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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 BillNeedsaBoost on October 24, 2007, at 20:22:13
Hello all
I hope some of you can help me here.....
I have been having a hard time latley dealing with
things in life and therefore seeing a pdock.
He had me on welbutrin and xanax for depression and anxiety......Well I started to realize I had racing thoughts and being more and more anxious every day...I went too see hom yesterday and he said these are signs of "mania" and prescribed me Depakote 250mg 2x per day.....
I`m wondering if i`m going to become more dependant on medsn ow for life.....I see many people dont seem to like depakote and was wondering what I should expect from this drug ?
please help me here people, thank you all in advance
Bill
Posted by Maxime on October 24, 2007, at 20:59:33
In reply to Just Started 250mg Depakote, what can I expect ?, posted by BillNeedsaBoost on October 24, 2007, at 20:22:13
Hi Bill
Depakote can help mania AND depression. What to expect? 250 mg twice a day is a lot to start. Exhaustion. It is very sedating. Maybe it won't be for you because everyone responds differently. There can also be weight gain with this med.
Why did your doc prescribe Depakote over Lithim?
If Depakote does not work out for you, do not despair. There are many mood stabilizers you can try.
I hope depakote is right for you and that you find relief.
BTW, Wellbutrin is a very stimulating anti-depressant. Maybe you need something a little more calming and then you won't need the depakote.
Don't worry about being dependant on meds. You have to do what you can to feel better. Once you are stabalized for a long period, you can try going off the meds!
Keep us posted.
Maxime
> Hello all
>
> I hope some of you can help me here.....
>
> I have been having a hard time latley dealing with
> things in life and therefore seeing a pdock.
> He had me on welbutrin and xanax for depression and anxiety......
>
> Well I started to realize I had racing thoughts and being more and more anxious every day...I went too see hom yesterday and he said these are signs of "mania" and prescribed me Depakote 250mg 2x per day.....
>
> I`m wondering if i`m going to become more dependant on medsn ow for life.....I see many people dont seem to like depakote and was wondering what I should expect from this drug ?
>
> please help me here people, thank you all in advance
> Bill
Posted by BillNeedsaBoost on October 25, 2007, at 7:19:06
In reply to Re: Just Started 250mg Depakote, what can I expect ? » BillNeedsaBoost, posted by Maxime on October 24, 2007, at 20:59:33
Maxime
I appreciate the reply, thank you...
He prescribed the Depakote over lithium ,I think becasue I was looking for the quickest response ?He said lithium takes longer to kick in ?
I can say now (after 2 doses) I slept better last night, than in a long long time.....I do take ambein as well , but I never woke like my head was rested (racing thoughts) kept me awake.
I pray to god above this (whatever it is) can be brought under control and I can return to a normal life asap.....
best regards to you
Bill
Posted by JayBTV2 on October 25, 2007, at 9:21:39
In reply to Re: Just Started 250mg Depakote, what can I expect ?, posted by BillNeedsaBoost on October 25, 2007, at 7:19:06
Depakote is really good for keeping mania in check - depression not so much. Some people claim it also helps with Anxiety.
I'm currently taking 250mg as well and as I have had manic episodes before (complete psychosis). In the months I've been on it I haven't had any problems with racing thoughts/elevating moods. The biggest complaint about Depakote is potential weight gain. I did experience this when I was up at 500mg but after dropping to 250mg I've actually lost some of the weight I gained.
I also take lamictal along with Depakote which is for bipolar but attacks the depressive side of it more. The depakote also raises the levels of Lamictal so I can take less and still get the full effect. Together this has been a great combo for me.
Personally I think Depakote is pretty mild in low dosages like 250mg. I've taken as much as 1500mg and at that level it was pretty sedating. I've also taken myself off of it a few times in the past without any withdrawl (although you need to slowly come off it since it does effect your seizure threshold).
Good luck with it!
-Jay
Posted by Maxime on October 25, 2007, at 18:01:21
In reply to Re: Just Started 250mg Depakote, what can I expect ?, posted by BillNeedsaBoost on October 25, 2007, at 7:19:06
> Maxime
> I appreciate the reply, thank you...
> He prescribed the Depakote over lithium ,I think becasue I was looking for the quickest response ?
>
> He said lithium takes longer to kick in ?
>
> I can say now (after 2 doses) I slept better last night, than in a long long time.....I do take ambein as well , but I never woke like my head was rested (racing thoughts) kept me awake.
>
> I pray to god above this (whatever it is) can be brought under control and I can return to a normal life asap.....
>
> best regards to you
>
> Bill
Hi BillLithium does take longer to work and it takes a while to get the right level in your system.
Maybe you won't need ambien anymore!
I think the depakote will help get everything under control. Hang in there!
Maxime
This is the end of the thread.
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