[Grithnir]

My roommate isn't necessarily bi-polar, he is schizo-affective bi-polar type, but was originally diagnosed bi-polar. He just suffered an acute manic episode and was hsopitalized and is now placed on Depakote. I have been researching Depakote, especially in the area of anti-depressants used with Depakote, having a type of placebo affect. I have told this to my nurse what I have read but she said she spent plenty of time in school and had him on the right anti-depressant. It is Prozac and he is only depressed and irritable while taking it and it has increased with the use of Depakote, and I really wish he was switched to a different class of anti-depressants but don't know which one works well with Depakote. He is not assertive and I see the nurse in a short time now to have this discussion once again with her but if anyone was on Depakote, have you tolerated any particular anti-depressant better than others?

Thanks, Grithnir

[perpetuallysad]

Grithnir, I don't have an answer, as I haven't taken depakote, but I wanted you to know that you sound like a wonderful friend.

Hopefully someone besides me can help with the drug question.

[BNLsMOM]

I haven't taken Depakote, but I do take Prozac. My p-doc took me off it for a short time and tried Celexa, but I started to go down into the pit again. Prozac keeps me out of the deep, dark pit. It's not perfect, but it is better than how I was before I went on an anti depressant. It's important to use a mood stabilizer as well.

I have heard that Depakote is a good mood stabilizer.

[Grithnir]

Well I talked with the nurse about him, but we can't talk extensively since both he and I are a patient of hers, though they have had him sign paperwork to discuss his mental health with me. She told me to be patient and let him recover from the Depakote making him so drowsy (sleeping 12-18 hours/day) and then they will talk about different anti-depressants. Supposively it takes a month to recover from a manic episode, and years to suffer from a psychotic episode, which is what happened to me. I will give him time but I am not running a hospital sort of speak and my caregiving abilities is a little over extended, but I am keeping track of these pills he takes and when he takes them. He has lost some independence in that department to me, and it isn't good for either of us. I get so worried sometimes with medication changes because I research them and they all sound terrible despite that I am on a few myself that if I reread the side-effects I would get sick to my stomach about it.

I take Pristique as an anti-depressant and it has been good to me, except that I am depressed this time of year.

Thanks for sharing.

Grithnir

[Moose72]

I took depakote for a couple years. Yes it makes ypu exhausted. You also eat more. Don't be surprised if he gains weight.

[spiritual_emergency]

Grithnir: I have told this to my nurse what I have read but she said she spent plenty of time in school and had him on the right anti-depressant.

It doesn't sound like she's open to considering that maybe he's not.

My understanding of anti-depressants is they need to be used selectively in those with bipolar disorder as they can trigger a manic episode. Everyone's body responds differently and I do know there are people here who use medications from a variety of classes. Of course it's not a matter of simply taking medication as directed -- people need to be closely monitored to see if the medication is doing what it's supposed to be doing or if it's producing any negative effects that are intolerable or dangerous. As a caregiver, you're going to be interacting with your friend much more than his nurse is so I think you're wise to be keeping an eye on things and to challenge the nurse if you are concerned.

Incidentally, my child currently uses Depakote and Seroquel. They have had some very negative responses to anti-psychotics in the past but so far, they feel this combination is working well for them. The Seroquel has a particularly strong sedative effect -- more so than the Depakote for them.

Meantime, here's some links that are good for helping others research medications:

- rxlist.com: This site is medically oriented with detailed reports.

- drugs.com: Medically oriented site. Reports are not as detailed as rxlist.

- askapatient.com: Consumer-oriented site with consumer ratings and comments.

- Drug Interaction Checker: Allows you to search for drug interactions you should be aware of.

- Reclaiming Your Power During Medication Visits with your Psychiatrist: A handout prepared by diagnosed schizophrenic and clinical psychologist, Patricia Deegan.

[Grithnir]

Well, the nurse was different this time and crossed some boundaries and talked about Ted's taboo subject, which is sexual dysfunction and I explained that he is 28 years old, and men in their 70's want to try Cialis for an erection. It's not important but she said she would reconsider and that she is partial to Prozac because she herself has taken it for 30 years and the goal of it was to keep him awake when he takes it in the morning, it is the one anti-depressant that gives and energizing effect.

She said she will look into, but since he is not bi-polar or type two bi-polar taking an anti-depressant is important to keep him from severe depression, from his schizophrenia aspects and I think she has him covered so I am not going to stress or worry about it much more, unless he is still on prozac in a month or two. She said to be patient and that she would exchange information about him about what anti-depressant might work better in combination with Depakote. She is one of the best nurse practitioners here in my town according to word of mouth.

She even brought in my counselor and said I wasn't depressed I was overwhelmed and she couldn't increase my anti-depressant because I needed coping skills since I have lost a support network and am now a caregiver to someone who used to be able to take his medications whenever it was time. The depakote makes him very sleepy.

Also I heard that Seraquel XR doesn't have as much of a drowsy affect but the Seraquel XR is what caused Ted's mania to peak. He had a adverse reaction to it.

Grithnir