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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Janelle on May 6, 2002, at 4:44:15
It certainly seems that way to me. My pdoc started me on 500 mg/night, which seemed to be okay for the first week (actually I was in a slightly hypomanic state at the time and basically felt no effect from the Depakote).
Second week I titrated up to 1000 mg/night and ooh-boy,did I start to feel lousy -- worse and worse, plunging deeper and deeper into intense depression, to the point where I became immobilized. It was downright scary. Pdoc told me to cut back to 500 mg/night but the depression seemed to be worsening even more so I stopped taking the Depakote. Finally, it lifted, to the point where I'm back where I started from (which was not good to begin with!)
I am wondering if anyone else out there who has taken Depakote found that it induced more/increased depression? Thanks to whoever might respond!
Posted by Uppendown on May 6, 2002, at 9:00:29
In reply to Can Depakote induce MORE depression?, posted by Janelle on May 6, 2002, at 4:44:15
Hi Janelle,
The docs started me on Depadeath ( LOL! Sorry... I know it DOES work for alot of folks, but! ).. and I got so suicidal the docs got me off it. This is pretty well known, and has been often discussed in the Bipolar communities...
I ended up on Neurontin, which I really liked... but I think I should qualify that by saying that I'm predominantly hypo/manic... Yes, I do foray into severe depressions, but being a daily cycler.. it isn't long before I'm flyin' once again.. so I just try and wait it out.. but that is just me..
Just wanted to say you're not dreaming.. it does have that effect on lots of people..
Best Wishes,
Uppendown
Posted by CtrlAlt n Del on May 6, 2002, at 10:01:40
In reply to It did for me...., posted by Uppendown on May 6, 2002, at 9:00:29
I remember you ,So your back Uppendown...still a med free zone
Have fun..be safe : )
dr..eamer
Posted by Krazy Kat on May 6, 2002, at 10:05:24
In reply to Can Depakote induce MORE depression?, posted by Janelle on May 6, 2002, at 4:44:15
Janelle:
I thought Dep. was inducing depression at one point and stopped it as well. That ended up being a mistake for me - i went into a suicidal state after stopping. My pdoc asked me to try it at a higher dose but i was very skeptical.
Long and short of it for me is, at a higher dose depakote works for me. the depression is actually more of an anhedonia, a flatness for me which we're trying to work on with a stimulant. i cannot take ad's b/c they make me manic.
i have no idea if you could be similar. i am bp.
Posted by Uppendown on May 6, 2002, at 10:14:41
In reply to Re: It did for me.... » Uppendown, posted by CtrlAlt n Del on May 6, 2002, at 10:01:40
Hi Drea..mer ;O)
Yeah.. for better or worse... I cycled back here the other day... weather has been less than wonderful, so, being housebound, I've been on the 'puter more. Being a "helper", I try to help where I can... LOLOL! I think sometimes my "help" is not as appreciated as I intend it... Oh Well.. c'est la vie, eh ?
" Still a med free zone", eh ? LOLOLOL! Yeah, I noticed that... well... we all find what we "need"... LOLOL!
How are you doing ? Good, I hope..
Best Wishes,
Uppendown
Posted by CtrlAlt n Del on May 6, 2002, at 12:34:24
In reply to Hi You... ;O), posted by Uppendown on May 6, 2002, at 10:14:41
Hello up n down
Your help is very helpful..
So sunny here can't see the monitor..
Ah doc threw me neurontin only 200mg a day ..does nothing for my cycling still no brakes but it is good occasionally for sleep or chillin in a mild drunk-like state.
I seem good at confusing old ladies - well they shouldn't attempt to communicate :)inappropriate laughter etc.
Oh well ..see yer later sugarhoney : )
Posted by judy1 on May 6, 2002, at 12:48:52
In reply to Can Depakote induce MORE depression?, posted by Janelle on May 6, 2002, at 4:44:15
Posted by Ron Hill on May 6, 2002, at 13:07:49
In reply to Can Depakote induce MORE depression?, posted by Janelle on May 6, 2002, at 4:44:15
Posted by Ritch on May 6, 2002, at 13:27:45
In reply to Can Depakote induce MORE depression?, posted by Janelle on May 6, 2002, at 4:44:15
> It certainly seems that way to me. My pdoc started me on 500 mg/night, which seemed to be okay for the first week (actually I was in a slightly hypomanic state at the time and basically felt no effect from the Depakote).
