Posted by Ritch on May 27, 2005, at 9:57:15
In reply to Re: Depakote ER Question-Input Needed Please » Ritch, posted by theo on May 27, 2005, at 9:23:48
> I wish they made a 125mg ER to take 375mg. It's either 250 or 500mg with ER.
>
> But are the side effects I mentioned common with Depakote ER and more importantly, will they subside with time?When I restarted it the last time about three years ago it was just 125mg at bedtime(added to existing meds-no switching). I noticed an improvement straight away with regards to agitation, etc. There was some cognitive dulling too, but that faded after a couple of weeks. Then I increased to 250mg/day (125mg twice daily) and got the cognitive sfx again.. but they also faded after a couple of weeks. However, when I push it to 500mg I feel better for a few days (with the cognitive sfx), but start getting too sleepy and hungry as well and back down on the dose. I need to get some 125mg tabs or sprinkle caps from my pdoc (they gave me samples before) and do 375mg at bedtime every other day (250mg eod) and see how that goes. I feel confident that if I could titrate up more slowly the sfx would be easier to tolerate. I think I need to be on a higher dose, but the jump from 250-500mg is too much at once. I also think there is a "sweet spot" where I get the best effects from it with limited side effects and I seem to pass that up at a steady 500mg/day. I don't like to take any of it in the daytime. The "gloom and doom" feelings don't sound too good. Depakote can be depressogenic. Is that the only med you're taking? You may also need an AD that you find non-agitating to take with it. You said your dx was Anxiety-NOS? Maybe Depakote isn't the best choice? Have you gotten a 2nd opinion?
poster:Ritch
thread:503404
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050527/msgs/503615.html