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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 16 of 16. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dinah on May 29, 2005, at 13:20:52
Ready to try something new when I next see my migraine neurologist.
My sleep is ok, so I'm not hypomanic. But I'm exquisitely oversensitive right now. It's driving me a bit nuts. Clothing that usually feels ok feels horrible and scratchy. Smells smell overpowering. Etc.
This shall pass, right?
It's painful right now.
But it will pass? Before I see her in late June?
Posted by SLS on May 29, 2005, at 15:23:10
In reply to I'm off my Depakote now - overstimulated, posted by Dinah on May 29, 2005, at 13:20:52
Hi Dinah.
How did you go about discontinuing the medication?
> This shall pass, right?
Because I have never experienced what you describe as a consequence of valproate discontinuation, I don't know for sure, but the body is remarkably accomodating to changing environments, both external and internal. Give it a chance to catch up with the changes made. 5 days maybe?
> It's painful right now.
:-(
Don't worry - la di da, la di da - be happy...
:-)
- Scott
P.S. Are you smiling yet?
Posted by Dinah on May 29, 2005, at 16:45:28
In reply to Re: I'm off my Depakote now - overstimulated » Dinah, posted by SLS on May 29, 2005, at 15:23:10
:-)
Half for 5 days then cold turkey. To be fair, I've only been at the 500 mg for a little while.
It's been... Darn I'm bad with time.
I guess if it's a result of discontinuation, it'll quit. I don't remember feeling this way all the time before I started taking Depakote five or so years ago. So it'll have to quit. I'm sure. Yes. It'll quit.
Posted by Dinah on May 30, 2005, at 9:24:08
In reply to I'm off my Depakote now - overstimulated, posted by Dinah on May 29, 2005, at 13:20:52
Like a low electrical charge is running through me.
Mostly unpleasant.
I think I'll decide to watch the withdrawal symptoms with interest.
Posted by Sonya on June 15, 2005, at 15:23:22
In reply to Now frankly buzzy, posted by Dinah on May 30, 2005, at 9:24:08
> Like a low electrical charge is running through me.
>
> Mostly unpleasant.
>
> I think I'll decide to watch the withdrawal symptoms with interest.I'm stopping Depakote now myself, and I totally relate to what you're experiencing..."a low electrical charge". I hate it. Wonder how long it'll take to pass.
Posted by Dinah on June 15, 2005, at 15:41:50
In reply to Re: Now frankly buzzy, posted by Sonya on June 15, 2005, at 15:23:22
Two weeks?
I'm feeling pretty good now.
I hate to start a new mood stabilizer later this month...
Maybe I won't.
Posted by Sonya on June 16, 2005, at 9:34:22
In reply to Re: Now frankly buzzy » Sonya, posted by Dinah on June 15, 2005, at 15:41:50
> Two weeks?
>
> I'm feeling pretty good now.
>
> I hate to start a new mood stabilizer later this month...
>
> Maybe I won't.
Do you NEED a mood stabilizer? If you don't mind my asking, what are you being treated for?
Posted by Dinah on June 16, 2005, at 10:15:42
In reply to Re: Now frankly buzzy, posted by Sonya on June 16, 2005, at 9:34:22
I was on very low dose Depakote for years for mood stability. 125 mg. Which was originally prescribed when I was also on an antidepressant and I probably needed it to counteract the effects. I'm probably bipolar 3 or 4 or something. :) Officially it's cyclothymia.
I found that my moods were more stable on than off so I stayed on after I went off the AD. My migraine doctor upped it to 250 mg then 500 mg. At that level, I just couldn't wake up in the morning. I wasn't fit for work till 11, and I got in trouble at the office.
So she had me stop it to wash it out of my system and voila! Amazingly enough the number of migraines decreased substantially on no Depakote from where they were at any level of Depakote. It may be too early to tell though, since they tend to cluster.
I'm all for taking nothing. Except that my therapist thinks my moods are unstable and I'm making impulsive ill-thought-out decisions.
I still am for taking nothing. :) Physically I feel so much better off than on.
