Hello all,
I haven't checked in in a while. I am still creeping along the road w ups and downs. Yesterday I was very, very anxious maybe manic. I had an appt with my doc yesterday and that probably gave me incentive to calm down. We concluded at the appt that my Meds aren't working so we are going to try Latuda.

I get very shaky and anxious, stuttering and then super depressed sometimes in a matter of minutes to hours.

Can anyone relate or has anyone been on latuda?

sorry I have never even heard of the medication. hope it works for you!
bizi

Hi,

I understand about being anxious and depressed at the same time.

I hope that the Latuda works for you.

Mari

I love the lotus on your signature.

Hi,TBI,

Thanks.

I do not have a formal meditation practice but I try to have some moments here and there in the day when I think about the present instead of worrying about the future.

Mari

Thanks WindWalker and Mari,

Maybe that is it, I am reducing the Lamictal (under doc orders) and introducing the Latuda gradually? But then all of this mood swinging starred before the new Meds. I don't know. I seem to feel. A little better, more flat less manic, less depressed. I have to keep doing things. The Lamictal makes me tired. I go to bed at 8 and wake up at 0500. I am not very hungry but I bought a vitamix and I am surprised at how that is making me feel about food. I get super satiated from a breakfast smoothie. Who knows.

I am just trying to be ok.

Thanks guys,
Tbi/PTSD

Hi, Tbi/Ptsd,

It is good to hear that the med changes are helping you.

The vitamixes are great machines but I have not gotten one. I have an o.k. blender. Smoothies in the morning are wonderful.
Keep trying to be o.k. That is what we do here -- keep trying and keep hoping.

Mari

Hi TBI/PTSD,

I hope the Latuda is helping you and that you are feeling better by now. The state you described sounds totally yucky! I have had depression with high anxiety and it is positively awful.

As for your meds...

Gradual reduction of Lamictal with introduction of Latuda will be fine, as long as your prescribing doctor is aware of your complete medical situation. My main concern reading the first post was with seizures, since Lamictal protects against seizures while Latuda would lower seizure threshold (i.e., both med changes increase seizure vulnerability). However, a gradual change really should not be problematic unless you have a seizure disorder.

You initially had some questions about the Latuda itself. I don't know what your doc told you about it. I had to look it up - looks very interesting. It is an atypical (i.e. "new generation") antipsychotic, used to treat positive symptoms of schizophrenia and depression in bipolar disorder.

While most antipsychotics treat manic symptoms, I did not see anything about this with Latuda. It should help some, since it tends to be sedating. Generally speaking, it might be less effective than other antipsychotics for mania, due to its unique pharmacodynamics; alternatively, it may not yet have been fully evaluated for treatment of mania.

It is a very new drug, and still in phase 3 clinical trials for general maintenance treatment of bipolar disorder in conjunction with lithium or divalproex. (See http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/results/NCT01358357.) Primary results are expected 2015. Secondary data expected from this trial will include the amount of time to a manic episode... this could open doors for other trials.

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You sound as though you are taking really good care of yourself, with the smoothies and all to help nourish yourself despite the loss of appetite. Keep on keeping on.

waves

I don't know what that medicine is,but I certainly understand the feelings,pains,and conditions of depression,anxiety,shakiness,and allot more. I'm so sorry that you are going through this. I hope that the medication helps. BF

Thanks BF,
This is all so far out of my control, I work daily on accepting it, as we all do I am sure.

I have been on Latuda (I just like saying it!) for two days now as I gradually build up the Latuda I am gradually reducing Lamictal. I look forward to being full up on Latuda and off of Lamictal and seeing what the difference is. Thanks again.