![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 2 to 26 of 26. Go back in thread:
Posted by Mitch on September 1, 2001, at 12:50:21
In reply to how does depakote make you feel?, posted by sar on September 1, 2001, at 9:19:49
> if i ever get in to see my unreliable pdoc, i'm getting started on depakote (in addition to having been on prozac and klonopin for a few months). i've been dx'd bipolar II but have never experienced true textbook mania--hypomania yes probably, where i feel much better and sexyer and more confident and dump all my money off at bars and boutiques--but depression is my main problem. at my worst (before meds) i was damn near catatonic. will depakote have a flattening effect on me? i can't afford any flattening.
>
> any personal stories/ information would be greatly appreciated.
>
> sarMy own personal situation with Dep is mixed. It *definitely* seems to have an anxiolytic effect and is pretty good for agitation/racing thoughts, etc. However, when it comes to depression it never did me any good *unless* anxiety was driving it. If you are just anergic, fatigued, and apathetic it might not help very much. However, there are a lot of folks that report a prominent AD effect with it. You will just have to give it a shot and see.
Posted by sar on September 2, 2001, at 1:25:11
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » sar, posted by Mitch on September 1, 2001, at 12:50:21
a poster on PSB reported that it kicks in fairly quickly (like klonopin, whereas most AD's take about 6 weeks.) how long 'til you felt full effect?
i'll have to give it a shot. i'm agitated but also apathetic! they say it will smooth out my impulsivity. i always feel like jumping out of airplanes and driving down to mexico city getting smashed trashed etc, little or no impulse control (maybe more of a self-indulgent behavioral problem than anything medical)--so i wonder, will depakote calm me enough to make rational decisions? or will it make me a slow-moving land mammal?
thanks mitch,
sar
Posted by Rikki on September 2, 2001, at 1:42:55
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » Mitch, posted by sar on September 2, 2001, at 1:25:11
Hey there...I started Depakote last Monday...I am Bipolar 2 also and have been having some rapid cycling along with severe depression...I had a few rough days of adjustment (sleeping and nausea and dizzyness) but, by Friday seem to be doing well. I still have some dizziness problems today (but they were also there before I started Depakote). I tend to not be an overly active person and I don't see where the Depakote has slowed me any further. In fact, I am now feeling better able to accomplish some things. I was kinda amazed after only one week that I'd be able to notice this change. Still some depression but not total despair like Monday. (I also take Paxil)
Posted by Mitch on September 2, 2001, at 10:40:11
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » Mitch, posted by sar on September 2, 2001, at 1:25:11
> a poster on PSB reported that it kicks in fairly quickly (like klonopin, whereas most AD's take about 6 weeks.) how long 'til you felt full effect?
It kicked in fairly quickly as far as the sedation went. I would say within about a week-two weeks. I wouldn't say as fast as Klonopin, though-Klon was nearly immediate.
>
> i'll have to give it a shot. i'm agitated but also apathetic! they say it will smooth out my impulsivity. i always feel like jumping out of airplanes and driving down to mexico city getting smashed trashed etc, little or no impulse control (maybe more of a self-indulgent behavioral problem than anything medical)--so i wonder, will depakote calm me enough to make rational decisions? or will it make me a slow-moving land mammal?It sounds like you have some symptoms that it could definitely help. I also have some trouble with panic and it helped with that. Impulsivity, yes I think it would work quite well for that. However, in my case (with ADHD), it didn't seem to work on grouchiness as well as Neurontin or a serotonin med (just me though).
>
> thanks mitch,
>
> sar
take care,
Mitch
Posted by sar on September 2, 2001, at 22:32:02
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » sar, posted by Mitch on September 2, 2001, at 10:40:11
dear mitch,
thanks for responding. i think i'm concerned because from what i've read, depakote is used for mania, and i've never been manic. i'm much more depressed--have possibly experience "mixed states." am worried about being flattened.
sar
Posted by Mitch on September 2, 2001, at 23:25:31
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » Mitch, posted by sar on September 2, 2001, at 22:32:02
> dear mitch,
>
> thanks for responding. i think i'm concerned because from what i've read, depakote is used for mania, and i've never been manic. i'm much more depressed--have possibly experience "mixed states." am worried about being flattened.
