![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by colin wallace on July 31, 2002, at 5:45:03
Here's a curiuos one- although depakote has helped with my AD induced trip into orbit by calming me down, I have been unable to sleep since starting on it (5 days ago).
I 'm still twiddling my...thumbs at 330 AM, and wake up around 10 am feeling like crap.
That said, starting depakote roughly coincided with ditching zoloft, but it was only a tiny dose 12.5 mg- surely not enough to cause withdrawal?Then again, if a micro dose can cause an AD response (and a super agitated response), could it not also cause a withrawal syndrome.
Maybe things will settle down.
Col.
Posted by Ron Hill on July 31, 2002, at 13:05:59
In reply to Depakote-Insomnia!?, posted by colin wallace on July 31, 2002, at 5:45:03
Colin,
Withdrawal from a low dose of an SSRI causes insomnia for me, caused by low serotonin (I think). I’d bet dollars to donuts that this is what is happening to you as well. I've never heard of Depakote induced insomnia (but then again there's a lot I haven't heard of).
My concern is that a lack of sleep could push you into a dysphoric hypomania. Is you pdoc willing to give you a script for a small amount of Sonata or something similar? I got a script of Sonata a couple years ago and I like it. I rarely have to use it (I haven't even finished the original script), but it can be a lifesaver when I do need it.
Just a thought. YMMV.
-- Ron
------------------------> Here's a curiuos one- although depakote has helped with my AD induced trip into orbit by calming me down, I have been unable to sleep since starting on it (5 days ago).
> I 'm still twiddling my...thumbs at 330 AM, and wake up around 10 am feeling like crap.
> That said, starting depakote roughly coincided with ditching zoloft, but it was only a tiny dose 12.5 mg- surely not enough to cause withdrawal?Then again, if a micro dose can cause an AD response (and a super agitated response), could it not also cause a withrawal syndrome.
> Maybe things will settle down.
>
>
> Col.
Posted by Chloe on July 31, 2002, at 19:04:01
In reply to Depakote-Insomnia!?, posted by colin wallace on July 31, 2002, at 5:45:03
> Here's a curiuos one- although depakote has helped with my AD induced trip into orbit by calming me down, I have been unable to sleep since starting on it (5 days ago).
> I 'm still twiddling my...thumbs at 330 AM, and wake up around 10 am feeling like crap.
> That said, starting depakote roughly coincided with ditching zoloft, but it was only a tiny dose 12.5 mg- surely not enough to cause withdrawal?Then again, if a micro dose can cause an AD response (and a super agitated response), could it not also cause a withrawal syndrome.
> Maybe things will settle down.
>
>
> Col.Col,
When I started Depakote I had insomnia. I was furious, it is supposed to be so good for anxiety and sleep. Well, over time, I would say three weeks, things leveled out and I could sleep througoh the night and anxiety was tolerable. But not at all how it was discribed to me.
I complained alot about it in the archives, I think...Mitch was pretty shocked that I couldn't sleep on the stuff!FWIW, I wouldn't for a second discount SSRI withdrawal from any dose, no matter how small...
Hope the depakote settles you down and you get a good night sleep ZZZZ
Chloe
Posted by Ritch on July 31, 2002, at 23:29:13
In reply to Re: Depakote-Insomnia!? » colin wallace, posted by Chloe on July 31, 2002, at 19:04:01
> > Here's a curiuos one- although depakote has helped with my AD induced trip into orbit by calming me down, I have been unable to sleep since starting on it (5 days ago).
> > I 'm still twiddling my...thumbs at 330 AM, and wake up around 10 am feeling like crap.
> > That said, starting depakote roughly coincided with ditching zoloft, but it was only a tiny dose 12.5 mg- surely not enough to cause withdrawal?Then again, if a micro dose can cause an AD response (and a super agitated response), could it not also cause a withrawal syndrome.
> > Maybe things will settle down.
> >
> >
> > Col.
>
> Col,
> When I started Depakote I had insomnia. I was furious, it is supposed to be so good for anxiety and sleep. Well, over time, I would say three weeks, things leveled out and I could sleep througoh the night and anxiety was tolerable. But not at all how it was discribed to me.
> I complained alot about it in the archives, I think...Mitch was pretty shocked that I couldn't sleep on the stuff!
>
> FWIW, I wouldn't for a second discount SSRI withdrawal from any dose, no matter how small...
>
> Hope the depakote settles you down and you get a good night sleep ZZZZ
> Chloe
>
>Colin and Chloe (Hi!),
At my last pdoc appointment we talked about sleep and different meds. I was told that Depakote didn't *hurt* sleep, but that it didn't really help it that much either--unless it was quelling a hypomanic episode that was the root cause of the insomnia. So, if you are depressed and having insomnia problems, Depakote wouldn't likely help much. I was told that Neurontin would be more likely to help sleep than Depakote. Benzos can wreak havoc I was told-so I cut my Klonopin in half and added 25mg of Benadryl instead-it seems to be working quite well.
Mitch
Posted by cybercafe on August 1, 2002, at 7:59:10
In reply to Depakote-Insomnia!?, posted by colin wallace on July 31, 2002, at 5:45:03
> That said, starting depakote roughly coincided with ditching zoloft, but it was only a tiny dose 12.5 mg- surely not enough to cause withdrawal?Then again, if a micro dose can cause an AD response (and a super agitated response), could it not also cause a withrawal syndrome.
... on that WIWO TV special.. there was a person taking 40 mg of paxil who went down to 2 mg liquid form... and even when she tried to go off the 2 mg she had severe withdrawal symptoms...
