Unstrung Harp Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 (edited) Is anyone else experiencing a significant problem with irritability on Brintellix? I've been taking it since January, and probably at full dose since mid-February, and have had an increasing problem with irritability in the past couple of months. My anxiety has been significantly better than previously, so it hasn't been activating in that way, but I've had a very short fuse that has made me not so easy to live with. I don't know if it's the Brintellix, and pdoc and I have discussed the possibility of some kind of dysmorphic hypomania happening, but I don't currently have a BP2 diagnosis. We just lowered my dose to 15mg to see if that helps. Anyone else experiencing this? And if so, how are you dealing with it? Edited May 29, 2014 by Unstrung Harp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indigo 'n dye Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Harp. I cannot respond to you post, but wanted you to know i am reading along. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OffKilter Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 I have my 2-week follow-up today, half an hour from now. I’ve not noticed an increase in irritability (thankfully). I’m on 10 mg. I actually think I feel an overall improvement. However, each time I have myself convinced of it, I have something that pushes me back a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OffKilter Posted May 29, 2014 Share Posted May 29, 2014 Is anyone else experiencing a significant problem with irritability on Brintellix? I've been taking it since January, and probably at full dose since mid-February, and have had an increasing problem with irritability in the past couple of months. My anxiety has been significantly better than previously, so it hasn't been activating in that way, but I've had a very short fuse that has made me not so easy to live with. I don't know if it's the Brintellix, and pdoc and I have discussed the possibility of some kind of dysmorphic hypomania happening, but I don't currently have a BP2 diagnosis. We just lowered my dose to 15mg to see if that helps. Anyone else experiencing this? And if so, how are you dealing with it? Are you doing anything else for yourself during this time? Exercise? I think even the dog would throw me out were I more irritable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unstrung Harp Posted May 30, 2014 Author Share Posted May 30, 2014 Harp. I cannot respond to you post, but wanted you to know i am reading along. thank you, Indigo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unstrung Harp Posted May 30, 2014 Author Share Posted May 30, 2014 Is anyone else experiencing a significant problem with irritability on Brintellix? I've been taking it since January, and probably at full dose since mid-February, and have had an increasing problem with irritability in the past couple of months. My anxiety has been significantly better than previously, so it hasn't been activating in that way, but I've had a very short fuse that has made me not so easy to live with. I don't know if it's the Brintellix, and pdoc and I have discussed the possibility of some kind of dysmorphic hypomania happening, but I don't currently have a BP2 diagnosis. We just lowered my dose to 15mg to see if that helps. Anyone else experiencing this? And if so, how are you dealing with it? Are you doing anything else for yourself during this time? Exercise? I think even the dog would throw me out were I more irritable. I have been walking, though sporadically. But you're right, it does help, if only for a little while. I don't have a dog, but I don't know what my husband's been thinking Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OffKilter Posted May 30, 2014 Share Posted May 30, 2014 I’ve not experienced this, but I have not been on Brintellix nearly as long as have you. Crossing my fingers that I don’t experience it; I’m plenty difficult now. Assuming you are in the northern hemisphere, you’ve experienced spring and more sunshine in the last couple of months. Could it be something simpler like an allergy or change in sleep pattern? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unstrung Harp Posted June 1, 2014 Author Share Posted June 1, 2014 I’ve not experienced this, but I have not been on Brintellix nearly as long as have you. Crossing my fingers that I don’t experience it; I’m plenty difficult now. Assuming you are in the northern hemisphere, you’ve experienced spring and more sunshine in the last couple of months. Could it be something simpler like an allergy or change in sleep pattern? I would say not, it feels different than that. I am not new to irritability necessarily. I've always experienced it as a mood that comes over me that I feel as though I can't control. But it's a matter of degree, and I've felt especially on edge lately, but as I wrote, it's different from anxiety. Hard to explain, but it's been different somehow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OffKilter Posted June 1, 2014 Share Posted June 1, 2014 I don’t have any insight. I wish you well. Can you have a code work to indicate when someone notices it? A friend of mine says “banana” when his massage starts to be too painful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kooch68 Posted June 10, 2014 Share Posted June 10, 2014 I start taking Brintellix on Friday. I am tapering off of Wellbutrin due to irritability and it's not working after a year. Now I am a little concerned about more side effects. I have to admit I love the weight loss I experienced from Wellbutrin since I gained 40 lbs on Lexapro, but the irritability is too much. I started to get real mean and that's just not my nature. My anxiety makes me high strung enough. I'll keep my fingers crossed I don't experience the irribility factor. I don't have anyone left to run off due to my irritability. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MPGills Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 I haven't experienced any irritability on Brintellix, which I started back in January. However, I had to move from a 20mg dose down to a 5mg dose as I found out that I'm pregnant. I have tolerated this medication extraordinarily well compared to other medications that I have taken. Have you or your doctor discussed the possibility that your alprazolam or clonazepam could be causing these symptoms? Is there any evidence of Brintellix increasing the impact of these drugs? Xanax, in particular, makes me extremely irritable. EXTREMELY. It's a thought but I have absolutely no medical background or opinions. Just my own experiences. I hope that this resolves for you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qbey Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 Harp: I have!! Since my switch from Zoloft to Brintellix I have been irritable as hell, and my anxiety has returned. I hate it and am thinking of discontinuing the Brintellix now. My pdoc has recommended I start on lithium. I don't like the sound of that either. Ugh! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qbey Posted July 11, 2014 Share Posted July 11, 2014 Anyone have an update here? I'm still on it, and still irritable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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