Psycho-Babble Medication Thread 480997

Shown: posts 1 to 22 of 22. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms??

Posted by cache-monkey on April 7, 2005, at 1:24:25

I started Depakote ER at 250 mg last night. I'm not finding it really that sedating. A little bit of GI distress, but my understanding is that's likely to be transient.

The wierd thing is that I feel like my core temperature was way up during the day today (although I haven't had access to a thermometer). I've also been having some dry mouth and my palms have been sweating quite a bit. Both started getting better toward dinner time just in time for my next dose.

Weird. I mean, I've heard all about the stomach, weight, and hair issues. But sweaty palms (and a dry mouth) is a bit unexpected. Anyone else get this from Depakote?

~cache-monkey

 

Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palm

Posted by anodyne on April 7, 2005, at 7:55:27

In reply to Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms??, posted by cache-monkey on April 7, 2005, at 1:24:25

> I started Depakote ER at 250 mg last night. I'm not finding it really that sedating. A little bit of GI distress, but my understanding is that's likely to be transient.
>
> The wierd thing is that I feel like my core temperature was way up during the day today (although I haven't had access to a thermometer). I've also been having some dry mouth and my palms have been sweating quite a bit. Both started getting better toward dinner time just in time for my next dose.
>
> Weird. I mean, I've heard all about the stomach, weight, and hair issues. But sweaty palms (and a dry mouth) is a bit unexpected. Anyone else get this from Depakote?
>
> ~cache-monkey
>


All Depakote did for me was make me strangely dumb. Not the kind of "I am drunk" feeling but a slow reduction in my ability to grasp complex problems. I didn't really realize what was going on until I hit an exam that I thought was going to be an easy one, and bam - lowest score in the class. Granted this was almost ten years ago and it wasn't the ER version but keep an eye out. -Dan

 

Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » cache-monkey

Posted by PM80 on April 7, 2005, at 8:55:52

In reply to Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms??, posted by cache-monkey on April 7, 2005, at 1:24:25

You are on a low dose of Depakote. I'm on 500mg/day, and it is not sedating at all for me. In fact, it works more like an antidepressnt for me. (I'm on seroquel for sedating type effects) Weird side effects are always possible, but if anxiety is a problem for you, maybe you are just anxious about taking the drug and this is what is causing your symptoms rather than the actual drug. Unless they are really bad, giving it some time may help determine if it is actually the drug.

PS taking depakote with food helps with heartburn.

 

Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » cache-monkey

Posted by Ritch on April 7, 2005, at 9:55:11

In reply to Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms??, posted by cache-monkey on April 7, 2005, at 1:24:25

> I started Depakote ER at 250 mg last night. I'm not finding it really that sedating. A little bit of GI distress, but my understanding is that's likely to be transient.
>
> The wierd thing is that I feel like my core temperature was way up during the day today (although I haven't had access to a thermometer). I've also been having some dry mouth and my palms have been sweating quite a bit. Both started getting better toward dinner time just in time for my next dose.
>
> Weird. I mean, I've heard all about the stomach, weight, and hair issues. But sweaty palms (and a dry mouth) is a bit unexpected. Anyone else get this from Depakote?
>
> ~cache-monkey
>

I never got sweaty palms and dry mouth on Depakote, but I can say that it can cause an internal "warmth" feeling-- I think Spriggy called it having your brain in a warm bath-- it's kind of difficult to describe. I usually only notice it on a dose increase and then that fades. SSRI's can raise sensation of temperature too and cause sweating, WB made my feet sweat which was a weird thing. Maybe it's another med that you are taking?

 

Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms??

Posted by Spriggy on April 7, 2005, at 11:32:21

In reply to Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » cache-monkey, posted by Ritch on April 7, 2005, at 9:55:11

ALL meds give me dry mouth and sweaty palms and I have concluded, it's not the meds, rather my anxiety of reacting to them.

I can stand NEAR the pill and never swallow it and get all sorts of symptoms. As a matter of fact, I can just look at a new bottle of pills and think my throat is swelling shut due to an allergic reaction. LOL

But you are asking a girl who sits in the ER parking lot up to 1.5 hours when taking a new medicine. So as you can see, I am very rational.

LOL

BUT Depakote, um... no I don't recall those symptoms (other than the first time becuase of my anxiety). I do recall feeling a bit tired on it at tiems/sedated but nothing too bad. I also did say, like Ritch mentioned, it made my brain feel all warm and fuzzy. LOL

You're on a really low dose, I'd say give it some more time and maybe the reaction will go away.

