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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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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?
Posted by stargazer2 on January 20, 2014, at 21:42:36
In reply to Re: Cost of Latuda? » stargazer2, posted by Bob on January 19, 2014, at 22:02:41
Never stopped Nardil and just added Latuda. My doc was too afraid to make more than one change at a time. MAO's are really the only meds that I notice a perceptable change in my depression. All other meds either make me worse or make me suicidal.
Star
Posted by Phillipa on January 20, 2014, at 22:12:56
In reply to Re: Cost of Latuda?, posted by stargazer2 on January 20, 2014, at 21:42:36
http://www.rxlist.com/script/main/rxlist_view_comments.asp?drug=latuda&questionid=fdb155134_pem
Posted by Bob on January 20, 2014, at 22:20:19
In reply to Re: Cost of Latuda?, posted by stargazer2 on January 20, 2014, at 21:38:02
> 20 mg
> No, don't even think of this, what is the problem with taking it with 350 calories?It's supposed to be taken with at least 350 calories as that apparently substantially increases absorption.
Posted by mogger on January 20, 2014, at 22:22:24
In reply to Re: Cost of Latuda? I have an idea!, posted by stargazer2 on January 20, 2014, at 21:32:29
I see Star how frustrating that medication costs so much. I am pleased to hear you are still feeling benefits.
Posted by Zyprexa on January 20, 2014, at 23:07:47
In reply to Re: Cost of Latuda? I have an idea!, posted by stargazer2 on January 20, 2014, at 21:32:29
With medicare brand drugs are 50% off in the donut hole. Maybe even less now, the donut hole is shrinking down to nothing by 2020.
Posted by stargazer2 on January 21, 2014, at 8:30:52
In reply to Re: Cost of Latuda? I have an idea!, posted by Zyprexa on January 20, 2014, at 23:07:47
I believe the out of pocket cost in the donut hole is around 47.5 for brand 72% for generic meds, so with Latuda costing $600 and up will be $300 at the lowest. LAst year I hit the donut hole when I was on Abilify costing $1000/month.
Posted by stargazer2 on January 21, 2014, at 8:45:09
In reply to Re: Cost of Latuda? » stargazer2, posted by Bob on January 20, 2014, at 22:20:19
Bob, I knew this about the calories but don't pay too much attention to it...tht is just the way I am with depression and trying to take all my pills
and not forget to take all of them, it becomes your life and I want to have a normal life not like this one.
Star
Posted by Bob on January 21, 2014, at 13:30:27
In reply to Re: Cost of Latuda?/Bob, posted by stargazer2 on January 21, 2014, at 8:45:09
> Bob, I knew this about the calories but don't pay too much attention to it...tht is just the way I am with depression and trying to take all my pills
> and not forget to take all of them, it becomes your life and I want to have a normal life not like this one.
> Star
I understand Star. The calories thing is a serious hassle and I suspect most patients are not paying attention to it.I am intimately familiar with how, for me, depression brings an inability to get things done or take on responsibility so the minimum requirement thing is definitely something I wish wasn't there.
Bob
Posted by stargazer2 on January 22, 2014, at 8:07:45
In reply to Re: Cost of Latuda?/Bob, posted by stargazer2 on January 21, 2014, at 8:45:09
I woke up today crying and had some of this yesterday so my ordeal with LAtuda is not over yet. I went through a divorce 3-4 years ago and have not overcome it...between Latuda, Nardil and Lithium I don't know if I will ever survive. I'm afraid I will start to become suicidal again. There may be no hope for me ever and that 's what I have lived with for many years. I don't believe medication can ever help the type of depression I have.
How many of you feel this way and what gives you strength to keep trying?
Posted by porkpiehat on January 22, 2014, at 13:29:34
In reply to Does anyone take Latuda for depression?, posted by SLS on December 4, 2013, at 4:27:42
> I am thinking of swapping out Abilify for Latuda to treat bipolar depression so that I can avoid and reverse weight-gain. Has anyone had success with this drug for treating depression?
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> - ScottHi Scott:
I'm back on Latuda to boost my Celexa/Lamictal mix and help with some paranoia and PTSD issues. I took Abilify for six months or so and here's my evaluation:
Both serve to flatten me emotionally to some degree
My sex life was much improved on Abilify. My drive went up and fear around sex disappeared, but I got quickly bored during the act and had trouble ejaculating.
Sex drive has dropped somewhat on latuda.
Weight gain much more with Abilify
Abilify caused weakness, even at 2.5 mgs and stopped me from exercising.
Attention and focus so much better on Latuda.
I drank WAY more on abilify. I think it potentiated the celexa, which does this to me at higher doses.
WARNING: Stopping Abilify created the worst bout of depression I think I've ever had. I was too depressed to even obsess over suicide. I've read about this with others too but this is just my experience.I noticed no one has mentioned Geodon. Is that off the table for any particular reason?
Cheers,
Craig
Posted by SLS on January 23, 2014, at 8:59:10
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression? » SLS, posted by porkpiehat on January 22, 2014, at 13:29:34
Hi Craig.
Thanks for all of the valuable information.
> WARNING: Stopping Abilify created the worst bout of depression I think I've ever had. I was too depressed to even obsess over suicide. I've read about this with others too but this is just my experience.Yes. Prior to adding Abilify 10 years ago, I was in that state 24/7/4/12/15. I was too anergic and vegetative ("flat-liner") to even think about suicide.
> I noticed no one has mentioned Geodon. Is that off the table for any particular reason?I'm not sure why Geodon is not prescribed more often. It can act as an antidepressant. Unfortunately, I think Geodon is a little too unpredictable to make it a first-line treatment. For some, it exerts an unambiguous antidepressant effect. For others, it is sedating and impairs cognition.
- Scott>
> Cheers,
> Craig
>
>
>
Posted by porkpiehat on January 23, 2014, at 10:59:05
In reply to Re: Does anyone take Latuda for depression? » porkpiehat, posted by SLS on January 23, 2014, at 8:59:10
Just to be clear, I was WAY more depressed coming off the abilify than before starting it. I think it does something to your brain (well, obviously) but I viewed it as a function of the drug itself, not just my natural state.
I am now trying to decide which of the AAP's flatten me out less. Being in a new relationship is kicking up some old trauma and anxieties in me. I was hoping the AP's would address them--and they do--but they also make me care less about being in a relationship to begin with!
Now that Latuda is available in 20mg tabs I am cutting them in half to see if 10mgs is a happy medium.
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