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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 25 of 50. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on August 21, 2018, at 13:43:29
Hi.
What has been your experience with Latuda in the treatment of depression?
Dosage? Side effects?
I tried Latuda once, but didn't take it for very long because I thought it was making me feel somewhat worse. I probably discontinued it too soon.
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by Christ_empowered on August 21, 2018, at 13:53:21
In reply to Latuda for depression - Anyone?, posted by SLS on August 21, 2018, at 13:43:29
do you really think a tranquilizer is the way to go? what about...I dunno...mirapex, focalin, an amphetamine, provigil...even xanax (I'd assume xr) can be helpful in some forms of depression. I mean...I wouldn't wish xanax dependence on anyone, but if you don't have all that many other options left...maybe (?).
maybe a tiny dose of abilfy every 2nd or 3rd day? but then again...if you dose it like that, I'd think a for realsies dopamine agonist on a daily basis might be a better choice. or...not.
i hope you get to feeling better.
Posted by KathrynLex on August 21, 2018, at 16:20:07
In reply to Latuda for depression - Anyone?, posted by SLS on August 21, 2018, at 13:43:29
It's been a long time since I tried an antipsychotic, but the last one they put me on turned me into a zombie and I slept for 14+ hours each day. If your doctor thinks it would help you, it's always worth a try because the meds that work are worth more than gold!
Posted by Prefect on August 21, 2018, at 16:40:40
In reply to Latuda for depression - Anyone?, posted by SLS on August 21, 2018, at 13:43:29
Have you gone fully off Trintellix?
I'm on 20 mg a day now and I'm thinking of weaning off. But I've got a months supply of the 20 mg tabs and don't want to wait, do you know if you can break the tabs into smaller doses?
Posted by SLS on August 21, 2018, at 18:34:40
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone? » SLS, posted by Prefect on August 21, 2018, at 16:40:40
> Have you gone fully off Trintellix?
>
> I'm on 20 mg a day now and I'm thinking of weaning off. But I've got a months supply of the 20 mg tabs and don't want to wait, do you know if you can break the tabs into smaller doses?I can't give you any official information. However, I used a pill cutter to split the tablets as was suggested by my doctor. Trintellix is not an extended release formulation and the tablets are not enteric coated. I can't think of any reason why they can't be split. What other drugs are you taking?
- Scott
Posted by SLS on August 21, 2018, at 18:36:38
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone? » SLS, posted by KathrynLex on August 21, 2018, at 16:20:07
> It's been a long time since I tried an antipsychotic, but the last one they put me on turned me into a zombie and I slept for 14+ hours each day. If your doctor thinks it would help you, it's always worth a try because the meds that work are worth more than gold!
Agreed!
Latuda is approved to treat bipolar depression.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on August 21, 2018, at 18:55:28
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone?, posted by Christ_empowered on August 21, 2018, at 13:53:21
> do you really think a tranquilizer is the way to go? what about...I dunno...mirapex, focalin, an amphetamine, provigil...even xanax (I'd assume xr) can be helpful in some forms of depression. I mean...I wouldn't wish xanax dependence on anyone, but if you don't have all that many other options left...maybe (?).
>
> maybe a tiny dose of abilfy every 2nd or 3rd day? but then again...if you dose it like that, I'd think a for realsies dopamine agonist on a daily basis might be a better choice. or...not.
>
> i hope you get to feeling better.Thanks C_E.
Latuda was approved to treat bipolar depression. My doctor feels that it works for some people as an antidepressant. A friend of mine who I met at the National Institutes of Health in 1992 has been suffering with chronic treatment resistant depression for all of these years. She began taking Latuda two weeks ago. She now has more energy in her voice and clarity of thought. Her speech is more rapid. I have never seen her feel so well. Her depression likely fits somewhere along the bipolar spectrum. As a young adult, she experienced some mania.
I am still suffering the negative after-effects of Trintellix treatment, despite having discontinued it over two weeks ago. Overall, these cognitive and memory blunting effects seem to be dissipating gradually, but their intensity varies throughout the day.
