Posted by cache-monkey on June 9, 2005, at 20:41:17
In reply to Depakote causing depression??, posted by Sonya on June 9, 2005, at 18:28:18
I started Depakote (ER) a couple months ago. Doses above 500 mg seemed to make me a) depressed, and b) cognitively dulled.
I think that might have even initially occurred at 500 mg, but after shooting up to 1500 mg and then tapering back down to 500 mg again, it doesn't seem to be an issue.
But, it's odd that this would be showing up for you after 8 months of use. Thing is with Depakote is that it's much better on the manic and cycling side of things. It doesn't seem to be so good at preventing relapse into depression (or dysthymia), which is what might be going on with you.
If it's not so bad, keep an eye on things and see how they go. One thing you might want to consider with your pdoc is going up on the Seroquel, if you can handle the sedation. Higher doses (e.g. 300 mg+) have been shown to have really strong positive effects for depression in bipolars. If things aren't that bad, though, you might not need to go up too high.
Good luck,
cache-monkey> I've been on 1000mg Depakote daily for 8 months. I also take 50mg Seroquel at bedtime for sleep and anxiety. I was diagnosed Bipolar II last year after a hospitalization. Lately I'm so tired, apathetic and especially lethargic that everything is an effort. I don't know whether the lethargy is because of returning depression or a side effect I'm now experiencing from Depakote. Will see my pdoc in 3 weeks about this. Anyone heard of Depakote causing depression?
poster:cache-monkey
thread:510184
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20050606/msgs/510236.html