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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Fiat500 on December 11, 2013, at 23:34:37
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression? » Fiat500, posted by Bob on December 6, 2013, at 11:24:13
Yes I did. Memantine caused depression and Rilutek was excellent but I was mortified as I had to discontinue as after about three months I had difficulty putting sentences together and had difficulty speaking.
Posted by LouisianaSportsman on December 12, 2013, at 19:58:55
In reply to Does anyone take Latuda for depression?, posted by SLS on December 4, 2013, at 4:27:42
> I am thinking of swapping out Abilify for Latuda to treat bipolar depression so that I can avoid and reverse weight-gain. Has anyone had success with this drug for treating depression?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> - ScottSLS,
I've posted about wanting to switch to Latuda from Abilify for the exact same reason. I did so. I currently take 60mg. of Latuda.
I was a big advocate for Abilify-- it was the most effective psychiatric medication I had taken. It was a difficult choice to switch to Latuda, but something had to be done about the weight gain. I have lost 13 pounds since being initiated on Latuda two months; however, we did begin Topamax at the same time.
Latuda works better than Abilify! It is subtle, but definitely brightens my mood and is the best remedy I have discovered for my bipolar depression. The only downside is that you have to eat ~350 calories with it.
I highly suggest you try it out, Scott.
Posted by SLS on December 12, 2013, at 20:57:29
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression?, posted by LouisianaSportsman on December 12, 2013, at 19:58:55
Thanks!!!
:-)
I'll say a little prayer for you that Latuda continues to improve your depression.
I will definitely try Latuda at some point, perhaps next month. I am beginning to respond more robustly to my current treatment regime. I increased my Parnate from 80 mg/day to 100 mg/day. I would rather not rock the boat just yet, but at some point, the weight gain must be addressed.
Currently:
Parnate (tranylcypromine) 100 mg/day
nortriptyline 150 mg/day
Lamictal 200 mg/day
lithium 450 mg/day
Abilify 10 mg/day
minocycline 200 mg/day
prazosin 25 mg/day
Thanks again.
- Scott
Posted by bob on December 13, 2013, at 23:55:26
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression? » LouisianaSportsman, posted by SLS on December 12, 2013, at 20:57:29
> Thanks!!!
>
> :-)
>
> I'll say a little prayer for you that Latuda continues to improve your depression.
>
> I will definitely try Latuda at some point, perhaps next month. I am beginning to respond more robustly to my current treatment regime. I increased my Parnate from 80 mg/day to 100 mg/day. I would rather not rock the boat just yet, but at some point, the weight gain must be addressed.
>
> Currently:
>
> Parnate (tranylcypromine) 100 mg/day
> nortriptyline 150 mg/day
> Lamictal 200 mg/day
> lithium 450 mg/day
> Abilify 10 mg/day
> minocycline 200 mg/day
> prazosin 25 mg/day
>
>
> Thanks again.
>
>
> - ScottHey Scott... I noticed you replaced your Nardil with Parnate. Are you getting the changes you hoped for from that?
Bob
Posted by SLS on December 14, 2013, at 0:38:25
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression? » SLS, posted by bob on December 13, 2013, at 23:55:26
Hi Bob.
> Hey Scott... I noticed you replaced your Nardil with Parnate. Are you getting the changes you hoped for from that?
I went from Parnate to Nardil, and back to Parnate again. For some reason, Nardil didn't help me as much as it had in the past. I am convinced that Parnate is a better drug for me, so... No more experiments.
I'm starting to feel pretty good.
- Scott
Posted by mogger on December 14, 2013, at 0:43:04
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression? » bob, posted by SLS on December 14, 2013, at 0:38:25
Good to hear Scott!
Posted by Bob on December 14, 2013, at 14:18:38
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression? » bob, posted by SLS on December 14, 2013, at 0:38:25
> Hi Bob.
>
> > Hey Scott... I noticed you replaced your Nardil with Parnate. Are you getting the changes you hoped for from that?
>
> I went from Parnate to Nardil, and back to Parnate again. For some reason, Nardil didn't help me as much as it had in the past. I am convinced that Parnate is a better drug for me, so... No more experiments.
