[gina_re]

Many people with bipolar II were initially diagnosed with MDD. Well what makes bipolar depression different from unipolar depression?

After my visit today, my pdoc has decided to titrate me off risperdal and onto latuda. I know everybody has a diffefent experience, but any advice about it would be great.

[Merlin]

I don’t think the experience of depression is any different. Hypomania with or without mixed features is experienced, that’s what makes the diagnosis. The preferred treatment is different; it’s not a good idea to use antidepressant monotherapy.

[SorryShaped]

Latuda is an atypical antipsychotic classed med. It's best used as an adjunct to other therapy meds. Watch out for blood sugar levels and uncontrollable movements

[Nammu]

You need to eat with it, most people take it with supper/dinner but I didn't like the side effects so I took it at bedtime and slept though the side effects.

[Scooter9]

I'm bipolar nos and have been depressed for 18 months. I have been on Latuda for 4 years now so I think my experience might help you.

I used to take it with Lamictal and the combo worked well, but I had to stop Lamictal due to a bad reaction after years of taking it.

I take Latuda at night because it makes me really drowsy so I have a late dinner with it because it has to be taken with at least 350 calories. My sleep on Latuda is really good - I sleep straight through the night without even moving sometimes.

I don't experience side effects except that I have dry mouth. Also, I'm not sure if it's affecting my personality. I used to be engaging in conversations but now I just prefer to listen. That could be the depression too though.

My blood sugar is higher than it used to be but it's still within the normal range and I haven't gained any weight on it. But the weight could be related to my reaction to Lamictal where I lost 50 pounds in 9 months and I have been trying to gain some of it back ever since.

I noticed that the Latuda started to work within a week of starting it.

I think bipolar depression is the same as regular depression except it cannot be treated it with antidepressants which is why they differentiate it.

I hope I was helpful to you. Good luck with it and let us know how it goes.

[still_crazy]

some people who start with severe, agitated and/or psychotic depression end up with bipolar I. I think the connection is really strong for younger people presenting with psychotic depression. the skeptic in me wonders if its the natural progression of things, or if its treatment. just sayin'....

risperidone, to me, can be depressing at high enough doses. of course, that's me. my current professional/prescriber person describes risperidone as "somewhat atypical," as in...kinda like the old drugs, kinda like the new drugs. dosage seems to be key.

latuda is reputed to be effective for depression, so there's that...plus, i don't think it carries the same TD risk or prolactin elevation as risperidone. weight gain and meabolic stuff is in latuda's favor, too. i don't know about akathisia.

hope things get better for you.