 |
| FAQ/Help |
| Calendar |
| Search |
|
#1
Sep 03, 2017, 05:55 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I recently moved from PA to NY. My psychiatrist in PA prescribed Depakote 500mg BID and recommended a blood level drawn in a month to establish a baseline. My doctor here in NY says it's not necessary to test and to stay on the same dose although I'm having severe mood swings. I've explained my situation several times but he won't budge on this issue.
Am also taking Vraylar 6mg. Thanks in advance for any thoughts.... WildcatVet |
 bizi, Sunflower123
|
|
#2
Sep 03, 2017, 06:12 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
When I was on depakote I always had levels done after any dose change and at least every 6 months. It's a "therapeutic dosage" med so if there isn't a blood level they don't know if it can be working. For me this was the only way to know I metabolized it really fast and needed a high dose to have any real effect. It also can mess up liver enzymes and those should be tested routinely. I don't know why your pdoc would say otherwise; I thought what was done with me was standard.
__________________
Bipolar 1, PTSD, GAD, OCD. Clozapine 250 mg, Emsam 12 mg/day patch, topamax 25 mg, ,Gabapentin 1600 mg & 100-2 PRN,. 2.5 mg clonazepam., 75 mg Seroquel and 12.5 mg PRNx2 daily |
|
#3
Sep 03, 2017, 06:13 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I think you do need levels checked. My nurse checked my levels after two weeks of being on it and she will probably do a repeat test when I see her again in October. I don't see why your doctor wouldn't do a test, especially if you're having mood swings still. Also, you need to have your liver checked through the test as well. Depakote can really mess up your liver. Those blood tests are important.
__________________
Of course it is happening inside your head. But why on earth should that mean that it is not real? -Albus Dumbledore That’s life. If nothing else, that is life. It’s real. Sometimes it f—-ing hurts. But it’s sort of all we have. -Garden State |
|
#4
Sep 03, 2017, 07:42 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Depakote messed up my liver and the only way we knew was a blood test.
If your doctor isn't doing levels, find another doctor.
__________________
Meds: Latuda, Lamictal XR, Vyvanse, Seroquel, Klonopin Supplements: Monster Energy replacement.  Also DLPA, tyrosine, glutamine, and tryptophan
|
 *Laurie*
|
|
#5
Sep 04, 2017, 10:25 AM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I thought it was standard procedure too; at least that's what my psych in PA recommended when I took Depakote before. Unfortunately, I have no choice in doctors out here in the boonies. I hate filling a script knowing that it may not be the dosage I need ~ it sure doesn't feel like it. I'm struggling!
|
| Reply |
This is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.|
|
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.
Linear Mode