>
> sarsar,
Hey, I don't like being flattened either:)!
If your troubles are primarily depression, then I would suggest take an AD and something like Klonopin with it. Benzos can work quite well for *mixed* states. I was in one of those when I was 19 before I saw any pdoc and a friend gave me a 10mg Valium tab and it was over within an hour. It beat Haldol hands down. Don't get stuck on *big guns* like Lithium and Depakote until you have tried the minor league stuff first.
Posted by sar on September 3, 2001, at 13:38:48
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » sar, posted by Mitch on September 2, 2001, at 23:25:31
dear mitch,
i'm on prozac and klonopin and they've really smoothed me out, but i would still consider myself depressed and extremely impulsive (drinking, drugs, driving, sex, spending). it's the docs who want to put me on the big guns. i'm scared o losing myself on them. i know the impulsivity sounds like mania, but i lack the pressured speech, grandiosity, racing thoughts, flight of ideas, etc.
thanks again mitch,
sar
Posted by Mitch on September 3, 2001, at 15:17:21
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » Mitch, posted by sar on September 3, 2001, at 13:38:48
> dear mitch,
>
> i'm on prozac and klonopin and they've really smoothed me out, but i would still consider myself depressed and extremely impulsive (drinking, drugs, driving, sex, spending). it's the docs who want to put me on the big guns. i'm scared o losing myself on them. i know the impulsivity sounds like mania, but i lack the pressured speech, grandiosity, racing thoughts, flight of ideas, etc.
>
> thanks again mitch,
> sarSar,
That sounds a lot like adult ADHD. If they are going to put you on a mood stabilizer, ask if you can try some Neurontin first, say 300mg twice a day. I would try that first. It would be easier on you and not as likely to cause weight gain, etc.
good luck,
Mitch
Posted by sar on September 3, 2001, at 19:47:41
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » sar, posted by Mitch on September 3, 2001, at 15:17:21
dear mitch,
thanks again. you seem knowledgeable, so i'm going to tell you a bit more about myself...i think i'm the *opposite* of ADHD...i become so completely absorbed in what i'm doing, that i forget anything else exists. i speak and move relatively slowly, i get so drawn into things that i notice very little else. drinking and drugs do help me focus even better, but i've absolutely no patience for things i don't like (anything technical or mathematic).
i wonder if i'm just having a self-disipline problem...an inherent hedonist? i've no idea. for some background, my slew of diagnoses (in order from past to present) are depression, social phobia, generalized anxiety, dysthymia, severe depression, borderline personality disorder, bipolar II, histronic. quite a mix, huh?
but i don't think i'm ADHD. maybe just depresst, drunk, dramatizing....
thanks for the neurontin suggestion--will bring that up to my pdoc. hair loss on depakote frightens me.
thanks again,
sar
Posted by Mitch on September 3, 2001, at 23:38:55
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » Mitch, posted by sar on September 3, 2001, at 19:47:41
> dear mitch,
>
> thanks again. you seem knowledgeable, so i'm going to tell you a bit more about myself...i think i'm the *opposite* of ADHD...i become so completely absorbed in what i'm doing, that i forget anything else exists. i speak and move relatively slowly, i get so drawn into things that i notice very little else. drinking and drugs do help me focus even better, but i've absolutely no patience for things i don't like (anything technical or mathematic).
>
> i wonder if i'm just having a self-disipline problem...an inherent hedonist? i've no idea. for some background, my slew of diagnoses (in order from past to present) are depression, social phobia, generalized anxiety, dysthymia, severe depression, borderline personality disorder, bipolar II, histronic. quite a mix, huh?
>
> but i don't think i'm ADHD. maybe just depresst, drunk, dramatizing....
>
> thanks for the neurontin suggestion--will bring that up to my pdoc. hair loss on depakote frightens me.
>
> thanks again,
> sarSar,
Yep, I would push the Neurontin idea their way. It will help with just about everything you mentioned in your list.
