Posted by Ted on August 11, 2001, at 23:42:23
In reply to Depakote for Bipolar II, posted by sillygrrl on August 11, 2001, at 15:43:45
Hi sillygrrl,
Don't be afraid -- it won't bite.
I have been on depakote for bipolar disorder for over 2 years. It has worked wonders for me. I find it very calming. My wife says I am a different person. :-)
Here's what to expect and how to handle it:
1. It *will* make you sleepy. Take it at noon and bedtime for the first 6-9 months until you get used to it. Then take it with breakfast & dinner.
2. It is toxic to your liver, so insists on a blood test for depakote level & liver function soon. Repeat in 4-6 weeks. Then if everything is OK (dose OK, liver fine), insist on a liver function test every 3 months.
3. Some people experience hair thinning or loss. Take 200 micrograms of selenium and 50 mg zinc daily to counter the effect. You can take these alone or in a multi-vitamin (I do both).
4. Depakote has a drug interaction list a mile long. Never take it with aspirin or other salycilates (e.g. pepto bismol). Also avoid all benzodiazepines except lorazepam (ativan).
5. For the first few months expect some mild nausea when you take it. Taking it with a meal, even a small one, helps lots.
6. NEVER break the tablets. They are specially coated so they won't hurt your stomach.
Good luck and feel free to aks if you have more questions.
PS: I take it with zoloft & wellbutrin.
Ted
> Can anyone give me some of their personal experieces with Depakote? Hopefully positive? My hypomania is mostly about having a flood of ideas and tons of energy and trying to do way too much at once. I can't get out of my own way. I should be studying, but then I get this "great idea" for a story that I just have to write that very second or I'm supposed to be working but I suddenly *have* to look up something on the web from every possible point of view til I can practically write a book on what I've learned.
>
> sillygrrl
poster:Ted
thread:74646
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010809/msgs/74721.html