Posted by colin wallace on August 3, 2002, at 5:22:59
In reply to Re: Depakote-Insomnia!? » colin wallace, posted by Chloe on July 31, 2002, at 19:04:01
Hey Chloe,
Just been reading your archive posts on depakote- you really seem to heve gone through the mill with it I must say.I'm only at the start of week 2 right now, and at least I don't feel like mutilating innocent passers by for breathing anymore!Still getting insomnia/mild(ish) nightmares though, but its still early days.
Are you still taking the depakote, or have you moved to pastures new?Seeya,
Col.
Posted by colin wallace on August 3, 2002, at 5:27:21
In reply to Re: Depakote-Insomnia!?, posted by cybercafe on August 1, 2002, at 7:59:10
Hi Cyber,
... on that WIWO TV special.. there was a person taking 40 mg of paxil who went down to 2 mg liquid form... and even when she tried to go off the 2 mg she had severe withdrawal symptoms...
Yeah, I'm one of those unlucky b****** who seem to get every side-effect and withdrawal symptom, and precious little positives from meds so far.I honestly wish I'd never gone near AD's and stuck with benzo's, but that's another story.Gripe, whine..!!
Take care'
Col.
Posted by colin wallace on August 3, 2002, at 5:28:23
In reply to Re: Depakote-Insomnia!? » colin wallace, posted by Chloe on July 31, 2002, at 19:04:01
Posted by Chloe on August 3, 2002, at 13:06:48
In reply to Re: Depakote-Insomnia!? »Chloe, posted by colin wallace on August 3, 2002, at 5:22:59
> Hey Chloe,
>
> Just been reading your archive posts on depakote- you really seem to heve gone through the mill with it I must say.I'm only at the start of week 2 right now, and at least I don't feel like mutilating innocent passers by for breathing anymore!Still getting insomnia/mild(ish) nightmares though, but its still early days.
> Are you still taking the depakote, or have you moved to pastures new?
>
> Seeya,
>
> Col.Hi Colin,
I am still taking 125mgs of depakote down from 250. I am trying to get off the stuff. I have bald patches on my scalp for depakote's well known side effect of hair loss. But as much as I loathe depakote, it really is the only med that helps with short fuse and those murderous feelings.
My pdoc is trying to have me increase my lithium to help counteract the mood instability and irritability. But as good as Li is, it's not depakote.Give the depakote time. It took a good three weeks to cool things down and get me feeling more stable. I have never experienced great sleep with Depakote. I always have disrupted sleep. But it wasn't making it worse after a month or so, and the vivid dreaming lessened or I just got used to them over time.
I wish I were in greener pastures. These meds are giving me such SE's without much relief. So I have an ect consult this Wednesday. I have tried most every mood stabilizer out there and can't tolerate AD's well, have mild TD. So med options are quite limited for me. But I am really scared about this...I hate to think I am at the last resort.
Hang in there, Depakote can be really helpful.
Chloe
Posted by colin wallace on August 3, 2002, at 16:18:24
In reply to Re: Depakote-Insomnia!? » colin wallace, posted by Chloe on August 3, 2002, at 13:06:48
Hey Chloe,
I'm at (or past) my wit's end as far as meds go too.It infuriates me to come to the stark realization that I have to take powerful mood dampening meds, just to counteract the ******* side-effects that supposedly benign, everyday meds induced in the first place!
ECT, so far as I know, never transformed a person into a suicidal, maniacal wreck.
I swear, if I could turn the clock back, I'd have it done in an instant- I think it's way under-utilized given the benefit/risk ratio.I'm sure it will go well for you.
Col.
Posted by Chloe on August 3, 2002, at 19:36:48
In reply to Re: Depakote-Insomnia!? »Chloe, posted by colin wallace on August 3, 2002, at 16:18:24
> Hey Chloe,
>
> I'm at (or past) my wit's end as far as meds go too.It infuriates me to come to the stark realization that I have to take powerful mood dampening meds, just to counteract the ******* side-effects that supposedly benign, everyday meds induced in the first place!
> ECT, so far as I know, never transformed a person into a suicidal, maniacal wreck.
> I swear, if I could turn the clock back, I'd have it done in an instant- I think it's way under-utilized given the benefit/risk ratio.
>
> I'm sure it will go well for you.
>
> Col.Hi Colin,
Thanks for the kind words. I only have a consult, I am not sure I am a candidate. I am less suicidally depressed now that I have ect as an option! So, if I am no longer suicidal to I qualify? Strange, huh?
I also keep going thru the days, dragging and depressed, but wondering will i remember the people on PB or will I remember my neighbors face or what I said to someone last week. It is rather unnerving. But if it really helped my mood disorder I would be forever grateful.Decisions, decisions...
BTW, why are you not considering ect now if you are having such trouble with meds?Chloe
Posted by colin wallace on August 4, 2002, at 5:19:32
In reply to Re: ECT » colin wallace, posted by Chloe on August 3, 2002, at 19:36:48
Hi Chloe,
Excuse my self-pitying rant yesterday!!!
It's true,the (wrong) meds have chewed up two years or so of my life, and I did spend some 14 months or so as a suicidal wreck. Hindsight is a great vantage point from which to hand down unheard pronouncments to my former 'self'.What I mean , regarding ECT,is that should I ever relapse to that awful state again (or even find myself ANYWHERE near sliding that far)I will without doubt sign up for ECT.I wish I'd have had the option over a year ago.It's not readily availible here in the UK, except in extreme cases so I believe;it was never mentioned as an option for me previously.But I have no fear of it.
Now, I really should be grateful that I'm no longer suicidal- just angry really.I tend to forget how ill I was, and how well I'm doing by comparison(now I just feel like crap)!
But in my boots right now, anyone would.Keep grinning,
Col. (still no zzzzzzzzzz's)
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.