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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 PM80 on March 16, 2005, at 16:15:45
Hi! I have two questions about my medication. First, let me give a little background on myself. I started going to therapy a few months ago and was initially put on Lexapro. I was only on Lexapro for a few days and had several bad panic attacks as well as high blood pressure (stage2) the few times I checked it. I'm in my 20s, and am generally healthy so I stopped taking it - my doctor agreed. (I do have an inherited kidney disease that can cause high blood pressure, but my kidneys are functioning 100% normal.) Then I was diagnosed with cyclothymia and was put on seroquel (300mg/day)for anxiety, panic attacks, and hypomanic symptoms. I take 50mg 2x a day and 200mg at night. That completely got rid of all my anxiety symptoms and panic attacks and I slept a little better. BUT I still have been somewhat depressed, not sleeping great, and drinking alone so my therapist (a PhD psychologist)prompted me to see my doctor again (they work together with multiple patients). She just put me on a combination of my Seroquel(still 300mg/day) with Depakote (500mg/day), and feels that antidepressants are probably not right for me. I don't have any objections to taking this medication, but i am curious about a few things.
My first question is this: is this combination at all normal for someone like me (without mania) and does it normally help level out depression? Is anyone else on this NOT for mania?
Second question: I have a job that requires a lot of thinking and can still do my work without much of a problem, so does the fact that this combo does not completely knock me out mean that the bp-type diagnosis is definitely correct? What would happen if a "normal" person took this?
Anyone have any thoughts?
Posted by Spriggy on March 16, 2005, at 16:42:22
In reply to Seroquel and Depakote Combination, posted by PM80 on March 16, 2005, at 16:15:45
I just got put on Depakote about 2 weeks ago ( 500mg's) for anxiety and my doctor today just prescribed me 100 mg's of Seroquel.
I'm not "manic" but also have anxiety/panic attacks and depression. So I guess your answer would be "yes" others who are not manic are on it.
I quit taking the Depakote last week though ( it was giving me horrible heartburn!) and am now on Lamictal.
I haven't started the Seroquel just yet- the doctor left it up to me on whether or not to try this out.. so I figure I'll give the Lamictal 2 weeks, if I still feel this way, I'll go with the Seroquel as well.
I also take Klonopin (low dose) twice a day and Restoril for sleep.
I mostly have anxiety issues that tend to lead me to depression- so we sound similar.
Are you male or female?
One thing about the Depakote and the Seroquel is that can really put on the pounds, so watch for that.
Posted by Spriggy on March 16, 2005, at 16:54:16
In reply to Re: Seroquel and Depakote Combination, posted by Spriggy on March 16, 2005, at 16:42:22
I should add that although I'm not manic, I have been diagnosed with BP 2 because of my agitated depression. But I don't get "manic."
Posted by PM80 on March 17, 2005, at 6:42:49
In reply to Re: Seroquel and Depakote Combination, posted by Spriggy on March 16, 2005, at 16:54:16
Well, I'm glad to hear that I'm not alone! I have a thought on the Seroquel for you. I really like it - the only down side is that I sometimes get drowsy an hour after taking it for about a half hour to an hour. Which is great when taking it at night. Also, taking it with food seems to make this drowsiness much more pronounced so I don't take it at mealtimes during the day.
Did the Depakote help with your depression at all?
Posted by PM80 on March 17, 2005, at 8:43:06
In reply to Re: Seroquel and Depakote Combination, posted by Spriggy on March 16, 2005, at 16:54:16
I have one more Seroquel thought for you, Spriggy- Seroquel also really helped with my racing thoughts. My thoughts are rarely uncomfortable in my head now. So, if that is ever a problem for you, Seroquel may help.
Posted by Spriggy on March 17, 2005, at 10:11:32
In reply to Re: Seroquel and Depakote Combination, posted by PM80 on March 17, 2005, at 8:43:06
Thanks for the info on Seroquel.
Depakote didn't seem to really help with depression but I think it did help some with anxiety. I remember a few times after taking it, my brain felt like it had soaked in a nice warm bath.. it was so relaxed!
You might like it- it just gave me horrible heartburn!
Posted by theo on March 17, 2005, at 22:44:03
In reply to Re: Seroquel and Depakote Combination, posted by Spriggy on March 16, 2005, at 16:42:22
Your doctor replaced Depakote with Lamictal for anxiety issues?
If so, be ready. Lamictal made me more anxious then I was without meds, and increased OCD symptoms 3 fold.
Lamictal is for BP depression and does nothing for anxiety. After this experience I really got a little pissed that pdocs are giving out Lamictal for lighter issues than true bipolar, especially with the deadly rash issue.
I wish you the best but at the first sign of side effects from Lamictal, I would suggest not wasting months titrating like I did, only hoping it would get better.
This is the end of the thread.
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