Posted by Shandra on October 30, 2003, at 23:55:52
In reply to Re: Rollercoaster cont- Supplements instead of Dep etc » Shandra, posted by katia on October 30, 2003, at 22:29:25
You're definitely right about people having different side effects - it's part of what makes these disorders so hard to deal with - it seems like there is a fair amount of similarity as to the primary purpose of a drug, but then the side effects are just all over the board between different people. For example, I could only tolerate 750 mg and that was tough but I have a friend who had zero side effects at 1500 mg a day! I just sure did NOT expect hair loss after stopping Depakote, particularly since it was not something I really had a problem with when I was taking the med. If I had it to do over again, I would play it very safe, since now I'm looking at a very depressing (oh great! more depression) long regrowth period. Ugh. Anyway, I would definitely take a very proactive approach to preventing and/or dealing with the potential of hair loss - honestly I never knew how upsetting it would be. Ironically enough, when I was getting acclimated to Depakote, I told my partner I felt like I was on Chemotherapy all the time - then to have the hair come out en masse - how weird is that?!! (I've never been on chemo - I was just imagining from what I know others experienced with it.)
I will check into some Selenium if this hair loss doesn't really subside in the next few days - I can't take much more of it!If you're feeling depression set in, why don't you try a 5HTP supplement (100mg a couple of times a day) and see if that doesn't help. If you like I can point you in the direction of some of the sites I found that talked about it. While I didn't see any quick relief from St John's Wort by itself, I did when I added 5HTP - but I never tried it by itself, I just added it to St John's Wort and found that I immediately (ie w/in 2 hrs) felt less depressed w/out any kind of bounce into hypomania or mixed episode (I forgot to mention I have mixed episodes too, which I describe as going through hell on speed!)
Oh, almost forgot - my pdoc (the 'second' pdoc I saw, who was fabulous) was happy to see me much less frequently once I got stabilized, even less than once per month (ie every three months) when I got on the right combination, but I was pretty critical and the depression I suffer from is extremely debilitating and seems to be progressively worse over time, so he wanted to make sure I was going to make it through the stabilization period ok. He was also very available by phone to help and w/out charging - I was very, very pleased with him - knowledgeable, kind, reassuring, firm in his convictions, a wonderful listener. Contrast this with the bozo I was seeing before him who only ever perked up in session when the topic got around to sex! Ugh. I mean, psychoanalysis proper certainly has its place, but that was just wrong!!! ;)
Anyway - I've got about 3 projects going that I need to finish up or at least get to good stopping places - this perpetual unfinished projects thing is pretty standard for me and one of the things I'm working on :)
Let me know how things go at your session, ok? Oh, also if you need a quick OTC anti-anxiety, the Valerian root (one tablet is probably fine) is usually good for me if I am feeling things are going out of control for me emotionally and I either don't have anything else available or what I have isn't working. Might make you a bit groggy, but it really does seem to help with anxiety and even depression to a certain extent. Actually its use originated in England several centuries ago and they used it to calm people with overly aggressive tendencies!
Have a good night - more soon!-Shandra
> Hi,
> I know not everyone experiences side effects the same way. So hopefully I won't lose my hair as that is my best feature too! I"m always being complimented on it - long, thick and wavy. Since taking Depakote, I've been taking Selenium (200 mcg per day). This is known to help prevent the hair loss. It's interesting that you mention dandruff shampoo because just in the past week I've noticed that I have dandruff. I'VE NEVER HAD THIS BEFORE! I wonder if it's my shampoo or something to do with meds. so maybe I'll get this Nizoral just to be on the safe side. I'm starting to feel a depression coming on - it's these short days. It could also be b/c I stopped the Depakote. I'm seeing my pdoc tomorrow. BTW, I only see him once a month and that's plenty with intermittent phone calls. Your doctor may have been not so honest in regards to the frequency needed?
> katia
poster:Shandra
thread:90018
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031030/msgs/275147.html