![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SheilaC on June 26, 2007, at 13:24:35
Ok - talked to my nurse today and she said I could try a lower dose of Depakote (125mg) to see if I do better or I could try a low dose of Risperdal.
Any thoughts on either one? I am trying to find a nice, easy, mood stabilizer without weight gain. The Depakote 250mg made me sweat and I couldn't sleep.
Posted by Phillipa on June 26, 2007, at 13:27:50
In reply to Risperdal or Depakote..., posted by SheilaC on June 26, 2007, at 13:24:35
Hey Sheila that's great why not try the lower dose first . As resperidol as you know is an atypical antipsychotic didn't know it was used for mood stabalizer. I will google it. Love Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on June 26, 2007, at 13:31:46
In reply to Re: Risperdal or Depakote... » SheilaC, posted by Phillipa on June 26, 2007, at 13:27:50
Shela do you have bipolar ll if so resperidol is used as a mood stabalizer. Love Phillipa google yielded this result.
Posted by BabyBunny on June 26, 2007, at 15:57:01
In reply to Risperdal or Depakote..., posted by SheilaC on June 26, 2007, at 13:24:35
Hi there. Personally I would try Risperdal. I just got off Depakote and am finally becoming myself again. It's like I woke up from a long sleep. It's such a great feeling! And like you I couldn't take much either.
I have tried Invega (which is basically the long-acting, cleaner version of Risperdal) and I really didn't notice any ill effects from that. But then again it's NOT Risperdal. But similar.
When I started Depakote I reacted REALLY badly but I guess I got used to that bad feeling and started thinking that was just me. I now know that it made me feel worse. And the weird thing is I went through (and am still going through, but to a lesser degree) the same effects going off it as when I started. All but the sedation.
I mean if you aren't really having bad side effects other than night sweats then maybe Depakote at 125mg will be ok, but I dunno it made me so out of it that I "thought" I was ok. it took my getting off it to realize I've been living in the dark.
Whatever you decide please keep us informed. And most of all, I hope and pray it will work for you.
Take good care and have a great day and night!
Hugs,
Baby BunnyP.S. You don't mention what your Diagnosed with. Do you have Bipolar? I or II? Mixed episodes/rapid cycling? Borderline Personality Disorder? Just curious as that may also help you in deciding which med is right for you.
Posted by SheilaC on June 26, 2007, at 16:09:45
In reply to Re: Risperdal or Depakote..., posted by Phillipa on June 26, 2007, at 13:31:46
> Shela do you have bipolar ll if so resperidol is used as a mood stabalizer. Love Phillipa google yielded this result.
Hi Phillipa, yes, I am BP II. I think I will try the Risperdal tonight. I need to get some decent sleep. I also need help with anxiety and irritability.
Posted by BabyBunny on June 26, 2007, at 16:51:57
In reply to Re: Risperdal or Depakote..., posted by SheilaC on June 26, 2007, at 16:09:45
Good luck! I hope it works out well for you. :) *hugs*
> > Shela do you have bipolar ll if so resperidol is used as a mood stabalizer. Love Phillipa google yielded this result.
>
> Hi Phillipa, yes, I am BP II. I think I will try the Risperdal tonight. I need to get some decent sleep. I also need help with anxiety and irritability.
Posted by med_empowered on June 26, 2007, at 18:06:08
In reply to Re: Risperdal or Depakote... » SheilaC, posted by BabyBunny on June 26, 2007, at 16:51:57
Depakote can be kind of rough. Risperdal isn't so great, either; as "atypical" antipsychotics go, it might be the least "atypical" (meaning an EPS/TD risk closer to, say, Haldol than to Clozaril). Have you tried any sedatives---something like Ambien for sleep, or a benzo (serax, valium, xanax, klonopin, tranxene, ativan) for anxiety? Anxiety and hypomania can have a lot of overlap, so maybe a tranquilizer would get the job done w/o having to use a neuroleptic like Risperdal.
Good luck.
Posted by rina on July 1, 2007, at 1:24:10
In reply to Any other options?, posted by med_empowered on June 26, 2007, at 18:06:08
Hi All,
It's been awhile since I've been online and let me explain why. Depakote and Risperdal have changed my life in ways that I can't even begin to describe online. My diagnosis is bipolar 2 depression, so my pdoc thought it neccessary to try the risperdal first. We later found this wasn't a good option because immediately, I begin to hear voices and that has never been an issue to me or anything i've ever experienced. Paranoia became a constant friend and sleep was the enemy. Then we switched to the Depakote. Started at 250mg,slowly titrating to 750 was a nitmare. I cried both day and night for weeks, vomit daily, lost a total of 35lbs since april. My meals daily consist of drinking ensure drinks and maybe lettuce and a little water if I don't have too much diarrhea at the moment. I've become this totally withdrawn person confined to my home that goes outside only when necessary. Finally my pdoc lowered the dosage to 250mg the other day and I feel a bit better but I feel like I should be off of this medicine totally. It's just that I've been on so many that haven't worked and I'm afraid of getting worse. Sometimes I feel like my pdoc is just taking my $175
Posted by Phillipa on July 1, 2007, at 20:23:57
In reply to Re: Any other options?, posted by rina on July 1, 2007, at 1:24:10
Rina that is horrible. Have you seen another pdoc or even your regular doc? As you health is deteriorating on these meds. You need a change. Can you spend some time in the hospital? Sounds like you really need close monitoring. And maybe some IV for the vomiting and diarrhea. Your electrolytes could be way off and this is dangerous. Love Phillipa
Posted by rina on July 2, 2007, at 21:57:10
In reply to Re: Any other options? » rina, posted by Phillipa on July 1, 2007, at 20:23:57
Hi All,
I saw my pdoc today and thankfully he agreed to stop the depakote which has caused a lot of symptoms too many to list. Just a few are massive weight loss, severe depression,appetite loss and diarrhea, to name a few. So were going to try to just see how I do with the current cocktails of Lexapro 10mg, FocalinXR20mg and Topamax 200mg for a week. I really need some remission and some relief. He said depending on how I respond, adding Wellbutrin is an option.
Posted by Phillipa on July 2, 2007, at 22:41:21
In reply to So let's see what happens now...., posted by rina on July 2, 2007, at 21:57:10
Rina that's great will you post how you sleep and feel tomorrow? Would like to see you feeling well. Love Phillipa
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.