 

Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palm » anodyne

Posted by cache-monkey on April 7, 2005, at 15:00:46

In reply to Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palm, posted by anodyne on April 7, 2005, at 7:55:27

Out of curiousity, on what dose did this happen? Also, to clarify, this wasn't due to excessive sedation or something like, rather truly cognitive dulling?

Thx,
cache-monkey

> All Depakote did for me was make me strangely dumb. Not the kind of "I am drunk" feeling but a slow reduction in my ability to grasp complex problems. I didn't really realize what was going on until I hit an exam that I thought was going to be an easy one, and bam - lowest score in the class. Granted this was almost ten years ago and it wasn't the ER version but keep an eye out. -Dan

 

Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » PM80

Posted by cache-monkey on April 7, 2005, at 15:05:59

In reply to Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » cache-monkey, posted by PM80 on April 7, 2005, at 8:55:52

I think you're possibly right about the anxiety. I was quite worried about all the horror stories that I've read about Depakote. I'm definitely going to try to get up to at least 500 mg/day for a little while before ruling on it, though.

Thanks for the tip on taking it with food. I'm trying to take it with a big meal.

In terms of it having some antidepressant effect for you: was this something you noticed right away or did it take time to show up? Also, were you having problems with agitation/mixed states/dysphoria before the Depakote? (That seems to be my issue, rather than classical depression...)

~cache-monkey

> You are on a low dose of Depakote. I'm on 500mg/day, and it is not sedating at all for me. In fact, it works more like an antidepressnt for me. (I'm on seroquel for sedating type effects) Weird side effects are always possible, but if anxiety is a problem for you, maybe you are just anxious about taking the drug and this is what is causing your symptoms rather than the actual drug. Unless they are really bad, giving it some time may help determine if it is actually the drug.
>
> PS taking depakote with food helps with heartburn.

 

Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » Ritch

Posted by cache-monkey on April 7, 2005, at 15:09:03

In reply to Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » cache-monkey, posted by Ritch on April 7, 2005, at 9:55:11

The only other med I'm on is diazepam (8 mg/day) and hadn't been experiencing this before starting the Depakote.

But think I am getting that internal warmth thing. It's actually kind of nice in some ways. I like that ... "having your brain in a warm bath".

~cache-monkey


>
> I never got sweaty palms and dry mouth on Depakote, but I can say that it can cause an internal "warmth" feeling-- I think Spriggy called it having your brain in a warm bath-- it's kind of difficult to describe. I usually only notice it on a dose increase and then that fades. SSRI's can raise sensation of temperature too and cause sweating, WB made my feet sweat which was a weird thing. Maybe it's another med that you are taking?

 

Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » Spriggy

Posted by cache-monkey on April 7, 2005, at 15:12:27

In reply to Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms??, posted by Spriggy on April 7, 2005, at 11:32:21

Yeah, someone else suggested anxiety as well. I do tend to get really anxious before starting a new medication. (Obsessively so at times, but not quite as bad as what you seem to go through.) Anyway, maybe that's a part of it.

No sedation yet. But a little bit of that warm fuzzy feeling. Hopefully this med sticks... I'm tired of cycling through all the various options. Especially given my insurance's ridiculously low prescription cap.

Thanks for the input,
cache-monkey

> ALL meds give me dry mouth and sweaty palms and I have concluded, it's not the meds, rather my anxiety of reacting to them.
>
> I can stand NEAR the pill and never swallow it and get all sorts of symptoms. As a matter of fact, I can just look at a new bottle of pills and think my throat is swelling shut due to an allergic reaction. LOL
>
> But you are asking a girl who sits in the ER parking lot up to 1.5 hours when taking a new medicine. So as you can see, I am very rational.
>
> LOL
>
> BUT Depakote, um... no I don't recall those symptoms (other than the first time becuase of my anxiety). I do recall feeling a bit tired on it at tiems/sedated but nothing too bad. I also did say, like Ritch mentioned, it made my brain feel all warm and fuzzy. LOL
>
> You're on a really low dose, I'd say give it some more time and maybe the reaction will go away.

 

Re: Just started Depakote?? » cache-monkey

Posted by Spriggy on April 7, 2005, at 16:10:04

In reply to Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » Spriggy, posted by cache-monkey on April 7, 2005, at 15:12:27

So yours isn't as bad as mine.. Yeah, I don't think anyone's is.. LOL

That "warm fuzzy" feeling wasn't bad to me. It just really felt like my brain was soaking in a hot tub. I liked it.

