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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 Spriggy on March 3, 2005, at 17:46:54
You both are priceless to me so maybe you can help me with this one..Doctor has me on Depakote. As I said, RX says to take 250 mg's twice a day. Being the paranoid drug freak that I am, I will only take 250 mg's a day until I know I won't wig out on this.
From what I have read, Depakote doesn't really help depression. As my moods and anxiety gets more stable, will that automatically help with the depression?
I already feel like my depressed states aren't as deep or lasting as long if that makes sense.
* Also, A BIG ONE (being that I am a woman here), how many mg's does the whole "weight gain and hair loss" issue come into play with Depakote.
I am apparently on a low dosage so does that mean I'm likely not to experience the horrid hunger binges and weight gain?
The pharmacist told me that from her experience, on such a low dose, I wouldn't likely see any weight changes (but she refused to sign a contract saying so.. LOL).
I read on one site, that the weight gain/hair loss thing typically is seen above 750 mg's.
I basically want reassurance that THIS is the right drug to try. I was really hoping for Lamictal because of the AD properties and weight neutral thing (plus it's helped my dad a whole lot) but my doctor was SOOO against the idea of it.
Thanks to anyone who responds!
Posted by Phillipa on March 3, 2005, at 18:22:14
In reply to SLS or Ed uk... my official answerers to ?'s, posted by Spriggy on March 3, 2005, at 17:46:54
Spriggy, sorry I can't answer this for you, but my husband looked up the way for you to receive Babblemail, and I posted it for you. Did it help? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by Spriggy on March 3, 2005, at 18:46:54
In reply to Re: SLS or Ed uk... my official answerers to ?'s » Spriggy, posted by Phillipa on March 3, 2005, at 18:22:14
Remind me again where I posted the info so I can find where you posted the help.
(yes, I really am blonde)
LOL
Posted by Spriggy on March 3, 2005, at 18:54:25
In reply to Re: SLS or Ed uk... my official answerers to ?'s, posted by Spriggy on March 3, 2005, at 18:46:54
I think I figured it out and can now do the babblemail thing.
Somebody please pass me a cookie.
And oh, I still want some answers about the Depakote. ROFL
Posted by Phillipa on March 3, 2005, at 19:36:09
In reply to I think I did it Phillipa, posted by Spriggy on March 3, 2005, at 18:54:25
Yeah! You did it! Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by emme on March 3, 2005, at 20:13:18
In reply to SLS or Ed uk... my official answerers to ?'s, posted by Spriggy on March 3, 2005, at 17:46:54
>I was really hoping for Lamictal because of the AD properties and weight neutral thing (plus it's helped my dad a whole lot) but my doctor was SOOO against the idea of it.
Just curious. Why is your doctor against you trying Lamictal? You may have mentioned this earlier - I haven't read all the threads.
em
> Thanks to anyone who responds!
Posted by ed_uk on March 4, 2005, at 8:51:08
In reply to SLS or Ed uk... my official answerers to ?'s, posted by Spriggy on March 3, 2005, at 17:46:54
Hi!
>Being the paranoid drug freak that I am, I will only take 250 mg's a day until I know I won't wig out on this.
Depakote ususally needs to be taken 2-3 times a day to be most effective (unless it's the extended release). You'd probably get a better effect if you took 250mg twice daily.
>As my moods and anxiety gets more stable, will that automatically help with the depression?
Yes, I think it could do. There are no guarantees though!
>I am apparently on a low dosage so does that mean I'm likely not to experience the horrid hunger binges and weight gain?
Since your illness was apparantly triggered by Lexapro, hopefully you won't need to be on Depakote for more than a few months. This should reduce the risk of side effects. I can't promise that it will be weight-neutral but I would expect that weight gain would be less likely with the low dose that you have been prescribed. If you do experience weight gain, you could always try a different MS instead, for example Trileptal.
Did your doctor give any indication of how long s/he expects you will need to take Depakote for?
Ed.
Posted by Spriggy on March 4, 2005, at 15:42:37
In reply to Re: SLS or Ed uk... my official answerers to ?'s, posted by ed_uk on March 4, 2005, at 8:51:08
Well the doctor wants me to try it for one month, come back in and then go from there.So.. if I gain weight, have liver failure, or go bald by then, we'll know it's not for me. ROFL
Posted by ed_uk on March 4, 2005, at 15:52:27
In reply to Re: SLS or Ed uk... my official answerers to ?'s, posted by Spriggy on March 4, 2005, at 15:42:37
Hi Spriggy :-)
>So.. if I gain weight, have liver failure, or go bald by then, we'll know it's not for me.
These things don't happen overnight eg. symptoms of liver disease appear before you go into liver failure. So long as you monitor yourself closely and discontinue the medication if you have any serious symptoms you should be fine. Make sure you read the package insert carefully and learn the symptoms which suggest liver disease or pancreatitis.
>ROFL
What does ROFL mean?
Ed.
Posted by Spriggy on March 4, 2005, at 17:21:11
In reply to Re: SLS or Ed uk... my official answerers to ?'s, posted by ed_uk on March 4, 2005, at 15:52:27
sorry ed..
ROFL means (Roll On Floor Laughing).
Kind of like "ha ha haha"
Posted by SLS on March 5, 2005, at 7:27:39
In reply to SLS or Ed uk... my official answerers to ?'s, posted by Spriggy on March 3, 2005, at 17:46:54
Hi.
> I will only take 250 mg's a day until I know I won't wig out on this
Does this mean that you are waiting to see if your hair will fall out?
:-)
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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