Posted by Suze on February 1, 2001, at 23:09:25
In reply to Re: depakote, weight gain, hair loss, posted by Ted on February 1, 2001, at 11:08:00
Mars and Ted,
Thanks for the comments/suggestions. Was a little on the freaked side when I posted that message, imagining all my lashes gone, etc. I'm going to try regular exercise on a treadmill to combat the weight gain (my appetite's gotten downright voracious) and I'll give the zinc, selenium and multi-vitamin a try.
Best,
Suze> Hi Mary & Suze,
>
> >I'm told that extra selenium and zinc in
> >addition to a good multivitamin will help with
> >that.
>
> Yes. To be more specific: 50 mg zinc and 200 micrograms selenium daily. You can choose your favorite multivitamin.
>
> >I know several bipolars whose pdocs are
> >insistent that they start with and stick to
> >depakote, but I also read somewhere else that
> >lithium is underutilized.
>
> Mine included. The reason is there are no patents on any lithium compounds, but there are on the *real* drugs, like depakote. The result is the doctors are playing into the pockets of the drug manufacturers and therefore helping their own investments in said companies.
>
> However, I have found the depakote to work surprisingly well. I also have read in a couple of places that the best first-line treatment for bipolar disorder with rapid cycling is depakote with zoloft and/or wellbutrin. So..... don't knock it until it fails to work.
>
> Ted
poster:Suze
thread:53078
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010131/msgs/53139.html