[disciple1978]

Hi all,
My daughter recently tried to kill herself on meds that stop your breathing. That was 3 weeks ago. The doctor she is seeing came to the ICU and interviewed my daughter while she was in a deep drug induced state. She was really out of it. From that interview this doctor has diagnosed her with bipolar mixed severe and PTSS. The medication she gave her is Depakote which is similar to what my daughter took to try and kill herself with. I read the side effects and talked to a family who recently lost a loved one who was on this medication from the side effects. Is there anyone out there taking depakote and what side effects are you experiencing. I'm taking her for a second opinion before I fill this prescription or except this diagnoses. It's not a denial thing. What I've read so far pretty well describes my daughter. I was just very uncomfortable with this doctor and the drug induced state Lace was in when interviewed less than 10 hours after taking over 40 pills like depakote.
Any ideas?

[curlyq]

Oh, wow, sorry that you've gone through this ordeal. I don't know much about depakote but I know some who have done very well on it.

Have you thought of family counseling? I've read recently that it's the preferred counseling for the long term results. Take care, okay?

<font color=purple>Peace to you. CQ and the babies.</font color=purple>

<font color=green>"I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all."
- Laura Ingalls Wilder
</font color=green>

[darkeyes]

Hi,
Welcome to the forum, I had been on Depakote for a year, the doc had me up to 1000 mgs. a day, then in time due to the weight gain my doc weaned me off and we switched medications. While taking this med. I was always tired and had a constant appetite, but it did calm my hypomania, for my depression I needed an antidepressant in addition, for me Celexa turned out to be the most agreeable. While taking Depakote you have to have your blood level of the medication checked to be sure that liver function remains normal and at safe levels. Side effects may vary according to the dosage your doc prescribes and due to the fact that everyone is not the same, not everyone will experience all of the same side effects, some are fortunate not to experience any or very little, and for some depending what disorder they have it can be a very good med. or one that may not be effective enough for that particular disorder, but not to worry there are many others your doc can choose to help treat the disorder.
"darkeyes"

[disciple1978]

Thanks for you response. My daughter has been on depakote for a couple of weeks now. At first they made her sick constantly. I wasn't sure she was going to be able to take it, then this symtom subsided. The weight gain has begun also. She will go days trying to diet then eats everything in sight. She takes Remron for the sleep disorder and that too increases her hunger. She's been on several meds in the last few years but she takes herself off them before we know if they work. It's hard to find the right combination without some time under her belt to know which pills are the most effective.

Even on the Depakote she still is haunted with wanting to die. Between her depression that can reach depths where she begs someone to kill her, to her wanting to take her own life, not being able to sleep more than 2 hours a night, a raging temper at times that appears out of nowhere then the next moment she's a heap on the floor crying for hours. It's a roller coaster ride that needs a pause button to it. I'm a mom. I want to help but I feel helpless here. I've never been around this many disorders in one person so I don't know how I can help. She's only 24 years old. I just want her to find some kind of balance in her life.

Ok, I'm rambling. : )
Thanks again for your advise.
I'm always searching.

Chris

[darkeyes]

Hi,
This is none of my busoness, but has she been diagnosed as Bipolar? When I first was diagnosed that was the line of action they took with me, Depakote, Remeron, and for sleep they also gave me Ativan (anxiety) and Ambien (sleep).

It wasn't long till they took my advice and switched me to Celexa from the Remeron, Remeron made me a complete Zombie which fueled my depression!! The Celexa helped a great deal And you are right those other 2 will make you very hungry, all the time. Explain to you doc how upsetting the weight issue is and how counterproductive it is becoming, he or she may try another med like they do sometimes.
I chose Lithium, yes there is the weight issue, but it doesn't cause hair thinning like Depakote will, and the weight gain is not as intense, you are not tired all day like you feel while taking Depakote. At the time of my diagnose the doc may have chose meds that helped induce sleep because due to family crisis, which may have triggered all this in the first place, I was only sleeping 2hrs a day for 8 months, so I think my doc purposely started with meds that would get me to rest and allow my brain some "R &R". Of what you have described here about your daughter's behavoir it sounds very much like Bipolar disorder, the advice I can offer you is that you are going to need a lot of patience dealing with her moodswings, we really do not like acting this way and like a "soul possessed" sometimes do not have much control over our actions that is where the proper meds. help tremendously.
If your area offers a support group ( many hospitals have meetins once a month, even 2) that help the families in coping with members of the family and /or friends that are dealing with mental disorders. You may want to check one of the meetings out, you may find some additional info., can't hurt right? With the right med and a good psychiatrist, plus maybe some talk therapy she will be able to reach the point of finding the balance that you state in your closing line, but it takes a "lot" of time, "perseverence", you both have to will yourselves to not give up, it is a VERY hard struggle, but DON'T give up, you will have horrendous days, which I am sure I haven't told you something you don't already know. But in time, yes, believe it or not things do get better

Take care and hang in there, PM me if you ever want to my "door" is always open, I'll leave the light on for you . . .

"darkeyes"