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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jay on April 24, 2004, at 10:03:46
Jeff...I couldn’t find the thread I responded to before, but just wanted to add that you may really want to give Depakote a shot with your combo. All mood stabalizers are not the same, and Depakote
has a good track record in those ‘mixed states’, that other mood stabalizers don’t. I am also telling you from my own personal experience. Please give it a shot...you wouldn’t want to regret not trying
something that may be of major help. It's not that expensive, and at least you can say you tried it.Best,
Jay
Posted by sdjeff on April 24, 2004, at 23:36:36
In reply to To SDJeff....*important*, posted by jay on April 24, 2004, at 10:03:46
> Jeff...I couldn’t find the thread I responded to before, but just wanted to add that you may really want to give Depakote a shot with your combo. All mood stabalizers are not the same, and Depakote
> has a good track record in those ‘mixed states’, that other mood stabalizers don’t. I am also telling you from my own personal experience. Please give it a shot...you wouldn’t want to regret not trying
> something that may be of major help. It's not that expensive, and at least you can say you tried it.
>
> Best,
> Jay
Thanks, Jay.
I have to admit I'm suffering from mood stabilizer phobia. I've had and can't tolerate 4 different ones. Do you know how fast it starts working? what about taking it only at night?(very prone to sedation)YOu are a cool guy. Too bad we can't go out for coffee.
Best,
SDJ
Posted by jay on April 25, 2004, at 15:54:57
In reply to Re: To SDJeff....*important*, posted by sdjeff on April 24, 2004, at 23:36:36
> > Jeff...I couldn’t find the thread I responded to before, but just wanted to add that you may really want to give Depakote a shot with your combo. All mood stabalizers are not the same, and Depakote
> > has a good track record in those ‘mixed states’, that other mood stabalizers don’t. I am also telling you from my own personal experience. Please give it a shot...you wouldn’t want to regret not trying
> > something that may be of major help. It's not that expensive, and at least you can say you tried it.
> >
> > Best,
> > Jay
>
>
> Thanks, Jay.
> I have to admit I'm suffering from mood stabilizer phobia. I've had and can't tolerate 4 different ones. Do you know how fast it starts working? what about taking it only at night?(very prone to sedation)
>
> YOu are a cool guy. Too bad we can't go out for coffee.
>
> Best,
> SDJ
>
>Hey Jeff...thanx man...and right back too ya! I can't say if using Depakote is *the* answer to all...maybe I pushed it too much in my last post. I just thought you might give it a shot. You may be able to take the lower doses in the day, and a bit of a higher dose at bedtime. Plus, I've read smaller doses of Depakote have been found to be just as good as larger ones in use in psychiatry.
I don't know if you could try boosting your dose of your antipsychotic also, and I'd really suggest try adding clonazepam if your pdoc is for it. (And if not...try to talk to them about it.)
Ya, I'd love to go out for a coffee with you..well we can have 'virtual' coffee...heh.
Let me know what you think bud..
Best,
Jay
Posted by SLS on April 26, 2004, at 12:50:19
In reply to Re: To SDJeff....*important* » sdjeff, posted by jay on April 25, 2004, at 15:54:57
Hi Jay.
> Plus, I've read smaller doses of Depakote have been found to be just as good as larger ones in use in psychiatry.
My personal experience with Depakote has been that I do not receive the full benefit of its anti-manic properties until I reach a dosage between 1000-1500mg.What sorts of illnesses is Depakote effective at lower dosages? What are the dosages that are recommended?
Thanks.
- Scott
Posted by HappyGirl on April 26, 2004, at 15:03:32
In reply to Re: To SDJeff....*important* » jay, posted by SLS on April 26, 2004, at 12:50:19
Hi SLS:
I did take just/normal dosage 750 mg. every day, about a year after dx'ed Bp, ... just Depakote med. alone. However, looking back now, 750 mg. Depakote just offerred me 'a relief,' but *not* in 'functional state.' Actually, my siblings did help me through all those financial and emotional things for me. What I did was just 'alive,' ... not as 'normal/regular human being.' Just 'existence' in this world. I lost almost everything for BP during those periods/time, ... but now I finally was 'able' to recover the life I missed.
Then, there is a *big* difference between 'being functionable' and 'a relief.'
In order to being functionable, I personally *not* recommend this med., Depakote for any serious form of M.I., ... but just 'add/assistance' type to other potent med., like APs.
H.G.
Posted by SLS on April 26, 2004, at 16:47:08
In reply to Re: To SDJeff....*important*//SLS, posted by HappyGirl on April 26, 2004, at 15:03:32
Hi H.G.
> I lost almost everything for BP
I haven't read many of your posts, so I don't know anything about your history or experience with BP. I can certainly relate personally with the pain and frustration you suffered from having your life ripped away from you by mental illness.
> ... but now I finally was 'able' to recover the life I missed.
I am very glad that you have found what you needed to recover from mental illness and build your life anew.
> I did take just/normal dosage 750 mg. every day, about a year after dx'ed Bp, ... just Depakote med. alone.
750mg is at the low end of the therapeutic range for treating bipolar disorder. It really depends on how your system manages the drug and the blood levels that result. For bipolar disorder, this is between 50 and 125 mcg/ml. Many people need 1500-2000mg to obtain this.
> However, looking back now, 750 mg. Depakote just offerred me 'a relief,' but *not* in 'functional state.'
This is often the case when treating depression with Depakote, particularly when it is used alone as monotherapy. It was only partially effective for me against depression. It just wasn't the right drug for me.
> Then, there is a *big* difference between 'being functionable' and 'a relief.'
I know. I am having a difficult time finding the right treatment for me right now, so I know how you feel.
> In order to being functionable, I personally *not* recommend this med., Depakote for any serious form of M.I., ... but just 'add/assistance' type to other potent med., like APs.
For some people with bipolar disorder, Depakote alone can stabilize their mood and prevent both depression and mania from recurring. It can be a powerful anti-manic drug by itself. For a resistant depression, however, it is usually necessary to take an antidepressant along with it. I would not want to characterize Depakote as a "just add/assistance" type of drug. It is not a "weaker" drug than the others. It is just different and performs a different function. For many people, it is the magic key that, in concert with the other drugs they are taking, brings them into remission and full functionality. It seems that Depakote is not the right drug for you and me, but it is for many, many others.
Stay well.
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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