Posted by lostsailor on September 4, 2001, at 0:49:46
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » sar, posted by Mitch on September 3, 2001, at 23:38:55
I was on dep. for almost two years. My doc used it as an ajunct to ssri's and benzos. At that time I was diagnosed
with recurrent maj. Dep. and Panic w/ agoraphobia. I had already had textbook signs of mania (e.g., up for days on
end, wild spending sprees while unemployed and in school ect., but doc wanted to reserve a bi-polar diagnosis. Two
years of Dep. use and all was peachy. We secided that a trial period with out dep was in store. Disaster struck
later...after returning from a "vacation" with ex fiance, my mother asked is she could come to the doc with me. I am
32 years old and have been seeing him for 6 yrs. She told me that I was illogical, unreasonable and "flighty." Having
never asked this before and sensing that I was feeling partic. exuberant, I agreed. The meeting went well. She
basically just said, "look at him doc" I was already in the office icebox while waiting, opening the office windows, had
stolen the pen that he was taking notes with--sidebar: I collect pens from all of the medications that I have taken and
had not yet a Celexa pen. He turned it over and I thanked him profusely. I then checked my weight, hieght and
attempted to take my own blood pressure...lol. He said in a calm voice that he felt that he was finally witnessing an
accute period of mania and started me on neurontin while still in the office. I was totally lost when he brought out a
sample pack and escourted me to the water fountin. I have now been on doses of Neurontin varing bet 900 mgs
daily ( on a 300/mg tid schedule) and he is strirving for 2400 (800 mg tid.) I seem to tolerate 1800 mg max. I do not
feel as lethagic on "N" as on Dep. and "N" also works with gaba receptors--these are the sites that the benzoS bind
with. I take 8mg of xanax, 225 of effexor xr, and a sleepind aid as well, but relife is far from full. I feel that I may
need to go back to dep. during The next vist. Of interest--Hair loss...this is an effect that will be noticed early in
treatment and tends to come in "bunches" If you have been on it for more than 6 weeks and not noticed it, you will
prob never will--thankfully, I was lucky there. Sorry for babbling I hope this was a bit of help. Would luv feedback.
~Tony
Posted by Ignatz on September 4, 2001, at 8:32:54
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » sar, posted by Mitch on September 1, 2001, at 12:50:21
I don't have a bipolar diagnosis, but my depressions have been very anxious and I'm pretty hyper the rest of the time, maybe slightly hypomanic at times... Anyway-- I've been on SSRIs for 10 years, Zoloft and then Effexor, and I think they may be pooping out somewhat. My p-doc gave me Depakote 1500 mg a few months ago when I was starting to feel depressed, and it's been very useful. Within 2 or 3 days I felt centered again... I haven't been quite as hyper as I usedta be, but my emotions aren't flattened. my mood is good, I haven't gained any weight. Some hair is falling out, but not enough to be noticeable. So I think it might be acting as a "kicker" for the flagging SSRI as well as a mood stabilizer.
Odd how people's mileages vary-- years ago I was on lithium and tricyclics and the lithium didn't seem to do squat.
Posted by Jonathan on September 4, 2001, at 9:38:05
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » Mitch, posted by sar on September 3, 2001, at 19:47:41
Sar -
Before you read more of this thread, and perhaps learn things about ADD and its subtypes which could bias your answers, or at best make them seem less valid to your pdoc, I suggest that you try the online ADD subtypes test at
http://www.amenclinic.com/ac/addtests/subtype.asp
Print out your answers and show them to your pdoc the next time you see him/her.
Differential diagnosis between ADD and bipolar can be difficult (especially here in the UK where almost no-one believes that there's such a thing as adult ADD!); *if* your problem is a certain subtype of ADD (which doesn't look impossible to me), then mood stabilizers like Depakote or Neurontin may not be the best meds for you.
I hope you find this helpful :)
Jonathan.
