![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 17 of 17. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by juanantoniod on January 23, 2003, at 20:13:42
Hello again,
In addition to starting me on Lexapro, my pdoc put me on Depakote. Can someone please tell me how this is supposed to work? Does it work on certain receptors like the ADs do?
My diagnosis is depression, and the pdoc was questioning me about 'mood swings' and arguments before suggesting that I be on Depakote. I don't know if this is related but would like to hear if you have any comments on that as well.
Thanks to all of you for being here. This really is a great place.
Antonio
Posted by catmint on January 23, 2003, at 22:43:52
In reply to New to Depakote-Can someone tell me how it works?, posted by juanantoniod on January 23, 2003, at 20:13:42
Antonio,
Depakote is an anti-siezure drug that is primarily used for epilepsy but is also used as a "mood stabilizer" for bipolar disorder. It is more correctly an anti-manic med and does not treat depression in the slightest,and in fact can, and often make depression worse. The reasoning behind all this is that if you prevent the manic episode, then no depression can follow. Hence, no cycling, no mood swings.
My experience with Depakote is that it does help with mania and anxiety. It can mellow you out to the point of over-sleeping. It also made my depression worse. Another side effect is stomach upset and weight gain (or loss, depending on the individual).
I'm wondering why your pdoc is putting you on this unless he is sure that you are bipolar? I've heard of Lamictal for unipolar depression, which incidentally is far superior to Depakote. Is he prescibing it for anxiety?
Use the search engine on this sight and you will get plenty of info. on Depakote.
I hope you feel better soon.
Amy
Posted by lostsailor on January 24, 2003, at 11:37:31
In reply to Re: New to Depakote-Can someone tell me how it works? » juanantoniod, posted by catmint on January 23, 2003, at 22:43:52
Hi there....Depakote in a nut shell...designed basically as stated above as an anti seizure med that is now being used as a medication to control mood swings, phases of acute mania, an augmentation to AD's (like Lexapro), and does interact with the brain site that panic attack are often believed to originate at or work to increase the hormones released during a panic attack, but is only used as an extra benefit and not for primarily for that .Depakote, like Lithium, are considered the gold standards to help bi-polar disorder--with Lithium is the undisputed, I guess. Depakote can cause some side effect sand requires blood work to monitor level of medication and periodic LF tests, but neither is really a concern. Some, not all gain weight on it. I gained about five ponds that were shed by upping my workout by a few minutes daily. For some people hair loss is an issue; it was never with me
Other meds used without blood work are neurontin, but a waste of time, lamictal that I am finding the best of the three I have tried, toprimax and triliptal. Side effects vary on each but blood work is not needed. Have fun...doc will find many meds in dues time...they write them so they get cool pens.
~Tony
Posted by juanantoniod on January 24, 2003, at 12:34:38
In reply to Re: New to Depakote-Can someone tell me how it works? » juanantoniod, posted by catmint on January 23, 2003, at 22:43:52
Hi, Amy,
Thanks for your reply. I appreciate your input because I was kind of wondering the same thing. However, my recent journal search showed that the current care standards indicate that people with treatment resistant depression should be on lithium. So, maybe as Tony said, Depakote is being used because it is better managed and tolerated than lithium.
At this point, I'm only going to give meds a few more tries over several months each before moving on to an ECT trial.
Take care,
Antonio
> Antonio,
> Depakote is an anti-siezure drug that is primarily used for epilepsy but is also used as a "mood stabilizer" for bipolar disorder. It is more correctly an anti-manic med and does not treat depression in the slightest,and in fact can, and often make depression worse. The reasoning behind all this is that if you prevent the manic episode, then no depression can follow. Hence, no cycling, no mood swings.
> My experience with Depakote is that it does help with mania and anxiety. It can mellow you out to the point of over-sleeping. It also made my depression worse. Another side effect is stomach upset and weight gain (or loss, depending on the individual).
> I'm wondering why your pdoc is putting you on this unless he is sure that you are bipolar? I've heard of Lamictal for unipolar depression, which incidentally is far superior to Depakote. Is he prescibing it for anxiety?
