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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Bob on December 14, 2013, at 14:18:38
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression? » bob, posted by SLS on December 14, 2013, at 0:38:25
> Hi Bob.
>
> > Hey Scott... I noticed you replaced your Nardil with Parnate. Are you getting the changes you hoped for from that?
>
> I went from Parnate to Nardil, and back to Parnate again. For some reason, Nardil didn't help me as much as it had in the past. I am convinced that Parnate is a better drug for me, so... No more experiments.
>
> I'm starting to feel pretty good.
>
>
> - Scott
How long after starting Parnate did it take to get to this point? What do you like about Parnate?Bob
Posted by SLS on December 14, 2013, at 17:56:37
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression? » SLS, posted by Bob on December 14, 2013, at 14:18:38
> How long after starting Parnate did it take to get to this point?
When I do respond properly to Parnate, it usually takes 4 - 8 weeks to see an improvement. I sometimes get a false response in week 2 that disappears after 3 days - tachyphylaxis.
> What do you like about Parnate?
Parnate keeps me normothymic steadily. Nardil seems to foster a hyperthymic temperament or a more unstable acute hypomania. These mental states can be exciting, but not very realistic. I feel "cleaner" and can function better with Parnate. I feel more grounded and better able to construct a life with Parnate than I do with Nardil. Of course, others will describe different scenarios with these two drugs. Some people will fail to respond to Parnate whom will respond to Nardil.
- Scott
Posted by stargazer2 on January 1, 2014, at 12:20:16
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression? » Bob, posted by SLS on December 14, 2013, at 17:56:37
Yes, I think it has been about a week now and I do believe it is helping my suicidal depression.
I'm on 20 mg only, split the pill...in addition take 75 mg Nardil and 900 Lithium.
Star
Posted by SLS on January 1, 2014, at 13:12:03
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression?YES, posted by stargazer2 on January 1, 2014, at 12:20:16
> Yes, I think it has been about a week now and I do believe it is helping my suicidal depression.
> I'm on 20 mg only, split the pill...in addition take 75 mg Nardil and 900 Lithium.
> StarHi Star.
Thanks for chiming in. Your input is greatly appreciated and extremely valuable. I might try Latuda in a month or two. I will probably take your lead and start at 20 mg/day.
Do you find Latuda at all energizing?
Thanks in advance.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2014, at 20:10:04
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression?YES » stargazer2, posted by SLS on January 1, 2014, at 13:12:03
Scott are you switching out abilify? PJ
Posted by stargazer2 on January 1, 2014, at 20:10:46
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression?YES » stargazer2, posted by SLS on January 1, 2014, at 13:12:03
I find Latuda not so much energizing, although I have made it to the gym more than normally, but it
has reduced my depressive symptoms to the point where my affect is less internally focused and more externally focused, which for me is critical. As it is my constant self examination that causes my symptoms of depression to become ruminative and paralyzing, resulting in suicidality.I would never have thought it would have done anything as MAO's have been the only meds that have worked to some degree for me, although lately MAOS have not worked to the degree they did years ago as monotherapy. Abilify didn't really make a difference at a low dose and the cost was prohititive. I have no idea of the cost of Latuda yet. I have samples from my doc to try out so still in the trial phase.
I'll keep posting for others to see my response. I also am scheuled to receive low flow magnetic stim in the next few weeks so that will be another attempt to normalize my life but I'm seeing a good response with Latuda at the 8 day point.
Star
Posted by mogger on January 1, 2014, at 20:22:02
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression?SLS, posted by stargazer2 on January 1, 2014, at 20:10:46
Star,
I am encouraged to read of your positive response to Latuda and I hope in the new year it continues to be of benefit. I have to switch my atypical as I take seroquel and I must be in the minority as I have lost weight on it and unfortunately gives me restlessness and heavy heartbeat. I don't want to go back to zyprexa. Have you tried either zyprexa or seroquel before and if so what was your experience? I have similar symptoms to you as far as suicidality so your description as to how latuda seems to be helping is encouraging. I have ocd as well as clinical depression.
