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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 3 of 3. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by K222 on December 9, 2003, at 21:40:40
I started taking depakote four years ago, 125 mg. It's a God-send. For the first 12+ years of my adult life I was very stressed out and moody. Depokote evened my mood, helped me keep perspective, and especially helped me focus. My own diagnosis is the I’m slight bipolar.
However, a combination of being overweight (25 lbs), drinking a moderate amount of alcohol (4 drinks/week), occasionally taking Tylenol/Aleve, and taking the depakote has taken a toll on my liver and pancreas. I stopped drinking and started a low-fat diet. I also stopped the depakote.
I’m looking for an alternative that won’t affect my liver and won’t prevent me from losing weight. Any ideas?
(BTW - The Depakote withdrawal is significant. Except in the morning, I'm totally spaced out.)
Thank you,
K222
Posted by brussell on December 9, 2003, at 21:53:40
In reply to Need Depakote alternative for bipolar disorder, posted by K222 on December 9, 2003, at 21:40:40
> I started taking depakote four years ago, 125 mg. It's a God-send. For the first 12+ years of my adult life I was very stressed out and moody. Depokote evened my mood, helped me keep perspective, and especially helped me focus. My own diagnosis is the I’m slight bipolar.
>
> However, a combination of being overweight (25 lbs), drinking a moderate amount of alcohol (4 drinks/week), occasionally taking Tylenol/Aleve, and taking the depakote has taken a toll on my liver and pancreas. I stopped drinking and started a low-fat diet. I also stopped the depakote.
>
> I’m looking for an alternative that won’t affect my liver and won’t prevent me from losing weight. Any ideas?
>
> (BTW - The Depakote withdrawal is significant. Except in the morning, I'm totally spaced out.)
>
> Thank you,
> K222You should consult with a good psychiatrist (If you live in Houston, TX I can recommend one).
There are lots of new mood-stabilizing drugs that might work well for you. Many people have had great results with anti-seizure meds. Lamictal seems to be especially well-tolerated (rarely causes weight gain), and there are many others.
Don't forget the old standby, lithium. I read recently that many psychiatrists are finding that lithium works as well or better than depakote for many patients. It might be worth a try if the anti-seizure meds don't cut it.
Best Wishes
Posted by Sebastian on December 11, 2003, at 13:13:05
In reply to Need Depakote alternative for bipolar disorder, posted by K222 on December 9, 2003, at 21:40:40
Abilify has no weight gain. I think all these meds affect liver. Abilify will not make you tired. I wake up from depakote is inevitable, solution is to take a med with short half life in the evening befor bed that will put you to sleep, seroquel, geodon, etc.
This is the end of the thread.
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