trailmix Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 I am reluctantly going to start taking 20mg Latuda for bipolar depression. I say reluctantly because I have read about all sorts of crazy side effects that people here have had. I am already taking 4 mg of Risperdal so I am also very worried about being overly sedated. Anyway, I agreed to try it because my I am really depressed. So my pdoc said I need to take it with 350 calories. What kind of stuff do you eat? For instance, do the calories from a can of coke count? I am going to be taking it at bedtime so the idea of eating a mini-meal does not really appeal to me. But if I have to, then I will. Ideas? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koa Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 I like to eat yogurt because it isn't overly filling. i have to eat a lot of yogurt to get that many calories, though. it helps if it is flavored yogurt. sometimes i go to wendy's and get a frosty. or i'll make a bowl of cereal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LunaRufina Posted August 8, 2014 Share Posted August 8, 2014 Two tablespoons of peanut butter, a regular sized apple and about fifty raisins [a little less than those single-size boxes] =~350 calories. If you like all these things you can take apple slices, put peanut butter on them and raisins on top. It's not too bad for you and not too much trouble to put together. Google is pretty good for quickly finding calorie count of things= "calories in XXXXX" and it will pop up with the most popular serving/variation but also give you options for other serving sizes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aurochs Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 I was only on Latuda briefly, partly because I didn't like the calorie requirement. But while I was on it, I noticed that I seemed to have more stomach trouble if I didn't take it with something fatty. Other than that though, it's up to your taste. I did find it surprisingly hard to reach 350 calories. I don't know how people deal with Geodon's 500 calorie requirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lysergia Posted August 9, 2014 Share Posted August 9, 2014 yes - it has to have enough fat and protein. sugar doesn't cut it - the drug isn't going to work as well. i know, i balked at the calorie requirements too especially because i had to take it at night (sedation) - i was trying to diet, and was being forced to eat a whole meal before bed. ugh. so i tried just having a few cookies - the calories were right, but the drug did not work the same way, my doctor also recommended peanut butter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessamine Posted August 10, 2014 Share Posted August 10, 2014 (edited) A nice thick piece of wholegrain toast or an English Muffin would come pretty close to 300 calories with some kind of nut butter on top. Have it with a very small glass or mug of warm milk and that should get you there. I don't know what time you have to take it but I eat a bowl of cereal at about 9:30 at night along with a handful of plain rice crackers. I've no doubt that would equal around that amount. I eat dinner at 6pm with my kids so I'm hungry again by that hour (if I eat later I'm not). Maybe try having dinner a little earlier so you're hungrier for something a little later (not sure what time you're supposed to take your pill). Edited August 10, 2014 by Jessamine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trailmix Posted August 10, 2014 Author Share Posted August 10, 2014 (edited) Thanks, everyone, for the ideas. Tonight is the big night, I take my first dose at bedtime. My anxiety about it is high. But I have some food in the house, and will do my best with the calorie thing. Edited August 10, 2014 by trailmix Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Siggmin Posted August 15, 2014 Share Posted August 15, 2014 I take it with dinner. I don't find it sedating at all, but then again I was on 10mg of Haldol and still couldn't sleep. But I'd suggest if it doesn't make you too tired, and you're having trouble with the 350 calories at bedtime, trying to switch to dinner. Maybe a late dinner. It works relatively well for me, but I take it for hallucinations. I just see and feel things now, no voices for the most part. I've been on it a month and a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnaBanana Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 I either take it with dinner, or if I eat dinner early, then I take it with Ensure plus. 360 calories, use the ensure to take the med. Someone else on Latuda told me about the Ensure and I've been doing it ever since. A sandwich and a glass of milk is about 350 calories, it's really not hard to get that many calories and it doesn't have to be a large meal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evey Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 I would take it with Ensure, but I don't eat anything that has GMO ingredients. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evey Posted August 21, 2014 Share Posted August 21, 2014 You would have to drink 2, but it doesn't haven't GMOs like Ensure and it's organic: http://www.drinkorgain.com/orgain_html/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Equivilency Posted August 25, 2014 Share Posted August 25, 2014 peanut butter and jelly sandwich and organic microwave dinners are my staples. Most desserts will put you at 350 pretty quick I am pretty sure liquids don't count. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koa Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 I really love Latuda but I'm having trouble with eating so much so late at night. I've been going out and buying frosties from Wendy's for calories and I think it is causing me to gain weight. Other than the calorie requirement, I find Latuda very weight neutral for me unlike all other AAP's I've been on. I just... get so tempted to either take it with no food or to just stop taking it because of the calorie requirement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooster Posted August 29, 2014 Share Posted August 29, 2014 That sounds like a total hassle, especially if you aren't used to having a bedtime snack. If you're tracking your food intake, though, it should be pretty easy to work it in to your "calorie budget". Nut butters (peanut, almond, cashew, sunflower) without added sugar are about 190-200 cal per 2 tbsp. Nuts are 200 cal per 1/4 cup. A medium apple (3" diameter) is about 90-100 calories. A medium banana is about 105 calories. Nut butter with either of those would get you close. A piece of low fat string cheese is 70 calories. Two pieces of whole grain toast are about 160-170, depending on the brand. With 1 tbsp of nut butter on the toast, you're close to 350 cal. Oil popped popcorn is about 55 calories per cup. I usually eat 3-4 cups with a tbsp of butter when I make popcorn, for a total of 235 to 320ish. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VirginiaWoolf? Posted May 31, 2016 Share Posted May 31, 2016 On August 29, 2014 at 3:02 PM, Wooster said: That sounds like a total hassle, especially if you aren't used to having a bedtime snack. If you're tracking your food intake, though, it should be pretty easy to work it in to your "calorie budget". Nut butters (peanut, almond, cashew, sunflower) without added sugar are about 190-200 cal per 2 tbsp. Nuts are 200 cal per 1/4 cup. A medium apple (3" diameter) is about 90-100 calories. A medium banana is about 105 calories. Nut butter with either of those would get you close. A piece of low fat string cheese is 70 calories. Two pieces of whole grain toast are about 160-170, depending on the brand. With 1 tbsp of nut butter on the toast, you're close to 350 cal. Oil popped popcorn is about 55 calories per cup. I usually eat 3-4 cups with a tbsp of butter when I make popcorn, for a total of 235 to 320ish. Awesome ideas. I've decided to take with dinner and see how that fares. I'm taking it in place of risperidone for hypomania, and I have no idea how it will affect me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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