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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by katia on August 15, 2003, at 0:19:58
I started Depakote five days ago and I cannot sleep - WIRED! - am straight up hyper! racy!
has anyone - ANYONE experienced this on Depakote? I also want to drink more cuz it's so da** good! I feel out'a control!
any feed back pleasse!\ at this moment ANYTHING could happen!
katia
Posted by fallsfall on August 15, 2003, at 8:08:09
In reply to hello! anyone out there?, posted by katia on August 15, 2003, at 0:19:58
Katia,
I hope you got to sleep last night. You should call your pdoc today and tell him how you were feeling. Lots of Psych meds say that you shouldn't drink while you are taking them, but I don't know if Depakote is one of them.
Good Luck!
Posted by galkeepinon on August 15, 2003, at 8:17:09
In reply to hello! anyone out there?, posted by katia on August 15, 2003, at 0:19:58
hi katia! wish I saw this earlier! I am WIRED to the max!!! This is the second night I pulled an "all-nighter" My problem is the dang Lexapro though.
I did take Depakote a while back but I don't remember insomnia with that med. GOD I wish I could help you more-I know what you are going through-maybe someone has an answer for you my friend!
Hang tough!!!!!!!
Gal
> I started Depakote five days ago and I cannot sleep - WIRED! - am straight up hyper! racy!
> has anyone - ANYONE experienced this on Depakote? I also want to drink more cuz it's so da** good! I feel out'a control!
> any feed back pleasse!\ at this moment ANYTHING could happen!
> katia
Posted by katia on August 15, 2003, at 16:48:58
In reply to Re: hello! anyone out there? » katia, posted by fallsfall on August 15, 2003, at 8:08:09
> Katia,
>
> I hope you got to sleep last night. You should call your pdoc today and tell him how you were feeling. Lots of Psych meds say that you shouldn't drink while you are taking them, but I don't know if Depakote is one of them.
>
> Good Luck!I don't know either. But I did last night and lots of it. I think I need to quit altogether esp. on Depakote. I lose control after one glass of wine - I get much drunker quicker and my judgement is way off. I did more than just drink last night too. and I never do more than just drink. So I'm worried about myself and need to really remember this is serious stuff I'm on and NOT drink even one. at least for the time being until I can get my moods/meds evened out. I just feel awful today. I didn't even take the depakote last night for fear that it would interact with everything else I was ingesting. I'm rather shocked at my behavior - it's coming out of left field.
ah. peace and contentment where are you?
Katia
Posted by fallsfall on August 15, 2003, at 17:42:59
In reply to Re: hello! anyone out there? » fallsfall, posted by katia on August 15, 2003, at 16:48:58
Katia,
Did the hyperness and not being able to sleep start before the drinking? Or do you think the drinking started it?
No alchohol/illegal substances is a really good idea when you are on these meds.
You might want to be prepared for tonight if you can't sleep. Maybe a relaxation CD. Or people talk about taking Benedryl (it would be wise to see if there are any interactions listed on the web - or call your pharmacist), possibly even other sleep inducers. I am amazed at how often 2 Tylenol will let me get to sleep - I'm not even aware that I'm hurting. Or whatever else you are used to doing to calm yourself down.
Good luck!
Posted by Ron Hill on August 15, 2003, at 20:48:40
In reply to hello! anyone out there?, posted by katia on August 15, 2003, at 0:19:58
Hi Katia,
> I started Depakote five days ago and I cannot sleep - WIRED! - am straight up hyper! racy!
I'm surprised by your reaction to Depakote. If you haven’t already, immediately call your pdoc and let him/her know what's going on. This stuff is supposed to stop hypomania not cause it.
> I also want to drink more cuz it's so da** good! I feel out'a control!
As a bipolar II, I can't drink ANY alcohol. One drink can destabilize my mood states for several days. I really miss having a few beers now and again, but I've learned from experience. If I drink even one beer, I experience some depression for several days thereafter.
Katia, please tell your pdoc that you are drinking alcohol while taking psychotropic medications. There are risks.
I care about what happens to you. Be smart.
