[hamster-bamster]

I could not afford my doctor due to loss of job/insurance and applied and qualified for county mental health care. Today was my first appointment. I was so impressed - a very caring, knowledgeable, attentive and poised lady who spent more than an hour with me and told me that follow-up appointments would be for 30 minutes (that is a LOT!). She told me to quit Lamictal gradually and otherwise do what I am doing. I have tremendous tremor from Depakote and I halved the dose while waiting for the new doctor, to see if it helps - she told me I did the right thing.

She, in turn, was impressed with how knowledgeable I was. I told her I frequent this forum, and read up. That is why.

I am so relieved that she is good and that we established rapport - when your life depends on this person, she better be good.

I suspected myself that I do not need Lamictal because I only get situational depressions, not endogenous ones. If indeed I am fine without it, it would mean that I took an unneeded medication for 5 years. Not that it had side effects, but still.

[larakeziah]

Glad you've found someone you can talk to and trust! I hope things continue that way!

[bipolarmedstudent]

Awesome! I love my both my p-docs too. The first (back home) I've been seeing for 9 years. All her appointments are 45 mins and she does talk therapy. The second (where I'm going to school) sees me for 1 hour each time, but only does med management. Still, he's very good.

It's amazing when you have a good p-doc on your side!

[rubberducknano]

Originally Posted by hamster-bamster

I could not afford my doctor due to loss of job/insurance and applied and qualified for county mental health care. Today was my first appointment. I was so impressed - a very caring, knowledgeable, attentive and poised lady who spent more than an hour with me and told me that follow-up appointments would be for 30 minutes (that is a LOT!). She told me to quit Lamictal gradually and otherwise do what I am doing. I have tremendous tremor from Depakote and I halved the dose while waiting for the new doctor, to see if it helps - she told me I did the right thing.

She, in turn, was impressed with how knowledgeable I was. I told her I frequent this forum, and read up. That is why.

I am so relieved that she is good and that we established rapport - when your life depends on this person, she better be good.

I suspected myself that I do not need Lamictal because I only get situational depressions, not endogenous ones. If indeed I am fine without it, it would mean that I took an unneeded medication for 5 years. Not that it had side effects, but still.

What is endogenous mean? May I ask what kind of dose your Depakote was at that gave you a tremor, My doc is thinking of increasing my dose, already at 1000 a day. I've had tremors in the past horrible side effect not looking to have that problem again.

[LiteraryLark]

That's wonderful! My doc is just as wonderful, we mostly email, which saves me $25 per visit, and it gives him more availability to see other patients. It's a win win.

[likewater]

I 'm very glad for you hamster bamster. You deserve a good doctor and much more. You are the bees knees.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by rubberducknano

What is endogenous mean? May I ask what kind of dose your Depakote was at that gave you a tremor, My doc is thinking of increasing my dose, already at 1000 a day. I've had tremors in the past horrible side effect not looking to have that problem again.

By endogenous - and it may not be an accepted term - I mean depression not caused by events, stressors, actions I undertook in particular regrets I have after manic periods. My life is ruined and sad feelings about it are a normal reaction, it is what is called situational. It is not like I was happy and my circumstances were stable and good and one day I wake up and the world is grey and I feel worthless - or substitute whatever your symptoms are.

I had tremor at 1000 mg Depakote. I definitely had tremor at 1250 Depakote. I am now trying to see if I can be tremor-free at 500 mg, while still reaping the benefits. On the benefits side, knock on wood, it seems that I am doing just fine, but I will have tremor - perhaps a bit less. We will wait and do a blood test to see where I am at. Tremor is a very bad side effect because it is visible to the world. Depakote gives me groggy mornings sometimes, but they are my private problem, the world is unaware. I went to lunch with someone I knew many years ago, and my hand holding the fork was shaking like crazy. I was very self-conscious and sad. If I cannot get over tremor, I will start telling people that I take this medication for migraines (that is true, the second reason I take Depakote is migraine prevention, for which 500 mg is sufficient dosage) and get tremor from it. Or, let the new p-doc come up with some magic, but I doubt we would want to move away from this combination of Lithium and Depakote because it controls mania so well, plus on Depakote I get an average of 1 migraine attack per week and off Depakote - 4 attacks. That is a difference between annoying and debilitating.

[SeekerofLight]

Are you sure the tremor is from the Depakote, and not the Lamictal? I had a horrible, visible tremor on Lamictal which went away when I stopped taking it.

Congrats on finding such a wonderful doctor. I just switched too, and my new doc is so thorough and knowledgable. It really makes a difference.

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by SeekerofLight

Are you sure the tremor is from the Depakote, and not the Lamictal? I had a horrible, visible tremor on Lamictal which went away when I stopped taking it.

Congrats on finding such a wonderful doctor. I just switched too, and my new doc is so thorough and knowledgable. It really makes a difference.

In my case, Lamictal gives me zero side effects. Lithium also can give tremors in general, but not in my case - I used to take it alone so I know for sure. Unfortunately, there is no doubt here - it is Depakote.

I am glad that getting off Lamictal took care of your tremors.

[Anneinside]

Originally Posted by rubberducknano

What is endogenous mean? May I ask what kind of dose your Depakote was at that gave you a tremor, My doc is thinking of increasing my dose, already at 1000 a day. I've had tremors in the past horrible side effect not looking to have that problem again.

Rubberducknano - When I don't know the meaning of a word, I go to google, type define and the word and the definition comes up. It's a great resource.

[hamster-bamster]

It's been several months. Cannot sing enough praise to this doctor.