I've been on Depakote for over 15 years for seizures & extreme manias. Depakote is the only thing that helps w/those. I also used to get horrible migraines & Depakote eradicated them. Thank Heavens! The side effects for me are: weight gain (35 lbs.) and drowsiness. But if I don't take it, I get the itchy skin, hyper, nervous, insomnia, weird thoughts that I get from manias. And I get seizures. So to me, the side effects are worth it. I never wanted kids b/c my father had this & was incredibly mean when in depressions. So am not sure about side effects if you are pregnant. Best wishes to you for finding the right meds for you
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Originally Posted by almondjoy
Yes, you read it correctly. And no, I didn't just find out I've been taking a medication I had no idea about. Here, it's called Epilim. I knew they were similar, but I couldn't find anything online about it being the same as depakote, until I read something recently and put 2 and 2 together. I know it sounds silly, but I just had no idea. So today I saw my pdoc and he confirmed that in the US, it is known as Depakote.
The only reason I'm on it is because the Seroquel was debilitating for me and I couldn't work, then I got sick on Lamictal (even starting on 12.5mg, but it's possible it was just coincidence I got sick at the same time). The last resort was Lithium, and I didn't want to go there.. So Epilim..aka, depakote.. Was the only option to get me stable.
I haven't read many good things about it, and I do want to have kids in a few years..... Pdoc wants me off the depakote ASAP, possibly by adding in Lamictal slowly when I start stabilising more and seeing how I go.. And eventually tapering off the depakote. It could be 6-12 months before I'm stable though...
Is it really THAT bad? I know someone who's been on it for 15 years and she is in a high position at work, functions well, in a good physical condition.. So I just want to be a bit more educated on it...
Thanks
AJ  |