- Scott
Posted by bleauberry on August 25, 2018, at 18:17:51
In reply to Latuda for depression - Anyone?, posted by SLS on August 21, 2018, at 13:43:29
I think at this point after all these years of trials I would maybe venture away from conventional group-think (SSRIs, Antipsychotics) and instead go with things that are known to improve mood. Like stimulants. Like opioids. Like opioid-lile substances. Like non-politically correct options that your doctor can write a prescription for that he doesn't usually write prescriptions for. Because everything else he could write a prescription for is just more of the same - SSRI and AP. Basically.
I wish we could get the old original formula of Nardil back!!!
Tell your doctor you want to find some legal drugs that make you feel better. Not antidepressants, necessarily. Because those actually make most people dysphoric not happy. Tell him it's time in life to feel good and do whatever it takes to do that. Think of it not as treating depression, but rather, boosting mood and happiness. It's a different game with different tools.
Example: For me, Ritalin did more good than any of the dozens of other meds. There is a stimulant that can probably do something similar for you. There are probably supplements to turbocharge them if they aren't strong enough. In the opioid category I had a rule with myself - 1.never more than 3 days in a week 2.never more than 2 days in a row. I did Vicadin that way. It really lifted me up and made me feel normal - not high - not drugged - but totally absolutely normal. But the short half life...and the easy addiction....and the worsened depression of withdrawal....and so that's why I had those rules.
Vicadin didn't allow me to feel happy and normal every day, but for at least a few days, and those days were like stepping stones, like life preservers, like gas tanks filled with hope, they gave me the strength and the creativity to figure out my next steps instead of staying stuck. And some of it bled over into the next day - the next day was never a bad day, even though the Vicodin was gone, it hit the chemistry in a way that lasted a while.
It's hard to make progress when every day sucks. You need at least one or two really decent days here and there. And they are important enough to force with mind altering drugs if necessary.
So I say tell the doc let's switch gears. Make the focus mood improvement rapidly and directly, versus anti-depression.
A big factor in my thinking here is age. You and I are at an age now where it's not like we have forever to keep trying things we've already tried over and over. There isn't enough difference between any of the SSRIS, SNRIs, or APs that after all these years suddenly one of them is going to be magic while none of the others were. That just isn't going to happen, in my opinion, just being real.
Time to switch gears. Time to feel good. Time to throw caution to the wind - a little bit, gently, responsibly - and enjoy some life.
Posted by Prefect on August 25, 2018, at 18:43:18
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone? » Prefect, posted by SLS on August 21, 2018, at 18:34:40
Nothing. Was thinking about augmenting with abilify.
Posted by SLS on August 26, 2018, at 10:05:44
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone? » SLS, posted by bleauberry on August 25, 2018, at 18:17:51
Thanks, Bleauberry. I appreciate your concern. I hope all is well with you.
- Scott> I think at this point after all these years of trials I would maybe venture away from conventional group-think (SSRIs, Antipsychotics) and instead go with things that are known to improve mood. Like stimulants. Like opioids. Like opioid-lile substances. Like non-politically correct options that your doctor can write a prescription for that he doesn't usually write prescriptions for. Because everything else he could write a prescription for is just more of the same - SSRI and AP. Basically.
> I wish we could get the old original formula of Nardil back!!!
> Tell your doctor you want to find some legal drugs that make you feel better. Not antidepressants, necessarily. Because those actually make most people dysphoric not happy. Tell him it's time in life to feel good and do whatever it takes to do that. Think of it not as treating depression, but rather, boosting mood and happiness. It's a different game with different tools.
> Example: For me, Ritalin did more good than any of the dozens of other meds. There is a stimulant that can probably do something similar for you. There are probably supplements to turbocharge them if they aren't strong enough. In the opioid category I had a rule with myself - 1.never more than 3 days in a week 2.never more than 2 days in a row. I did Vicadin that way. It really lifted me up and made me feel normal - not high - not drugged - but totally absolutely normal. But the short half life...and the easy addiction....and the worsened depression of withdrawal....and so that's why I had those rules.
