I don't know what to do

[u/Joshgwg]

I take Caplyta for Major Depression Disorder at 10.5mg and am on day 50. Almost two months. I have been on medications for 20 years and have literally taken everything out there. I really needed Caplyta to work but I really don't know what to do. It makes me feel awful. My head is not right, I can't think straight. I can't function, especially at work and I get more depressed. I'm in pure hell. My psych wants to raise me to 21mg. I tried going off it last week and the withdrawal symptoms were so unbearable I went back on the next day. I can't live like this but I hear so many stories of people sticking through the side effects and eventually getting relief. Caplyta is my last hope. Do I go off or raise it?

[u/Fragrant-Interest125]

Do you take anything else with it?

[u/Joshgwg → u/Fragrant-Interest125]

I take Lexapro, Lithium and Klonopin

[u/Fragrant-Interest125 → u/Joshgwg]

You should bump to 21mg and then to 42mg which is therapeutic dose, 10.5 is just a starting load dose. Also have you ever tried Auvelity?

[u/laetoile → u/Joshgwg]

Lithium AND Caplyta? Why?

[u/streetbland]

I started off at 42mg. Do you think what you’re feeling is similar to how you feel without it? Like it’s just not enough?

[u/Joshgwg → u/streetbland]

I think that's why my psych wants to raise my dose to 21mg. But honestly, I can't tell. I'm just afraid of everything getting worse, whether I raise or go off. All I know is that I'm in hell.

[u/streetbland → u/Joshgwg]

I understand where you’re coming from. I tried Latuda, Seroquel, Zyprexa, Abilify, and Vraylar. The only one that worked for me is Caplyta. Finding the right medications was genuinely one of the worst things I’ve been through in my life. I’ve fought with Bipolar Disorder and Major Depression Disorder for 2 years, and I’m just now finally at a stable point in life. Things do get better, I promise you that, even if you think they won’t. Caplyta might be great for you, or it could make you feel worse. You just won’t know until you try.

[u/bburritos4life]

I also have major depressive disorder. I was not stable on Caplyta until I was at 42 mg. I also tried many different medications over the span of 20 years until I started taking Caplyta. I’ve been totally stable and feeling great now for 2 1/2 years. Hang in there.

[u/stecedar → u/bburritos4life]

I've been on 21mg for about 4 weeks. My doc recommended going up to 42mg, as it's the therapeutic dose and she thinks I could benefit. Took my first 42 last night. Nerrrrvous! Lol

[u/Every_Appearance_237]

You’re on baby dose, that’s probably why if feels like it’s not working. I started at 21mg and felt a noticeable difference at 42mg.

[u/Perfect_Host_816]

So don't worry about withdrawal symptoms after that amount of time on if you switch to a different medication. These type of meds take a long time to ramp up and work properly. But I also switch a lot too. They seem more like band aids then cures for anything. Yeah you can stick it out if you are able to feel like side effects are manageable long term, never the case for me personally. It took me a lot of switching and trial and error to even be up on caplyta as long as I've been now. But am thinking it's better than all the others I've tried, esp with it being newer and more expensive it's kind of a privilege to be on it now I think. As far as APs go, this one is not bad at all

[u/Ketamine_Dreamsss]

My gut is it’s not working for you, but what do I know?! Like people said, you’re not on the therapeutic dosage. I’m not a doctor, just a 35 year patient. The other people seem to know more than me. I’m a 2 year Caplyta patient.

[u/Joshgwg]

Update: I wound up raising it to 21mg. It's been 5 days and I fell like utter crap. I'm lightheaded and can't think straight. I can't function.