexapro for Daniel's anxiety and depression, but he notes improvements in mood after about a month on the medication.
• 🚀 Trintalix is a multimodal drug, being both an SSRI and a serotonin agonist, which may explain its activating effect and potential benefits for sexual function.
• 🤔 Daniel is considering adding Buspirone to his treatment, as suggested by the online community, to potentially enhance the anxiety-reducing effects.
• 🤝 He expresses reluctance to give up on Trintalix due to its fewer sexual side effects compared to other SSRIs he has tried.
• 🔑 Daniel emphasizes that his insights are based on personal experience and not professional medical advice.
• ⏰ He plans to continue taking Trintalix and monitor its effects on his mental health, with updates at various intervals.
• 🙏 The video concludes with Daniel wishing viewers success in their mental health journey and an invitation for questions and interaction.

Q & A

What is the name of the YouTube channel and who runs it?

The YouTube channel is called 'Living Well, with Depression and Anxiety' and it is run by Daniel Rosa.

What is the primary purpose of the channel according to the script?

The primary purpose of the channel is to share personal experiences with taking medication for depression and anxiety.

What medication is Daniel discussing in the script?

Daniel is discussing his experience with the medication Trintalix, which has the chemical name vortioxetine.

What was the initial dose of Trintalix that Daniel started with, and how did it increase over time?

Daniel started with a low dose of 5 milligrams for five days, then increased to 10 milligrams, then to 15 milligrams, and finally to the highest FDA approved dose of 20 milligrams.

Why did Daniel switch from Lexapro to Trintalix?

Daniel switched from Lexapro to Trintalix because Lexapro caused sexual dysfunction, which he found to be a significant issue.

What are some of the brand names for vortioxetine mentioned in the script?

The brand names mentioned for vortioxetine are Trintex and Brintellix.

How does Daniel describe the side effect profile of Trintalix in terms of sexual function?

Daniel describes Trintalix as having less sexual side effects compared to Lexapro, with less blunting of sexual desire and fewer issues with sexual performance.

What is the general consensus on the time frame for evaluating the effectiveness of antidepressants according to the script?

The script mentions that some people evaluate the effectiveness of antidepressants at six weeks, eight weeks, or even 12 weeks, with no clear rationale for these specific time frames.

What online community does Daniel participate in to discuss his experiences with Trintalix?

Daniel participates in an online forum called r/Trintalix on Reddit.

How does Daniel compare the effectiveness of Trintalix to Lexapro for his depression and anxiety?

Daniel finds Lexapro to be more effective and quicker in providing stability for his mood, whereas Trintalix feels less effective overall, although he acknowledges it might still improve with time.

What other medication is Daniel considering adding to his treatment, and why?

Daniel is considering adding Buspirone to his treatment as it is an anti-anxiety drug that some people in the r/Trintalix community have found helpful when combined with Trintalix.