> Use the search engine on this sight and you will get plenty of info. on Depakote.
> I hope you feel better soon.
> Amy
Posted by juanantoniod on January 24, 2003, at 12:39:16
In reply to Re: New to Depakote-Can someone tell me how it works?, posted by lostsailor on January 24, 2003, at 11:37:31
Hi Tony!
Your information about Depakote was helpful. It sounds like it works similarly to other anti seizure medications to control moods as well.
I've been on Lamictal before, but I got the rash and had to stop. However, my research shows that usually a rechallenge after the reaction is successful. So, based on your testimony and what I have heard from others, maybe I will have my doc try that again before moving on to ECT.
Thanks again for your help!
Antonio
>
> Hi there....Depakote in a nut shell...designed basically as stated above as an anti seizure med that is now being used as a medication to control mood swings, phases of acute mania, an augmentation to AD's (like Lexapro), and does interact with the brain site that panic attack are often believed to originate at or work to increase the hormones released during a panic attack, but is only used as an extra benefit and not for primarily for that .
>
> Depakote, like Lithium, are considered the gold standards to help bi-polar disorder--with Lithium is the undisputed, I guess. Depakote can cause some side effect sand requires blood work to monitor level of medication and periodic LF tests, but neither is really a concern. Some, not all gain weight on it. I gained about five ponds that were shed by upping my workout by a few minutes daily. For some people hair loss is an issue; it was never with me
>
> Other meds used without blood work are neurontin, but a waste of time, lamictal that I am finding the best of the three I have tried, toprimax and triliptal. Side effects vary on each but blood work is not needed. Have fun...doc will find many meds in dues time...they write them so they get cool pens.
>
> ~Tony
>
Posted by catmint on January 24, 2003, at 13:26:35
In reply to Re: New to Depakote-Can someone tell me how it works?, posted by juanantoniod on January 24, 2003, at 12:39:16
Hi Antonio,
What is your dx exactly?
I've not head of lithium for treatment resistent depression. I highly doubt that will treat it. Depakote is better tolerated for sure, but keep in mind that these two meds are primarily *anti-manic* and that the theory I wrote about in my previous post about "prevent the mania, prevent the subsequent depression" does not hold any water, at least in my experience and many others I have talked to.
If you have unipolar depression, I would suggest you stay away from Depakote or Lithium and give Lamictal another go.
I too had the rash but it was because I started at too high a dose, 12.5 mg. This time I started at 2.5 mg! I have been slowly titrating and an now at 25 mg. after 7 weeks and absolutely no rash. It is a phenomenal drug for my depression which presents itself as low-energy, despair, irritability, and anxiety. I am still experiencing some anxiety but pdoc is benzophobic and that's another topic altogether!
If you have anxiety, Depakote will work, but don't expect much else in terms of helping your other depressive symptoms. By the way, what are your main symptoms?
Take care and I hope you find the right med. I know it takes a long time, be patient, you'll figure it out.
Keep us posted,
Amy
Posted by juanantoniod on January 24, 2003, at 19:56:26
In reply to Re: New to Depakote-Can someone tell me how it works? » juanantoniod, posted by catmint on January 24, 2003, at 13:26:35
Hi,
Forgive me if this already appeared. I thought I posted this reply but didn't see it so I wanted to make sure I get back to you. (Aaah isn't mental illness wonderful?)
Anyway, Amy, my dx is depression, major of course, with a little bit of anxiety and PTSD thrown in for good measure.
Admittedly, I don't think I *need* to be on Depakote, but a friend of mine who is bipolar takes it and I was envious of his being able to sleep and nap whenever he wanted. I found the research that showed recent treatment recommendations that people with treatment resistant depression should be on lithium. Lithium got converted to Depakote by my pdoc and there we are.
