Home Menu

Menu



advertisement
Reply
Thread Tools Display Modes
almondjoy
Member
 
almondjoy's Avatar
 
Member Since May 2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 67
10
31 hugs
given
Ooo Jun 11, 2014 at 01:25 AM
  #1
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

__________________
Dx: Bipolar II

Say you're with me,
There's gold ahead, there's golden dreams
In life's hills and valleys,
So will you hold on with me?
almondjoy is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote

advertisement
Anonymous37909
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Jun 11, 2014 at 03:05 AM
  #2
Here is a webpage, written by a psychiatrist, that I found helpful:
valproate for bipolar disorder
  Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Anonymous100205
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Jun 11, 2014 at 04:51 AM
  #3
Quote:
Originally Posted by almondjoy View Post
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
Whoa, I research the hell outta any med I'm on.

But anyway, depakote worked really good for me but like 6 months into it it made my hair fall out in clumps. Just research it...
  Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Anonymous37909
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Jun 11, 2014 at 05:14 AM
  #4
Quote:
Originally Posted by sunshine1995 View Post
Whoa, I research the hell outta any med I'm on.

But anyway, depakote worked really good for me but like 6 months into it it made my hair fall out in clumps. Just research it...
Taking pre-natal vitamins (or the appropriate component vitamins in appropriate doses) can stop/reduce the hair loss from Depakote. Discuss with doctor first.
  Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Anonymous200280
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Jun 11, 2014 at 05:30 AM
  #5
The cost of lamictal may be different so remember to check that before committing to it.

I am on an antipsychotic which I want off and my pdocs want me off eventually. I think most good doctors in Australia will try to wean you off meds on to lower doses or safer options if you are stable enough. Epilim is an older medication so of course has a few more potential side effects, lamictal is newer and I think suitable for pregnant women (do check that). That is probably why he wants you on it, just in case there is an earlier than planned pregnancy.

Lamictal is a good med, works for a lot of people and has less side effects. If you're not having problems on epilim be wary to change it, but also be aware that if you do get pregnant they will take you off your meds pretty quickly and wont have enough time to taper up on lamictal.

Lamictal at 12.5mg is not going to give many people severe side effects so it is likely the sickness was a co-incident. It is not therapeutic until at least 200mg.
  Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
almondjoy
Member
 
almondjoy's Avatar
 
Member Since May 2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 67
10
31 hugs
given
Default Jun 11, 2014 at 05:10 PM
  #6
Sunshine1995 - yeah, I usually do a lot of research but I went through 3 different meds in less than a week and was so sick by the time they put me on the Epilim. I had done a bit of research on it but nothing ever said it was the same as depakote, I just knew they were a bit similar. I'm doing more research now haha ..

Quote:
Originally Posted by Supanova View Post
The cost of lamictal may be different so remember to check that before committing to it.

I am on an antipsychotic which I want off and my pdocs want me off eventually. I think most good doctors in Australia will try to wean you off meds on to lower doses or safer options if you are stable enough. Epilim is an older medication so of course has a few more potential side effects, lamictal is newer and I think suitable for pregnant women (do check that). That is probably why he wants you on it, just in case there is an earlier than planned pregnancy.

Lamictal is a good med, works for a lot of people and has less side effects. If you're not having problems on epilim be wary to change it, but also be aware that if you do get pregnant they will take you off your meds pretty quickly and wont have enough time to taper up on lamictal.

Lamictal at 12.5mg is not going to give many people severe side effects so it is likely the sickness was a co-incident. It is not therapeutic until at least 200mg.
Hey Supanova

Have you tried the generic Lamictal or heard anything about it? I know the Lamictal brand is pretty pricey, but if it's what helps me (when I get there...) I am willing to commit to it.

I think pdoc definitely wants to eventually taper up Lamictal and off Epilim once it stabilises me. Fingers crossed that it goes smoothly! I hope you soon get to go off the antipsychotics you don't want to be on.

Oh and I agree with you, since he was starting me on the tiny dose of Lamictal and it was only 3 days (although if accidentally taken 25mg the first night), I think the sickness was coincidence. I had symptoms before starting Lamictal, I'm fairly sure

__________________
Dx: Bipolar II

Say you're with me,
There's gold ahead, there's golden dreams
In life's hills and valleys,
So will you hold on with me?
almondjoy is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
pawn78
Veteran Member
 
pawn78's Avatar
 
Member Since May 2014
Location: the cosmos
Posts: 704
10
60 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Jun 11, 2014 at 05:18 PM
  #7
I get the generic Lamictal (lamotrigine) and it's dirt cheap.

__________________
Bipolar 1 ~ 300mg Lamictal, 4mg Ativan

pawn78 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Thanks for this!
almondjoy
Dix888
Member
 
Dix888's Avatar
 
Member Since Sep 2012
Location: USA
Posts: 198
12
14 hugs
given
Default Jun 11, 2014 at 06:57 PM
  #8
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

Quote:
Originally Posted by almondjoy View Post
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

__________________
Dixie
I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
W.B. Yeats (1865–1939)


Dix888 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Anonymous200280
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default Jun 13, 2014 at 03:43 AM
  #9
At the time I was on Lamictal a few years back, there wasnt a generic option available, so I have no advice on that sorry.

It'll be a while til I am off my antipsychotic, but no kids planned for a long while so there is no rush for me. I hope to be med free in a couple of years anyway, working super super hard to get there.
  Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Skitz13
Veteran Member
 
Skitz13's Avatar
 
Member Since May 2014
Location: Canada
Posts: 708
10
334 hugs
given
Default Jun 13, 2014 at 03:59 AM
  #10
I just have to say, I was on lithium and it almost killed me. I've been on Lamotrigine for a year now at 200 mg and it's been a lifesaver. I'm very sensitive to medications and I've had no side effects whatsoever.

__________________

The struggle you're in today
is developing the strength
you need for tomorrow

Don't give up
Skitz13 is offline   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
 
Hugs from:
almondjoy
Victoria'smom
Legendary
 
Victoria'smom's Avatar
 
Member Since Apr 2012
Location: Earth
Posts: 15,294 (SuperPoster!)
12
5,615 hugs
given
PC PoohBah!
Default Jun 13, 2014 at 10:23 AM
  #11
I couldn't do the 2x a day depakote required but when I did it worked well until I found out it causes weight gain and I refused to take it.

__________________
Dx:
Me- SzA
Husband- Bipolar 1
Daughter- mood disorder+


Comfortable broken and happy

"So I don't know why I'm tongue tied At the wrong time when I need this."- P!nk
My blog
Victoria'smom is online now   Reply With QuoteReply With Quote
Reply
attentionThis is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:33 PM.
Powered by vBulletin® — Copyright © 2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.



 

My Support Forums

My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.

 

Helplines and Lifelines

The material on this site is for informational purposes only, and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment provided by a qualified health care provider.

Always consult your doctor or mental health professional before trying anything you read here.