>
> I'm starting to feel pretty good.
>
>
> - Scott
How long after starting Parnate did it take to get to this point? What do you like about Parnate?Bob
Posted by SLS on December 14, 2013, at 17:56:37
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression? » SLS, posted by Bob on December 14, 2013, at 14:18:38
> How long after starting Parnate did it take to get to this point?
When I do respond properly to Parnate, it usually takes 4 - 8 weeks to see an improvement. I sometimes get a false response in week 2 that disappears after 3 days - tachyphylaxis.
> What do you like about Parnate?
Parnate keeps me normothymic steadily. Nardil seems to foster a hyperthymic temperament or a more unstable acute hypomania. These mental states can be exciting, but not very realistic. I feel "cleaner" and can function better with Parnate. I feel more grounded and better able to construct a life with Parnate than I do with Nardil. Of course, others will describe different scenarios with these two drugs. Some people will fail to respond to Parnate whom will respond to Nardil.
- Scott
Posted by stargazer2 on January 1, 2014, at 12:20:16
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression? » Bob, posted by SLS on December 14, 2013, at 17:56:37
Yes, I think it has been about a week now and I do believe it is helping my suicidal depression.
I'm on 20 mg only, split the pill...in addition take 75 mg Nardil and 900 Lithium.
Star
Posted by SLS on January 1, 2014, at 13:12:03
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression?YES, posted by stargazer2 on January 1, 2014, at 12:20:16
> Yes, I think it has been about a week now and I do believe it is helping my suicidal depression.
> I'm on 20 mg only, split the pill...in addition take 75 mg Nardil and 900 Lithium.
> StarHi Star.
Thanks for chiming in. Your input is greatly appreciated and extremely valuable. I might try Latuda in a month or two. I will probably take your lead and start at 20 mg/day.
Do you find Latuda at all energizing?
Thanks in advance.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2014, at 20:10:04
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression?YES » stargazer2, posted by SLS on January 1, 2014, at 13:12:03
Scott are you switching out abilify? PJ
Posted by stargazer2 on January 1, 2014, at 20:10:46
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression?YES » stargazer2, posted by SLS on January 1, 2014, at 13:12:03
I find Latuda not so much energizing, although I have made it to the gym more than normally, but it
has reduced my depressive symptoms to the point where my affect is less internally focused and more externally focused, which for me is critical. As it is my constant self examination that causes my symptoms of depression to become ruminative and paralyzing, resulting in suicidality.I would never have thought it would have done anything as MAO's have been the only meds that have worked to some degree for me, although lately MAOS have not worked to the degree they did years ago as monotherapy. Abilify didn't really make a difference at a low dose and the cost was prohititive. I have no idea of the cost of Latuda yet. I have samples from my doc to try out so still in the trial phase.
I'll keep posting for others to see my response. I also am scheuled to receive low flow magnetic stim in the next few weeks so that will be another attempt to normalize my life but I'm seeing a good response with Latuda at the 8 day point.
Star
Posted by mogger on January 1, 2014, at 20:22:02
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression?SLS, posted by stargazer2 on January 1, 2014, at 20:10:46
Star,
I am encouraged to read of your positive response to Latuda and I hope in the new year it continues to be of benefit. I have to switch my atypical as I take seroquel and I must be in the minority as I have lost weight on it and unfortunately gives me restlessness and heavy heartbeat. I don't want to go back to zyprexa. Have you tried either zyprexa or seroquel before and if so what was your experience? I have similar symptoms to you as far as suicidality so your description as to how latuda seems to be helping is encouraging. I have ocd as well as clinical depression.
Posted by SLS on January 1, 2014, at 21:36:23
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression?YES » SLS, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2014, at 20:10:04
> Scott are you switching out abilify? PJ
That is one of my motivations for trying Latuda. Abilify is responsible for 60 pounds of excess body weight and hypertriglyceridemia. If Latuda were to bring me to full remission faster, that would be nice. I am still progressing, but much too slowly for my likes.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2014, at 22:31:36
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression?YES, posted by SLS on January 1, 2014, at 21:36:23
Scott have heard from a former poster the same weight gain. Good reason for switching. I would love to see you get to full remission. PJ
Posted by Mogger on January 2, 2014, at 2:33:12
In reply to Does anyone take Latuda for depression?, posted by SLS on December 4, 2013, at 4:27:42
I thought this article to be interesting however I have no idea what most of it means.