As "androog" said in the "Opiates" thread, there seems to be an unending combination of things they can 'try' for treatment resistant depression. I'm going to give this (Lexapro + Depakote and I'm already on Wellbutrin and Remeron, Concerta and Focalin) a try, and perhaps, Cymbalta, before going to ECT. However, given your success and that of others in this community with Lamictal, I may persuade my pdoc to rechallenge me on that med before having the ECT. If I get to that point and ECT doesn't work, I will then pursue voluntary euthanasia.
My depression seems to be similar to yours, with similar symptoms. Can you please tell me a little more about how Lamictal has changed your mood and state of mind?
Thanks again for the info!
Antonio
> Hi Antonio,
> What is your dx exactly?
> I've not head of lithium for treatment resistent depression. I highly doubt that will treat it. Depakote is better tolerated for sure, but keep in mind that these two meds are primarily *anti-manic* and that the theory I wrote about in my previous post about "prevent the mania, prevent the subsequent depression" does not hold any water, at least in my experience and many others I have talked to.
> If you have unipolar depression, I would suggest you stay away from Depakote or Lithium and give Lamictal another go.
> I too had the rash but it was because I started at too high a dose, 12.5 mg. This time I started at 2.5 mg! I have been slowly titrating and an now at 25 mg. after 7 weeks and absolutely no rash. It is a phenomenal drug for my depression which presents itself as low-energy, despair, irritability, and anxiety. I am still experiencing some anxiety but pdoc is benzophobic and that's another topic altogether!
> If you have anxiety, Depakote will work, but don't expect much else in terms of helping your other depressive symptoms. By the way, what are your main symptoms?
> Take care and I hope you find the right med. I know it takes a long time, be patient, you'll figure it out.
> Keep us posted,
> Amy
>
Posted by catmint on January 26, 2003, at 1:44:46
In reply to Re: New to Depakote-Can someone tell me how it works?, posted by juanantoniod on January 24, 2003, at 19:56:26
>>If I get to that point and ECT doesn't work, I will then pursue voluntary euthanasia.
Be careful what you tell yourself! You don't want a self-fulfillling prophecy to happen. Believe me, I have felt as hopeless as this, I know how deep and dreadful depression can be, but you must know that there is hope. Keep talking to your friends, keep trying as hard as you can to think positively about getting better.
Antonio, you are on a lot of meds. Are you going to ditch any of them once you start the Depakote and Lexapro?
What are the stims for? How long have you been on them? Why has your pdoc prescibed them to you? I've heard of stims for mild depression but not for major.
You asked how Lamictal has changed my mood and state of mind? Mostly, I feel less claustrophobic in the world.
Depression made me feel like I had everything figured out, nothing suprised me, nothing excited me. Everything pissed me off, like I could never get any control. I'd react to everything. When things did go my way, I wouldn't be happy, just anxious as all hell, because I couldn't stop obsessing over when the next bad moment would come, which was always inevitable.I am still anxious, Lamictal hasn't cured that. But it's a different kind of anxiety, not a deep existential one. I'm also irritable, but that is a commom side effect and it goes away quicker than you'd expect.
The sadness still lingers in the distance; when the morning dose wears off it wants to rear its ugly head, *but* I have not had any crying spells in quite a while which is amazing, as that would always be a precursor to suicidal ideation.
I used to think I needed a stimulant so I tried to con my pdoc into giving me an ADD diagnosis on top of the bipolar one just so I could get some. She wouldn't go for it. I tried lots of coffee, ginseng, blue-green algae, yerba mate, wellbutrin, you name it. Nothing has worked except Lamictal. It helps so much.
All in all, I am crossing my fingers on this one. I am a bit wary that the effects might wear off, but as my friend Colin put it, we need to make the most of it before the mileage is up. Right now, for the past 6 or 7 weeks that I have been on it, the world is opening up again, and some of my interest are starting to intrigue me again. I feel better than I have in many, many years.
Hang in there Antonio, hope to hear from you.
