[Seth412]

My apologies if this is a repost, I post this question in the 'medications' section with no answers. Figured i'd post it here as it pertains to bipolar.

I just began Depakote 250mg/day to augment Lithium, and the side effects have been gnarly despite the low dose. Constant fatigue and mental dullness are my major complaints.

Can I expect these things to lessen with time or are these persistent side effects? Furthermore, at what point should I give up on Depakote?

[winter4me]

Talk to the prescriber. This is such an individual thing. How much Lithium are you on? Is the plan to augment the Lithium, or eventually replace it with Depakote? How long have you been taking both and what precipitated the additional med? The effects your describe can be temporary or not. How has the Lithium worked for you in the past? Other meds?

[Seth412]

Originally Posted by winter4me

Talk to the prescriber. This is such an individual thing. How much Lithium are you on? Is the plan to augment the Lithium, or eventually replace it with Depakote? How long have you been taking both and what precipitated the additional med? The effects your describe can be temporary or not. How has the Lithium worked for you in the past? Other meds?

I'm on 1500mg Lithium, 10mg Zyprexa, and 20mg Lexapro. The plan is to replace the Zyprexa, and it's been clear that Lithium alone is not enough anymore. I've been extremely lucky regarding side effects of other meds. I get zero side effects from lithium even at this high dose. I've had minimal weight gain, sedation, and zero high blood sugar from Zyprexa. And other than the positive effects, I don't notice being on SSRI's at all. Anticonvulsants have been a different story. The goal is to replace Zyprexa, as I am not very enthusiastic about risking TD. Other than that, Lithium/Lexapro/Zyprexa has worked very well. Part of me wants to suck it up and take the original combo.