cynde63... a day for a week, then 2 a day for a week, then 3 a day after that. I do.t know if this will help, the drug warnings kinda scare me, but they didnt put me on lithium because I have cardiac issues in the past. How will I know when this will help? And im scared to be labeled as a nut case. Please tell me if this helps you
Hi, Im new and scared, was just recently diagnosed bipolar 2, I was started on depakote er 250mg one
- Posted:
- 4 Nov 2011 by cynde63
- Topics:
- depakote, depakote er, bipolar disorder, lithium
Details:
Responses (7)
slattery4 Nov 2011
Aw no cynde63, don't worry a bit about the depakote. I've been bipolar I for 8 years (which is even WORSE, as you do get manic episodes if you take it into your head to throw the drugs to the winds)... and really, with all the pills and anti-psychotics out there, I have to say that depakote is the best of a bad deal. Right now I am trying an experiment to see if I can survive without an anti-psychotic on just 500mgs a day of depakote, but it's a risky experiment. There are some nasty anti-psychotics which bipolars have to take WITH a mood stabilizers, and that's where it get's you. You haven't mentioned consuming any of those with the depakote, as I have always had to.
pledge4 Nov 2011
Hi cynde63. The drugs, depakote and zoloft will need a bit of time, to be in your body, before they can become effective. You're not a nut case, far from it. You've an illness, as many of us do, some share the same ones, other people have a different ones. Having a mental illness, is just that, its a chemical illness within our brain that effects us all in various ways. Mentall illness, the stigma, has changed within the past 30 years or so. What was once in the past possibly considered unacceptable, today, is almost considered routine, normal in the treatment of the various mentall disorders. And don't worry about what others may have you thinking or believeing, you're going to be fine, once your medications begin to level themselves out, you'll be feeling awhole lot better, best to you,
Mary632009
4 Nov 2011
Hey my buddy pledge, did not look & see your answer. Should have known you take good care of our new friend, Coffee on as usual?
pledge
4 Nov 2011
Ha You betcha! Morning Mary, hows the hand? Keep you up during the night, a lot of pain?
Mary6320094 Nov 2011
cynde63, welcome to the site first of all, & my husband is bipolar also. He dose not like the label either, but does take his meds as required by his psychiartrist. He is currently on a dose of 200mg of zoloft & recently they added 75mg of Wellbutrin. It's kind of like playing a game with these meds to find the right fit. You have to give them time of at least a month to the very least lf 6 weeks to get the full effect. After that if you feel it is not helping you , please contact the prescribing doctor & get a change or increase of meds,but please give it some time. I have several good friends that are bipolar & they don't feel the stigma of being labeled. This is just in you head right now. It's is just like being teated for a broken leg. You don't have a banner on your forehead & frankly it is no ones business except yours & those with whom you share your experiences. So do not feel you are alone, but don't let this disease take away your life, because it is a disease just like having measles or anything else.
strain2bs...
Anonymous 4 Nov 2011
Hi Cynde, Welcome to the group. You are in good hands with Slattery, Pledge. and mary. They all have helped me sooo much. I was just like you, scared, and did not know what to do. I found this group, and they have changed my life. They gave me hope and strength I didn't know I had. Slattery is right about being labeled a nut case. I really can't add much more to what they have already told you. There are many others here to help you Too. I am like you, I did too much reading about all of these drugs and was very worried. With bipolar you may have to go through some different drugs until they find the right combination for you. I have been through a lot of them. I am again changing to Wellbutrin Hope it works, we will see. Again welcome to the group! MARY I just wanted to say Hi, sorry you are having to go through so much! I will keep the both of you in my prayers See Ya Dave
slattery
4 Nov 2011
Well-said Dave... you've been through the war yourself and especially so lately, so I know that you could pen a book on this darned subject! And gosh, did you ever get that right - too much education on a subject isn't always a good thing, especially if you are the subject matter and the consumer of the drugs! Did a bit too much of that myself. Ironically, I subconsciously was looking for an "out" with one or all of the drugs I take, and I found that "out" with the blood work. But I am not feeling so swell today after a week of abstinence from the abilify, and I just don't know if it is the lack of the chemicals in my body that I am feeling, or if the symptoms of bipolar are knocking at the door. Just keep your fingers crossed for me Dave, as I'm a bit nervous about the outcome.
cynde63
4 Nov 2011
I really appreciate all of your help, I am having a rough week, heck month, lost my job, hit a dog by accident and that sent me into a tailspin, totally manic, ended up in a casino with a f%#! This attitude ,spent way too much money, and I didnt give a crap, feel like im on.self destruct mode, my counselor says these are manic behavior, cuz other times im on top of the world. Cant seem to care about my future, feel alone alot. Dont worry ,not suicidal, just dont give a crap ,unemployment denied me, and then I hit the dam dog... God im am so tired of being tired, I sure hope the depakote works, my dr says I will be amazed, give it time...
Anonymous 5 Nov 2011
5 Nov 2011
Hi ya Cynde - Glad you joined us... the bipolar bunch! My Psychiatrist once said to me, when I was commenting on the stigma of mental illness, "this is a physical illness, just as much as any other". That helped me to put it all together, realizing that, yes, it's a physical disorder of my brain, and that's the reason its considered a mental illness... because it occurs in the brain! That was many years ago, and I've been with him ever since. Once or twice a month I check in, and it helps tremendously with my perspective. Otherwise, I start thinking in a slightly skewed way, blowing things out of proportion, getting angry or having an attitude that is disproportionate to what is going on, thinking I may not need meds. (wrong!), or whatever. It was quite a process finding the right medications.
litlmommag5 Nov 2011
cynde, you are not a nut case just someone who needs a little help! we all sometimes need some meds to balance our bodies in different ways my daughter is 12 diagnosed bp1 they prescribed lamictal odt i was worried at first to but the meds working beautifully she started making friends again and showing interest in thing not dreaming of hurting people and not angry all the time anymore. so please give the meds a chance actually give yourself a chance. try the depakote let your dr know how it makes you feel. the warnings they put on the labels and side effects dont happen to everyone its good you are aware of them in case you are someone who has them but the dr will be checking up on them at your apts and if they incur they will change it or adjust as needed. all meds have some kind of side effects listed you have to have faith in your knowledge and your dr. everything will be alright if ever you feel scared post and we will be here for you! you take care i wish you happy healthy days
cynde63
14 Nov 2011
been on the depakote 2 weeks now, tomorrow i start with 3 a day from now on. when do i know it is working? is there an aha moment or should i talk to my dr about trying lithium instead/?
cynde63
14 Nov 2011
yea i get angry alot, dont make friends easily, ppl are turned off bt me, but i have a huge heart and am very easily hurt. and then i can be very loving, i just thought it was because i was a gemini and there were 2 of me lol , but my rages scare me...
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Ty for your response, I am still taking zoloft as well for the depression and I also suffer from panic attacks, or they might have been mania as I would find myself places that I didnt know how I got there. Im tired of being happy one min and pissed or depressed the next. I will keep taking it am willing to try anything at this point.
cynde, I'm very picky to the point of refusing to take drugs at all. But I can find few reasons to knock depakote, and it is the one drug that I have zero criticisms about. It doesn't hurt me in any way, and generally kicks in fast. So I really do give this drug the thumbs up. It is a first-line defense in a hospital when you are in an episode, as it produces rapid results, and I can testify that it hasn't done me wrong at all. Give it a shot, and I think you'll find this to be so. Good luck, and DON'T WORRY!!!