Trintellix · Holding · Nov 1, 2026

Tapering: Trintellix

holding

35 posts

Could do with some encouragement

November 1, 2026

I updosed to 5mg vortioxetine nearly 3 weeks ago now. It took about a week to see tiny signs of improvement, but it did happen eventually, and then very slowly things have improved over the next 2 weeks, to the point where I was able to go out for lunch on Friday, my first trip out of the house basically for a month. Yesterday was another good day where after the morning anxiety I was able to do things with my day, but I think I did too much as today pretty much all my symptoms have come back and been with me all day. None of them are as strong as they have been but combined it’s not been great. I’ve been in bed most of the day. After such a long time of feeling awful I was really hoping I was on the home stretch, and part of me still thinks I am, but I’m finding it hard just the contrast of how I’m feeling. Any advice on how to not take too much on when the windows open up? And any encouragement on when things started to even out for people? Or what things potentially trigger the waves if anything? The ups and downs are so hard to navigate. I can’t help but feel hopeful and start planning and thinking about the future when I’m in a window and then the wave feels that much harder.

Citalopram - 40mg to 20mg in 1 week then 0 June 2026 | Trintellix 5mg 4 weeks, 10mg 17 days, 5mg 5 weeks, 3.75mg 4 weeks, up dosed to 5mg 13 Oct 2026 — plan to holding and to taper slower in future

12 Replies

MamaLa2d ago

NavigatorProzac · holding

I am sorry that you are feeling off again today. Having your windows open is such an amazing feeling and when the wave seems to come back, at least for me, it feels like all progress is lost. I too have had windows where I start to do all the things I’ve wanted to only to get hit by another wave. I think it’s definitely a learning experience that is unique to each of us. Take note of all you did that may have brought on your wave so that when the next window hits, you can scale back from there just a bit. I feel I have finally found my sweet spot when I am feeling good, but I need to remind myself to stay within my range ( now that I know where it is) so as not to bring on another wave. And always remember, our brains definitely play tricks on us. A wave is just that, ride it out, try not to pay too much attention to the symptoms and hopefully it will end soon.

Prozac — 2.0mg tapering

Tealrobin2d ago

WelcomerTrintellix · holding

Thank you 🩷 I’m glad you’ve found a level that is working for you. I’m hoping a good nights sleep if I get one will help too. I think I am just impatient for better days, I’m not very good at going slow

Citalopram - 40mg to 20mg in 1 week then 0 June 2026 | Trintellix 5mg 4 weeks, 10mg 17 days, 5mg 5 weeks, 3.75mg 4 weeks, up dosed to 5mg 13 Oct 2026 — plan to holding and to taper slower in future

Polly's Farm1d ago

Trusted VoiceTrintellix · researching

The fact you're feeling slightly less bad than the last wave is a good sign, I think. It's only been three weeks, even though it probably passed very slowly while you were feeling bad, your brain is recalibrating to 5mg. I really hope you sleep well tonight 🤞

Trintellix — 15mg — 4 years, 9 months — researching taper | Risperdal — 0.25mg — 4 years, 9 months — actively tapering | Depakine — 1000mg — 12 years — supporting others | with clinician

Ru1d ago

WelcomerLexapro · active

Hi. Sorry you feel this way. During "waves," I often feel discouraged just like you. Even though looking back at the past few months I know I am doing better, I still get discouraged sometimes. I have learned that trying to reason with my "fear brain" doesn't help much. Throughout my journey, which started last October, I realized that I cannot just tell my brain there is no need for fear—I can only show it. So, during a wave, I try not to push the fear away. Instead, I try to just let it be. Despite how I feel, I still do things like cleaning, organizing, or planning. It feels scary, but it really helps. Your brain watches how you react. When you fight, fear, frustrate, fixate, or avoid, you tell your brain that the danger is real. This is incredibly hard to do when the fear is high, but it is easier when the fear is there but at a lower level. I don't know if this advice applies to your situation, but I hope it helps you a bit.

Lexapro — 10 — 2 years — actively tapering

Tealrobin1d ago

WelcomerTrintellix · holding

Thanks everyone 🩷 I’ve been trying to observe my symptoms without too much judgement today. Not something I find easy at all, but I’m trying. Spent most of the day so far in bed, but did manage to sit outside for half an hour. I’m trying to just so what my body needs me to do, which has mostly been laying down very still and keeping any noise down to a minimum as I think that is maybe a factor in making things worse for me.