> Vicadin didn't allow me to feel happy and normal every day, but for at least a few days, and those days were like stepping stones, like life preservers, like gas tanks filled with hope, they gave me the strength and the creativity to figure out my next steps instead of staying stuck. And some of it bled over into the next day - the next day was never a bad day, even though the Vicodin was gone, it hit the chemistry in a way that lasted a while.
> It's hard to make progress when every day sucks. You need at least one or two really decent days here and there. And they are important enough to force with mind altering drugs if necessary.
> So I say tell the doc let's switch gears. Make the focus mood improvement rapidly and directly, versus anti-depression.
> A big factor in my thinking here is age. You and I are at an age now where it's not like we have forever to keep trying things we've already tried over and over. There isn't enough difference between any of the SSRIS, SNRIs, or APs that after all these years suddenly one of them is going to be magic while none of the others were. That just isn't going to happen, in my opinion, just being real.
> Time to switch gears. Time to feel good. Time to throw caution to the wind - a little bit, gently, responsibly - and enjoy some life.
Posted by Prefect on August 26, 2018, at 11:28:37
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone? » SLS, posted by bleauberry on August 25, 2018, at 18:17:51
Bleaberry where do you get all these off label drugs? I live in Toronto, Canada, I can't even convince my doctor to prescribe me xanax, ritalin, anything. Just ssris, and now that I'm desperate she gave me a prescription of abilify. Does anyone know a brave doctor in Toronto who's willing to take chances with my treatment?
Posted by bleauberry on August 31, 2018, at 7:24:09
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone? » bleauberry, posted by Prefect on August 26, 2018, at 11:28:37
Well, if nothing else, you give a good example of what can go wrong with government sponsored health care systems. You lose freedoms. You lose choices. You lose quality. You lose health.
If your doctor won't prescribe what you want, can you doctor shop? Find another doctor who is more cooperative? More helpful? More concerned for your well being and not the well being of bureaucracy?
There is a whole world of herbs too. I've gotten really familiar with that over the past 20 years. Most of them are not as powerful as prescription meds but most of them actually deliver higher results.
Clinical trials demonstrate that when healthy people take psychiatric medications, they describe the feeling as "dysphoric". Somehow this dysphoric drug is supposed to cure depression? Umm, ok.
If nothing else, marijuana is a better option than many meds - for some people - and I think it is readily available in Canada? Personally I have seen major improvements and even total remissions with medical marijuana in various patients but not that often with SSRIs or APs.
I've had two docs tell me that Ritalin is the most useful medication of everything at their disposal. And I think it is under-utilized and over-criticized. They hand it out to children like candy but refuse it to adults. Ridiculous.
> Bleaberry where do you get all these off label drugs? I live in Toronto, Canada, I can't even convince my doctor to prescribe me xanax, ritalin, anything. Just ssris, and now that I'm desperate she gave me a prescription of abilify. Does anyone know a brave doctor in Toronto who's willing to take chances with my treatment?
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 1, 2018, at 6:29:42
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone?, posted by bleauberry on August 31, 2018, at 7:24:09
I cant wait for you to get back on MAOI/Nardil + Neuroleptic. Just saying. I dont like to see you suffer.
Posted by SLS on September 1, 2018, at 7:06:08
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone?, posted by Lamdage22 on September 1, 2018, at 6:29:42
> I cant wait for you to get back on MAOI/Nardil + Neuroleptic. Just saying. I dont like to see you suffer.
Thanks, Lamdage.
Much of the zombie with anxiety feeling has dissipated. This increase in depression + brain fog has been difficult to endure. This was the aftermath of Tritellix. It has lasted for over three weeks. I might end up on Nardil as you suggest, but I still would like to try Effexor first. We'll see. Right now, I am debating whether I should start treatment on Monday or wait another week.
