Posted by HEART~ on September 19, 2006, at 9:55:25
In reply to Re: Depakote/Lithium +Weight gain + Cognitive Func » Heart~, posted by Squiggles on September 19, 2006, at 8:15:11
> I've read in the past (sorry i don't
> provide references now), that depakote
> increases weight more than lithium
> does. But lithium has to be in the right
> range. Depakote may be safer in this
> respect and easier to prescribe. Depakote
> effects the liver, lithium the the thyroid.
> Depakote is in the anti-convulsant class.
> I prefer lithium for the remarkable clarity
> of the mental state it provides (in the right
> range).
>
> Squiggles
>Yes Lithium effects the thyroid thus slowing down the thyroid over the many years a person is on it...usually resulting in hypothyroidism and resulting in weight gain...that's why weight gain is listed as a side effect. But it takes longer to put weight on with Lithium that's why people think it causes less gain...It just takes longer to happen. Depakote on the other hand is more of a quicker weight gainer. Lithium is known to increase one's appetite and cravings and thirst which means more calories which means more weight. And Depakote just makes most people sleepy and hungry all day.
Cognitive functioning is impaired on both drugs. It usually is that the person may just not be aware how bad they are because they are either so sedated/or think they feel normal when in reality they are fishing for words, not making too much sense to others but think they are to themselves. Their thinking/thought patterns have changes, these are powerful drugs.
This is in no way meant to bash, be mean or any of that B.S. so please do not feel like you need to come back with a nast immachure response.
poster:HEART~
thread:687152
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20060919/msgs/687373.html