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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 2 of 2. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by kmoran on April 17, 2001, at 17:54:05
To everyone,
My son had an acute manic episode in Novemeber 1999. He ended up being hospitalized twice until he became stable. He was placed on lithium and depakote. Kurt is now 19 years old and has remained stable for over a year. His PDOC has recommended that we discontinue the lithium and see if he can be maintained solely on depakote. Kurt has gained over 55 pounds on the mood stabilizers and the doctor feels that this change is worth a try.
I am understandably concerned and nervous. Kurt has been doing well in college and I'm so worried that he will have another episode if the lithium is discontinued. He is currently taking 1500mg of lithium and 1000mg of depakote. His depakote blood levels range between 54-70. This seems low to me and I am wondering if he can remain stable at his current dosage.
I want to be informed when we to the PDOC in June to make this decision. Does anyone have any advice? Should we continue to use both mood stabilizers or is it worth it to experiment and remove either the lithium or depakote?Thanks,
kmoran
Posted by SalArmy4me on April 17, 2001, at 18:44:02
In reply to removing one of two mood stabilizers, posted by kmoran on April 17, 2001, at 17:54:05
I say to leave the medications alone. Why endanger his entire health and well-being based on a little weight gain? If I were well mentally like him, I wouldn't care if I was as fat as the Nutty Professor!
The only thing you may want to do is switch him from regular Depakote to the new _ER_ formulation, which is taken once-a-day and dramatically reduces side-effects.
This is the end of the thread.
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