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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by UgottaHaveHope on May 21, 2006, at 12:48:07
What is it used for? My pdoc mentioned to me about taking it, and I was curious. Thanks.
Posted by naughtypuppy on May 21, 2006, at 14:15:31
In reply to Anyone taking Depakote?, posted by UgottaHaveHope on May 21, 2006, at 12:48:07
It's an anti-convulsant that's used as a mood stabilizer. It seems to be pretty good for anxiety issues (allows the brain to produce more GABA), although it can have some negative cognitive issues.
Posted by blueberry on May 21, 2006, at 15:30:16
In reply to Anyone taking Depakote?, posted by UgottaHaveHope on May 21, 2006, at 12:48:07
I have taken depakote and am familiar with it. My doctor wants me to take it again and I am considering it.
After following your posts in recent weeks, depakote actually seems like a good suggestion by your doctor. There is a form of mania that is pretty much like the hell you are experiencing with the tremendous anxiety and fear stuff. Whether your symptoms are a form of mania, anxiety, or antipsychotic induced reactions, depakote stands a good chance of shutting that stuff down fast. Usually within 1 to 6 days.
Months ago I was having absolutely debilitating anxiety, akathisia, prozac/st johns wort/zyprexa/coffee/marijuana withdrawals all at the same time, or whatever it was, I still don't know. But depakote began shutting that stuff down on the first day. Within a week I was mentally calm and even my body tremors and shakes had almost stopped by then.
Go with the extended release version 500mg. The side effects from it were pretty mild for me, and I am very sensitive to side effects. Mainly I was a little bit slower thinking, a bit cloudy the first few days, and gained weight which was good for me.
Normal doses are usually 1000mg to 1500mg, but I would start at 500mg. That may be all you need. You may find you can decrease the seroquel dose without much trouble. The good thing is that if it is going to work for you, it will do so quickly. No long trial needed. Just a week or two and you'll know.
Posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on May 21, 2006, at 20:31:49
In reply to Re: Anyone taking Depakote? » UgottaHaveHope, posted by blueberry on May 21, 2006, at 15:30:16
Thanks Blueberry for your information. That was really helpful. Does Depakote make one gain weight? Michael
Posted by Phillipa on May 21, 2006, at 21:34:57
In reply to Does Depakote make you gain a lot of weight?, posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on May 21, 2006, at 20:31:49
Seems from posts that all meds do minus the benzos. Love Phillipa
Posted by greywolf on May 22, 2006, at 6:50:45
In reply to Anyone taking Depakote?, posted by UgottaHaveHope on May 21, 2006, at 12:48:07
I've been on Depakote for over two months. Right now I'm at 1500 mg/day of the extended release version. At 750mg of the EC (regular) version up to 1250 mg/day, I experienced nothing remarkable in the way of side effects. Since I've gone up to 1500 mg, I have significant fogginess, and some short-term memory loss.
On the plus side, my mood has stabilized significantly, and it does not seem to have much of a sedating effect during the day if taken at bedtime.
Posted by blueberry on May 22, 2006, at 17:24:55
In reply to Does Depakote make you gain a lot of weight?, posted by UgottaHaveHOPE on May 21, 2006, at 20:31:49
Yes. I went to remedyfind.com to see what other people had experienced, and the most common comment on depakote was its weight gain. When I took it I gained several pounds pretty fast.
This is the end of the thread.
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