Posted by SLS on January 1, 2014, at 21:36:23
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression?YES » SLS, posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2014, at 20:10:04
> Scott are you switching out abilify? PJ
That is one of my motivations for trying Latuda. Abilify is responsible for 60 pounds of excess body weight and hypertriglyceridemia. If Latuda were to bring me to full remission faster, that would be nice. I am still progressing, but much too slowly for my likes.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on January 1, 2014, at 22:31:36
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression?YES, posted by SLS on January 1, 2014, at 21:36:23
Scott have heard from a former poster the same weight gain. Good reason for switching. I would love to see you get to full remission. PJ
Posted by Mogger on January 2, 2014, at 2:33:12
In reply to Does anyone take Latuda for depression?, posted by SLS on December 4, 2013, at 4:27:42
I thought this article to be interesting however I have no idea what most of it means.
Posted by stargazer2 on January 2, 2014, at 15:27:11
In reply to Latuda NMDA mechanism, 5ht7 antagonism » SLS, posted by Mogger on January 2, 2014, at 2:33:12
That's a study done on rats. Impossible to interpret. There are some studies done on humans which I have seen, equally as confusing.
Posted by stargazer2 on January 3, 2014, at 9:05:23
In reply to Re: Latuda NMDA mechanism, 5ht7 antagonism, posted by stargazer2 on January 2, 2014, at 15:27:11
So far, so good, on 20 mg, no major side effects except insomnia but I don't mind that if my mood is euthymic and I'm able to function most days like a human being and not a suicidal zombie.
It is a major difference that I am hoping and praying will last.Star
Posted by SLS on January 3, 2014, at 9:40:56
In reply to Re: Latuda Day #11, posted by stargazer2 on January 3, 2014, at 9:05:23
:-)
I love hearing good news. I'll pray along with you that your improvement continues to grow.
The very next thing I will try in order to speed things up will be Latuda 20 mg/day. I once tried it at 40 mg/day and higher. I experienced acute brain fog and some derealization. Your story gives me hope that 20 mg/day will affect me differently. I like the insomnia thing. For me, insomnia has always been a good predictor that the depression will soon recede.
Good luck.
Thanks for describing your experience with Latuda. It is very helpful.
- Scott
Posted by stargazer2 on January 5, 2014, at 23:37:41
In reply to Re: Latuda Day #11 » stargazer2, posted by SLS on January 3, 2014, at 9:40:56
Glad my feedback is helpful to you. My mood is good. I feel normal, not depressed, certainly not suicidal as I was feeling on Lexapro, Lithim and Nardil. THe insomnia is not terrible. I did take Benadryl the last 2 nights with good or moderate effects. I went skiing with a large group of people hadn't felt like doing this for 2 years, something has kicked in, even have thoughts about working and haven't been able to do this in 3 years, but nevertheless the thought is there where it wasn't before.
Hopefully the effects will sustain.
Star
Posted by mogger on January 5, 2014, at 23:42:08
In reply to Re: Latuda Day #11/SLS, posted by stargazer2 on January 5, 2014, at 23:37:41
That is phenomenal Star. My fingers are crossed that you continue to do well on it.
Posted by stargazer2 on January 6, 2014, at 8:07:32
In reply to Re: Latuda Day #11/SLS » stargazer2, posted by mogger on January 5, 2014, at 23:42:08
Thank you Mogger, me too, the effects are just too clear to be a placebo effect, I hope...I have never had that happen to me with all the meds I have taken over 20 years with mostly poor effects with the exception of the original MAOs back in the early 90's.
Posted by mogger on January 15, 2014, at 12:51:25
In reply to Re: Latuda Day #11/SLS, posted by stargazer2 on January 6, 2014, at 8:07:32
Is the Latuda still treating you well Star I hope?
mogger
Posted by stargazer2 on January 16, 2014, at 17:04:37
In reply to Re: Latuda Day #11/SLS » stargazer2, posted by mogger on January 15, 2014, at 12:51:25
Pretty well, some diminishment of the initial energy and sense of well being but overall much better than I was prior to starting it...but I was suicidal.
