[BipolaRNurse]

If so, how does it affect you?

My pdoc just increased mine from 400 to 500 mg/day. He thinks it'll help with my current depressive episode, and if history is any predictor, I think it will too. Still, he warned me that I might become somewhat clumsy, which made me laugh because I'm already a klutz who can trip over smoke. I know 400 is the typical "max" dose but he says that's really only a guideline, there are people with seizure disorders who take as much as 1000 mg/day, so 500 is a safe dose for someone with bipolar. We shall see.

[sarahsweets]

I take 500mg a day and cant really remember what the lower doses were like. I just know that the combo I am on pulled me out of the depths.

[~Christina]

If you become a flaying fool I’d let Pdoc know , but if not your good to go , my Pdoc told me once 500 would be his comfort level

I sure hope it helps you

[Pookyl]

I was on higher doses of Lamictal a few years ago but unfortunately it didn’t touch my mania.

[~Christina]

I dunno if you have tried it or not before but Low dose Latuda has done very well against my depression

But....... I know your on Geodon and it seems lots of meds can be mixed so dunno if it would a possible option

Just a thought rambling in my head

[Nammu]

I don't recall what my dose was but I often slipped into the toxic range and burned my thyroid. But that was way back decades ago when I wasn't good at self-care. I didn't practice good sleep hygiene or eat well and that affected the lithium. I second Christina's mention of Latuda, it's a miracle drug for both my daughter and me.

[BipolaRNurse]

My pdoc mentioned Latuda once. He doesn't really want to change antipsychotics since I've been doing so well on my current ones, but he may do it if my cholesterol and other lipids don't come down with my statin. He thinks Zyprexa may be driving those numbers up. But all that won't matter if Medicare doesn't cover Latuda; we had enough trouble getting them to pay for two different APs. At any rate, he won't do anything of the sort while I'm still unstable. It'll be interesting to see how this adjustment plays out.

[sarahsweets]

Originally Posted by ~Christina

I dunno if you have tried it or not before but Low dose Latuda has done very well against my depression

But....... I know your on Geodon and it seems lots of meds can be mixed so dunno if it would a possible option

Just a thought rambling in my head

I already take lamictal and geodon and about a year ago added 20mg of Latuda. It was right after my daughter ran away and I cried all day all the time for a month before I asked my doctor for help. I have tried a couple of times to come off of it and I feel ok but then in about 2 weeks the sadness and tears creep back in to take control.

[MickeyCheeky]

I understand what you mean, BipolaRNurse I have never tried it, so unfortunately I don't have a lot of advice to give to you. I agree with what all the others have already wisely said better than I ever could. You've been given some great advice in this thread. I'd suggest to try to follow it if you can. Try not to worry too much about it. If there are any problems, you can always contact your Pdoc. It seems like he's pretty knowledgeable, so you'll probably be in good hands. Just be careful and write down all the symptoms you feel if it's necessary and report them to your Pdoc. Perhaps it will work out great for you! Sometimes an high or medium dose fo meds can prove necessary. That doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you, it can just happen. I'm sure you'll be able to get through this! You seem very self-aware. Good for you! Be proud of yourself for that. Just remember that your Pdoc is there to help you and that you can always contact him if you need it. You're definitely not alone in this, as this thread has already shown. Remember that we're here for you if tou need it. Feel free to PM me anytime. Let me know if I can do something to help you. Wish you good luck! Let us know how it goes. Sending many hugs to you

[Gabyunbound]

I take 400mg a day and my pdoc told me (the one I saw who specializes in BP) that, at that dose, it can make you sleepy, so I was told to take it at night. I don't know if 100mg more would also make someone sleepy?

Best of luck in climbing out of this depression. I hope the increased Lamictal works!

[BipolaRNurse]

Yes, I was told to take the extra 100 mg at night. So far, it hasn't made me sleepier than normal. It might not.

You know though, all this makes me wonder something. I mean, is this my life now? More and more meds, higher doses, where does it stop? It's so frustrating...I go along for months feeling stable and good, but then I get manicky or depressed again and up go the meds. I am on eight meds for psychiatric reasons, six of them actual psychotropics. And my pdoc is conservative in prescribing, anyone else would probably make me a zombie. Sorry to whine, I'm just sick and tired of being sick and tired.

[sarahsweets]

Originally Posted by BipolaRNurse

You know though, all this makes me wonder something. I mean, is this my life now? More and more meds, higher doses, where does it stop? It's so frustrating...I go along for months feeling stable and good, but then I get manicky or depressed again and up go the meds. I am on eight meds for psychiatric reasons, six of them actual psychotropics. And my pdoc is conservative in prescribing, anyone else would probably make me a zombie. Sorry to whine, I'm just sick and tired of being sick and tired.

I think the journey of meds...well its a long one. Even when you get a few months of time under your belt, its like getting hit with a freight train when things go south. I have tried to come to a place of acceptance. I am fortunate to have been stable for a very long time with my meds but still when things in my life became unbearable I started the Latuda. I am on a lot of medication as well and I have finally done that whole "radical acceptance" thing about meds. Its ok for me to be dependent on them. Just like someone is dependent on their reading glasses, insulin, blood pressure meds....psychiatric meds are just as important to my health.