On Depakote – what can I expect?
Question:
My pdoc said I have rapid cycling and gave me depakote 250mg 2x’s daily to start – this is day 2. I slept great last night!
I remember that I nodded off in my pdoc’s waiting room about three days after I went on Depakote. Although, in a few more days, the sleepiness was considerably less pronounced. I can’t note any particular side effects from it. I had the liver transaminases done on the 26th of last month and all were normal.
Response:
I am glad to hear the drowsiness goes away. My depakote got upped to 750 mg per day and I have felt like a zombie for three days now! Hopefully this will pass like yours did. Sarah
Response:
Thanks Lynda and everyone! I do take a great vitamin powder with zinc, selenium and all others minerals and vitamins. I am just hoping the weight gain doen’t happen -<g I already have that problem! My pdoc seems so very diligent about the LFT’s – and I’m glad! I see him again next month ( Mar.24th) but I see my other therapist next week. Yes, I have 2 , and twice the bills also! ( This second one works on my panic attacks and agoraphobia with talk therapy) Thanks for all of the support- you guys ( and gals) are the best! Regards from Skye & Izzy the " wonder cat " The mind is like a parachute, it works best when it’s open.
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Hello everyone – My pdoc said I have rapid cycling and gave me depakote 250mg 2x’s daily to start – this is day 2. I slept great last night! He said if I tolerate this, he may increase up to 1700mg daily. He also may add an antidepressant at my next appointment. I also have to go for liver panel tests in three months. Any feedback would be appreciated – thanks – Regards from Skye & Izzy the " wonder cat " The mind is like a parachute, it works best when it’s open.
Response:
Hello everyone – My pdoc said I have rapid cycling and gave me depakote 250mg 2x’s daily to start – this is day 2. I slept great last night!
Skye; Glad you’ve had a good start on the Depakote . . . no nausea even? . . . kewl! He said if I tolerate this, he may increase up to 1700mg daily.
I don’t know how he can predict the dose you’ll end up on . . . you need blood tests to determine when you’re at the therapeutic level. Some people here take as much as 2500 mg. He also may add an antidepressant at my next appointment.
How soon is your next appointment??? I’d make damn well sure that you’re taking enough Depakote before adding the AD. Is you family doc or someone else monitoring your blood levels on behalf of the pdoc? I also have to go for liver panel tests in three months.
Very good idea. None of my docs has recommended that and I’m going to question that at my next appointment. Any feedback would be appreciated – thanks – Regards from Skye & Izzy the " wonder cat " The mind is like a parachute, it works best when it’s open.
You no doubt know what side-effects to expect / watch out for. Keeping my fingers crossed for you that they’re tolerable. — Kath From here on my branch I can choose to plunge or soar. I think I shall sit a while longer . . . and try to keep my mind open (love that liner Skye)
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I gained 10 pounds in 2 months, but it stopped there. The weight gain was due to increased hunger, and (especially) cravings for foods that aren’t good for ya, which, because I am ‘atypical’, might also be attributed to the depression. Pooh will, I hope (when he gets over this dysphoric episode), let us know more about selenium and chromium deficiencies as they relate to sugar cravings. So don’t give up on the Depakote just yet. — Kath From here on my branch I can choose to plunge or soar. I think I shall sit a while longer. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I gained 50lbs. in five months on Depakote. I went off it in November and have shed 34 lbs. so far. JC
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good for ya, which, because I am ‘atypical’, might also be attributed to the depression.,<snip
You are not "atypical", your are "special". Is that BF of yours’ a lumberjack, or a bouncer? Well he would have to cross international boundaries to fix my wagon. Wouldn’t he? LW — For more information about this service, send e-mail to:
Response:
Hello everyone – My pdoc said I have rapid cycling and gave me depakote 250mg 2x’s daily to start – this is day 2. I slept great last night! He said if I tolerate this, he may increase up to 1700mg daily. He also may add an antidepressant at my next appointment. I also have to go for liver panel tests in three months. Any feedback would be appreciated – thanks – Regards from Skye & Izzy the " wonder cat " The mind is like a parachute, it works best when it’s open.
Hi Skey, Well, I am glad that you are sleeping. That is essential for us. especially during a manic episode. Try to take Zinc 30 mg and Selenium, 100 mcg with the Depakote to help prevent hair loss. A good multivitamin mineral supplement would also be a good idea. Monitoring LFTs is also important. They should be done at least every 6 months. I am glad that your pdoc is doing so. Peace, Reach beyond your grasp!
