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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sillygrrl on August 11, 2001, at 15:43:45
After 14 years (half my life) of being in and out of therapy and off and on of antidepressants, someone (me, with the help of a bipolar friend researching mania with me) figured out that I don't have ADD, I'm bipolar II.
I've been mistaking my dysphoric mania for agitation and paranoia and my euphoric mania for "well, I'm just extra motivated when I'm not depressed." I always found it interesting that my "ADD" was so much worse when not depressed, made worse by antidepressents, and that Ritalin made me high on small doses.
Duh.
Well, my psychologist saw me in a hypomanic state and was surprised no one had suggested this before, and he immediately called my psychiatrist. The pdoc hemmed and hawed and seemed to think it was just the meds I was on and I should try Remeron instead of Zoloft, but I jumped up and down and explained that "this state" occurs when I'm *not* on Zoloft or anything else and happens *more often* when on it.
So he gave me Depakote.
At first I was excited - they finally know what's wrong with me! Then I was miserable - how the hell could it have taken people this long! The stuff i do when hypomanic is pretty obviously a bit nutty. I just keep getting pegged as flaky, easily excited, obnoxious, rude, belligerent, arrogant, etc. But people who see me when I'm depressed think I'm overly responsible, cynical, and submissive. Now I know why my whole life people seem to have one extreme view of me or another. Duh again.
So now I have this bottle of Depakote, but I haven't taken a single pill. Because now I'm doubting the whole thing. And I'm both afraid of Depakote working, and not working. I suppose mostly I'm afraid of it working and giving me miserable side effects.
Can anyone give me some of their personal experieces with Depakote? Hopefully positive? My hypomania is mostly about having a flood of ideas and tons of energy and trying to do way too much at once. I can't get out of my own way. I should be studying, but then I get this "great idea" for a story that I just have to write that very second or I'm supposed to be working but I suddenly *have* to look up something on the web from every possible point of view til I can practically write a book on what I've learned.
sillygrrl
Posted by Collete on August 11, 2001, at 17:10:56
In reply to Depakote for Bipolar II, posted by sillygrrl on August 11, 2001, at 15:43:45
>
> So now I have this bottle of Depakote, but I haven't taken a single pill. Because now I'm doubting the whole thing. And I'm both afraid of Depakote working, and not working. I suppose mostly I'm afraid of it working and giving me miserable side effects.
>
> Can anyone give me some of their personal experieces with Depakote? Hopefully positive?I have had the diagnosis of Bipolar for about 15 years and I am still not sure if it is correct. At any rate, Prozac has helped my tremendously. Lately, it doesn't seem to be working as well so a pdoc perscribed Depakote and for some reason, I too was afraid to take it. Anyway, I started two nights ago (250mg) right after dinner and so far, I havent' had any side effects at all. I hope this helps a little. Collette
Posted by susan C on August 11, 2001, at 21:20:26
In reply to Re: Depakote for Bipolar II, posted by Collete on August 11, 2001, at 17:10:56
Hi, Your questions and concerns sound like me when I am going to start a new med. I have been on depakote for about 9 months, and it helped even out my highs and lows. I did not have extreme side effects. I had tried many other rx before. There are some very good tips in dr-bobs tips section, especially, start taking a multi with zinc and selium. I have talked with others about thining hair SE. My hair did get thinner, but it has lessened. For me, Depakote is not the whole answer, but it is a med that has been studied a lot. So I am confident when I read about what happens to people who take it.
It has also been shown to be helpful in combination with litium. Many people have been helped. A tip...keep an eye on your weight and eating habits. If your pdoc hasn't warned you of this, he/she should have. I figured I would live at the club, and have actually lost a little weight.
1000mg is low, 1500mg is medium, 2000 is high dose. I have read posts from people have been helped with as little as 250mg. For some it can take a while to kick in. For emergency, it can be prescribed to increase very quickly. Again, these are just things I have collected and have helped me keep perspective. I hope this has been of some help. Just searching this site will give you lots of opinions. (!)
-s
> >
> > So now I have this bottle of Depakote, but I haven't taken a single pill. Because now I'm doubting the whole thing. And I'm both afraid of Depakote working, and not working. I suppose mostly I'm afraid of it working and giving me miserable side effects.
> >
> > Can anyone give me some of their personal experieces with Depakote? Hopefully positive?
>
> I have had the diagnosis of Bipolar for about 15 years and I am still not sure if it is correct. At any rate, Prozac has helped my tremendously. Lately, it doesn't seem to be working as well so a pdoc perscribed Depakote and for some reason, I too was afraid to take it. Anyway, I started two nights ago (250mg) right after dinner and so far, I havent' had any side effects at all. I hope this helps a little. Collette
>
>
Posted by Ted on August 11, 2001, at 23:42:23
In reply to Depakote for Bipolar II, posted by sillygrrl on August 11, 2001, at 15:43:45
Hi sillygrrl,
Don't be afraid -- it won't bite.
I have been on depakote for bipolar disorder for over 2 years. It has worked wonders for me. I find it very calming. My wife says I am a different person. :-)
Here's what to expect and how to handle it:
1. It *will* make you sleepy. Take it at noon and bedtime for the first 6-9 months until you get used to it. Then take it with breakfast & dinner.
