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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by ms.Holly on October 13, 2003, at 13:12:18
Hello:
Woould appreciate any and all feedback on experience taking this medication. I have been on 1000mg for 4 months. My hair is thinning trmendousely (taking selenium to combat this), and my conitive functioning is slowed .... to the point that I feel like I am in a fog, I turn words around, forget things, ---articulating myself is very difficult.I am a 120lb female.....my depakote levels came back relatively high the first 2 times, (121 and 127)...considering I am not in a manic state....what is teh research/body of knowledge behind titrating my dose to perhaps 500mg to alleviate the side affects, then up the dose if I trigger into a mania (my manias are not sever, more like hypomania's) and I know how to recognize them, as well as my partner knows what to watch for. I guess I am asking, is it okay to be on a less than therapuetic dose while not exhibiting manic symptoms and then up the dose IF and when I do rev or go manic?
What are some alternative mood stabilizers besides Depakote, Lithium, or Topomax? I have been on Lithium and it had too many side affects. I have about 2 mild mania's a yr...mostly hypo.....so I am a mild case...do I even need a mood stabilizer?
I notice more lows now (I am 31) and the first mania was at 19....since then about 1 mania a yr (agitated mania///low grade).
Your thoughts, ideas feedback are needed.
Many thanks.
Posted by sarita0001 on October 13, 2003, at 16:25:53
In reply to Depakote Issues?, posted by ms.Holly on October 13, 2003, at 13:12:18
Hi Holly,
It sounds like your idea to lower the dosage to reduce side effects is a good one. I stayed on a way too high dose of lithium and never lowered it because it was below the "therapeutic dose". I think if I had lowered it I would have been better off. Look up some searches on google about subtherapeutic levels of depakote. I think it wouldn't be a bad idea to try a lower dose and if you think you need to go up then go back. From what I know med effectivenes is less if you go completely off.
Good luck
Sara
Posted by ms.Holly on October 13, 2003, at 16:48:01
In reply to Re: Depakote Issues? » ms.Holly, posted by sarita0001 on October 13, 2003, at 16:25:53
Thanks Sara. I am mainly quetioning the efficacy (sp) of Depakote. If I am this mentally "clogged", in addition to feeling sad, word -loss...etc. (I rarely have depressive symptoms but feel them every morning...disapates as the day goes on).
I can hardly see the long term or short term benefits on 500 or 1000mg of depakote..I am a walking zombie. I was diagnosed 10 plus yrs ago, but my mania's have never been sever...only on the "hypo" side....with low grade depression if little at all. I am asking my pdoc about Neurontin due to low/no side effects and the anti-depressant agent. I know SSRI's work excellent for me, but too risky to spin into a hypo. Ever heard of a patient just using Klonopin to maintain "mood stability"...? What about Neurontin..have you tried this one?
Posted by sarita0001 on October 13, 2003, at 18:01:50
In reply to Re: Depakote Issues?, posted by ms.Holly on October 13, 2003, at 16:48:01
Hi,
The only meds I have been on were lithium 900mg for 6 years, 675mg for 1 year. I took Topamax for 4 months(stopped in May) and am continuing to deal with side effects. Supposedly I am a rare case, but my psychiatrist said that Tmax causes "hellish side effects" more than other anti-epileptics. Now I am going off lithium and taking a big risk in order to see if I truly need meds or not. I had a psychotic or manic(maybe) episode when I was 17 and there are differing opinions whether it was substance induced or truly bipolar. But that is a long story and sooner(hopefully later)I'll find out.
To answer your question, my psychiatrist said if I ever went back on meds she would suggest Neurontin or Lamictal. Never tried Klonopin. This whole meds thing is confusing but hopefully you'll find the right one(s). Be happy to answer any other questions.
Sara
Posted by waterfall on October 13, 2003, at 18:41:50
In reply to Re: Depakote Issues?, posted by ms.Holly on October 13, 2003, at 16:48:01
I haven't had many problems with Depakote, alhtough I am getting off of it now. Struggling with whether I need it at all. I did take Klonipin for a number of years and would definitely NOT recommend for mood stability. It's just a big downer.
> Thanks Sara. I am mainly quetioning the efficacy (sp) of Depakote. If I am this mentally "clogged", in addition to feeling sad, word -loss...etc. (I rarely have depressive symptoms but feel them every morning...disapates as the day goes on).
> I can hardly see the long term or short term benefits on 500 or 1000mg of depakote..I am a walking zombie. I was diagnosed 10 plus yrs ago, but my mania's have never been sever...only on the "hypo" side....with low grade depression if little at all. I am asking my pdoc about Neurontin due to low/no side effects and the anti-depressant agent. I know SSRI's work excellent for me, but too risky to spin into a hypo. Ever heard of a patient just using Klonopin to maintain "mood stability"...? What about Neurontin..have you tried this one?
This is the end of the thread.
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