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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bookgurl99 on April 4, 2004, at 16:21:05
Hey all --
I've recently come off Lexapro, 20 mgs, and stayed with 500 mgs a day of Depakote.
I'm noticing that the Depakote side effects are getting to me more. Depressed, stupid, overall uncreative, unable to converse very well.
I'm not sure if I was like this before on the Lexapro and just didn't notice because I was 'happy.'
Has anyone had a positive benefit reversing these effects?
Man, I wanna get off this stuff.
Posted by lauram on April 4, 2004, at 22:08:46
In reply to can taking depakote w/ an ssri reverse effects?, posted by bookgurl99 on April 4, 2004, at 16:21:05
I was on Depakote for nine months at 1250mg. My Pdoc has slowly been reducing the dosage as the side effects were just too much for me. I can relate to your symptoms. Uncreative,depressed, unmotivated and just plain "blah". I also had a difficult time conversing with other people. I could not get the words to come out without mixing them up.
Since stopping the Depakote I've become much more alert and motivated. I have to watch for hypomania but this isn't that. I just feel better. I can now converse with others without difficulty. Instead of staying in my house all day reading books, I now go out with people and enjoy activities.
With that said, nine months ago I was in a manic state for three months and Depakote was very effective for me. It helped so much. But, I am now switching to Lamictal and so far like the effects I am getting. Hope this helps.
Posted by blever on April 5, 2004, at 5:33:19
In reply to Re: can taking depakote w/ an ssri reverse effects? » bookgurl99, posted by lauram on April 4, 2004, at 22:08:46
i can definatly relate, and i'm sorry - i know this is not a fun place to be. i think you should try a different mood stabalizer, it doesnt sound like this one is right for you.
My experience Depakote (only250mg) resulted in the worst two weeks of my life. In 2 days, I went from nearly-full-blown mania to to a damn-well near comatose state of depression. I stopped the depakote after 6 days (my pdoc had told me to wait two weeks for se's to wear off, but i couldnt take it). I spent those weeks in a fuzzy haze, aching all over, barely able to put any two thoughts together, or interact with anybody. I felt stupid and slow and lazy, apathetic, like my mind was freezing.
Now, off the depakote, debating weather to start these lamical samples my pdoc gave me (i think i'll wait untill i start to feel hypomanic again, but after that experience, i'm considering swearing off mood stabalizers all together.) I AM feeling hyper right now for the first time since starting the depakote, which could be a sign of an upward-manic swing, being that its 4am right now.
since discontinuing the depakote, my pdoc has also upped my paxil, from from 12.5 to 25 mg.
depakote brought me from excessively euphoric hyperactive-elation, to to the bleakest, most self-hating depression i've ever experienced.
but i want to empasize, and its been empasized many times before, every medication effects everyone differently. its trial and error. i know that many many people get life-saving results from depakote. i just didn't tolorate it.
thats my story, i hope it helps a little to know that theres lots of people that can relate. i think you should work with you pdoc to find a mood stabalizer that has less cognitive side effects for you. good luck! -blever
Posted by blever on April 5, 2004, at 5:42:07
In reply to can taking depakote w/ an ssri reverse effects?, posted by bookgurl99 on April 4, 2004, at 16:21:05
i forgot to add - i dont think you should count on an ssri to "reverse" the side effects, but try a different mood stabalizer.
Posted by jdgjdg on April 5, 2004, at 22:41:48
In reply to Re: can taking depakote w/ an ssri reverse effects, posted by blever on April 5, 2004, at 5:33:19
It took me a while to get used to not being manic. I felt lifeless and lacking ambition. This feeling is slowly going away, but I'm sure I will never have the same "high" again with the meds. The mania is the fun part of having bp. It's the depression and the mixed states that is bad. Hang in there if you can. I took 1500mg of Depakote and am switching to Topamax due to weight gain. It does get better when you become stable for a longer amount of time. Take care. Jenn
Posted by bookgurl99 on April 6, 2004, at 8:09:16
In reply to Re: can taking depakote w/ an ssri reverse effects, posted by jdgjdg on April 5, 2004, at 22:41:48
> It took me a while to get used to not being manic. I felt lifeless and lacking ambition.
Yeah, but I've never been diagnosed BP -- I've been diagnosed with migraines. I have gotten hypomanic before, though.Wouldn't the mood-flattening happen whether you were BP or not? I sure don't like the idea of a flattened mood, I can say that. I used to really enjoy things more.
Posted by joebob on April 6, 2004, at 11:04:59
In reply to can taking depakote w/ an ssri reverse effects?, posted by bookgurl99 on April 4, 2004, at 16:21:05
This is the end of the thread.
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