2. It is toxic to your liver, so insists on a blood test for depakote level & liver function soon. Repeat in 4-6 weeks. Then if everything is OK (dose OK, liver fine), insist on a liver function test every 3 months.
3. Some people experience hair thinning or loss. Take 200 micrograms of selenium and 50 mg zinc daily to counter the effect. You can take these alone or in a multi-vitamin (I do both).
4. Depakote has a drug interaction list a mile long. Never take it with aspirin or other salycilates (e.g. pepto bismol). Also avoid all benzodiazepines except lorazepam (ativan).
5. For the first few months expect some mild nausea when you take it. Taking it with a meal, even a small one, helps lots.
6. NEVER break the tablets. They are specially coated so they won't hurt your stomach.
Good luck and feel free to aks if you have more questions.
PS: I take it with zoloft & wellbutrin.
Ted
> Can anyone give me some of their personal experieces with Depakote? Hopefully positive? My hypomania is mostly about having a flood of ideas and tons of energy and trying to do way too much at once. I can't get out of my own way. I should be studying, but then I get this "great idea" for a story that I just have to write that very second or I'm supposed to be working but I suddenly *have* to look up something on the web from every possible point of view til I can practically write a book on what I've learned.
>
> sillygrrl
Posted by MM on August 12, 2001, at 3:10:58
In reply to Re: Depakote for Bipolar II, posted by Ted on August 11, 2001, at 23:42:23
-Ted
my pdoc never mentioned liver tests, and I started Depakote a week ago (last friday). Would it still be useful to get even though I didn't have a test done before starting Depakote?- sillygrrl
I'm not too sure what I think of Depakote so far. I am kinda sleepy most of the time, a little foggy brained, and I get somewhat nauseous throughout the day, but none of that is very bad and should go away in a week or two. As far as my mood, I feel kinda flat, and somewhat dazed, but it's not that bad. I also feel somewhat calmer though. I think it's most useful for hypo/mania and I bet it would stop that dead in it's tracks, but when there's no hypo/mania, you have just the depression to take care of. I would say try it, and if you don't like it you can always try something else.
Posted by geekUK on August 12, 2001, at 6:42:12
In reply to Re: Depakote for Bipolar II » Ted, posted by MM on August 12, 2001, at 3:10:58
I am about 1+3/4 months into taking depakote, All ssri's up to this point I thought did not work, if any thing they made me worse (feeling crazyer). After reading through this site I realised that I was close to BPII, and the 'crazyness' of the AD was rapid cyling. so I suggested depakote. I first started taking it in the mornings (I thought that I was so able to take it), bad Idea- very sedating. Everything seems to slow and its hard to speak or read or anything slightly taxing. but I take it at night now and its A LOT better. It took about 2-3 weeks for the highs to bow out and the lows took about a month to even out. Liver test are essential to put your mind at rest, can cause a white blood cell drop (known as agranulocytosis,) its rare but I insisted on a blood test after I got a sore throat. I take 500 mg and it works fine
> -Ted
> my pdoc never mentioned liver tests, and I started Depakote a week ago (last friday). Would it still be useful to get even though I didn't have a test done before starting Depakote?
>
> - sillygrrl
> I'm not too sure what I think of Depakote so far. I am kinda sleepy most of the time, a little foggy brained, and I get somewhat nauseous throughout the day, but none of that is very bad and should go away in a week or two. As far as my mood, I feel kinda flat, and somewhat dazed, but it's not that bad. I also feel somewhat calmer though. I think it's most useful for hypo/mania and I bet it would stop that dead in it's tracks, but when there's no hypo/mania, you have just the depression to take care of. I would say try it, and if you don't like it you can always try something else.
Posted by Ted on August 12, 2001, at 13:15:37
In reply to Re: Depakote for Bipolar II » Ted, posted by MM on August 12, 2001, at 3:10:58
MM,
By all means, YES. It is still important that you are not damaging you liver! The only catch is your pdoc doesn't have a "normal" baseline to compare. If your pdoc didn't mention blood tests for liver function and dose management -- SHAME ON HIM(or her)!! Insist on it.
Ted
> -Ted
> my pdoc never mentioned liver tests, and I started Depakote a week ago (last friday). Would it still be useful to get even though I didn't have a test done before starting Depakote?
>
Posted by sillygrrl on August 13, 2001, at 18:07:37
In reply to Re: Depakote for Bipolar II, posted by Ted on August 11, 2001, at 23:42:23
Ted,
Thanks a bunch for all your information. The doc did in fact arrange for me to get liver function tests, and warned me that I may feel sleepy or hungrier than usual. I also made the pharmacist double-check that it didn't have any bad interactions with the other meds I'm on (allergy meds, bc pills, etc). Thanks for the warning about otc drugs, though.
On Saturday I started taking 250mg 3x a day and 50mg Zoloft once a day. So far, no drowsiness or nausea, but I already feel less anxious and agitated (though that just may be reducing the Zoloft, which was making me jump out of my skin). I think the doc wants to eventually increase to 500mg 3x a day, though.
An interesting effect however, is that my dreams have gotten *so* strange!! I have 2 or 3 a night, extremely visual and detailed, and I woke my bfriend up once because I was mumbling and moving around. The first night was bad. Last night not so much. Maybe just a fluke.
Thanks again, and to everyone else who wrote in,
silly
This is the end of the thread.
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