[Moose72]

I visited my new pdoc yesterday. She said I'm doing so well on Depakote and that its the drug of choice for people like me with Bipolar I. I'd asked about using something else because of the weight gain, but we decided that going back to school in a month isn't the time to have my brain adjusting to a new drug- lithium she suggested. She also talked about taking me off the Celexa- weaning me off. We're trying to do a combo of diet and exercise to get the weight back off. Its when I'm off the Depakote for a day or two that all h*** breaks loose- I start spending, wandering, disassociating, having mixed episodes... you name it.

[MyBestKids2]

Aah, yes..the dreaded unavoidable Depakote weight gain. I did it 2x actually, guess once wasn't enough. Lithium has done a world of good for me, haven't had any side effects, or additional weight gain. Blood work has always came back well. I'm glad your new Pdoc is willing to discuss options. Please keep us updated!

Take care,
Dee

[trippinmickey]

Didn't like Depakote it took all my feelings away. ended up hurting myself just all the time so I could feel something.Pain was better then nothing .But I was on a heavy dose I had friends who felt the same way but the program i went too seemed to over medicate everyone it was a good experience in how not to take bipolar meds.

[Moose72]

I seem to have emotions still- in the normal range, for the time being. I wonder if I'll have to wait until school is out in the spring to try lithium? When I first started Celexa, my brain and emotions were numb like that. Starting Depakote made me really tired and hungry. (We all know sleeping more plus eating more plus skipping your normal workouts = gain weight!)