Posted by Mitch on September 4, 2001, at 9:54:20
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel?, posted by lostsailor on September 4, 2001, at 0:49:46
>
>
> I was on dep. for almost two years. My doc used it as an ajunct to ssri's and benzos. At that time I was diagnosed
> with recurrent maj. Dep. and Panic w/ agoraphobia. I had already had textbook signs of mania (e.g., up for days on
> end, wild spending sprees while unemployed and in school ect., but doc wanted to reserve a bi-polar diagnosis. Two
> years of Dep. use and all was peachy. We secided that a trial period with out dep was in store. Disaster struck
> later...after returning from a "vacation" with ex fiance, my mother asked is she could come to the doc with me. I am
> 32 years old and have been seeing him for 6 yrs. She told me that I was illogical, unreasonable and "flighty." Having
> never asked this before and sensing that I was feeling partic. exuberant, I agreed. The meeting went well. She
> basically just said, "look at him doc" I was already in the office icebox while waiting, opening the office windows, had
> stolen the pen that he was taking notes with--sidebar: I collect pens from all of the medications that I have taken and
> had not yet a Celexa pen. He turned it over and I thanked him profusely. I then checked my weight, hieght and
> attempted to take my own blood pressure...lol. He said in a calm voice that he felt that he was finally witnessing an
> accute period of mania and started me on neurontin while still in the office. I was totally lost when he brought out a
> sample pack and escourted me to the water fountin. I have now been on doses of Neurontin varing bet 900 mgs
> daily ( on a 300/mg tid schedule) and he is strirving for 2400 (800 mg tid.) I seem to tolerate 1800 mg max. I do not
> feel as lethagic on "N" as on Dep. and "N" also works with gaba receptors--these are the sites that the benzoS bind
> with. I take 8mg of xanax, 225 of effexor xr, and a sleepind aid as well, but relife is far from full. I feel that I may
> need to go back to dep. during The next vist. Of interest--Hair loss...this is an effect that will be noticed early in
> treatment and tends to come in "bunches" If you have been on it for more than 6 weeks and not noticed it, you will
> prob never will--thankfully, I was lucky there. Sorry for babbling I hope this was a bit of help. Would luv feedback.
> ~TonyTony,
Neurontin generally isn't near as powerful as Depakote for controlling mania. Wow, you took the pen he was taking notes with? I have been wound before, but not quite that high 0:! The only other thing I can think to add is watch out with the Effexor, if I could tolerate 225mgs a day I would probably be opening and shutting my shrinks's windows too! I've gotten hostile and hypomanic on Effexor several times (on 37.5mg!). I would ask him about that. It would suck if you had to take a ton of other stuff just because an AD you were taking was causing most of your trouble,
goodluck
Mitch
Posted by Mitch on September 4, 2001, at 10:16:43
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel?, posted by Ignatz on September 4, 2001, at 8:32:54
> I don't have a bipolar diagnosis, but my depressions have been very anxious and I'm pretty hyper the rest of the time, maybe slightly hypomanic at times... Anyway-- I've been on SSRIs for 10 years, Zoloft and then Effexor, and I think they may be pooping out somewhat. My p-doc gave me Depakote 1500 mg a few months ago when I was starting to feel depressed, and it's been very useful. Within 2 or 3 days I felt centered again... I haven't been quite as hyper as I usedta be, but my emotions aren't flattened. my mood is good, I haven't gained any weight. Some hair is falling out, but not enough to be noticeable. So I think it might be acting as a "kicker" for the flagging SSRI as well as a mood stabilizer.
> Odd how people's mileages vary-- years ago I was on lithium and tricyclics and the lithium didn't seem to do squat.There seem to be a lot of people that get an antidepressant benefit from Depakote. There also is a range you need to get into for the AD effect to kickin from what I am reading from yourself and others. I haven't read anybody saying their depression being helped that was taking less than 1000mg/day. Maybe my own problem is the ADHD I have with bipolarII. The Depakote has a prominent GABA enhancing effect, and very much of that makes me quite inattentive. I take Klonopin (just .5mg divided/day), and I can't take more than a 1/4 tab if I am at work or I am blitzed.