-- Ron
Posted by katia on August 15, 2003, at 23:07:39
In reply to Re: hello! anyone out there? » katia, posted by Ron Hill on August 15, 2003, at 20:48:40
> Hi Katia,
>
> > I started Depakote five days ago and I cannot sleep - WIRED! - am straight up hyper! racy!
>
> I'm surprised by your reaction to Depakote. If you haven’t already, immediately call your pdoc and let him/her know what's going on. This stuff is supposed to stop hypomania not cause it.
>
> > I also want to drink more cuz it's so da** good! I feel out'a control!
>
> As a bipolar II, I can't drink ANY alcohol. One drink can destabilize my mood states for several days. I really miss having a few beers now and again, but I've learned from experience. If I drink even one beer, I experience some depression for several days thereafter.
>
> Katia, please tell your pdoc that you are drinking alcohol while taking psychotropic medications. There are risks.
>
> I care about what happens to you. Be smart.
>
> -- RonHi Ron,
I did ask him about alcohol on depakote and he said "it's like most of the medications, you don't want to have big quantities of alcohol and high quat. of depakote.". one to two glasses is Ok. But it doesn't seem to be for me. I wish he would just tell me not to drink on it - like an MAOI. then I wouldn't even think about it. I'd just not do it.
This is the last big chunk for me in this healing transforming time - eliminate the drinking. and that's the hardest part.
How did you go tee-totaling?
thanks.
Katia
Posted by katia on August 15, 2003, at 23:11:41
In reply to Re: hello! anyone out there? » katia, posted by fallsfall on August 15, 2003, at 17:42:59
> Katia,
>
> Did the hyperness and not being able to sleep start before the drinking? Or do you think the drinking started it?
>
> No alchohol/illegal substances is a really good idea when you are on these meds.
>
> You might want to be prepared for tonight if you can't sleep. Maybe a relaxation CD. Or people talk about taking Benedryl (it would be wise to see if there are any interactions listed on the web - or call your pharmacist), possibly even other sleep inducers. I am amazed at how often 2 Tylenol will let me get to sleep - I'm not even aware that I'm hurting. Or whatever else you are used to doing to calm yourself down.
>
> Good luck!
Hi,
the hyperness was on the verge, which is why I wanted to drink and go out. The drinking and such just made it worse.
When you say on "these meds". which meds are you talking about? mood stabilizers or just all medication in general?
yes, I know it. But it's not to black and white as this - it's not good to do, it's makes me feel worse hence DON'T DO IT!. I wish it were that easy!
thanks for your concern.
katia
Posted by Tiger on August 16, 2003, at 3:15:31
In reply to Re: hello! anyone out there? » fallsfall, posted by katia on August 15, 2003, at 23:11:41
> Hi,
> the hyperness was on the verge, which is why I wanted to drink and go out. The drinking and such just made it worse.
> When you say on "these meds". which meds are you talking about? mood stabilizers or just all medication in general?
> yes, I know it. But it's not to black and white as this - it's not good to do, it's makes me feel worse hence DON'T DO IT!. I wish it were that easy!
> thanks for your concern.
> katiaI don't know if you are doing therapy while on the meds, but being sober for the duration of my therapy and being on meds (10 years) made a HUGE difference. I was able to heal in way that I would absolutely NOT have been able to if I was drinking/smoking (marj).
just my humble opinion. I got a lot more out of the meds and therapy while sober. Life was better.
Posted by fallsfall on August 16, 2003, at 9:54:40
In reply to Re: hello! anyone out there? » fallsfall, posted by katia on August 15, 2003, at 23:11:41
There are some meds that come with stickers on the bottle telling you not to mix with alchohol. I was told, when I was in the hospital, that alchohol was a depressant, and we are taking anti-depressants, so it makes sense not to mix them.
But I don't drink anyway, so it is easy for me to say "Just don't drink". I think that if your med doesn't say that you can't drink then you can - unless you react in a way that you don't like.
Posted by katia on August 16, 2003, at 15:37:13
In reply to Re: hello! anyone out there?, posted by Tiger on August 16, 2003, at 3:15:31
> > Hi,
> > the hyperness was on the verge, which is why I wanted to drink and go out. The drinking and such just made it worse.
