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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by HMK on April 18, 2002, at 8:00:02
Has anyone had a good reponse to Depakote? Has anyone used this drug and found a way not to gain weight? I just started taking it today.
Your imput is appreciated.
Heather
Posted by Geezer on April 18, 2002, at 10:12:30
In reply to DEPAKOTE inquiry, posted by HMK on April 18, 2002, at 8:00:02
> Has anyone had a good reponse to Depakote? Has anyone used this drug and found a way not to gain weight? I just started taking it today.
>
> Your imput is appreciated.
>
> HeatherHi Heather,
Over the past year I have worked my way up to 1000mg. of Depakote (blood level 75 mEq/L). I have seen about a 10 pond weight gain - in that same period of time I quit smoking and have taken other drugs with the Dep. I have read on this board and elsewhere that Dep. can have a "hunger trigger" at various dose levels. If you get into the higher doses and really start to gain sometimes a dose reduction can help. I have found Dep. to be a good mood stabilizer - doesn't do a thing for depression.Geezer
Posted by susan C on April 18, 2002, at 11:27:32
In reply to DEPAKOTE inquiry, posted by HMK on April 18, 2002, at 8:00:02
hi
I have been on 1000mg (500x2) Blood level 50, for consistantly over a year. I experimented with up to 1500, but there was no observable difference in mood compared to 1000. I have lost twenty of the forty lbs i need to lose. This is probably do to cutting out sodas, drinking water, really trying to walk every day (ha ha) and watching the food i eat. When I started it, BECAUSE I was overweight, the doc was very concerned that i watch it. And that we would adjust or stop.
It does knock off the highs, and my lows arent so low, but I havent found a solution yet. I will not stop taking it in the near future.mouse with a small gold coin stamped "depakote"
Posted by HMK on April 18, 2002, at 11:32:02
In reply to Re: DEPAKOTE inquiry, posted by susan C on April 18, 2002, at 11:27:32
You're lucky that your doctor validates your concerns over weight. My doctor doesn't seem to understand how serious having a weight problem is. He acts like I'm just being vain when I say that I don't want to gain more weight- I'm 120 lbs overweight to begin with!
It's only day 1 of Depakote and I already feel more calm today. Usually my hands are shaking and I'm on the verge of a nervous manic streak.
Thanks to everyone for their imput!
Posted by Krazy Kat on April 19, 2002, at 11:51:01
In reply to DEPAKOTE inquiry, posted by HMK on April 18, 2002, at 8:00:02
Heather:
I have taken Depakote for about six months. I tried to stop it twice, once because I was feeling "flat" on it, once to see if I could go "without it" in order to potentially get pregnant. I had horrific suicidal experiences both times.
It has literally been a life saver for me. I am Bipolar. Right now, I take 2000 mg, which I believe is considered quite high, and some Provigil (a stimulant) to help with sedation. I don't like the Provigil very much.
I did not gain weight on Depakote. I did, however, gain a Large amount of weight after being on Prozac for six months. It is slowly coming off.
Depakote does have some serious side effects - liver probs, pancreas (?) I think, tremors. But I have had minimal side effect residue from it. I have seen some posts from folks who say it makes them depressed w/o an AD - I can't take AD's apparently - they make me manic. We are all so different, eh?
Good Luck.
Posted by Krazy Kat on April 19, 2002, at 11:53:35
In reply to Re: DEPAKOTE inquiry » susan C, posted by HMK on April 18, 2002, at 11:32:02
weight gain is a Significant concern, not only for health reasons, but also due to self-image. I didn't look anything like myself with 30 extra pounds on. clothes didn't fit. are we supposed to buy a new wardrobe every few months b/c our meds are screwing up our metabolism?
you might ask about taking a small amount of Topamax - it really seems to work as a weight control med.
- kk
This is the end of the thread.
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