[UpDownAround]

At my last pdoc appointment, during the therapy portion (she does meds and therapy) I was talking about some things that haven't happened recently. They were risky and in one case delusional incidents. She seemed to be thinking something over and when I finished she said she wanted to add latuda to the mix and see me in a couple of weeks, which will be next week. She gave me two sample packs. Tonight when I was doling out the second pack into my pill sorter, I read the literature. It specifically says it is schizophrenia or bipolar type 1. My diagnosis is (was?) bipolar 2. I have only had hypomania recently (last 5 years?) except for one delusional episode where I still had a nagging doubt about what I was believing that was a link back to reality. Maybe.

I will ask next week but I am curious if anyone else is taking latuda with a type 2 diagnosis.

[Woolly Bugger]

I took it for a while. It really helped control OCD tendencies, intrusive thoughts, and anxiety. I stopped taking it after a year or two because I was showing signs of tardive dyskinesia, which scared the hell out of me. I would continue with the Latuda and not worry about what it says on the label. It is a good medication.

[UpDownAround]

I am not planning to stop. I will ask pdoc next week. I was just curious about whether others had it prescribed for things other than schizophrenia and BP 1 (IOW off label).

[scatterbrained04]

I take Latuda, and I have BP2. It's been a great med for me. One of the best actually. I'm not sure about it's effects on hypomania. I seldom get that. But it is supposed to be really great for depression. For me, that is true. My sleep has been awesome since I've been on it as well, but it's not like a drugged sleep like so many other meds.

[UpDownAround]

Originally Posted by scatterbrained04

I'm not sure about it's effects on hypomania. I seldom get that.

My "centered spot" is slightly hypomanic - racing thoughts only stop when I am depressed. I am usually easy to distract or irritate (I snap at people but don't fly into a rage). I trip over my words speaking about things I care about and say inappropriate things. I wish the goal oriented symptom stayed in the mix (comes and goes); I would gladly trade the talking problem for it.

Originally Posted by scatterbrained04

My sleep has been awesome since I've been on it as well, but it's not like a drugged sleep like so many other meds.

If you don't min my asking, what dosage? I would love to drop the trazadone at night. It is a drugged sleep and makes for foggy/groggy (froggy? ) mornings.

[bioChE]

Latuda's indication for bipolar depression can help with either BP1 or BP2. I wouldn't get too hung up on the literature about BP1.

[*Laurie*]

Latuda is frequently prescribed for bipolar 2. I was on it and it was very helpful. I had to stop taking it after about 18 months because I was showing signs of tardive dyskinesia.

A lot of bipolar meds these days seem to be indicated for bipolar 1, but that's because they've been approved by the government to treat full-blown mania.

Think of it as a "cap". Latuda is approved to treat anything from mild mania (aka "hypomania") UP TO full-blown mania. So the bipolar 1 indication is just a cap.

I'm sure there are some meds out there approved to treat only hypomania. I'd probably have to spend a lot of time googling to find them, though.

[hopeless2015]

I'm on it for bipolar depression....bipolar ii

[UpDownAround]

Originally Posted by bluebicycle

A lot of bipolar meds these days seem to be indicated for bipolar 1, but that's because they've been approved by the government to treat full-blown mania.

Think of it as a "cap". Latuda is approved to treat anything from mild mania (aka "hypomania") UP TO full-blown mania. So the bipolar 1 indication is just a cap.

I'm sure there are some meds out there approved to treat only hypomania. I'd probably have to spend a lot of time googling to find them, though.

I was thinking it might be that type II isn't bad enough to bring out the big guns, but your explanation makes sense. But just because it makes sense doesn't mean I won't get the run around from the insurance company when I get a prescription instead of samples. I am pretty certain that (a prescription) will happen; she said the samples were to makes sure I tolerated it. It will be too soon to know about the effectiveness. So unless I get a tremor or tick in the next few days, I will likely be on it.

[Nammu]

Meds are used to treat symptoms not the labels, you are having psychosis so that's what she is treating.

