Posted by SLS on February 12, 2009, at 6:56:41
In reply to Depakote question, posted by raisinb on February 11, 2009, at 14:07:34
> The thread above reminded me. My father and I have very similar "classic" depression issues--insomnia, feelings of meaninglessness, and anxiety. It also seems as though similar drugs work--and don't work--for both of us. For instance, we both do well on Lexapro and Remeron didn't do jack for either of us.
>
> My question is this: for the past eight months, my dad hasn't been doing so well. He has tried most SSRIs and they typically poop out after a few years. His pdoc put him on Remeron eventually, with somewhat disastrous results (45 mg)--he slept all day for months, gained a lot of weight, and no difference in his depression was seen. He's now on Remeron, Lexapro, Wellbutrin--and here's what I don't understand--Depakote.> The last seems odd to me. When asked, my dad says "I've been taking that since the beginning" (Depakote). Since I've never seen my dad even remotely manic, I don't understand the choice of the drug.
I don't understand the choice to leave your father on Remeron when it has already shown itself to be such a bad drug for him. It is hard to know what is the rationale for the Depakote. Perhaps the doctor saw a bipolar mixed state at some point. If he has been on Depakote for so long, maybe that's why you've never seen him manic. It is hard to know.
> Could it be contributing, even, to his depression?
Yes. It contributes to the depression of quite a few people here - not at first, perhaps. If I take it for more than a few weeks, it produces a mild-moderate worsening of depression. Of course, it is a great drug for some people.
Perhaps it is time to remove the Depakote to see what happens while being closely monitored. Also, what about discontinuing the Remeron and perhaps adding Lamictal? Wellbutrin + Lamictal go well together, even for unipolar depression. Obviously, changes need to be made. I would yank the Remeron first if it is affecting him that badly.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:879457
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090203/msgs/879590.html