Citalopram - 40mg to 20mg in 1 week then 0 June 2026 | Trintellix 5mg 4 weeks, 10mg 17 days, 5mg 5 weeks, 3.75mg 4 weeks, up dosed to 5mg 13 Oct 2026 — plan to holding and to taper slower in future

Ru1d ago

WelcomerLexapro · active

Hi, hope you will find what helps. When i was in your situation what helped for me was selecting the symptom that was the least intrusive for me. In my case it was sweaty palms and feed. During my fear attack I approached this symptom with curiosity. Where do i feel it. What do i feel. Is there a difference between left and right. Top and bottom. I asked myself is this the worst feeling ever or can i handle it. for me this was a small step but definitely one in the right direction. Hope you feel better soon.

Lexapro — 10 — 2 years — actively tapering

Tealrobin1d ago

WelcomerTrintellix · holding

@Ru thank you, that is great advice 🩷

Citalopram - 40mg to 20mg in 1 week then 0 June 2026 | Trintellix 5mg 4 weeks, 10mg 17 days, 5mg 5 weeks, 3.75mg 4 weeks, up dosed to 5mg 13 Oct 2026 — plan to holding and to taper slower in future

Ru1d ago

WelcomerLexapro · active

@Tealrobin hope it helps.

Lexapro — 10 — 2 years — actively tapering

Azul1d ago

NavigatorKlonopin · active

@Tealrobin, the most valuable tool that I've learnt to deal with waves is remember how you felt in windows days, record a video for yourslef in the future when liar waves (so to speak) fuels the fear that you are getting worse, I started doing this for my future self since as you know the recovery is not linear, so we will have to anchor our minds to something credible and valuable. I am also dealing with a wave today and how to face a wave depends absolutely on your body. Sometimes I am able to clean the house, sometimes my body just requires some resting and distraction. I hope it helps. Sending you a healing hug.

Klonopin — 1,75mg — 6 months — actively tapering

Tealrobin9h ago

WelcomerTrintellix · holding

Thank you 🩷 I’m finding today very hard. Work have scheduled a call on Wednesday with me to go through the Ill health capability process which is scaring me that I’m going to lose my job and a test came back to show I’m in an active flare of my colitis which had been in deep remission before all of this. I just feel helpless and alone in this. This wave feels like I’m back to square one, when I was getting to the point of thinking I might be able to get back to work. I’m feeling angry too, all this, my health and life ruined cos of a doctor that gave me bad advice. I have been in bed pretty much all of the last 2 days and today I think it’s going to be the same. When is this going to end??

Citalopram - 40mg to 20mg in 1 week then 0 June 2026 | Trintellix 5mg 4 weeks, 10mg 17 days, 5mg 5 weeks, 3.75mg 4 weeks, up dosed to 5mg 13 Oct 2026 — plan to holding and to taper slower in future

Azul7h ago

NavigatorKlonopin · active

@Tealrobin which is scaring me that I’m going to lose my job I hear you, I had to take a break, currently I work maybe 40% of the total hours I used to work. I have a family to support so I understand how hard it is, feeling this fear is reasonable so to peak but also adds more fuel to a sensitized brain. Keep going but listen to your body if things become unbearable is better to take a break, yeah, we need money but there is no amount of money that can pay for making our process worse. I struggled a lot with this thought since we have been taught that we have to be productive all the time. This wave feels like I’m back to square one, when I was getting to the point of thinking I might be able to get back to work Waves are liars, is our brain this time with a real chemical imbalance not the one that doctors claim when we feel down. A real chemical imbalance as a result of a chemical drug. So don't rely on that lies. Remember the window days, the Friday lunch and hold on that to face this storm. I’m feeling angry too, all this, my health and life ruined cos of a doctor that gave me bad advice. I am also angry with my dozen of doctors, but at this time just focus on yourself. I have been in bed pretty much all of the last 2 days and today I think it’s going to be the same. When is this going to end?? I wish I could tell you when, but the evidence hasn't showed a deadline or anything for this experiment called psychiatry, just know that it shall pass, we become masters of patience during this journey we didn't ask for. I hope this helps a little, Sending you a healing hug.

Klonopin — 1,75mg — 6 months — actively tapering

Tealrobin7h ago

WelcomerTrintellix · holding

Thank you @Azul 🩷

Citalopram - 40mg to 20mg in 1 week then 0 June 2026 | Trintellix 5mg 4 weeks, 10mg 17 days, 5mg 5 weeks, 3.75mg 4 weeks, up dosed to 5mg 13 Oct 2026 — plan to holding and to taper slower in future

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