Posted by Sonya on June 16, 2005, at 12:42:27
In reply to Re: Now frankly buzzy » Sonya, posted by Dinah on June 16, 2005, at 10:15:42
Since my last post to you, I've been experiencing a SERIOUS hypomanic episode. I spoke with my husband on the phone and realized I was rambling, and he kept telling me to calm down (which really annoys me to no end). Then I called my girlfriend and she also told me I sounded manic. I feel extremely anxious and keep having awful hot flashes (yes - I'm menopausal). Is all this from cutting the depakote in half (from 1000mg/day to 500mg/day) since last Saturday? My husband wants me to go back up on the dose. My pdoc would have a fit if I told him I did this while he was on vacation. I think I'm going to lie to him when I see him next and not even tell him I did what I promised I wouldn't do (mess with my meds). God - I want to get off depakote and lose these extra pounds but I'm afraid of being too anxious and getting depressed and out of control. Right now though I'm totally out of control! I guess I'm looking for a little advice here...should I go back up on the depakote dose and wait to see my pdoc and hope this will pass like it did for you?
Posted by Sonya on June 16, 2005, at 13:52:15
In reply to Re: Now frankly buzzy, posted by Sonya on June 16, 2005, at 12:42:27
> Since my last post to you, I've been experiencing a SERIOUS hypomanic episode. I spoke with my husband on the phone and realized I was rambling, and he kept telling me to calm down (which really annoys me to no end). Then I called my girlfriend and she also told me I sounded manic. I feel extremely anxious and keep having awful hot flashes (yes - I'm menopausal). Is all this from cutting the depakote in half (from 1000mg/day to 500mg/day) since last Saturday? My husband wants me to go back up on the dose. My pdoc would have a fit if I told him I did this while he was on vacation. I think I'm going to lie to him when I see him next and not even tell him I did what I promised I wouldn't do (mess with my meds). God - I want to get off depakote and lose these extra pounds but I'm afraid of being too anxious and getting depressed and out of control. Right now though I'm totally out of control! I guess I'm looking for a little advice here...should I go back up on the depakote dose and wait to see my pdoc and hope this will pass like it did for you?
I meant to say OR hope this will pass like it did for you?
Posted by Dinah on June 16, 2005, at 15:40:39
In reply to Re: Now frankly buzzy, posted by Sonya on June 16, 2005, at 13:52:15
I wouldn't hope it would pass. I think withdrawal is best undertaken under a doctor's knowledge and care. If you seem to be becoming hypomanic, I'd go back to taking it as prescribed and talk to your pdoc about your symptoms when he returns.
Is anyone filling in for him that you can call?
Posted by Sonya on June 17, 2005, at 6:39:03
In reply to Re: Now frankly buzzy » Sonya, posted by Dinah on June 16, 2005, at 15:40:39
Yeah, but I'm afraid to call his substitute because I wasn't supposed to drop the dose anyway. Actually I upped the dose back last night because I couldn't take it anymore. I thought this would be easy but I guess I was wrong. I learned my lesson and will wait for my pdoc's return. Thanks for listening.
Posted by Dinah on June 17, 2005, at 7:18:22
In reply to Re: Now frankly buzzy, posted by Sonya on June 17, 2005, at 6:39:03
That sounds like a good idea.
Why are you trying to go off?
My new dose made me just too groggy.
Posted by Sonya on June 17, 2005, at 7:56:03
In reply to Re: Now frankly buzzy » Sonya, posted by Dinah on June 17, 2005, at 7:18:22
I'm want to stop both depakote and seroquel for a few reasons:
- to feel some emotion (i.e. have the ability to get excited about things). The Depakote makes me apathetic and lethargic.
- to lose weight (hopefully)
- to prove to myself & everyone I'm not really bipolar
- to prove to myself & everyone I don't need to be medicated to be "normal"Is that unreasonable?
Posted by Dinah on June 17, 2005, at 8:06:28
In reply to Re: Now frankly buzzy, posted by Sonya on June 17, 2005, at 7:56:03
The first and second are completely and totally reasonable.
The third and fourth depend on whether or not you actually do need the medication to be at your best. Maybe you can adjust doseages to find a really good balance. I've greatly reduced the amount of psych meds I take, but I don't think it's realistic of me to go off them completely.
Posted by SLS on June 17, 2005, at 9:21:00
In reply to Re: Now frankly buzzy » Sonya, posted by Dinah on June 16, 2005, at 10:15:42
Hi Dinah.
I haven't read past this post, but I didn't want to lose my train of thought regarding choice of mood stabilizers.
> I'm all for taking nothing. Except that my therapist thinks my moods are unstable and I'm making impulsive ill-thought-out decisions.
Trileptal might be a good mood stabilizer for impulse control. It is also good for anger control (not that this applies to you). It has shown some efficacy in treating borderline personality disorder.
> I still am for taking nothing. :) Physically I feel so much better off than on.Many people find Trileptal to be mild. I've been very happy with it at 600mg except for the fact that it is not working for depression as well as I would like it too. It is still relatively early in treatment, though.
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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