Lurasidone and Restlessness: What Users Say (Page 4)

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "The first 2 weeks or so on 60 mg, I had terrible akathisia, I'd be on all fours pounding the ground trying not to scream because it was so bad. It got upped to 80 mg, and I started taking it as the last thing before going to bed, which helped. I'm almost 2 months in and am tapering off because it's caused anxiety, it's messed up my gait, and I don't walk normally now. It makes me talk slow and slurred, I get random muscle jerks in my legs somewhat frequently, and it makes me feel absolutely apathetic about everything. I feel like my emotions are completely flat, I'm not sad but also not happy, just flat."

• Twi...
• October 10, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I took Latuda for 2.5 years (depression/anxiety). After a year, I developed akathisia (feeling of inner restlessness and a compelling need to move). My symptoms: involuntary leg movement and finger twiddling, waves of restlessness. Sometimes the restlessness was so bad I had to scream into a pillow, and I self-injured several times. The screaming helped, the self-injury didn't. Because I was already taking Inderal, my psychiatrist tried adding L-DOPA. It didn't help. Finally, I weaned off the Latuda. The restlessness and leg movements went away within 2 months. Three years later, I still can't break the finger-twiddling habit. Trying to stop brings triggers restlessness. I also have an internal monologue of thoughts that started when I stopped Latuda. Unchecked, it causes me to gesture and make facial expressions. I cope by meditating daily and listening to a lot of audiobooks. I didn't know what akathisia was when it started happening to me, so I didn't know who to ask for help. I wish I had complained harder and sooner to my psychiatrist."

• Twi...
• October 10, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "I took Latuda for 2.5 years (depression/anxiety). After a year, I developed akathisia (feeling of inner restlessness and a compelling need to move). My symptoms: involuntary leg movement and finger twiddling, waves of restlessness. Sometimes the restlessness was so bad I had to scream into a pillow, and I self-injured several times. The screaming helped, the self-injury didn't. Because I was already taking Inderal, my psychiatrist tried adding L-DOPA. It didn't help. Finally, I weaned off the Latuda. The restlessness and leg movements went away within 2 months. Three years later, I still can't break the finger-twiddling habit. Trying to stop brings triggers restlessness. I also have an internal monologue of thoughts that started when I stopped Latuda. Unchecked, it causes me to gesture and make facial expressions. I cope by meditating daily and listening to a lot of audiobooks. I didn't know what akathisia was when it started happening to me, so I didn't know who to ask for help. I wish I had complained harder and sooner to my psychiatrist."

• Uj8...
• September 15, 2016

For Schizophrenia "Been on Latuda 40 mg for six weeks. Doctor put me at 80 yesterday, and the restlessness I experienced last night was unbearable. All day I haven't been able to stop moving my feet and legs. Called the doctor today, and she said continue taking it and go to the emergency room if the symptoms get worse. PLEASE HELP. Does the restlessness go away!!????"

• Com...
• January 30, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I was recently put on Latuda while an inpatient at a clinic to complement my Lamotrigine/Seroquel mix, as apparently it has good evidence they work well together. I lasted just one week. I know Latuda can work wonders for some people, so don't let me turn you off trying it. Although for me, it was terrible. No physical side effects, only terrible emotional effects. I had extreme anxiety, restlessness, irritability, and intense anger... also increased suicidal ideation. I was completely out of character while on it and even felt 'loopy.' It took a week to realize it was the Latuda causing it. As soon as I went off it, within two days of stopping, the emotional side effects had subsided, and I am back to normality with my Lamotrigine/Seroquel combo."

• Nyt...
• December 27, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "Only made it to day twelve. I found myself restless every night. I could not hold still, and my whole body tensed up. I would get angry, then cry. I had to take a sleeping pill and fall asleep in order for it to stop. Last day, it was so bad I could not drive home from work. I was scared, crying, unsure of my surroundings, and thought I might need to go to the hospital. The next day, I still feel the effects. It should be out of my system, but my body aches and uncontrollable movements have not stopped. From someone who has taken many bipolar medications for 20 years, this is the worst. Might have the least known side effects, but stay away from it."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 10, 2017

For Bipolar Disorder "While some give high ratings, I cannot. Within a week of starting it, it gave me what seemed like full-day-long panic attacks, and I wept for hours. I would later find out it was akathisia, which wreaked havoc on my anxiety and paranoia. Not for me!"