> > When you say on "these meds". which meds are you talking about? mood stabilizers or just all medication in general?
> > yes, I know it. But it's not to black and white as this - it's not good to do, it's makes me feel worse hence DON'T DO IT!. I wish it were that easy!
> > thanks for your concern.
> > katia
>
> I don't know if you are doing therapy while on the meds, but being sober for the duration of my therapy and being on meds (10 years) made a HUGE difference. I was able to heal in way that I would absolutely NOT have been able to if I was drinking/smoking (marj).
>
> just my humble opinion. I got a lot more out of the meds and therapy while sober. Life was better.When you started medication, did you quit drinking altogether? I am in therapy in addition to pdoc.
Yes, I know life would be better w/o it. It's hard tho' b/c i work in a restaurant and at the moment, I'm already not making it financially so I couldn't quit. I'm in grad school so I am working to change that; but it doesn't happen over night. I think the thing to do for me for awhile is to stop altogether.
Katia
Posted by Ron Hill on August 16, 2003, at 22:45:03
In reply to Re: hello! anyone out there? » Ron Hill, posted by katia on August 15, 2003, at 23:07:39
Hi Katia,
> This is the last big chunk for me in this healing transforming time - eliminate the drinking. and that's the hardest part.
> How did you go tee-totaling?When I started charting my moods I noticed a positive correlation between drinking a few beers and depressive symptoms the following day (or two, or three, or four). The mood chart data showed that even one beer or one glass of wine negatively impacted my mood the following day. Once I convinced myself that the data demonstrated the correlation, I decided that the nice four-beer-buzz was not worth the subsequent penalty. Fortunately, I had never established a great love affair with alcohol, so abstinence is not a big sacrifice in my case.
For a while it was awkward at family functions and other social gatherings. For example, my wife's extended family members enjoy having a glass of wine before dinner and I used to partake because I enjoyed it as well. So there were questions when I quit and similar questions arise in other social settings. With people I know well, I occasionally share the details of why I abstain. When a casual acquaintance asks me why I'm not drinking, I simply tell them that I'm under doctor's instructions to abstain from alcohol because it adversely affects a particular medication that I'm currently taking.
I agree with BCat; a good alcohol related support group might be of great help for you. Best wishes.
-- Ron
Posted by Tiger on August 17, 2003, at 0:05:00
In reply to Re: hello! anyone out there? » Tiger, posted by katia on August 16, 2003, at 15:37:13
> When you started medication, did you quit drinking altogether? I am in therapy in addition to pdoc.
> Yes, I know life would be better w/o it. It's hard tho' b/c i work in a restaurant and at the moment, I'm already not making it financially so I couldn't quit. I'm in grad school so I am working to change that; but it doesn't happen over night. I think the thing to do for me for awhile is to stop altogether.
> KatiaThat's what's worked for me. I stopped the first time for a year and really noticed a difference in my enjoyment (however infrequent) of life. After drinking again, after that year, I noticed how clear my head had been, and how nice it was not to be "muddy". Good luck with it. I had to get lots of support to stay sober, but it's worth it.
Posted by katia on August 18, 2003, at 1:32:00
In reply to Re: hello! anyone out there? katia, posted by Tiger on August 17, 2003, at 0:05:00
> > When you started medication, did you quit drinking altogether? I am in therapy in addition to pdoc.
> > Yes, I know life would be better w/o it. It's hard tho' b/c i work in a restaurant and at the moment, I'm already not making it financially so I couldn't quit. I'm in grad school so I am working to change that; but it doesn't happen over night. I think the thing to do for me for awhile is to stop altogether.
> > Katia
>
> That's what's worked for me. I stopped the first time for a year and really noticed a difference in my enjoyment (however infrequent) of life. After drinking again, after that year, I noticed how clear my head had been, and how nice it was not to be "muddy". Good luck with it. I had to get lots of support to stay sober, but it's worth it.Thanks! I'm almost there!
Katia
>
This is the end of the thread.
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