[Love&Toil]

My pdoc is considering switching the Abilify with Latuda and dropping the Prozac. This is to stabilize my depressive feelings without increasing an AD which can be destabilizing. Can't raise the Abilify as it's too flattening.

What are your experiences with Latuda? Anybody with Bipolar 2 try it? I know it's usually indicated for BP1. Thanks.

[nbritton]

Originally Posted by Love&Toil

My pdoc is considering switching the Abilify with Latuda and dropping the Prozac. This is to stabilize my depressive feelings without increasing an AD which can be destabilizing. Can't raise the Abilify as it's too flattening.

What are your experiences with Latuda? Anybody with Bipolar 2 try it? I know it's usually indicated for BP1. Thanks.

Latuda is great stuff, practically no side effects. It's the only antipsyotic I would recommend, it's also the only antipsychotic that is safe to take while being pregnant (it's the only one in category B, all other antipsychotics are in category C or worse). Only downside is the cost, but it's actually cheaper then Abilify. It's also FDA approved to treat bipolar depression, Abilify is not FDA approved to treat bipolar depression. Make the switch.

I would also agree with stopping Prozac. However, Wellbutrin is safe to take with bipolar disorder because it doesn't work the same way traditional serotonin reuptake inhibitors do.

[newtothis31]

One of my friends with Bipolar II had rapid cycling- it really helped her a lot.

I take Latuda and it has been great.

[Love&Toil]

Thanks for weighing in.

I have to admit, it does seem attractive to wean off the Prozac due to the sexual side effects. But in many other ways Prozac has been a godsend. I've been on it for about 7-8 years. It calms me down and has taken away my anxiety and panic attacks.

There's not much info online about Latuda & bipolar 2.

It does kinda freak me out though that the side effects of latuda do involve blood sugar and cholesterol problems for some. I'm already overweight and sedentary.

[BlackSheep79]

Originally Posted by Love&Toil

Thanks for weighing in.

I have to admit, it does seem attractive to wean off the Prozac due to the sexual side effects. But in many other ways Prozac has been a godsend. I've been on it for about 7-8 years.

There's not much info online about Latuda & bipolar 2.

It does kinda freak me out though that the side effects of latuda do involve blood sugar and cholesterol problems for some. I'm already overweight and sedentary.

I came off of Seroquel back in March because it caused me to become pre-diabetic and my cholesterol to sky rocket. We tried Latuda, my pdoc told me that Latuda was on the low end for causing these problems unlike Seroquel. I had problems with Latuda which would be a novel long if I explained it, in my case it didn't metabolize right in my body. I heard several people say that it changed their life. Unfortunately I had to go back on Seroquel. I hope everything works out for you.

[Love&Toil]

I am a bit nervous about switching meds when I have been functioning so well on these. The only problem is that with the season changing the darkness has crept back. I have SAD. The other option is to keep all meds the same but up the Wellbutrin which would still be a bit destabilizing.

Thanks for the well wishes BlackSheep79. I'm sorry to hear you had such a negative experience.

[stellarx]

I have BPII and recently switched to latuda. It seems to be relatively effective but I have gained ten pounds over the last month and my sexual performance sucks.

Put simply, the bipolar symptoms have decreased but with relatively serious side effects.

[Love&Toil]

Hmm weight gain and sexual side effects suck.

[Love&Toil]

I'll be seeing my pdoc and getting the new Rx on Dec 19th. Just before the holidays! That way I can try the new med while being away from work. The only thing that sucks is that my family might have to put up with me while I'm whacked out. Oh well.

[MINDFREAKR]

latuda made me faint so far, cracked my head open. I am not a fan but my shrink says to continue to stay on it unless I faint again. I hope it works better for all of you .

[Love&Toil]

Mindfreakr I'm sorry to hear that happened to you! Not nice!

I am nervous about trying a new med but... WTH. I am hoping it will not be a terrible experience and I will be able to function and care for my family and go to work. Dh already does a ton of stuff with the children.

I thought I read somewhere that Latuda was not meant to be used long term? Does anybody know about that?

[bipolarchickk]

Latuda has completely changed my life. It took about 2 months for the full effect but I couldn't be happier. I haven't gained a pound and minimal side effects. Although medication affects people differently I strongly suggest it!!

[stellarx]

EXTREME IRRITABILITY over the last two weeks.

[Love&Toil]

How's everybody doing? I have chickened out. I am not going to switch up my meds. I can't deal with any more instability right now. I need to function. I need to be at work.

[newtothis31]

Trying new meds are nerve-wracking & it is hell waiting until they take effect, so I understand.

