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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Karen Moore on February 6, 2004, at 15:30:49
This is the second time in two years that I"ve tried Depakote. The first time I didn't really know what hypomania/mania felt like. But when I read my journal now I realize I was quite manic. As usual, it's hard to distinguish whether Depakote simply wasn't working or was making it worse. This second trial I seem to be moving into mania again. It definitely worsens my insomnia. And now I wake up feeling giddy/euphoric, babbling word games, and listening to really loud fantastic music.
Has anyone else here found that Depakote actually induces mania? Doesn't seem possible, and yet...
Posted by Tom G on February 6, 2004, at 18:28:57
In reply to Manic on Depakote? Anyone been here?!, posted by Karen Moore on February 6, 2004, at 15:30:49
If it makes you feel any better I've been taking Neurontin, another anticonvulsant-mood stabilizer, for about three weeks and have been hypomanic and suffering insomnia for two of those. I was severly depressed prior to starting Neurontin and had not had a hypomanic episode for almost a year and a half. Now here I am wired and not sleeping on a med that is supposed to cause drowsiness and stabilize mood rather than causing ups and downs. Who knows?
Posted by Karen Moore on February 6, 2004, at 19:11:52
In reply to Re: Manic on Depakote? Anyone been here?!, posted by Tom G on February 6, 2004, at 18:28:57
> If it makes you feel any better I've been taking Neurontin, another anticonvulsant-mood stabilizer, for about three weeks and have been hypomanic and suffering insomnia for two of those. I was severly depressed prior to starting Neurontin and had not had a hypomanic episode for almost a year and a half. Now here I am wired and not sleeping on a med that is supposed to cause drowsiness and stabilize mood rather than causing ups and downs. Who knows?
Thanks Tom. Isn't this a wonderful game??!
BTW: A researcher/pdoc who specializes in treatment resistance and bipolar recently gruffly informed me that "Neurontin and Lamotrigine are not mood stabilizers". Apparently recent research has indicated that they are no better than placebo in terms of stopping cycling. (Though I suspect for some subtypes they may work). You might want to do some online research and consider something else (like Depakote=>) if it doesn't seem to be working...
Posted by HappyGirl on February 6, 2004, at 19:28:23
In reply to Manic on Depakote? Anyone been here?!, posted by Karen Moore on February 6, 2004, at 15:30:49
Hi:
In my knowledge, Depakote is a very first-line Bipolar II med. that most of pdocs. prescribe. Also, it good for Rapid cycler if you have one.
At the beginning of my dx. of Bp that occurred in 1997-1998, Depakote was a 'Wonder' drug to alleviate Bp symptoms I had. However, after close to into 2 years, the effectiveness was completely gone. Then, I got a new pdoc. who is more expert pdoc. in my problem and rxed 'Zyprexa.' It might sound very odd, ... jumping from Depakote/anti-seizure to Zyprexa/anti-psycho. However, this change drastically improved my Bp symptms. Then, probably, you need more potent/effective med. than Depakote, since as said above, Depakote is 'first-line' med., meaning, ... most likely rxed for those who suspected Bp after any of SSRIs or just developed Bp. The least to say, Depakote is NOT for long-lasting mood-stabilizer. However, I can not be sure as this is from my personal experience.
The best and safe place to seek this problem, Depakote seems to be in your pdoc. office.
H.G.
p.s.) BTW, I totally understand how you're going through this, manicky feelings during the wee-hours.
Posted by Karen Moore on February 7, 2004, at 16:34:47
In reply to Re: Manic on Depakote? Anyone been here?!, posted by HappyGirl on February 6, 2004, at 19:28:23
H.G.
Yeah, unfortunately I've heard about this problem of decreasing returns on Depakote, especially for BP2s, a real bummer.
As for Zyprexa, I tried it a few years ago and felt awful on it (besides the outrageous weight gain and apparent blood sugar changes). I think I'll have to stick to my Seroquel for now...
chrs,
Km
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