Posted by Ritch on February 6, 2002, at 23:49:10
In reply to Re:depakote/med musings » Ritch, posted by Chloe on February 6, 2002, at 17:47:05
> Hey Mitch,
>
> I think the depakote is finally starting to "kick in." Just the last two nights or so I have been sleeping more soundly and longer, which is nice. I must have really been in a very agitated state. Because now I am starting to feel quite "mellowed" which is a nice change from anger and constant irritation.
Yes, it does take a little while for it to start to work. I can notice some immediate effects with a relatively larger dose, but it would take a week or two to notice much on chronic low-dosing. Yes, the lack of anger and constant irritation is a nice blissful place indeed.
>
> You were right about not needing the Neurontin as often. However, I find if I skip my 5pm dose, around 8 pm I start to get the shakes and sweats...But my next dose is around 10:30 or 11pm. So I wonder how to manage this one. If I should just keep taking it at 5p or what...I have tried to talk to my pdoc about dosing of meds and timing to avoid scalp pain etc. No response, or some weird answer that is totally not what I asked. I am afraid she is very busy. I am just so glad I have the meds, and I can try to figure out the best dosing for my needs. But it sure is trial by fire!
Yes, just about everything I have learned and discovered has been mostly by trial and error, no pdoc's genius has intervened to save the day in one fell swoop. It is actually easier just to get them to prescribe the meds (several of the "candidates") and just let you experiment and tinker with them and do your own self-adjusting and then just accurately tell them what is working with charts as necessary (my experience-just try to stay scientific as possible-change just one thing at a time, but feel free to make the changes relatively frequently). It sounds like you will probably have to stick with the 100mg x4 dosage, unless you are willing to make the jump to 300mg twice daily. I think you might find that to work quite well. When I was on higher doses, Neurontin 300mg bid + Depakote 125-250mg bid worked together seamlessly.
>
> For example, I started taking all 250 dep. hs since I was sleeping better, and with in 24 hours I got increased burning scalp. So either I should wait it out, and see if my body adjusts to the whole dose at one time, or divide it at supper and hs. My thought was maybe I need to bump up the ami for a couple of days to quiet the nerves in my scalp. But not stay at 20mgs for more than a few days or a week. I don't want the AD effect to kick in and start the cycling and rages again. Any thoughts on this one?> I really have to wonder though: Why is it, when I take a the right amount of meds for my brain/stability, my scalp and skin start to burn? It is just NOT fair. Mood stabilizers are really hard on my body. I really have trouble tolerating them for any length of time. But I have to find a way to stay compliant this time. All these meds changes have taken a toll. I want to stay on this for a good long while...
If you know *for sure* that the amitripytline is helping your neuropathic scalp pain-why not count it as an "in med"? If you are starting to get smoothed out by the Dep. you very possibly could double up the amitrip. to 20mg at bedtime and sleep better as well as reduce the pain probs. without any destabilization.
> How are you doing in the pstim department? I will check the other thread to see how you are doing with the flaxseed oil. I added that to my fish oil and I love it. Much more palliable. I think I will switch over.
> Thanks
> Chloe
Well the flax oil *does* seem to be helping some. But it is causing some GI discomfort. I tried Lorraine's suggestion of sublingual B-complex liquid and strangely after about an hour after taking it I got very relaxed and calmed. I thought I would kind of *wired* on it but didn't. The B-12 was definite megadose.Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:90799
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020131/msgs/93148.html