>
> Second week I titrated up to 1000 mg/night and ooh-boy,did I start to feel lousy -- worse and worse, plunging deeper and deeper into intense depression, to the point where I became immobilized. It was downright scary. Pdoc told me to cut back to 500 mg/night but the depression seemed to be worsening even more so I stopped taking the Depakote. Finally, it lifted, to the point where I'm back where I started from (which was not good to begin with!)
>
> I am wondering if anyone else out there who has taken Depakote found that it induced more/increased depression? Thanks to whoever might respond!Hi Janelle,
When I first tried Depakote I was switching from lithium and it was in the middle of a depressive episode and the depression *did* get worse. But, I am not sure if the Depakote made it worse, or if it was the lithium withdrawal. I must say though, that Depakote seems to work wonders for dysphoric/agitated hypomanic mixedstates. I think what might be causing the depressive type reactions in people is its potentiation of GABA and we all know benzos can cause depression. I must say that if I was to go through another depressive episode I would rather have the lithium than the Dep., if I was offered only a monotherapy choice.
Mitch
Posted by ST on May 6, 2002, at 17:03:17
In reply to Re: Can Depakote induce MORE depression? » Janelle, posted by Krazy Kat on May 6, 2002, at 10:05:24
Hi,
I have definitely felt that way. I think Depakote flattens us out. If I am taking too much, the feeling can become similar to depression for me. Bieng on as little as possible has helped me to *feel* things again, but not reach that depth of despair.
Good luck,
Sarah
Posted by Uppendown on May 6, 2002, at 17:25:34
In reply to Re: Hi You back... ;O), posted by CtrlAlt n Del on May 6, 2002, at 12:34:24
Hey Drea... mer....
I suppose I should have started a new thread... and I apologize to Janelle for muddying up her thread... BUT!! Hang on ! There will be a "socially redeeming value" in here!
When they took me off Depakote, they put me on Neurontin... and there was a period of time while I tapered off the Depakote, and ramped up on the Neurontin... Wow! Was THAT fun ! I've often said that I would have stayed on that combo ! I was so "happy" I was all giggly.. and energized... No depression to be seen ANYWHERE! I think I was on 900 mgs of Neurontin.. and 500 to 750 mgs of Depakote at that point... I only stopped the Depakote because I didn't want the added risk of liver damage from it, if I could survive on Neurontin alone...
200 mgs of Neurontin is not much... from my experimentation, you need atleast 600 mgs to get any beneficial effects worth talking about.. The "standard" dose for BP starts at 900 mgs... If you want a FAQ site for Neurontin, let me know... I have a pretty good one bookmarked... Somebody took 42,000 mgs of the stuff and survived with no ill effects... so.. it isn't like you can't experiment for fear of hurting your self.. I variable dosed the whole time I was on it.. with my docs "permission".. less when I was pretty "clear" ( okay, I know.. these are very relative terms here! LOLOLOL! Should I have said " only hypomanic.. " ?? LOLOL! )... and more as I spun out... either way.. either dark depressions, or mania... I just kept taking another 300 mg cap every hour until I calmed down. Worked great ! It takes effect pretty quickly... doesn't stay in your body for very long.. and doesn't threaten your liver ! ( I'm not a big believer in the "prophylactic medication" concept, as you might have guessed ! Why take meds if you aren't episodic ?? Take 'em when ya need 'em.. not when ya don't ! LOL! )..
So.. Cntl-er... yer out there dazin' those old ladies, eh ? Sunny monitor puttin' a smile on yer face, eh ?? COOL!!
Be happy... live free! ;O)
Nice to "connect" witchu again... nice to have some happy energy about...
Alt that vibe ! LOLOL!!
Smile on...
Uppendown
Posted by CtrlAlt n Del on May 6, 2002, at 18:18:34
In reply to Cntrl? Alt? n Dlt? ;O), posted by Uppendown on May 6, 2002, at 17:25:34
> 200 mgs of Neurontin is not much... from my experimentation, you need atleast 600 mgs to get any beneficial effects worth talking about.. The "standard" dose for BP starts at 900 mgs..
Yeh may as well save a week's worth up and go social crazy at the weekend...
hypo~sonic-ali transmitting dancing with the freaky chickenz CLUCK!
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