Posted by lostsailor on September 4, 2001, at 12:36:01
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » lostsailor, posted by Mitch on September 4, 2001, at 9:54:20
> > Actually, I am the one that has become depakote defiante. I will go back on it, but he really likes the neurontin for the anti-aniety properties. About the pen, he's a bit used to it by now. I think he was more concerned about me invading the staff icebox and poss. forking out dough for lunch. the bigge with Effexor is that it's the only thing that really works for me. Neurontin has helped with manic behavior, but I am the first to admit not as well as Dep., but the side effects are more tolerable and i like not havung the bloodwork needed for dep use. Tegritol is another optin for me, but we are reserving it if possible. Lithium is a NO NO...It is the only med in his "arsenol" that I have repetaadly refused to take--I like having a thyroid...lol ~Tony
> >
> > I was on dep. for almost two years. My doc used it as an ajunct to ssri's and benzos. At that time I was diagnosed
> > with recurrent maj. Dep. and Panic w/ agoraphobia. I had already had textbook signs of mania (e.g., up for days on
> > end, wild spending sprees while unemployed and in school ect., but doc wanted to reserve a bi-polar diagnosis. Two
> > years of Dep. use and all was peachy. We secided that a trial period with out dep was in store. Disaster struck
> > later...after returning from a "vacation" with ex fiance, my mother asked is she could come to the doc with me. I am
> > 32 years old and have been seeing him for 6 yrs. She told me that I was illogical, unreasonable and "flighty." Having
> > never asked this before and sensing that I was feeling partic. exuberant, I agreed. The meeting went well. She
> > basically just said, "look at him doc" I was already in the office icebox while waiting, opening the office windows, had
> > stolen the pen that he was taking notes with--sidebar: I collect pens from all of the medications that I have taken and
> > had not yet a Celexa pen. He turned it over and I thanked him profusely. I then checked my weight, hieght and
> > attempted to take my own blood pressure...lol. He said in a calm voice that he felt that he was finally witnessing an
> > accute period of mania and started me on neurontin while still in the office. I was totally lost when he brought out a
> > sample pack and escourted me to the water fountin. I have now been on doses of Neurontin varing bet 900 mgs
> > daily ( on a 300/mg tid schedule) and he is strirving for 2400 (800 mg tid.) I seem to tolerate 1800 mg max. I do not
> > feel as lethagic on "N" as on Dep. and "N" also works with gaba receptors--these are the sites that the benzoS bind
> > with. I take 8mg of xanax, 225 of effexor xr, and a sleepind aid as well, but relife is far from full. I feel that I may
> > need to go back to dep. during The next vist. Of interest--Hair loss...this is an effect that will be noticed early in
> > treatment and tends to come in "bunches" If you have been on it for more than 6 weeks and not noticed it, you will
> > prob never will--thankfully, I was lucky there. Sorry for babbling I hope this was a bit of help. Would luv feedback.
> > ~Tony
>
> Tony,
>
> Neurontin generally isn't near as powerful as Depakote for controlling mania. Wow, you took the pen he was taking notes with? I have been wound before, but not quite that high 0:! The only other thing I can think to add is watch out with the Effexor, if I could tolerate 225mgs a day I would probably be opening and shutting my shrinks's windows too! I've gotten hostile and hypomanic on Effexor several times (on 37.5mg!). I would ask him about that. It would suck if you had to take a ton of other stuff just because an AD you were taking was causing most of your trouble,
>
> goodluck
> Mitch
Posted by Mitch on September 4, 2001, at 13:04:48
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel?, posted by lostsailor on September 4, 2001, at 12:36:01
> > > Actually, I am the one that has become depakote defiante. I will go back on it, but he really likes the neurontin for the anti-aniety properties. About the pen, he's a bit used to it by now. I think he was more concerned about me invading the staff icebox and poss. forking out dough for lunch. the bigge with Effexor is that it's the only thing that really works for me. Neurontin has helped with manic behavior, but I am the first to admit not as well as Dep., but the side effects are more tolerable and i like not havung the bloodwork needed for dep use. Tegritol is another optin for me, but we are reserving it if possible. Lithium is a NO NO...It is the only med in his "arsenol" that I have repetaadly refused to take--I like having a thyroid...lol ~Tony
Sounds like you may have found a good med combo. Lithium IS a little tough to take. I have already lost half my thyroid from a tumor (but it can't really be pinned on the lithium). Tegretol-YUCK! If you go back on Depakote I think you can take a little zinc and selenium that can stop hair loss for most people.