I quit taking it because it gave me awful heartburn. Go figure.

Like I said though, I have reactions to all medicines, probably psychosomatic. If the side effects listed were "grow a third eye ball" I would sit and stair into the mirror while it began to grow.

LOL

 

Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » cache-monkey

Posted by PM80 on April 7, 2005, at 16:12:13

In reply to Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » PM80, posted by cache-monkey on April 7, 2005, at 15:05:59

Yeah, I was not always a lethargic depressed. I would feel agitated that I was alone[in the evenings], somes I would cut myself just to feel like at least I was doing something that was real.

I did notice antidepressant effects pretty quickly, although I still have some mood swings (they are just less severe).

I'm also on Seroquel (200-300mg at night)

 

Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palm

Posted by anodyne on April 8, 2005, at 8:50:49

In reply to Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palm » anodyne, posted by cache-monkey on April 7, 2005, at 15:00:46

> Out of curiousity, on what dose did this happen? Also, to clarify, this wasn't due to excessive sedation or something like, rather truly cognitive dulling?
>

It has been so long ago and I really can't remember the dosage but I do remember it just sneaking up on me - not really a sedation issue.

 

Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » cache-monkey

Posted by theo on April 8, 2005, at 16:35:25

In reply to Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms??, posted by cache-monkey on April 7, 2005, at 1:24:25

> I started Depakote ER at 250 mg last night. I'm not finding it really that sedating. A little bit of GI distress, but my understanding is that's likely to be transient.
>
> The wierd thing is that I feel like my core temperature was way up during the day today (although I haven't had access to a thermometer). I've also been having some dry mouth and my palms have been sweating quite a bit. Both started getting better toward dinner time just in time for my next dose.
>
> Weird. I mean, I've heard all about the stomach, weight, and hair issues. But sweaty palms (and a dry mouth) is a bit unexpected. Anyone else get this from Depakote?
>
> ~cache-monkey
>

I'm glad you posted. I might be trying 250mg ER or 125mg regular Depakote next, I'm currently not on any other meds.

How has it made you feel otherwise so far?

 

Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » theo

Posted by cache-monkey on April 8, 2005, at 19:24:07

In reply to Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » cache-monkey, posted by theo on April 8, 2005, at 16:35:25

Hi Theo,

So, I'm not quite sure what's up just yet. It's hard to find a clear trend, seperate from how I was feeling before.

I think that I might be getting a little bit of the sedative effect today. Although that could be because of a really poor night of sleep. I don't know if that's attributable to the Depakote or not, since I always have trouble sleeping -- particularly at this time of year. Alternatively, Depakote can potentiate the effects of Valium (8 mg/day), so that might be part of it as well.

As far as the dry mouth/sweating. That seems like it's gotten a little better, but not completely resolved yet.

Time will tell on all counts. I'm going to push the dose to 500 mg ER next week at some point and then give it a good couple weeks before passing judgement.

Anyway, I'll keep you and the board posted with my Depakote trial.

Good luck,
cache-monkey

> I'm glad you posted. I might be trying 250mg ER or 125mg regular Depakote next, I'm currently not on any other meds.
>
> How has it made you feel otherwise so far?
>
>

 

Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » cache-monkey

Posted by Ritch on April 9, 2005, at 0:53:32

In reply to Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » theo, posted by cache-monkey on April 8, 2005, at 19:24:07

> Hi Theo,
>
> So, I'm not quite sure what's up just yet. It's hard to find a clear trend, seperate from how I was feeling before.
>
> I think that I might be getting a little bit of the sedative effect today. Although that could be because of a really poor night of sleep. I don't know if that's attributable to the Depakote or not, since I always have trouble sleeping -- particularly at this time of year. Alternatively, Depakote can potentiate the effects of Valium (8 mg/day), so that might be part of it as well.
>
> As far as the dry mouth/sweating. That seems like it's gotten a little better, but not completely resolved yet.
>
> Time will tell on all counts. I'm going to push the dose to 500 mg ER next week at some point and then give it a good couple weeks before passing judgement.
>
> Anyway, I'll keep you and the board posted with my Depakote trial.
>
> Good luck,
> cache-monkey
>
> > I'm glad you posted. I might be trying 250mg ER or 125mg regular Depakote next, I'm currently not on any other meds.
> >
> > How has it made you feel otherwise so far?
> >
> >
>
>

Just thought I'd chime in here about potential sleep disruptive effects of Depakote. I've had trouble with staying asleep (early morning awakenings and tired next days), while on Depakote. Thought.. it was just AD's other meds causing trouble, or maybe apnea, whatever, but I think it's the Depakote. It does wonders for temper and cycling, but seems to mess with sleep architecture. I've eliminated all the other variables I can think of. It does tend to be sedative *generally*, but seems to worsen sleep hygiene for me particularly.