[Love&Toil]

Ugh. I have a pdoc appt today and will discuss it with her.....

[memson]

I added Latuda back in the spring and had a fantastic summer. Then I tried coming off the Effexor and crashed badly. I've settled on the doses below and this seems to have me fairly stable but yes, the side effects suck - especially the sex drive.

[memson]

Originally Posted by Love&Toil

How's everybody doing? I have chickened out. I am not going to switch up my meds. I can't deal with any more instability right now. I need to function. I need to be at work.

I hear your concern but I added Latuda before changing any of the other methods. It was effective pretty quickly and with only minor nausea as a side effect. (It is critical that you follow the food guidance, min of 350 calories).

It's definitely helped with the mood swings but I found I still need a (reduced) dose of Effexor to keep me out of the pit. The jury's still out but I'm hopeful I'm getting close to the right cocktail. I did not cope well with Wellbutrin at all and discontinued it after a few days.

[Love&Toil]

Memson thanks for sharing your experience.

I have decided to go ahead and give it a try, tonight I took my first 20 mg pill and only 2 mg of the Abilify. My pdoc said to take it on an empty stomach so only half will metabolize, and it will be like a 10 mg dose. Do this for a week then drop the rest of the Abilify and take Latuda with a meal so I get the full 20 mg affect. Right now I'm wired but that could be from a coffee and I'm just being paranoid/anxious about how this med will affect me. LOL Anyway, I'm trying.

[Moogieotter]

L&T,

You read my review. I asked my pdoc about the sugar and cholesterol, and he said it's a problem w all AAPs including Abilify so switching to Latuda should be a wash. As a GAD Bipolar camper myself who prozac has helped tremendously also, I'm excited for you and your switch to Latuda! Keep us posted!

[Love&Toil]

Thanks Moogieotter for your interest and vote of confidence!

Last night I took my first dose and did not get to sleep until about 3 a.m.

Took my second dose tonight...... feel kind of lightheaded and out of it. Headache. I also feel energized. And thirsty. This is a sobering journey.... it's hard to give my control over and try something new. It is hard to believe I am taking an ANTI-PSYCHOTIC. It says in big letters on the bottle. When I got this bottle they didn't give it to me in a blue pill bottle, rather in the bottle it came in. I will ask them to switch it next time as I don't want my neighbours seeing the ANTI-PSYCHOTIC bottle. LOL It's difficult sometimes to accept that I have bipolar but I guess I still think of bipolar as BP1 and not the more nuanced experience of BP2.

Moogieotter it's interesting to see you're still on Prozac. My pdoc eventually wants to see if we can take me off of it. I don't totally mind as I've been on it for 7-8 yrs and have difficulties having orgasms from it. But I also love that it has kept my GAD down to a dull roar and has mostly taken away any anxiety and panic attacks. So I don't want to get off of it completely. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

ETA - I will see my regular doc to get a baseline for blood sugar and cholesterol in mid-Jan.

[Moogieotter]

Hi L&T,

I was originally a unipolar depression Dx back in 1998. I've only been completely SSRI free for about 7 months during 2012 to 2013 and on Risperidal only for BP 2. Mostly I was on Lexapro for 7 years. Paxil is my favorite, but it's a little to sedating for me to maintain a career and be on. Prozac, being more energizing, is the ticket right now. There is a small risk for rapid cycling or mania w SSRIs and BP 2 that my doc has concerns about, but as long as I stay in good routine and especially monitor my sleep cycles, he says I'll be ok.

The GAD is really the worst for me. I cannot and will not do Benzos or Gabapentin, awful experiences in the past for me. SSRIs reduce the GAD from crazy panic attack hell to just a few minutes of needing to deep breathe in the morning. Not sure I'll ever get off SSRIs again.

A long time ago a pdoc recommended Ginko Biloba suppliments to help w delayed orgasms from SSRIs. It took a few weeks and helped a great deal. Not sure if there's real basis or studies. I might try to get off SSRIs again one day, but for now, I'm on a good mix.

moogs

[Love&Toil]

Interesting. It's good to know you've had some success with your med cocktail.

Day 4 Latuda 10mg - going alright. Energized though and it's 2:40 a.m. I need to sleep as I work tomorrow but oh well...

[Love&Toil]

Originally Posted by stellarx

EXTREME IRRITABILITY over the last two weeks.

Stellarx I am curious to know if your irritability has resolved or not...

[Love&Toil]

Update: I really believe the Latuda has made me more irritable. Kind of like this constant low grade irritability. I think I like Abilify better. I was flatter but more stable. I feel more moody on Latuda. I wonder if it would help to go up to 40 mg or if it would just be more of the same...?