Amy
Posted by cybercafe on January 26, 2003, at 15:39:13
In reply to Re: New to Depakote-Can someone tell me how it works?, posted by juanantoniod on January 24, 2003, at 12:34:38
> Hi, Amy,
>
> Thanks for your reply. I appreciate your input because I was kind of wondering the same thing. However, my recent journal search showed that the current care standards indicate that people with treatment resistant depression should be on lithium. So, maybe as Tony said, Depakote is being used because it is better managed and tolerated than lithium.1) my guess is depatoke is better tolerated than lithium
2) depatoke has no anti-depressant properties
3) lithium does have anti-depressant properties
4) the anti-depressant properties of lithium are thought to be serotonin re-uptake inhibition, so some argue simply increasing the dose of your SSRI might provide the same benefit
5) i have heard nothing of depatoke being used for unipolar depression... only bipolar... lithium is popular as an augmentation strategy for TRDthe protocol for treatment of TRD i think is
try 2 SSRIs
if there is a partial response, augment with
1) lithium (popular, old school)
2) T3 or T4 (popular, old school)
3) stimulants (not so popular)
4) atypical antipsychotics (somewhat popular)
5) buspirone (havnt heard much)
6) another antidepressant from a different classif there is no response, try antidepressants from other classes
tricyclics (more for melancholic)
MAOIS (very good! esp for vegetative/atypical depression)other new stuff like wellbutrin, remeron, effexor, etc etc
lamictal?there are very well documented standards put out by psychiatric associations
good resources?
1)clinical guidelines for the treatment of depression, canadian psychiatric association
2)practice guidelines for the treatment of depression, american psychiatric association
3) "if at first you don't succeed, try and try again....", thase and rushthase and rush actually defined numerical stages of treatment resistance
i can't remember most of this stuff since it turns out my treatment resistance was the result of misdiagnosis, and i lost interest in TRD,sorry :(
depakote stabilizes moods, occassionally works for anxiety (not me), does not have an antidepressant effect...
i think probably every other mood stabilizer beats depakote for antidepressant effect
i'm talking lithium, carbamazepine, lamictal, neurontin, zyprexa, you name it
Posted by juanantoniod on January 26, 2003, at 18:17:21
In reply to Re: New to Depakote-Can someone tell me how it works? » juanantoniod, posted by catmint on January 26, 2003, at 1:44:46
Hi, Amy,
My depression is similar to yours in that I feel like I have everything figured out, and nothing surprises me (except how awful other people are to each other), and nothing excites me. People piss me off, when they are not kind to me or to each other. When things don’t go my way, it reinforces how bad the world is to live in. So, I’m also anxious about when the next bad thing is going to happen to me.
As for my meds, you wouldn’t believe it if I told you all the meds I’m on, because I also take blood pressure medication and Ambien and Ativan at night for sleep, and pain meds too! My pdoc doesn’t know exactly what to do, I think, so he takes his cues from me. When I had an ECT consult with a pdoc last week, he suggested adding the Lexapro and Depakote to my already existing medication, since they were keeping me at least above water (not acutely suicidal). So my main pdoc prescribed them and I’ve already added the Lexapro and Depakote with no deleterious side effects, except a little sleepiness, possibly from the Depakote.
My pdoc had an incredible insight on my suicidal ideations. He said that I am chronically suicidal and not acutely suicidal. Which means that an intervention, like hospitalization, would have no bearing on my long term plans.
With that said, my best friend, and former domestic partner, recently died. His death put a lot into perspective about what would happen to all the people left behind if I died. I also recently saw the movie, “The Hours”, and one of the lines in it about “living for each other” struck me. So, at this point I’m not planning anything severe as far as voluntary euthanasia goes, I just want to have it as a backup plan so that I don’t end up in a state worse than I am where I don’t have the ability to research and execute such a plan.
Why am I on stimulants? That’s a good question. I do have obstructive sleep apnea, which causes daytime fatigue. But I also have a heart condition which contraindicates being on stimulants. My depression is such that I need the stimulants just to have enough energy to go out and face the world, just to get out of bed sometimes. I’ve been on them for a while (2 years), but only used them sparingly until the last few months. Now, I’m taking them more regularly to stay alert and focused and motivated throughout the day. I feel like I need them to give me the energy to get out into the world, which will get me outside of my depression. For example, I want to take a one-night class later this month and I definitely would not have the energy to go or to stay through the whole class without a stimulant.
