u/Leading-Hippo-3541

Well, I decided not to rawdog life before I start iron infusions. That would have been a bad decision, reflecting on what a good day I’ve had on day one of a new psych med. After coming off of Cymbalta 20mg today and switching to 10mg of Trintellix, I have already noticed some things, even on day one.

First, I wasn’t as tired and brain foggy this morning.
Then this afternoon after I had a burst of energy and cleaned my house (I never clean), I took what I think was a 3 hr nap on the couch (I never nap). I woke up and decided to make dinner (I never cook), and watched about an hour of TV. My husband won’t recognize me tomorrow.

I know it’s only day 1, but I’m very hopeful.

I have struggled with constipation forever. Tapering off of Cymbalta now and have Trintellix 10mg in my cabinet waiting for me next week. This is the biggest side effect I care about. Second on the list of side effects, is sexual dysfunction. Third would be weigh gain.

So….based on those three side effect possibilities, what happens with Trintellex? I’m aware it causes nausea to start, but that leads me to think constipation could be a factor.

Im currently tapering off Cymbalta and it sucks. I’m taking 10mg now for a week and the plan was to start Trintellix 10mg after one week on 10mg of Cymbalta.

Today is day 2 on my taper, and my anxiety is noticeable for the first time in a long time. At the same time I’m exhausted and want to be able to do more. I recently found out that my Ferritin level is very low. Before this knowledge, I was wondering why I’m feeling so tired. Bingo! This whole time I’ve been thinking I need a different psych med, but I’m honestly so sick of meds. I’ve been on something for depression since my late 20’s and I’m 57 now. I have no idea what will shake out if I decide to go without anything for a while. Maybe I will wait to start something new after I get iron infusions, but those haven’t started yet.

Would rawdogging life for a little bit be worth it? I also have unmedicated ADHD, so feel a little all over the place right now. I guess the Cymbalta was keeping me so sedated, I never realized my scatter-brained self was this bad. Wow! Eye opening…

I have been on several meds, for roughly 35 years. I have chronic depression and anxiety, and inattentive ADHD. I was on Adderall XR while in nursing school, but quit after about 1 year in practice. The med that I relied on forever (more than 20 years) was WellbutrinXR, but transitioned to Cymbalta recently due to chronic lumbar back pain. I had a spinal fusion about 6 months ago, and recovering great with PT and walking. But Cymbalta is causing me constipation, and I struggle without meds enough in that department.

Prior to finding Wellbutrin, I had tried Trazadone, Paxil, and Zoloft but found the side effects of all of this unbearable. I need the get up and go that Wellbutrin gave me. I still need a little of that, but I also have autoimmune and I’m iron deficient, with a thyroid problem. Aging and menopause isn’t helping my fatigue. So….trying to figure it all out.

I have been tapering off Cymbalta, and start 20mg for a week then down to 0 Cymbalta and start 10mg of Trintellix. I’m hopeful but also doubtful that I will never find anything that helped me like Wellbutrin for so long. The insomnia, dry mouth, and constipation finally made me look for something different.

Should I cross-over a few days the 20mg of Cymbalta and the 10mg of Trintellix? Maybe if it was 5mg of Trintellix, and could go up to 10mg in a week or so. What do you guys think? I don’t want to get the wrong impression of Trintellix, and give it a fair shot.