brintellix. nervous!

[chelsea15623]

Hi!! I got a prescription for Brintellix today from my doctor after zoloft and Lexapro failed to work. The only thing I am nervous about is suicidal thoughts and stuff. I've never had them, but I am usually at home with my child at night by myself because my husband works a crazy shift. Is it safe for me to take while there by myself? Has anybody actually ever had suicidal thoughts or thoughts of hurting anybody? I am freaking myself out about taking it!! All help would be appreciated!

[jt07]

Welcome to CB! All antidepressants (ADs) carry a black-box warning that they can increase suicidal thoughts, especially in young people. I don't think that Brintellix is any worse than the others, but maybe someone will come along who takes Brintellix and can tell you their experience. The general rule is that if you find yourself having suicidal thoughts, call your doctor. If you think you will act on suicidal thoughts, go to the ER. I don't want you to be scared to take your AD because you fear having suicidal thoughts because otherwise you would never take any AD.

[showtime]

Welcome to CB!!  I rarely write much on this site for my self confidence has been a problem for a long time.  But I feel that Brintellix can be a very positive drug for depression treatment.   I began taking it in February 2014 and within 2 weeks felt lessening of pre-existing suicidal feeling.  The doctor said people often feel more alert - it is known for helping cognitively early in treatment.  I did indeed feel "smarter" and read again and tried out new recipes.  I take it in the morning for it has a mild stimulating effect , but is not anxiety causing for me.  Tummy problems leave quickly and you would do best taking it with your first meal of the day.   My best to you as you start this new medication.  Again, welcome.   

[annies]

I only felt suicidal once on meds that did not work for me at all but once I found one that worked, it was fine.  The med itself did not make me feel that way it was myself and the new med did not work to make it better.   

 

[zombiemom73]

So, I have been battling severe depression and anxiety for the last couple of years after going through something traumatic with my 19 year old daughter and then losing her.  Within the first 6 months, my dr put me on zoloft, which did nothing for me, then put me on Wellbutrin, which made me INCREDIBLY sick.  Even after lowering the dosage, it still made me sick and my depression seemed to get worse and I began having suicidal thoughts.  That's when the acute anxiety started.  They put me in .25 mg of ativan and then switched me to the same dosage of xanax, which helped mildly with the attacks.  Eventually, I stopped taking the Wellbutrin as I couldn't handle how much worse it was making me feel.  Lastly she tried me on Celexa and Buspar and those both pretty much made me feel like I was constantly walking around like a zombie.  I also fell and broke my ankle and had to have major surgery, which they botched and ended up causing me severe and permanent nerve damage as well as neuropathy in my ankle and foot, which then made my depression even worse as I was having to deal with constant pain and pain management.  I stopped taking all antidepressants and would only take the anxiety meds when needed until the last 5 months, when some major and very unexpected things occurred in my life and kicked my depression back in full force.  I began cutting, having suicidal thoughts on a nearly daily basis and at a few points, thought I was going to have to check myself into a hospital of some sort to get help.

 

My point in all of this is that I DID NOT want to go back on meds.  I've had bad luck with all of the ones they've tried me on.  Recently I moved to a new state and began seeing a new dr and after much conversation, many tears and filling out a lot of questionaires, he recommended this Brintellex.  He is starting me on a 5 mg dose for the first couple of weeks and then wants to move me up to 10 mg.  He said it's fairly new on the market and the only side effect he has really had people complain about it nausea so he told me to take it with a big meal.  And that sometimes it can make people a little sleepy so if I take it in the morning and it makes me tired, to switch to taking it at night.  I am really, really, really nervous about this.  But I am at the point where I know I have to do something or I am not gonna make it.  So, I was hoping I could get some honest feedback here.  From those that have had luck with it and even from those that may have had bad luck with it.  So far what I've read seems positive but I am still very worried.

 

Any advice would be so very much appreciated.  Thank you very much.

[dragonfly23]

Zombiemom73... I have a similar experience with AD meds and I really don't want to take meds.....I realize your post is from August and its September.....hoping my feedback is still revelent. I had suicidal thought prior to Brintellix, but my head has quieted down a lot since beginning this medication. I have had no gastro side effects and have had no gastro issues, and with the others meds I have tried gastro issues were a challenge. I also take Xanax for anxiety and still do to a lesser degree. Initially I was coming off viibryd and moved quickly to brintellix , not sure if my first few days were miserable due to viibryd or brintellix, but can tell you that now I feel much better, almost normal, lol. Hope you are feeling better.... I found brintellix to be really effective and I am in a spot where I need meds to work, can't do it without anymore. Funny though a few weeks in after all the crap I have been through I had a brief thought.....I feel great why should I even take meds......hahaha, forgetting the meds are why I feel good for a change. Good luck to you!