Posted by susan C on August 11, 2001, at 21:20:26
In reply to Re: Depakote for Bipolar II, posted by Collete on August 11, 2001, at 17:10:56
Hi, Your questions and concerns sound like me when I am going to start a new med. I have been on depakote for about 9 months, and it helped even out my highs and lows. I did not have extreme side effects. I had tried many other rx before. There are some very good tips in dr-bobs tips section, especially, start taking a multi with zinc and selium. I have talked with others about thining hair SE. My hair did get thinner, but it has lessened. For me, Depakote is not the whole answer, but it is a med that has been studied a lot. So I am confident when I read about what happens to people who take it.
It has also been shown to be helpful in combination with litium. Many people have been helped. A tip...keep an eye on your weight and eating habits. If your pdoc hasn't warned you of this, he/she should have. I figured I would live at the club, and have actually lost a little weight.
1000mg is low, 1500mg is medium, 2000 is high dose. I have read posts from people have been helped with as little as 250mg. For some it can take a while to kick in. For emergency, it can be prescribed to increase very quickly. Again, these are just things I have collected and have helped me keep perspective. I hope this has been of some help. Just searching this site will give you lots of opinions. (!)
-s
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> > So now I have this bottle of Depakote, but I haven't taken a single pill. Because now I'm doubting the whole thing. And I'm both afraid of Depakote working, and not working. I suppose mostly I'm afraid of it working and giving me miserable side effects.
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> > Can anyone give me some of their personal experieces with Depakote? Hopefully positive?
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> I have had the diagnosis of Bipolar for about 15 years and I am still not sure if it is correct. At any rate, Prozac has helped my tremendously. Lately, it doesn't seem to be working as well so a pdoc perscribed Depakote and for some reason, I too was afraid to take it. Anyway, I started two nights ago (250mg) right after dinner and so far, I havent' had any side effects at all. I hope this helps a little. Collette
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poster:susan C
thread:74646
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010809/msgs/74697.html