Hi spikes. I'm a little confused. I read your post above, but in the Physical check-in thread I read that you stopped your meds and lost 2 lbs in one day. What's up?

I can totally see your point if your psychiatrist is playing that kind of game with you. It might be time to either quit her and find another doctor, or if you're assertive enough, tell her what she says is ridiculous and that you're not appreciating any of it, and feel she's putting you at risk. If she doesn't want to treat you with respect and care, she doesn't deserve to have you as a patient. One could just see this as my opinion, but I don't understand why many would disagree.

I assume it's your Depakote that you have labs for. I don't recall having had labs done for any of the other medications you mentioned (other than typical GP stuff), and I have taken all of the medications you mentioned at some point in the past years. Are the others giving you severe side effects? Is the propranolol lowering your blood pressure or heart rate too much, or the like? Was it you that mentioned in another thread that Depakote and Invega made you depressed? I recall both Wild Coyote and me saying that we experienced the same with Depakote. In my case, I had experienced that, coincidentally while taking the combination of Depakote and Invega. I believe I was also taking propranolol at the time, or at least another beta blocker (metroprolol). I've never had any issues with propranolol. I actually love that med, but I did have a similar experience as you on Depakote and Invega. My nephew seemed to remain depressed in the past on Depakote, too. I don't remember what other medication he took with it. All I know is that both of us ended up having ECT during that period. If you think Depakote is the culprit for your depression, I think you should really speak up about it. You DON'T have to take a medication you unequivocally think is detrimental to you. I do, however, strongly recommend you not rebel so severely that you up and quit medications cold turkey. I only say that from experience.

If you really want off Depakote, you can tell your psychiatrist that you want to immediately be transitioned to something else. If she refuses completely, transition to another doctor. I assume you're over 18 years old. You have choices. If a person is under 18, then they can still stand up for themselves to parents and demand changes.

We all want you to feel better. We definitely don't want anything harmful to happen to you.