I may also be at a point where I need stimulants because my body does not produce enough of them because of past drug abuse. For about a year I was self-treating my depression (in retrospect) with crystal meth. I used it several times a day for almost that whole year. The chronic abuse and the amount I was taking may have screwed up the neurotransmitters in my brain as well.
I hope the Lamictal continues to work well for you. I encourage you to, while you have the energy, get out and sign up for a class, join a book club, or something that will continue for a while even if you get depressed again. That’s what I need to do is build a life while I’m not depressed so that when I am depressed I will still have it to fall back on, and maybe keep me from getting deeply depressed again.
Thanks so much for the encouragement to keep going. I do appreciate it and it means a lot to me because it comes from someone else who knows what I am going through. I look forward to hearing more about how you are doing.
Take care,
Antonio
Posted by juanantoniod on January 26, 2003, at 18:25:15
In reply to Re: New to Depakote-Can someone tell me how it works?, posted by cybercafe on January 26, 2003, at 15:39:13
Cybercafe,
I appreciate your input. It seems irrefutable that lithium is what I should be on. However, I'm kind of at the mercy of my pdoc on this, but he does listen to me. If the Depakote/Lexapro addition to my regimen doesn't work, then maybe I can move on to a real trial of lithium, and perhaps rechallenge wtih Lamictal (I got the rash the first time).
Although I've tried the trycyclics, based on your suggestion from the treatment guidelines, perhaps I should try them again.
Either way, it seems like I have a few more medication options before going to ECT.
Best wishes to you,
Antonio
> > Hi, Amy,
> >
> > Thanks for your reply. I appreciate your input because I was kind of wondering the same thing. However, my recent journal search showed that the current care standards indicate that people with treatment resistant depression should be on lithium. So, maybe as Tony said, Depakote is being used because it is better managed and tolerated than lithium.
>
> 1) my guess is depatoke is better tolerated than lithium
> 2) depatoke has no anti-depressant properties
> 3) lithium does have anti-depressant properties
> 4) the anti-depressant properties of lithium are thought to be serotonin re-uptake inhibition, so some argue simply increasing the dose of your SSRI might provide the same benefit
> 5) i have heard nothing of depatoke being used for unipolar depression... only bipolar... lithium is popular as an augmentation strategy for TRD
>
> the protocol for treatment of TRD i think is
>
> try 2 SSRIs
> if there is a partial response, augment with
> 1) lithium (popular, old school)
> 2) T3 or T4 (popular, old school)
> 3) stimulants (not so popular)
> 4) atypical antipsychotics (somewhat popular)
> 5) buspirone (havnt heard much)
> 6) another antidepressant from a different class
>
> if there is no response, try antidepressants from other classes
>
> tricyclics (more for melancholic)
> MAOIS (very good! esp for vegetative/atypical depression)
>
> other new stuff like wellbutrin, remeron, effexor, etc etc
> lamictal?
>
> there are very well documented standards put out by psychiatric associations
>
> good resources?
> 1)clinical guidelines for the treatment of depression, canadian psychiatric association
> 2)practice guidelines for the treatment of depression, american psychiatric association
> 3) "if at first you don't succeed, try and try again....", thase and rush
>
> thase and rush actually defined numerical stages of treatment resistance
>
> i can't remember most of this stuff since it turns out my treatment resistance was the result of misdiagnosis, and i lost interest in TRD,sorry :(
>
>
> depakote stabilizes moods, occassionally works for anxiety (not me), does not have an antidepressant effect...
