[Toodles333]

Had a good appointment with Psychiatrist.

Start on 500mg of Depakote tomorrow. Increasing to 750mg if no side effects.

Is anybody else on this medication? What should I expect?

Thank you.

[Blue_Bird]

I took 750 mg, felt like I didn't need it anymore though and it did cause some weight gain so I'm tapering off of it and will be completely off it by this weekend.

The worst experience I had with it was my own fault. It can cause seizures in people even people like me who don't usually have them if you stop it suddenly, I stopped suddenly and started having seizures.

[Woolly Bugger]

I used to take depakote and wellbutrin, but I wasn't stable enough. I'm now on lithium, abilify, and lamotrigine, and things are much better. It was a few years ago, but I don't' remember any side effects from the depakote.

[avlady]

i am on depocote and love it, i notice it works very very well in mood control too.

[BastetsMuse]

twenty years ago I was put on a high dose of depacote and it gave me the runs something terrible, but worked to stabilize my mood. I eventually went off it because of the side effects.

[Hexagram]

I take 1500 mg of Depakote. I don't know what the NHS told you, but you should know that

The FDA requires Depakote to carry a black-box warning because it can cause serious liver damage that could be fatal. The risk of this happening is higher in the first six months of taking the drug. In some cases liver damage continued even after patients stopped taking Depakote.

There is an additional black-box warning linking Depakote to cases of life-threatening pancreatitis. In some cases, patients who developed pancreatitis rapidly went from initial symptoms to death, so getting medical treatment quickly is essential.

A black box warning is the strictest warning put in the labeling of prescription drugs or drug products by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when there is reasonable evidence of an association of a serious hazard with the drug. It is basically a warning with a black box around it, hence the name. Having the black box around the warning means that an adverse reaction to the drug may lead to death or serious injury. It's based on clinical data or serious animal toxicity data in the absence of clinical data. Sometimes a black box warning is necessary at the time a new drug is approved. More commonly however, it is added after the drug has been approved and the FDA has received reports of adverse events. After the FDA confirms the serious risk, then depending on the severity of adverse event and in collaboration with the pharmaceutical company, a boxed warning is implemented. This does not mean the drug is contraindicated in any way, but just a means of communication from the FDA to prescribers to highlight the risk. As with any drug, there is a risk and benefit associated with taking the drug. The black box warning is to alert prescribers of the potential risk in prescribing this drug so they can take it into consideration.

[Toodles333]

Thanks for your comments....some imteresting food for thought.

The Doctor rang me again a few hours after I'd left the appointment. He also has added Olanzapine to the prescription, I guess this is because of the psychosis a few weeks ago.

Has anybody else got or had any experiences on Olanzapine? I think I'm starting on 5mg.

Thank you.

[Blue_Bird]

Originally Posted by Toodles333

Thanks for your comments....some imteresting food for thought.

The Doctor rang me again a few hours after I'd left the appointment. He also has added Olanzapine to the prescription, I guess this is because of the psychosis a few weeks ago.

Has anybody else got or had any experiences on Olanzapine? I think I'm starting on 5mg.

Thank you.

I'm on Zyprexa and haven't had any issues with it, hope it works for you

[avlady]

i am also on clonazapine it works to stop my psychosis

[Row Jimmy]

I take 1500 (3/3, sometimes 2/2/2) and I tolerate it well. It helps me control my anger and outbursts. When I'm off it, I get edgy. I have no physical side effects other than some lethargy.

A "fun" side effect - it makes me sort of goofy but in a calm way. I went off my meds last week because I got lazy on my refill and my wife noticed a difference. Sometimes, the key is asking other people how we're doing. My wife likes the laid back, goofy me. I'm much more predictable. Before Depakote, I was tough to manage.

On a more serious note, I am becoming more forgetful but I think that's probably a good thing because even though I never used to miss a trick, I was so edgy because I was always "on". It helps me have a "who gives a bleep" approach to work. I still do my job well but I de-emphasize it more and don't worry that I have to work "extra" to keep my job. That's been the Great American Scam from Day 1.

As I mentioned, another side effect is that it makes me tired but I'm trying to fight through that one and get to the gym.

Depakote does a good job for me with my paranoia as well. When my mood is even, my mind races less. I used to think I was getting fired or people were poisoning my water bottle. And while my hypomania is settling down, I don't think Depakote addresses my depressive side. I'm trying to manage that without medication right now......we'll see how that one goes.

IMO, everything is a risk. Yes, there are side effects, but I eat too much grilled steak so who knows? What works for one person may not work for another. We all have different natural chemistries.

[Toodles333]

Thank you. I guess I misspelt it. I have to go and collect everything tomorrow. I've been told for months what I'm suffering with, but to actually hear it from 2 Psychiatrists is totally numbing. I feel nothing. I've been told not to go over what's happened over the past 18 months because of the devastation it will cause me. He said we need to deal with that months down the line. I have burnt so many bridges. Oh dear. Onwards and upwards.

Depakote is far from perfect, but the benefits have been greater for me versus the negatives. I would prefer my old self which was worried shytless about everything, spazzed out and running like a chicken with my head cut off, and probably hard to get along with.

But hey, if everyone likes me better because I'm easier to deal with, then living like a bum because I have no ambition and a bad memory won't be so bad as long as they start paying me. Otherwise, depending on other future events, Depacote may only be for a limited time.

[ThunderGoddess]

I am on divalproex the generic brand. the weight gain is real deal, I have anorexia so the docs are pleased but me not so much I've gained 6lbs after 60 pills. It is very helpful in keeping me calm and less rapid thinking. I felt level up until last week now I think I'm manic again.

[Toodles333]

Originally Posted by ThunderGoddess

I am on divalproex the generic brand. the weight gain is real deal, I have anorexia so the docs are pleased but me not so much I've gained 6lbs after 60 pills. It is very helpful in keeping me calm and less rapid thinking. I felt level up until last week now I think I'm manic again.

Thanks for your advice, that's very interesting. I'm fearful if the weight gain but oh well. Needs must. Take care