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Noninde
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Default Mar 24, 2021 at 08:11 PM
  #1
I'm going to my GP to ask to be put on something for my depression and anxiety, as I only see a psychologist.

When I was young, I was put on antidepressants. They really didn't help much due to it being an ongoing abusive situation and I still to this day believe they had the opposite intended effect.

A decade later I went through a similar period and my psychiatrist thought to try me on Depakote as a mood stabilizer, since I had become more depressed on antidepressants.

Has anyone else been put on depakote for this sort of reason? I have not been diagnosed nor display bipolar disorder, but have been told it can work as a mood stabilizer and help with PTSD or complex PTSD which I may have.
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Default Mar 26, 2021 at 01:38 PM
  #2
There are so many classes of antidepressants now. Depakote is a heavy hitter when there may be better options. For one thing, Depakote is notorious for causing substantial weight gain. I gained 30lbs when I was on it, and that was within 6 weeks.

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Default Mar 26, 2021 at 07:50 PM
  #3
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Originally Posted by BethRags View Post
There are so many classes of antidepressants now. Depakote is a heavy hitter when there may be better options. For one thing, Depakote is notorious for causing substantial weight gain. I gained 30lbs when I was on it, and that was within 6 weeks.
I did well with it. And it wasn't long term, so if there was wait gain I didn't keep it on. Seems they won't provide me with what is known to work for me.

Despite saying I didn't know what I was on as a kid that made me suicidal but it was one of the older antidpressants - they've put me on old school Effexor. I just... I'm now terrified and anxious to take it since Effexor has a massive chance of increasing suicidal thoughts compared to other pills. Like, I'm already there, maybe don't risk me on it. I don't know, maybe I need to find a psychiatrist, rather than a GP that doesn't know better.
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Default Mar 27, 2021 at 03:45 AM
  #4
I agree with BethRags. Especially if you do not have a bipolar diagnosis, or maybe coexisting migraine headaches, or the like. Plus, for many Depakote is more an anti manic med than an antidepressant. It even worsened my depression leading me to call it "Depressakote". Frankly, I am a bit surprised that psychiatrist suggested Depakote, but of course I don't know your specific needs. As a peer, but one who does have bipolar disorder, I would think that softer meds, like Lamictal or Latuda, might be ones to ask about if a bipolar med is insisted upon, vs an antidepressant. Both focus on bipolar depression. Both have a far better side effect profile than Depakote, for many people.

When I took Depakote, I was also on an antipsychotic known for some weight gain. Given this it's not certain which was the greater weight gainer, but I suspect the Depakote. On that mix, I also gained over 30 lbs rapidly (5 or 6 months), reaching my highest weight ever and having my worst blood work results ever. When I switched to other bipolar meds I was able to lose all of that weight, plus more. After about 8 years, I have not reached that highest weight again. If a doctor suggests Depakote again in the future, I will say "Absolutely NOT!" It's among my most hated bipolar medications ever, and I have tried many.

Despite above, it is possible Depakote could be your magic med and not make you gain weight. Not everyone does. Also, I strongly do recommend you go to a psychiatrist over a gp for such a psych med. Many gps may not even be willing to prescribe it. Either way, I would hope you'd only need a small dose. I took a large dose.

Last edited by Soupe du jour; Mar 27, 2021 at 04:27 AM..
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Default Mar 28, 2021 at 06:03 PM
  #5
What about Lamictal for mood stabilization? It's such a benign, but good, med.

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Default Mar 28, 2021 at 10:41 PM
  #6
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Originally Posted by BethRags View Post
What about Lamictal for mood stabilization? It's such a benign, but good, med.

Thanks for the suggestion. I've got some therapist appointments this week, and I'll ask about referral to a psychiatrist for a more 'proper' medication rather than GP giving me random whatever is funded and easiest. Having some idea of what's out there and how it works is probably better than accepting anything off the shelf.


I might still try the Effexor, but only once the terrible news I expect this week has passed, just so it's not news on top of bad side effects. I can't do both.
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Default Mar 31, 2021 at 04:07 AM
  #7
I took Depakote for bipolar. It made my hands shake badly.
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