> i think probably every other mood stabilizer beats depakote for antidepressant effect
> i'm talking lithium, carbamazepine, lamictal, neurontin, zyprexa, you name it
>
>
Posted by cybercafe on January 27, 2003, at 0:05:00
In reply to Re: New to Depakote-Can someone tell me how it works?, posted by juanantoniod on January 26, 2003, at 18:25:15
> Cybercafe,
>
> I appreciate your input. It seems irrefutable that lithium is what I should be on. However, I'm kind of at the mercy of my pdoc on this, but he does listen to me. If the Depakote/Lexapro addition to my regimen doesn't work, then maybe I can move on to a real trial of lithium, and perhaps rechallenge wtih Lamictal (I got the rash the first time).
>
> Although I've tried the trycyclics, based on your suggestion from the treatment guidelines, perhaps I should try them again.
>
> Either way, it seems like I have a few more medication options before going to ECT.
>
> Best wishes to you,
>oh well... on the bright side, depakote has a decent
side effect profile... if i become hypomanic again, its probably the drug i'll choose first
> Antonio
>
> > > Hi, Amy,
> > >
> > > Thanks for your reply. I appreciate your input because I was kind of wondering the same thing. However, my recent journal search showed that the current care standards indicate that people with treatment resistant depression should be on lithium. So, maybe as Tony said, Depakote is being used because it is better managed and tolerated than lithium.
> >
> > 1) my guess is depatoke is better tolerated than lithium
> > 2) depatoke has no anti-depressant properties
> > 3) lithium does have anti-depressant properties
> > 4) the anti-depressant properties of lithium are thought to be serotonin re-uptake inhibition, so some argue simply increasing the dose of your SSRI might provide the same benefit
> > 5) i have heard nothing of depatoke being used for unipolar depression... only bipolar... lithium is popular as an augmentation strategy for TRD
> >
> > the protocol for treatment of TRD i think is
> >
> > try 2 SSRIs
> > if there is a partial response, augment with
> > 1) lithium (popular, old school)
> > 2) T3 or T4 (popular, old school)
> > 3) stimulants (not so popular)
> > 4) atypical antipsychotics (somewhat popular)
> > 5) buspirone (havnt heard much)
> > 6) another antidepressant from a different class
> >
> > if there is no response, try antidepressants from other classes
> >
> > tricyclics (more for melancholic)
> > MAOIS (very good! esp for vegetative/atypical depression)
> >
> > other new stuff like wellbutrin, remeron, effexor, etc etc
> > lamictal?
> >
> > there are very well documented standards put out by psychiatric associations
> >
> > good resources?
> > 1)clinical guidelines for the treatment of depression, canadian psychiatric association
> > 2)practice guidelines for the treatment of depression, american psychiatric association
> > 3) "if at first you don't succeed, try and try again....", thase and rush
> >
> > thase and rush actually defined numerical stages of treatment resistance
> >
> > i can't remember most of this stuff since it turns out my treatment resistance was the result of misdiagnosis, and i lost interest in TRD,sorry :(
> >
> >
> > depakote stabilizes moods, occassionally works for anxiety (not me), does not have an antidepressant effect...
> > i think probably every other mood stabilizer beats depakote for antidepressant effect
> > i'm talking lithium, carbamazepine, lamictal, neurontin, zyprexa, you name it
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by catmint on January 27, 2003, at 1:21:20
In reply to Re: New to Depakote-Can someone tell me how it works?, posted by juanantoniod on January 26, 2003, at 18:17:21
>>That’s what I need to do is build a life while I’m not depressed so that when I am depressed I will still have it to fall back on, and maybe keep me from getting deeply depressed againAntonio,
Thanks for all that you shared. I'm really happy to read that! Are you working? If not, can you go to vocational rehab? They are helping me get new skills so I can start working again and get off SSI(disability).How much Depakote have you started with? Are you able to take a nap during the day and/or sleep better at night?
It sounds like you need to tell your pdoc straight up everything that you take so as to not have any interactions.
I now understand why you take the stims due to your past meth addiction. I think depressive people who also have PTSD crave stimulants.
I know I do. I also have PTSD due to an abuse incident as a child.I'm kinda confused about your long term plan. What do you think will happen? Is'nt ECT safe? Why would anything happen to you?
