![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Spriggy on March 5, 2005, at 12:13:11
Second dose of Depakote..I already have made mind up (I'm a quick decision maker, met and married my husband in 7 months).
Last night, I took it at 6:45 p.m. By 7:45, I felt "groggy" a little bit, kind of tired but not really "sleepy."
This continued until I tried to go to bed at 11 p.m.
After staring at the wall until 1 a.m. I got up, stayed up until 3:40 A.M.
I could not sleep, my head felt very itchy (no worries, I don't have lice), and I had a weird metallic taste in my mouth.
ALSO.. I've had heartburn TWICE in my life (only during both of my pregnancies), I had the worst heartburn all night. I suppose it may have even been more like "acid reflux" but I will spare you the details (i'm just nice that way).
So... maybe one has to "tough" all this out to get the benefits but I am not about to feel like this or go without sleep for another 2 weeks to figure out if this works.
Another thing I notice is that I don't have anxiety, but I woke up feeling "down."
So maybe Depakote is great for the one with more "manic" phases (out spending money, not sleeping for days) but for one like me, who has more agitated depression, it's not the drug of choice.
I'm giving it a "no" and will likely return to the doctor this week with as much info on Lamictal as I can get to convince him to give me some.
PS.. Forgot to mention, becuase of the "itchies" I got from the Depakote, I took a benadryl and that is likely the only reason I fell asleep at all last night (or should I say this morning).
Posted by gromit on March 5, 2005, at 15:19:21
In reply to The verdict is already in on my Depakote.., posted by Spriggy on March 5, 2005, at 12:13:11
Now that you mention it I did have a weird metallic taste the first couple of weeks on Depakote. Maybe you're giving up on it a little too soon? It was like poison to me but it seems to help a lot of others. FWIW I take Lamactil now and didn't get any badness titrating up.
Posted by Phillipa on March 5, 2005, at 15:58:48
In reply to Re: The verdict is already in on my Depakote.., posted by gromit on March 5, 2005, at 15:19:21
Spriggy, That's probably best for now. What with all the worry about your Father. Or, could this be the reason you couldn't sleep? Maybe a fair trial when you know more about your Dad. Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by ed_uk on March 5, 2005, at 17:18:25
In reply to The verdict is already in on my Depakote.., posted by Spriggy on March 5, 2005, at 12:13:11
Spriggy,
What do you think you'll ask for if your doc refuses Lamictal?
Maybe Trileptal? Tegretol? Lithium? A short course of Zyprexa?
Ed.
Posted by Spriggy on March 5, 2005, at 17:58:27
In reply to Re: The verdict is already in on my Depakote.., posted by ed_uk on March 5, 2005, at 17:18:25
Yeah Phillipa, thinking about my dad could've been the reason for not sleeping.
My dad is still in ICU. He has been vomitting for 10 hours- they said right now his intestines and bowels have been paralyzed and are shut down.
Doctor thinks the infection combined with the diabetes has caused this.
They are running tests on his heart right now- checking to see if a stint could've collapsed.
SO many things and no real answers just yet.
I can't just hop on a plane right now because both of my boy's are sick with the flu/colds.I will have to wait this out and just see what happens.
About the Depakote- I called the pharmacist today that filled the prescription. He said if I have depression and less mania, he would recommend Lamictal over Depakote. He said the Depakote is great for bringing someone down from manic state, but not great for lifting someone out of a depressive state.
So I got his name and will tell my doctor what he said. Maybe he'll listen to a pharmicist.
Thanks everyone!
Posted by Phillipa on March 5, 2005, at 18:50:59
In reply to my dad update, posted by Spriggy on March 5, 2005, at 17:58:27
I hate to say it but my pdoc got mad when a pharmacist told me not to take a med. He wanted to know where he worked and what his name was. Hopefully since you're in a small town? the doc and pharmacist know each other and that is not the case. You're certainly doing your med homework. I'm sorry about your Dad. And your boys being sick! When it rains it pours! Hang in there and get some sleep tonight. Bring out the benadryl! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Maxime on March 6, 2005, at 10:17:39
In reply to Re: The verdict is already in on my Depakote.., posted by gromit on March 5, 2005, at 15:19:21
Spriggy,
I can't remember if you tried Lithium. Lithium is the drug of choice if you have depression. Lamictal is the second drug of choice if you have depression (as oppose to the mania).
Maybe you should try it a little longer though. I know it's tough.
I'm thinking about you.
Maxime
Posted by Maxime on March 6, 2005, at 10:52:07
In reply to The verdict is already in on my Depakote.., posted by Spriggy on March 5, 2005, at 12:13:11
Spriggy:
Go to
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/470126_8This is a link to:
Lamotrigine: A Depression Mood Stabilizer
Erik Herman, MD
Mood Stabilizers: A Proposed ReclassificationYou might be able to print it out for your doctor. :)
Maxime
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.