• Dig...
• August 27, 2019

"Started on 20 mg Latuda for depression, gradually increased to 60 mg at bedtime with food. A week after taking 60 mg, I experienced the 'wanting to jump out of my skin' others have described. I took my last dose earlier than usual, then I could not get comfortable ANYWHERE no matter what I did. The couch, the desk, standing, even the bed did nothing for the agony. I almost felt 'achy' but without any identifiable pain. I drove to the store and squirmed the entire way. If that feeling were permanent, it would make you crazy. I took a 500 mg dose of magnesium which may have helped; I was desperate and knew magnesium helps with restlessness. I fell asleep a couple of hours later and woke up fine. I will never take 60 mg again. I would rather be depressed than have continuous, inescapable physical discomfort. Other than that, I 'think' it helps. I've been less stressed at work and have had fewer depression-rooted anger outbursts these past few weeks. No weight gain, yet."

• kyl...
• March 20, 2017

For Schizophrenia "I started Latuda last May for my schizophrenia. I developed schizophrenia when I was 16 (4 years ago), but after being on like 6 billion types of medications, this one seemed to work best. The side effects were the worst! I remember one experience clearly. I was on vacation at the beach last summer, and I took a Latuda pill before going out to eat with my family. It kicked in after 30 minutes. All of a sudden, I began feeling extremely sleepy, dizzy, and I had EXTREME akathisia. So terrible, I couldn't explain it, and to top it off, my heart was racing, I was having a panic attack in the restaurant! And at the same time, I was sleepy as hell, but I kept my cool. My mum took me back to the hotel, where I immediately fell asleep. Terrible."

• bip...
• December 16, 2013

For Bipolar Disorder "My experience with Latuda was not good. At 20 mg for about a month, I decided it wasn't working well, but my psych asked me to try upping the dose. After a couple of weeks, I found that it gave me akathisia, which was far worse than my bipolar. It also increased my appetite. I am taking 20 mg Lexapro as well, which is fairly effective for me."

• ano...
• December 26, 2019

For Schizophrenia "I have been on this med for a year, both at 20 and 40 mg. I have a better experience taking this medication without food. I would get the akathisia so many have talked about when I took this med with food, especially at the 40 mg dose. The 40 mg dose helped control my mood swings. I go through a whole range of good and bad moods within a single day. It makes it hard to live with myself, especially if I don't get proper sleep. I take Trazodone also. The use of these two medications together is supposed to be monitored closely."

• Res...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 5, 2016

For Schizophrenia "We have heard of the Latuda 20-40 mg restlessness/sense of muscle quiver being controlled by a small 0.5 mg Benztropine daily dosage taken with the Latuda. Both were taken in the evening as it seemed to help with sleep. I believe Benztropine may normally be given for Parkinson's. This was suggested by an experienced psychiatrist who reviewed medications looking for one that had the side effect to address and to help with the sense of muscle quiver."

• Rob...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "WOW. Latuda was an amazing drug for me. It made me feel completely normal. It was one of the most relieving feelings ever, it lifted me right out of my dark depression that I was in for months. The crying spells, self-harm, anger, and my suicidal ideation are gone. Now I actually want to live! It's a strange but welcome feeling. It is one of the very few antipsychotics that I don't feel chemically lobotomized on. Only problem is about 3 months in, I started developing akathisia, and it was interfering with my sleep, so I had to be taken off of it. We are trying another med with less risk, but I like Latuda so much I think I might go back on it along with Cogentin to help the akathisia."

• pet...
• March 14, 2017

For Schizophrenia "I took Latuda for about 5 months. First two weeks at 20 mg - worked fine. Thought clearer, overall better mood. Two weeks later, I was bumped up to 40 mg - problems ensued. Severe restlessness (akathisia). Was then bumped up to 80 mg, then 120, then down to 100... the akathisia became more unbearable at every dose. That, and my brain started feeling overly stimulated and my body gained this sense of underlying fear. Plus, I gained TERRIBLE anxiety. I can verify the anxiety stemmed from the Latuda because I forgot to take my meds one night, and it was gone by the following morning. I'm giving Latuda a 6 because I know how it felt when it worked properly, and I know it benefits many. Unfortunately, things just didn't work out for me big picture."

• pet...
• March 14, 2017

For Schizophrenia "I took Latuda for about 5 months. First two weeks at 20 mg - worked fine. Thought clearer, overall better mood. Two weeks later, I was bumped up to 40 mg - problems ensued. Severe restlessness (akathisia). Was then bumped up to 80 mg, then 120, then down to 100... the akathisia became more unbearable at every dose. That, and my brain started feeling overly stimulated and my body gained this sense of underlying fear. Plus, I gained TERRIBLE anxiety. I can verify the anxiety stemmed from the Latuda because I forgot to take my meds one night, and it was gone by the following morning. I'm giving Latuda a 6 because I know how it felt when it worked properly, and I know it benefits many. Unfortunately, things just didn't work out for me big picture."