Posted by stargazer2 on January 2, 2014, at 15:27:11
In reply to Latuda NMDA mechanism, 5ht7 antagonism » SLS, posted by Mogger on January 2, 2014, at 2:33:12
That's a study done on rats. Impossible to interpret. There are some studies done on humans which I have seen, equally as confusing.
Posted by stargazer2 on January 3, 2014, at 9:05:23
In reply to Re: Latuda NMDA mechanism, 5ht7 antagonism, posted by stargazer2 on January 2, 2014, at 15:27:11
So far, so good, on 20 mg, no major side effects except insomnia but I don't mind that if my mood is euthymic and I'm able to function most days like a human being and not a suicidal zombie.
It is a major difference that I am hoping and praying will last.Star
Posted by SLS on January 3, 2014, at 9:40:56
In reply to Re: Latuda Day #11, posted by stargazer2 on January 3, 2014, at 9:05:23
:-)
I love hearing good news. I'll pray along with you that your improvement continues to grow.
The very next thing I will try in order to speed things up will be Latuda 20 mg/day. I once tried it at 40 mg/day and higher. I experienced acute brain fog and some derealization. Your story gives me hope that 20 mg/day will affect me differently. I like the insomnia thing. For me, insomnia has always been a good predictor that the depression will soon recede.
Good luck.
Thanks for describing your experience with Latuda. It is very helpful.
- Scott
Posted by stargazer2 on January 5, 2014, at 23:37:41
In reply to Re: Latuda Day #11 » stargazer2, posted by SLS on January 3, 2014, at 9:40:56
Glad my feedback is helpful to you. My mood is good. I feel normal, not depressed, certainly not suicidal as I was feeling on Lexapro, Lithim and Nardil. THe insomnia is not terrible. I did take Benadryl the last 2 nights with good or moderate effects. I went skiing with a large group of people hadn't felt like doing this for 2 years, something has kicked in, even have thoughts about working and haven't been able to do this in 3 years, but nevertheless the thought is there where it wasn't before.
Hopefully the effects will sustain.
Star
Posted by mogger on January 5, 2014, at 23:42:08
In reply to Re: Latuda Day #11/SLS, posted by stargazer2 on January 5, 2014, at 23:37:41
That is phenomenal Star. My fingers are crossed that you continue to do well on it.
Posted by stargazer2 on January 6, 2014, at 8:07:32
In reply to Re: Latuda Day #11/SLS » stargazer2, posted by mogger on January 5, 2014, at 23:42:08
Thank you Mogger, me too, the effects are just too clear to be a placebo effect, I hope...I have never had that happen to me with all the meds I have taken over 20 years with mostly poor effects with the exception of the original MAOs back in the early 90's.
Posted by mogger on January 15, 2014, at 12:51:25
In reply to Re: Latuda Day #11/SLS, posted by stargazer2 on January 6, 2014, at 8:07:32
Is the Latuda still treating you well Star I hope?
mogger
Posted by stargazer2 on January 16, 2014, at 17:04:37
In reply to Re: Latuda Day #11/SLS » stargazer2, posted by mogger on January 15, 2014, at 12:51:25
Pretty well, some diminishment of the initial energy and sense of well being but overall much better than I was prior to starting it...but I was suicidal.
Thanks for your concern. Star
Posted by stargazer2 on January 17, 2014, at 13:46:36
In reply to Re: Latuda Day #11/SLS, posted by stargazer2 on January 16, 2014, at 17:04:37
Does anyone know...I have heard one person 's insurance paid $2700 for 3 mos. I have been on samples so far but now I have to pay on my own. I have Medicare but reach that donut hole before long and last year was not on an expensive med like this until mid year (Abilify, 1,000/mo).
Think it may be around $500 but not sure of this.Thanks.
STar
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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