1 week into Latuda
I am very new to not only latuda but also to the idea that I am being treated with a bipolar medication. In the smallest nutshell possible:
For years I have struggled with spells of insomnia. It has gotten really bad lately.
I also experience anxiety and panic attacks.
Here are some of the symptoms that I think prompted my psychiatrist (our first time meeting) to prescribe Latuda:
Racing thoughts/can’t sleep, easily overstimulated by smells and sounds resulting in irritability and need to isolate. I think this was the kicker: I explained how before my last insomnia episode I had had a great day and would have thought it would make me tired… I woke up early, did yoga, walked 2 miles, and came home and gardened until dark. I planted a huge perennial bed… so many. holes. dug.
I also explained that insomnia comes when I am anticipating an event outside of my normal routine… like TRAVEL. I often don’t sleep before and during travel for work or medical care (my son receives specialize care at a long distance.)
Before I worked from home, I would not sleep nights before my work commute. I get very anxious on the road sometimes. But it’s the ANTICIPATION that’s worst.
I feel like she thought I am manic? Which I’m not surprised I guess.
But I also have anxiety. Like I am nauseous and dizzy and physically UNWELL kind of anxiety.
Depressed? Low depressive episodes? Absolutely not. Years ago? Like when I was 20? (I’m 42.) Yes. I was very depressed. Current life is just anxiety and insomnia.
ANYWAY
She gave me Latuda because it could kill two birds with one stone, I think (and she hopes.) It should help me sleep and stabilize my mood. But again, I do not get depressed! I did mark “5” on the “on a scale of 1-10 how depressed are you?” paper the day of my appointment because on THAT DAY I had not slept for 3 nights. Yes, that was depressing. I was desperate. But I am a very happy person and in my “normal” life I am very upbeat and happy and never have these days I read about in bipolar ppl where I just want to be in bed and stay there. Not at all.
So my point in posting this? Not sure, I just want the community I suppose.
I’m just trying to heal and never again have to go through sleepless nights.
She also prescribed Ativan (my first time using this and it helps a lot.) She also prescribed gabapentin as a “backup” option for sleep but I’m very hesitant about this.
Previously up until seeing this psych I was on trazodone (prescribed by my PCP.) It helped for a while, then it didn’t. And it never prevented sleepless episodes. It just helped me go to sleep on normal nights. I’m glad I’m off of it, the side effects were undesirable.