I hope you keep talking to me and others on this board, I don't know how old you are but it doesn't mattter. I'ts never too late to have a better quality of life.
Write soon,
Amy
Posted by juanantoniod on January 27, 2003, at 16:51:08
In reply to Re: New to Depakote-Can someone tell me how it works? » juanantoniod, posted by catmint on January 27, 2003, at 1:21:20
Amy,
I appreciate your caring enough to have an interest in what is going on with me.
Right now I am not working, I am disabled, mostly due to mental illness. So, until that is resolved, I am going to do some volunteering. I am also going to take 3 different workshops in the next 3 months about finding my life purpose. Hopefully that will give me some direction for re-entering the job market.
I started the Depakote at 500mg, and now am up to 1000mg daily. I don't know how it works, but I think the anti-anxiety component is allowing me to take a nap during the day, which I couldn't before because I felt hypervigilant and always on edge. (I also have a childhood history of abuse.)
Because I am on so many medications, I do keep a spreadsheet of them, and take it to may docs whenever it changes. I also recently came across a program which would check for drug interactions at the metabolizing enzyme (CYP450) level. None of mine appeared to have any major interactions.
I'm 36 and ECT is a therapy of last resort for me at this point. I promised my friend that before I would consider voluntary euthanasia, I would exhaust all treatments for depression. However, after recently seeing "The Hours", it further awakened me to the impact my death would have on others. This leaves me less open to committing something like voluntary euthanasia.
I think there are a few more meds to try and hopefully something will make me feel "normal". However, without the suicidal ideations, I'm not sure what my feelings are. I've already tried almost all the meds available, but might want to go back and give tricyclics a try. Strattera and Cymbalta are also options for the future. Maybe the Lexapro will work. I'm currently only at 10mg, ramping up to 20 daily, so there is still hope for that.
I know about vocational rehab and they usually require that you are in a specific program. Do you mind telling me what you are going to achieve? How old are you,and are you doing the vocational rehab because you now feel well enough to get back into the job market?
I look forward to hearing more about you,
Antonio
>
> Antonio,
> Thanks for all that you shared. I'm really happy to read that! Are you working? If not, can you go to vocational rehab? They are helping me get new skills so I can start working again and get off SSI(disability).
>
> How much Depakote have you started with? Are you able to take a nap during the day and/or sleep better at night?
>
> It sounds like you need to tell your pdoc straight up everything that you take so as to not have any interactions.
>
> I now understand why you take the stims due to your past meth addiction. I think depressive people who also have PTSD crave stimulants.
> I know I do. I also have PTSD due to an abuse incident as a child.
>
> I'm kinda confused about your long term plan. What do you think will happen? Is'nt ECT safe? Why would anything happen to you?
>
> I hope you keep talking to me and others on this board, I don't know how old you are but it doesn't mattter. I'ts never too late to have a better quality of life.
>
> Write soon,
> Amy
Posted by catmint on January 28, 2003, at 15:10:21
In reply to Re: New to Depakote-Can someone tell me how it works?, posted by juanantoniod on January 27, 2003, at 16:51:08
Antonio,
It's good that the Depakote is allowing you to nap during the day. Do you feel incredibly groggy once you wake up? It did that to me, I had a real hard time getting up in the morning.I'm wondering, why two stimulants and two benzo's?
Do you think you should try to cut out some? I've heard that too much BZs can make you depressed.
You asked about my returning to work. I have been on disability for a year and a half and I'm thinking that some kind of part time work might actually have a positive effect on my state of mind. I need some kind of structure. Right now I'm in vocational rehab. which in California, is available to anyone who has any kind of disability. Their funding is being cut in June, so I need to figure out something to get training in before that
What kind of volunteer work are you going to do?
I sincerely hope you get on the right meds. As for your real feelings, have you spent any time in psycotherapy? After the death of your best friend have you allowed yourself to properly grieve? Do you have anyone close to you who can help you?