[UpDownAround]

Originally Posted by Nammu

Meds are used to treat symptoms not the labels, you are having psychosis so that's what she is treating.

Everybody else was making me feel so much better, but you hit on exactly my concern - did she interpret what happened in the past as psychosis that still needs treating? The only way to know is to ask her next week.

[Guiness187055]

I learned along time ago not to worry about my diagnosis. At different times they can mimic other types of mental illness. I just take the meds that treat my symptoms and I am just hunky dory.

[*Laurie*]

Originally Posted by UpDownAround

At my last pdoc appointment, during the therapy portion (she does meds and therapy) I was talking about some things that haven't happened recently. They were risky and in one case delusional incidents. She seemed to be thinking something over and when I finished she said she wanted to add latuda to the mix and see me in a couple of weeks, which will be next week. She gave me two sample packs. Tonight when I was doling out the second pack into my pill sorter, I read the literature. It specifically says it is schizophrenia or bipolar type 1. My diagnosis is (was?) bipolar 2. I have only had hypomania recently (last 5 years?) except for one delusional episode where I still had a nagging doubt about what I was believing that was a link back to reality. Maybe.

I will ask next week but I am curious if anyone else is taking latuda with a type 2 diagnosis.

Okay, I think I am understanding your post better. Are you concerned that your therapist is now treating you for psychosis? If so, for sure ask her...other than that I agree with most others here...it's more important to treat your symptoms than to have a specific diagnosis. Diagnoses are so fluid.

[bioChE]

I wouldn't worry about the insurance company splitting hairs between BP1 and BP2. I'd be more concerned about them not wanting to pay for any med that's $1,000/mo.

[UpDownAround]

Originally Posted by bioChE

I wouldn't worry about the insurance company splitting hairs between BP1 and BP2. I'd be more concerned about them not wanting to pay for any med that's $1,000/mo.

My plan year starts in August. There's good new and bad news about name brand prescriptions in the coming year. The good news is they will almost certainly pay for it. The bad news is there is now a deductible for name brands. With my plan, it's $250 per individual and $500 per family. I can afford it, but I am not without compassion. It sucks that what they are doing is getting some people to ask for a different medicine that has a generic version because they can't afford the deductible up front. Those people pay the premiums but can't get as much out of it because they can't afford the deductible. I don't like being subsidized by people who are less fortunate than I am; that is totally backwards. Their reward for subsidizing me is medicine that is probably less effective than the doctor's first choice.

[scatterbrained04]

Originally Posted by UpDownAround

If you don't min my asking, what dosage? I would love to drop the trazadone at night. It is a drugged sleep and makes for foggy/groggy (froggy? ) mornings.

I'm on 40mg, but it had the same effect at 20mg. I even just went through a more severe mood episode still sleeping 6-7 hours a night, when I'd typically be sleeping less than 5. I'm just lucky it effects me that way.

[UpDownAround]

Originally Posted by scatterbrained04

I'm on 40mg, but it had the same effect at 20mg. I even just went through a more severe mood episode still sleeping 6-7 hours a night, when I'd typically be sleeping less than 5. I'm just lucky it effects me that way.

I am on 20 now. Being a Friday night, I am going to try going to sleep without trazadone. It might not be the best night, though. I had fitful sleep last night and have been more hypomanic today than the last few days. I also am taking something from the pee doc (as opposed to the pdoc) that he suggested as a night time medicine because of possible drowsiness. I will keep a half tab of traz handy but won't take it before 2 and see how it goes.

[VerMOZZica]

I'm also bipolar 2 and I take latuda. Just wanted to chime in and let you know that I'm another bipolar 2 that's been prescribed latuda. I take mine after dinner .It doesn't seem to make me sleepy. I take other meds at bedtime.

[UpDownAround]

I am trying to get away from my sleep med - trazadone - because of weight gain and grogginess. So, how's that going? It's 3:20 am. I have slept a couple of intervals and maybe will get one more in. And I am trying to do this while hypomanic because of course I am; I can do anything!

EDIT - I did not take that half tab of traz I set aside since I got earlier intervals and think I will get one more