• Lau...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 12, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "I started Latuda 11 months ago (20 mg, then 40, now 60), and I think all it does is trigger hypomanic episodes with dose increases, and when those end, I end up feeling more depressed than ever. The depressive episodes on Latuda have been some of my worst in over three years, and the hypomanic episodes seem to last longer than usual. I also get ridiculously restless, having trouble falling asleep, but then having trouble waking up (I sleep through alarms for over an hour). I thought I found the drug for me, but I'll be seeing my psychiatrist soon to switch. At least it worked well for a while?"

• SS2...
• May 14, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Worked great for my 13-year-old with schizoaffective disorder for 8 months, the only side effect was vomiting a few minutes after taking it at times. Zantac seemed to help for a while, but the vomiting became more frequent, so ultimately he had to come off of it. It seemed to work well, though, with no restlessness, akathisia, or any other side effects. He took it with lithium, so it might have been the combination that was too much for his stomach."

• SS2...
• May 14, 2016

For Bipolar Disorder "Worked great for my 13-year-old with schizoaffective disorder for 8 months, the only side effect was vomiting a few minutes after taking it at times. Zantac seemed to help for a while, but the vomiting became more frequent, so ultimately he had to come off of it. It seemed to work well, though, with no restlessness, akathisia, or any other side effects. He took it with lithium, so it might have been the combination that was too much for his stomach."

• Sco...
• January 13, 2015

For Bipolar Disorder "Started this med a week ago today. It has been the only thing that keeps my moods in line and in check. I am on 60 mg of it along with 100 mg of Wellbutrin. I have never felt this calm and feel as though I can get through a day now without constantly mood flipping. The only thing I do not like is that it makes me restless and feel like I constantly need to move around."

• Alb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 2, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "I don't understand anyone starting any higher than 20 mgs. I started at 10 mgs. I couldn't sleep and was so restless I couldn't imagine starting any higher. Took 25 mg Seroquel to sleep and only slept about 3 hours, but it lifts my depression in 1 day."

• Mad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 28, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Suffered from bipolar depression (what they say) my whole life. It gets worse with different experiences, mimics things like ADHD, anxiety, etc. (so they say). Started Latuda 5 days ago. First day felt great, day 2 felt great, day 3 I slept 1.5 hours after a 10-hour day then did another 10 hours. The restlessness was unbearable, tried different beds, couch, different positions, baths. I had this incredibly strong energy that was dying to explode in every part of my body. It made me cry, punch, and scream into pillows. The next day I felt so tired and weak. I switched taking my 40 mg from at night to in the morning, we will see how this works."

• Eth...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 2, 2017

For Schizophrenia "Only been on it for a week and am feeling extremely miserable. It's hard to describe, but the only effect it has had is a couple hours after I take it I get this unbearable mental discomfort where I feel both exhausted and restless at the same time. It's driving me crazy! Other than that, it's had no other effect, positive or negative."

• Sca...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 3, 2018

For Bipolar Disorder "This drug showed up on a genetic test as okay to take. I was only on a tiny dose (20 mg), but it made me feel awesome—I slept really well, I was able to wake up feeling energized and refreshed in the morning, and I felt the need to make sure that my living space wasn’t messy and cluttered. Sadly, I started developing akathisia after about three months, and I had to stop it. I tried to power through, but it was unbearable to sit still, and once I stopped, the symptoms went away after a couple of days."

• GOO...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 18, 2016

For Schizophrenia "Few days on it. Ability didn't work for me. Doctor has me on Cogentin and Inderal for akathisia. Taking Trilafon also. Quitting Klonopin slowly, taking Adderall for sleep issues: hypersomnia. Taking Paxil because it was good in the past (20 years ago). Slightly hypomanic, which is good for socializing but not for a calm mind. Can't keep a calm mind, not hearing voices, but having a discussion with an imaginary person in my head. Is this psychosis? Because I would hate to get off AD (Paxil), which is great for social phobia."

• Thu...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 22, 2019

For Bipolar Disorder "Was prescribed Latuda and told that 20 mg would be wasting both my and the doctor's time. Started at 20 mg the first week and upped to 40 mg. Felt good, but thought I could feel better, so I asked to up the dosage to 80 mg. Huge mistake! The restlessness, pacing, severe insomnia, heart palpitations, etc. I had slept 10 hours in a two-week period and felt like I was crawling out of my skin while thinking really dark thoughts. I immediately started tapering my dose and saw the doctor on day three of withdrawal. She prescribed benztropine once a day and hydroxyzine three times a day as needed. I'm still feeling not right and tapering again to 20 mg. I cannot wait to get this out of my system."