Just to let you know, your death would have an impact on me as well, because even though I'm just getting to know you, it would make me feel hopeless too. I am reading a book on Buddhist meditation right now, and he says that we need to be thankful for all the obstacles and problems in our lives because without them we are completely sterile, cleaned out with Ajax, like hospital corridors where there's no place for germs. Our problems are the only working basis that we have. Regared them as a promise. We should be grateful that we are not sterile and cleaned out. THis might not make sense, I think it's really important to first get on the right meds.
Please try not to entertain the thought of death. Do not reinforce it in any way, tell those thought to stop. You don't need to believe your thoughts.
Antonio, I hope I'm not being pushy, I really am helping myself through you. I do care what happens to you. If I am intruding to much let me know.
Amy
Posted by juanantoniod on January 30, 2003, at 20:06:20
Amy,
I don’t mind answering your questions. I haven’t been on the Depakote long enough to figure out what it’s doing for me. It does seem to let me sleep a little later in the morning. This is helpful because it fills up more of my day so I don’t feel so depressed. The Focalin is a short-acting stimulant which I use if I take it later in the day so it doesn’t interfere with sleep. The Concerta is taken in the morning if I need to be alert all day. I don’t believe that I am on 2 benzos, and the Ativan is a relatively low dose (I think). I would like to get off medications altogether, but that does not seem likely any time in the near future. Also, psychiatry isn’t geared toward reducing medication, it’s more about piling on as many as possible.
I’ve been in psychotherapy for years. I believe that I’ve grieved as much as I can for the loss of my friend. The people close to me are helping as much as they can.
I agree with you about doing something part-time having a positive effect on your state of mind. I’m planning on doing some volunteer work to help me get ready for the structure of a work environment. I’m thinking that I can help somewhere with computers, since that is what I am good at. I am in California as well, so I know about the vocational rehab program. What ideas do you have for the goal you want to pursue through the program?
I'm sorry I did not get back to you sooner, I've been under the weather with a cold for the last few days.
Antonio
> Antonio,
> It's good that the Depakote is allowing you to nap during the day. Do you feel incredibly groggy once you wake up? It did that to me, I had a real hard time getting up in the morning.
>
> I'm wondering, why two stimulants and two benzo's?
>
> Do you think you should try to cut out some? I've heard that too much BZs can make you depressed.
>
> You asked about my returning to work. I have been on disability for a year and a half and I'm thinking that some kind of part time work might actually have a positive effect on my state of mind. I need some kind of structure. Right now I'm in vocational rehab. which in California, is available to anyone who has any kind of disability. Their funding is being cut in June, so I need to figure out something to get training in before that
>
> What kind of volunteer work are you going to do?
>
> I sincerely hope you get on the right meds. As for your real feelings, have you spent any time in psycotherapy? After the death of your best friend have you allowed yourself to properly grieve? Do you have anyone close to you who can help you?
> Just to let you know, your death would have an impact on me as well, because even though I'm just getting to know you, it would make me feel hopeless too. I am reading a book on Buddhist meditation right now, and he says that we need to be thankful for all the obstacles and problems in our lives because without them we are completely sterile, cleaned out with Ajax, like hospital corridors where there's no place for germs. Our problems are the only working basis that we have. Regared them as a promise. We should be grateful that we are not sterile and cleaned out. THis might not make sense, I think it's really important to first get on the right meds.
> Please try not to entertain the thought of death. Do not reinforce it in any way, tell those thought to stop. You don't need to believe your thoughts.
> Antonio, I hope I'm not being pushy, I really am helping myself through you. I do care what happens to you. If I am intruding to much let me know.
> Amy
Posted by catmint on January 31, 2003, at 2:34:04
In reply to New to Depakote-Lost the thread Amy, posted by juanantoniod on January 30, 2003, at 20:06:20
Hi Antonio,
I'm sorry, I thought Ambien was a benzo, but now I know it is a sedative.
I don't have much time right now, I will write more later.
How is the Lexapro? Have you noticed anything yet.
I hope you are feeling better. My son has a cold too.
Talk to you soon,
Amy
This is the end of the thread.
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