Posted by sar on September 4, 2001, at 18:38:26
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » lostsailor, posted by Mitch on September 4, 2001, at 13:04:48
dear mitch,
why neurontin instead of depakote? i've been diagnosed as BP II "mixed states," but i was drunk in front of both those docs--hence the excitability, etc. is neurontin like starting a small gun before a big one? prozac and klonopin have kept me alive (literally) but i definitely need something more.
thanks again
sar
Posted by Mitch on September 5, 2001, at 0:28:43
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » Mitch, posted by sar on September 4, 2001, at 18:38:26
> dear mitch,
>
> why neurontin instead of depakote? i've been diagnosed as BP II "mixed states," but i was drunk in front of both those docs--hence the excitability, etc. is neurontin like starting a small gun before a big one? prozac and klonopin have kept me alive (literally) but i definitely need something more.
>
> thanks again
> sarSar,
The main reason I think that Neurontin ought to be considered first in *some* cases is the mellower side effect profile, and more importantly the more complicated or ambiguous the diagnosis is I think you are more likely to get a better response with it. Obviously, if you are having a "classic" full-blown manic episode with psychotic features, the heavy artillery will get brought out and it will do its job, more or less. But barring that, and especially when your dx keeps changing with doctors and even while with the same doctor-then I think it has a better chance. Also, Dx doesn't tend to be ambiguous or change a lot when symptoms are really severe. I liken it to seeing a mechanic about your car-if the wheels are missing it doesn't take a genius to figure out that you need new wheels. It is the little squeaks, doesn't start sometimes, gets hot for no reason, then it's ok, etc. etc. you see what I mean?
Posted by sar on September 5, 2001, at 0:54:05
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » sar, posted by Mitch on September 5, 2001, at 0:28:43
i see what you're saying. i feel like some sort of weird car from a third-world country that no one has ever seen before, with plenty of squeaks and too-hot engine and very faulty breaks--but still driveable, ya know? my instincts tell me i need one more, one more to smooth me out--or do you think increasing my prozac dosage would help? i'm on 40 mg daily--would 60 maybe be better?my diagnoses are all up in the air. prozac and klonopin have quelled my ruminating thoughts, 90% of my recurrent suicidialty, paranoia, much social phobia--they've also numbed my brain a bit, not so quick on my feet (brain) anymore, but that's what i need: i need something to chill me th f*ck out!!! would neurontin do that?
also, a silly thing about depakote--my hair is one of the only things i have going for me. it's really long and healthy, i can't afford to lose any of it. hair loss/weight gain ain't worth it to me.
i appreciate you keeping up this thread, mitch--
sar
> > thanks again
> > sar
>
> Sar,
>
> The main reason I think that Neurontin ought to be considered first in *some* cases is the mellower side effect profile, and more importantly the more complicated or ambiguous the diagnosis is I think you are more likely to get a better response with it. Obviously, if you are having a "classic" full-blown manic episode with psychotic features, the heavy artillery will get brought out and it will do its job, more or less. But barring that, and especially when your dx keeps changing with doctors and even while with the same doctor-then I think it has a better chance. Also, Dx doesn't tend to be ambiguous or change a lot when symptoms are really severe. I liken it to seeing a mechanic about your car-if the wheels are missing it doesn't take a genius to figure out that you need new wheels. It is the little squeaks, doesn't start sometimes, gets hot for no reason, then it's ok, etc. etc. you see what I mean?
