Posted by sac on January 19, 2004, at 21:09:11
In reply to Way to combat Depakote Flat Effect w/o AD's?, posted by fluffy on January 18, 2004, at 14:39:18
Hi Katy - Just thought I'd share my experience with Depakote with you. I was on it for about 4 months and just stopped 2 months ago. I loved it in the beginning (I'm also BPII and was only on 250mg ER). It really evened out my moods and I thought I found "the one". I eventually decided to discontinue it because I was very bothered by the a flat, anhedonic feeling you describe. This came on over time and I believe that is how alot of mood stabilizers work. Their effects are seen over time. Sure I was stabilized, but stabilized in an apathetic, flat, unfeeling way. I just couldn't do it. That is just my experience though. I was also taking Prozac yet still couldn't get rid of that dead feeling. I am now re-trying Lamictal which I was on for 18 months previously. I continously go around in circles with these meds because I am trying to balance feeling stabilized with having FEELINGS period. Just wanted to share my experience. Good luck to you. -Stacey
> Hi to all Depakote veterans--
>
> I'm new to this drug. I'm BPII, rapid cycling and female. I am only on 250mg of Depakote, but my rapid cycling has stopped after just 4 days. It's day 11, now, and I'm sleeping better. I only need pediatric doses of meds...I'm a tiny one.
>
> I feel a bit irritable in the day--it's hard to wake up, let alone take a walk! I am unhappy that I am feeling the "flatness" that I've heard others post about. I feel really blah--like I have no personality (anhedonia, apathy). I don't feel interested in my artwork anymore (it's what I DO--it's my bread and butter--my passion!). I don't care about people or feelings in general. It's different than depression, where I feel a lot of pain and self-pity.
>
> I still have 25mg of Lamictal that I take in the morning. My doctor is really afraid to titrate up because I broke out into a rash after discontinuing Trileptal. I've tried Lamictal monotherapy which didn't stop the cycling, Trileptal--(it worked like a charm, but i had to stop it due to sodium loss), zyprexa (gave me intolerable stiffness in my hands).
>
> Depakote users--does this "flat" feeling even out? Have you found that anything chases it away besides AD's? (I can't take AD's--manic every time!) I just want my feelings back. And Depakote has "worked" except for the feelings part.
>
> HELP! Fellow babblers!
>
> Katy
poster:sac
thread:302347
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040118/msgs/302946.html