- Scott
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 1, 2018, at 7:30:09
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone? » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on September 1, 2018, at 7:06:08
Could the anxiety be a result of discontinuing Neuroleptics?
Posted by SLS on September 1, 2018, at 7:54:23
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone?, posted by Lamdage22 on September 1, 2018, at 7:30:09
> Could the anxiety be a result of discontinuing Neuroleptics?
I don't think so. I had discontinued Abilify before discontinuing Parnate. The brain fog / depression / anxiety didn't emerge until I was on Trinellix for two weeks. What a mess. I'm happy that I discontinued the Parnate. It left me feeling lazy and unmotivated, even though it helped the depression somewhat. I had taken it for over three years. It really was a dead end. Of course, I wish that I had tried Effexor instead of Trintellix, but going with Trintellix was the logical move. My doctor had seen several people with chronic TRD respond to it. It was something that I had not yet tried, and it was significantly different from other serotonergic drugs. Effexor has produced mild improvements in the past, but I wasn't taking the other drugs I'm currently on. I actually read a book while taking Effexor years ago. I have read only two books in my adult life. The other book I read was during a short remission produced by taking Parnate + desipramine.
- Scott
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 3, 2018, at 13:41:19
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone? » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on September 1, 2018, at 7:54:23
Im not the most avid reader , either. :) Unfortunately.
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 3, 2018, at 22:35:52
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone? » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on September 1, 2018, at 7:54:23
Arent withdrawal symptoms of Neuroleptics delayed sometimes?
Posted by SLS on September 4, 2018, at 7:37:07
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone?, posted by Lamdage22 on September 3, 2018, at 22:35:52
> Arent withdrawal symptoms of Neuroleptics delayed sometimes?
I have never heard that before. Maybe.
Abilify has a 72 hour half-life.
- Scott
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 4, 2018, at 9:16:55
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone?, posted by SLS on September 4, 2018, at 7:37:07
Well when i reduced the Neuroleptics i noticed the effects 2-3 weeks later. I was being anxious. According to several withdrawal forums this is quite common. Just a thought.
Posted by SLS on September 4, 2018, at 10:24:40
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone?, posted by Lamdage22 on September 4, 2018, at 9:16:55
> Well when i reduced the Neuroleptics i noticed the effects 2-3 weeks later. I was being anxious. According to several withdrawal forums this is quite common. Just a thought.
I think you are right, Lamdage.
I now recall that a friend of mine experienced a delayed withdrawal reaction to Abilify discontinuation. I think it took two weeks to emerge.
- Scott
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 4, 2018, at 12:02:11
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone?, posted by SLS on September 4, 2018, at 10:24:40
So if that were true, would it change your choices?
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 6, 2018, at 3:14:31
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone?, posted by Lamdage22 on September 4, 2018, at 12:02:11
I would go back on a lower dose of AP if i were you. You took it for a long time and your brain got used to it. If Effexor works out you may titrate down, if you have to get on Nardil titrate up.
You should mention possible AP withdrawal effects to your doc. Most docs have little experience with withdrawing medications. All they do is put people ON medication.
I cant imagine that you would have prolonged negative effects after taking sth. for 10 days. What do you think? Does the anxiety get better?
Posted by SLS on September 6, 2018, at 8:40:57
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone?, posted by Lamdage22 on September 4, 2018, at 12:02:11
> So if that were true, would it change your choices?
I began taking Effexor three days ago at 37.5 mg/day. I don't expect to feel better right away.
I pray this combination treatment helps.
Effexor
Nortiptyline
Lamictal
Lithium
Prazosin
- Scott
Posted by Lamdage22 on September 6, 2018, at 12:22:11
In reply to Re: Latuda for depression - Anyone? » Lamdage22, posted by SLS on September 6, 2018, at 8:40:57
Me too, Scott. It did help me. But obviously not like bringing remission. Just a partial response.
I have gone through my second day at vocational rehab from 09:30 through 14:30... it has not stopped me from going to the gym after. I think i am on a good path.
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