 

Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » cache-monkey

Posted by theo on April 10, 2005, at 10:31:33

In reply to Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » theo, posted by cache-monkey on April 8, 2005, at 19:24:07

With the ER version, do you just take it at night, no split doses?

 

Re: Depakote ER dose timing » theo

Posted by cache-monkey on April 10, 2005, at 12:55:57

In reply to Re: Just started Depakote... dry mouth/sweaty palms?? » cache-monkey, posted by theo on April 10, 2005, at 10:31:33

I'm taking it all at night. But, as I mention in a thread below, I'm thinking about taking it earlier in the day. This is because I seem to be getting energized right around the time I dose and that continues for a while. I'm just at 250 mg, the smallest available dose size. When I go to 500, I'll have to experiment with all-at-once vs. divided.

Are you on Depakote or just considering it?

~cache-monkey

> With the ER version, do you just take it at night, no split doses?

 

Re: Depakote ER dose timing » cache-monkey

Posted by theo on April 10, 2005, at 17:22:23

In reply to Re: Depakote ER dose timing » theo, posted by cache-monkey on April 10, 2005, at 12:55:57

> I'm taking it all at night. But, as I mention in a thread below, I'm thinking about taking it earlier in the day. This is because I seem to be getting energized right around the time I dose and that continues for a while. I'm just at 250 mg, the smallest available dose size. When I go to 500, I'll have to experiment with all-at-once vs. divided.
>
> Are you on Depakote or just considering it?
>
> ~cache-monkey
>
> > With the ER version, do you just take it at night, no split doses?
>
>

I will probably start it soon. My doc wants me to try a stimulant since I'm on no meds right now, just to see how I tolerate it and how it effects me. I'll definitely have a true read.

I always wanted to try a stimulant because SSRI's seemed to make me have worse ADD symptoms and when I was on SSRI's and Lamictal, he wouldn't go the stim route which I respect.

If the Concerta stimulates me to much, the plan is to try a low dose of Depakote and then maybe try the Concerta again. I'm going to take my first dose of Concerta in the morning and have been a little nervous having never taken a stimulant before.

 

Re: Depakote ER dose timing

Posted by PM80 on April 12, 2005, at 9:44:42

In reply to Re: Depakote ER dose timing » cache-monkey, posted by theo on April 10, 2005, at 17:22:23

I'm on 500mg/day and Depakote is definitely NOT sedating for me. I take it in the morning and evening, but not right before bed. It doesn't seem to affect my sleep - positively or negatively. But I've heard it commonly does. It definitely acts as an AD for me; it really helps with my lows.

 

Re: Depakote ER dose timing » PM80

Posted by Ritch on April 12, 2005, at 9:53:44

In reply to Re: Depakote ER dose timing, posted by PM80 on April 12, 2005, at 9:44:42

> I'm on 500mg/day and Depakote is definitely NOT sedating for me. I take it in the morning and evening, but not right before bed. It doesn't seem to affect my sleep - positively or negatively. But I've heard it commonly does. It definitely acts as an AD for me; it really helps with my lows.

I haven't found it to be truly very sedating either.. I think the problems I have with it are a "pseudo-sedation" that arise secondary to what appear to be sleep disruptive effects. If I could effectively "fix" the sleep disruptive things, then more of the AD qualities of it might be more obvious to me.

 

I take regular, not ER, version (nm)

Posted by PM80 on April 12, 2005, at 10:32:19

In reply to Re: Depakote ER dose timing » PM80, posted by Ritch on April 12, 2005, at 9:53:44

 

Re: I take regular, not ER, version » PM80

Posted by theo on April 12, 2005, at 11:39:35

In reply to I take regular, not ER, version (nm), posted by PM80 on April 12, 2005, at 10:32:19

I have a question. I may be trying a low dose of regular Depakote to be taken only at night. Can you feel your night dose wearing off? I'm wondering if it has a long enough 1/2 life to be taken once at bedtime?


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