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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 jdgjdg on February 27, 2004, at 21:53:25
My pdoc just prescribed me Depakote for BPI with ultra rapid cycling. I'm currently in a mixed state and she thinks this is the best option for me because of the rapid cycling and I guess it starts to work faster than others. The side effects like weight gain and hair loss really concern me, but she told me that about 20 percent of people experience either or. Does anyone have any Depakote experiences they can share with me?
Jenn
Posted by katia on February 28, 2004, at 1:47:09
In reply to depakote, posted by jdgjdg on February 27, 2004, at 21:53:25
Hi,
I didn't gain weight or lose my hair on Depakote.
YOu can take L-Carnitine which counters the metabolic thing Depakote does and you can take Selenium for the hair loss.
Katia
Posted by HappyGirl on February 28, 2004, at 8:20:45
In reply to depakote, posted by jdgjdg on February 27, 2004, at 21:53:25
Hi:
It's true your pdoc.'s explanation in regard to good effect for both mood-stabilizer and rapid cycler. However, since this med. is a very first-lined mood-stabilizer, then the effectiveness of Depakote may dissipate as time goes by. However, this is all individual variation, then it's hard to say whether Depakote might cease in your case.
First, when you start a new med., you need to be positive on taking the med., because the unconcious mind in your brain, if you have any negative thoughts on the med., that could affect your moods one way or the other. The least, in my case.
BTW, I didn't gain weight, nor any hair loss. I have always thick and wavy hair and still there, all around my face. Just, in my case, a lot of thirst to need plenty fluids to replenish my fluid level that seems something to do with Depakote.
H.G.
Posted by Sooshi on February 28, 2004, at 11:00:47
In reply to depakote, posted by jdgjdg on February 27, 2004, at 21:53:25
Hi jdgjdg,
Depakote was the BEST mood stabilizer I've ever taken. It began to work quite rapidly after I began taking it (I'm BPII) and it stabilized my erratic mood swings, especially the depressions, very nicely. I was also taking Effexor XR with it. Unfortunately, I did experience the hair loss, so I stopped taking it. I hated giving up Depakote, because I had never felt this good in 15 years! I took the zinc and selenium in megadoses, and it did nothing.
But I guess hair loss was just too much, so I began Topamax, which is another MS which causes hair loss. I started taking 2000mg Biotin before I even began taking the Topamax, and I have not experienced any hair loss. I have actually grown back all the hair I lost from Depakote, and even now have super-duper long fingernails!
So, I would definately give the Depakote a try. Start taking Biotin right now, a minimum of 2000mg (some people recommend even more) and even take zinc and selenium too if you want. Hey, try everything, right?
Good luck,
Sooshi
Posted by Sebastian on February 28, 2004, at 14:47:09
In reply to depakote, posted by jdgjdg on February 27, 2004, at 21:53:25
I experienced the weight gain but definetly not the hair loss. I took depakote for 1 year at a high dose.
Posted by CareBear04 on February 28, 2004, at 21:25:04
In reply to depakote, posted by jdgjdg on February 27, 2004, at 21:53:25
i was terrified of taking depakote because i'd heard a lot of horror stories, but it wasn't bad. i took depakote at a low dose (250 mg twice a day) and i didn't have either weight gain or hair loss. if you can keep the dose low, you have a better chance of avoiding these side effects. my dr. said there's a certain threshold dosage, and if you go above it, you have a greater chance of gaining weight.
Posted by Bristol on March 1, 2004, at 0:28:35
In reply to depakote, posted by jdgjdg on February 27, 2004, at 21:53:25
Hi: My pdoc put me on depakote and unfortunately, I did have a problem with weight gain. I was constantly craving food and gained 35 pounds in 2 months. I didn't have any problems with hair loss. WE didn't even get me to the point of getting the right levels in my blood before she tood me off and put me on trilyptal with topomax to control the mixed state and try and get the weight off. It worked for a while but I became really fuzzy and confused on the topomax. Lamictal is next for me... Best wishes - Try really hard not to give in to the food cravings and to exercise and then you might not have the same food problem that I did..
My pdoc just prescribed me Depakote for BPI with ultra rapid cycling. I'm currently in a mixed state and she thinks this is the best option for me because of the rapid cycling and I guess it starts to work faster than others. The side effects like weight gain and hair loss really concern me, but she told me that about 20 percent of people experience either or. Does anyone have any Depakote experiences they can share with me?
> Jenn
Posted by lauram on March 1, 2004, at 12:55:27
In reply to Re: depakote, posted by Bristol on March 1, 2004, at 0:28:35
My Pdoc put me on Depakote ER after a three month manic state. It began to work rapidly on me. I started noticing a calming effect on me within three days. I did notice an inability to concentrate. This went after a month or so. I did have some hair loss and gained about 20 lbs. I was willing to put up with this as the alternative was to go into my manic stage again.
We have decided to switched to Lamictal though and I am slowly going up to 200 mgs, raising my dose 25mgs every two weeks. The Lamictal has an ant antideppresant effect that I am already noticing. He also has been decreasing my Depakote by 250 mgs every two weeks (I was on 1250 mgs) and I am noticing my hair beginning to grow back. I am finding my cravings for food decreasing.
For me the use of Depakote was very helpful in bringing me down from my manic stage. Perhaps it might be something to try. You can always switch to Lamictal as I have heard it is weight neutral.
Good Luck.
Posted by Cyn on March 3, 2004, at 13:03:09
In reply to Re: depakote » jdgjdg, posted by Sooshi on February 28, 2004, at 11:00:47
I recently decided to try a mood stabalizer because lately my moods have been swinging all over the place--and extremely rapidly!--and I've turned to alcohol to self-medicate (which I know is NO good). Also, my little manias--which used to be so pleasant (creative, up, fun)--have become just a bad mix of extreme irritation/anxiety/anger.I had awful results with Zoloft when I took it last spring (only 12.5 mg a day and on the third day I was sent into a hellish hypomania!), and have been trying natural stuff since, such as fish oil, sleep hygiene, exercise, keeping a regular routine, moderating alcohol and caffeine consumption. However, like I said, things have been going downhill--the low's have been really low--so I thought I'd give Depakote a try. My main concern is that I will NEVER have any nice up's again. Any comments on that?
I'm currently on 125 mg a day (I started 7 days ago), and am supposed to increase to 250 mg a day in a week.
Sooshi, I'm wondering what dosage Depakote you were on? I've read reports that have found people at the milder side of the bipolar spectrum can get results with lower dosages of Depakote (~277mg for cyclothymia; ~377 for bipolar II). Does anyone have any experience with results at these levels?
Posted by katia on March 3, 2004, at 15:19:18
In reply to Re: depakote, posted by Cyn on March 3, 2004, at 13:03:09
Yes, I have. about 250mg of Depakote and 75mg of Lamictal was a good dose for me.
Katia
BPII
Posted by Sooshi on March 3, 2004, at 21:17:25
In reply to Re: depakote, posted by Cyn on March 3, 2004, at 13:03:09
Cyn - I was on the high dose end of Depakote most definately, 1200mg+, so that might have something to do with the hair loss and weight gain after all, huh?
Posted by jdgjdg on March 4, 2004, at 20:13:51
In reply to Re: depakote » Cyn, posted by Sooshi on March 3, 2004, at 21:17:25
I'm currently taking 750mg of Depakote with very few side effects so far to mention. I will increase to 1000mg in a few days. Does anyone else take this high dosage? I have BpI currently in a mixed state with ultra rapid cycling. I would love to hear any experiences. jenn
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