Thanks for your concern. Star
Posted by stargazer2 on January 17, 2014, at 13:46:36
In reply to Re: Latuda Day #11/SLS, posted by stargazer2 on January 16, 2014, at 17:04:37
Does anyone know...I have heard one person 's insurance paid $2700 for 3 mos. I have been on samples so far but now I have to pay on my own. I have Medicare but reach that donut hole before long and last year was not on an expensive med like this until mid year (Abilify, 1,000/mo).
Think it may be around $500 but not sure of this.Thanks.
STar
Posted by stargazer2 on January 19, 2014, at 20:33:51
In reply to Cost of Latuda?, posted by stargazer2 on January 17, 2014, at 13:46:36
Found out cost of Latuda when I went to the Pharmacy yesterday. $570 at ShopRite, which has very good prices.
I can cut the 40 mg pills in half too, the 20 mg and 40 mg are round pills, the higher doses are oval and harder to cut in half.
Only SE is early morning wakening and constipation, but the effects of Latuda are very
good. Major reduction in depressive symptoms.Almost on it a month now with good results like the MAO's.
Posted by mogger on January 19, 2014, at 21:10:40
In reply to Re: Cost of Latuda?, posted by stargazer2 on January 19, 2014, at 20:33:51
Star,
Such great news that you are still seeing an improvement with Latuda. I checked healthwarehouse.com and their prices were I think 735 bucks so you are getting a good deal. If you don't have health insurance however and are prepared to $570 for 40mg pills how about this idea. Have you signed up for the affordable healthcare yet? Let's you sign up and with your income (I don't know what it is) but your health insurance comes out to $185 (if you are low income I think your premium would be around $145 a month or even less) a month with a $50 copay for brand name drugs. That would be $235 a month (I think you would pay less) including your Latuda which you could then get at full dose for cheaper than buying face value in the store? Does that make sense? What do you think?
Posted by Bob on January 19, 2014, at 22:01:17
In reply to Re: Cost of Latuda?, posted by stargazer2 on January 19, 2014, at 20:33:51
> Found out cost of Latuda when I went to the Pharmacy yesterday. $570 at ShopRite, which has very good prices.
>
> I can cut the 40 mg pills in half too, the 20 mg and 40 mg are round pills, the higher doses are oval and harder to cut in half.
>
> Only SE is early morning wakening and constipation, but the effects of Latuda are very
> good. Major reduction in depressive symptoms.
>
> Almost on it a month now with good results like the MAO's.
So how much are you taking total per day? Do you worry about taking it with the 350 calorie minimum?Bob
Posted by Bob on January 19, 2014, at 22:02:41
In reply to Re: Cost of Latuda?, posted by stargazer2 on January 19, 2014, at 20:33:51
> Only SE is early morning wakening and constipation, but the effects of Latuda are very
> good. Major reduction in depressive symptoms.
>
> Almost on it a month now with good results like the MAO's.
And why do you no longer take MAOs? Did they stop working?
Posted by stargazer2 on January 20, 2014, at 21:32:29
In reply to Re: Cost of Latuda? I have an idea! » stargazer2, posted by mogger on January 19, 2014, at 21:10:40
I'm on Medicare so the cost of the Rx adds up to reach the donut hole so 4 months at $600 will reach the Donuthole limit and then you pay most of the cost until you reach 4K plus, when MC kicks back in.
So my main concern is keeping the cost of the drug as low as possible.
I found generic Nardil for $80 for 150 tabs so that was a big savings.
Thanks for trying to help me but I'm locked into MC at least until I can work again.
Star
Posted by stargazer2 on January 20, 2014, at 21:38:02
In reply to Re: Cost of Latuda? » stargazer2, posted by Bob on January 19, 2014, at 22:01:17
20 mg
No, don't even think of this, what is the problem with taking it with 350 calories?
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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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