Posted by Spriggy on March 4, 2005, at 12:44:48
In reply to Re: Depakote will either kill you or save you » Spriggy, posted by SLS on March 4, 2005, at 3:23:20
I was actually hoping for Lamictal. My father takes it and it has helped him tremendously, just knowing someone who has benefited makes me feel much better.Everyone I know that has been on Depakote says they felt drunk, their hair fell out, they got fat, and then of course, just read the above responses about infections and liver problems, etc..
I am starting on a low dose (250 mg's) and I did wonder if I could start out by taking it EVERY other day just to see.
I like my liver, would like to keep it. I like my hair, wouldn't mind losing a bit of it, I like my weight right now- 5-10 pounds wouldn't kill me but from what I've read people take the pill and wake up 35 pounds heavier (okay, not literally but sure sounds that way).
I am wondering if I should just switch doctor's. My doctor doesn't seem to "get this" thing. I specifically asked for Lamictal because:
a) I am not taking any other antidepressent and it has antidepressent effects as well as mood stabilizing ones
b) I don't like the side effects associated with Depakote.
c) my dad is on Lamictal and it works for him- we have the same genes so I assume I might respond the same way.
BUT, my doctor went in to talk with his fellow dr. and came back and said, " No.. Lamictal can cause this weird rash and I've had success with Depakote with other BP patients."And that was that. He wanted me to take 500 mg's twice a day and I said, " Nope" start me out as low as you can go.
SO... here's what I think I will do (being the drug paranoid blonde that I am).
I think I will conjure up enough "guts" to take a pill tonight. I will have my poor husband drive us around in the car after I take it so that I can be near a hospital in case I wig out ( yes, I know how pathetic this is but it will put my mind to rest), and hopefully, it will put me to sleep, I'll just wake up tomorrow morning and never even know what happened.
ROFL.
You better believe I'll be stepping on my scale every single day from here on out.
Chocolate ding dongs', here I come..
poster:Spriggy
thread:466201
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050304/msgs/466463.html