Posted by Mitch on September 5, 2001, at 10:26:18
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » Mitch, posted by sar on September 5, 2001, at 0:54:05
>
> i see what you're saying. i feel like some sort of weird car from a third-world country that no one has ever seen before, with plenty of squeaks and too-hot engine and very faulty breaks--but still driveable, ya know? my instincts tell me i need one more, one more to smooth me out--or do you think increasing my prozac dosage would help? i'm on 40 mg daily--would 60 maybe be better?
>
> my diagnoses are all up in the air. prozac and klonopin have quelled my ruminating thoughts, 90% of my recurrent suicidialty, paranoia, much social phobia--they've also numbed my brain a bit, not so quick on my feet (brain) anymore, but that's what i need: i need something to chill me th f*ck out!!! would neurontin do that?
>
> also, a silly thing about depakote--my hair is one of the only things i have going for me. it's really long and healthy, i can't afford to lose any of it. hair loss/weight gain ain't worth it to me.I would stick with the 40mg Prozac+Klonopin for a while. You said 90% improvement, that is pretty darn good actually. Neurontin has been used to treat anxiety disorders probably most of all of the mood stabilizers. You seem to be doing quite well, in my opinion. I would just continue with what you are doing and give it some more time to fully kickin. Neurontin isn't completely inocuous, BTW. Some people get paradoxical anxiety/agitation (like some people do with benzos), others hyperthyroidism, etc.
good luck,
Mitch
Posted by sar on September 6, 2001, at 2:03:19
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » sar, posted by Mitch on September 5, 2001, at 10:26:18
dear Mitch,
i'll discuss neorontin w/ my pdoc next time around, and i'll let you know what they say.
i'm very fortunate to have run across the p/k combo so quickly with such success. i still consider myself depressed (melancholic type anyway), but not as much in jeopardy.
thanks and much respect,
sar
Posted by MB on September 6, 2001, at 17:10:08
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » lostsailor, posted by Mitch on September 4, 2001, at 13:04:48
Just out of curiosity, what is it about tegretol that makes you say, "yuck!"?
> Sounds like you may have found a good med combo. Lithium IS a little tough to take. I have already lost half my thyroid from a tumor (but it can't really be pinned on the lithium). Tegretol-YUCK! If you go back on Depakote I think you can take a little zinc and selenium that can stop hair loss for most people.
Posted by Ignatz on September 6, 2001, at 22:21:09
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel? » lostsailor, posted by Mitch on September 4, 2001, at 13:04:48
Lostsailor- I took lithium for a year and a half with no thyroid trouble-- is it *that* likely a side effect?
(of course, it didn't do anything else for me either, but that's another story. YMMV.)
Posted by lostsailor on September 11, 2001, at 16:17:23
In reply to Re: how does depakote make you feel?, posted by Ignatz on September 6, 2001, at 22:21:09
Ignatz, My doc has really had a terrible time properly diagnosing me. The recurent maj. depressive episodes and the panic disorder/agoraphopia were obvious to him. Bi-polar disorder really was not. I have had manic episodes and , according to DSM-IV, met the criteria for the diagnosis, but he feels that my "manic" states could be very hightened panic and axiety. Not withstanding,though, the diagnosis was made. Lithium was going to be used to boost the effects of ssri's and wellbuterin, but once he found that there is a family history of throid conditions in my familt (e.g., my mother) he wanted to try Dep. Now neurontin is the big wave, so he let me sail. It does not controll mood states as much as other more tried and true stabelizers but it seems to work for me with a decent side effect profile and no blood work as with lith, tegritol, and dep. We'll see if really works. To Sara, if you see this I have a small note of caution to you. So far so good with the prozac/klonopin combo and I am happy for you. During my talk with doc. he mentioned that he was having many complaints from patients switching to the generic prozac and the weekly form. His practice of 6, has agreed that they will continue to write prozac users the name brand until research and testmonials are in. So you might want to have a chat with doc. ~peace on this sad day for all of us. Remember, though, George Jr's at the helm...lol fondly, ~Tony
>Lostsailor- I took lithium for a year and a half with no thyroid trouble-- is it *that* likely a side effect?
> (of course, it didn't do anything else for me either, but that's another story. YMMV.)
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.