[Nightside of Eden]

My fiance has Bipolar 1 and I was wondering what experiences people here have had with the different mood stabilizers. He's currently on Depakote after a severe manic episode, but that's not an acceptable long-term mood stabilizer due to toxicity issues and side effects. It's not even FDA approved for long-term use, though I know it's sometimes prescribed that way anyway. Obviously we're going to talk to our doctor about med options, but I want to be as informed as possible before our visit.

He's also on Zyprexa, which is working fine, but I'd like to see him stay on a mood stabilizer if there are any out there which are halfway safe for the long term.

[Sneezyyy]

I'm currently in Lamictal and have enjoyed my experience on it.

Sneezyyyy

[hinderedgirl76]

I recently switched from depakote to lamictal. So far, so good.

[BlackEagleFox]

Ah Depakote. Depakote is a medication that has been used for quite a while. You are have part of the story on it... The whole story is the effectiveness of Depakote for long-term use with manic patients more than 3 weeks, has not been demonstrated in controlled clinical trials. That is why the drug has to be continually reevaluated for the long-term use in a case-by-basis. Doctors will also order lab tests for the patient's blood to be checked generally four times a year to see if the patients blood has appropriate levels of the drug and to see if the patients liver is healthy.

I can only give you sacerdotal information on the drug's effectiveness. However, I can say with confidence, in my personal educated opinion, that I have seen it work very effectively in the cases I have knowledge of.

[shezbut]

Depakote worked very well for me at first ~ it was a great medication.

The first time, I felt pretty darn good. After 6 months or so, my white blood cell count dropped down significantly low & I had to be taken off immediately and put onto it's opposite (phenobarbital) to control my Epilepsy.

My current doctor thought he'd give it another try, and just watch my WBC's more stringently than the other doctor (to be on the safe side). This time, my WBC counts dipped super-low after just a one-month trial period.

I stay away from that Depakote now. It's too bad, because I really did feel pretty good in both mood and seizure control.