Posted by Cindy W on October 20, 2000, at 22:19:29
In reply to Re: Mild manic-depressive? to Cindy W, posted by Ted on October 20, 2000, at 14:38:58
> Cindy,
>
> I agree with Laural -- you *definitely* sound at least mildly hypomanic if not pushing typical mania itself. Not to be afraid: It is treatable in most people. Like Laural, I also take depakote (500 mg bid) to keep the hypomanias under control and zoloft+wellbutrin to handle the depressions. FINALLY I am feeling pretty good. If you read Laural's intro in the Psycho-Social Babble group, you can tell she speaks from lots of experience.
>
> Not to scare you or anything, but some things to keep in mind about depakote: It will make you very sleepy and lethargic at first. It *will* go away, so grin and bear it. :-) Also, it is hepatotoxic (toxic to the liver) and there are *LOTS* of drug interactions, many serious. If you have to take this, I highly recommend that you go to Abbott Labs' website and read about it (www.abbott.com then search for depakote) or look it up in the PDR. Lastly, because of the liver toxicity, you will have to get blood tests done regularly to both make sure your liver is doing OK and to make sure the valproate level is correct. My pdoc had me get blood tests every 3-4 weeks for several months, then every 8-10 weeks; now I have them done only every 3-4 months. AVOID alcohol when on this stuff. Good luck.
>
> Take care of yourself; you sound like my twin with your symptoms. Let us know what happens after your monday appt.
>
> TedTed, thank you for your post! Will talk about options Monday with my pdoc. Am not sure he'll think I'm hypomanic (but my friends, who include a psychologist and social worker, have suggested they see me as hypomanic lately. And I've been overspending like crazy and feel unusually good.--Cindy W
poster:Cindy W
thread:46760
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001012/msgs/46933.html