I am currently on Depakote which know it's been 6 years I am taking 1000 it's not working any more! I need lithium, I was inpatient with a conservative shrink that had 35 patients at the time. The guy was terrible he takes me off lithium puts me on Depakote I don't think it ever help me. I am asking my Dr this week if he can put me back on lithium. I had no sides he felt that Depakote. The first week 6 years ago I felt nothing. He was to conservative he affect my life and my family life.
I was on lithium 1000 mg put on Depakote inpatient for no reasons?
Question posted by Maz2021 on 21 July 2021
Last updated on 21 July 2021 by WildcatVet
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
3 Answers
Hi, Maz!
I've found lamotrigine (Lamictal) to be very effective. Not as good as my lithium but I can't take it anymore because I went toxic twice... and two strikes you're out on lithium.
To me, the bottom line here is that you're not happy with your medication, so the doctor you have now should give you some choices. But why did the doctor you had before stop your lithium in the first place, except maybe to be "conservative"? What does that mean? You say you "had no sides he felt that Depakote" – I'm not sure what you mean there either. Was he trying to relieve you of some of lithium's side effects? Answers to those questions would help you figure out which way to go. You might find them in your medical records. Maybe your current doc can help you look through those, or help you get a hold of your former doc to ask her/him. But, just to repeat: You're not happy with your medication and you plan to ask your current doc for options – lithium surely, maybe others. So, you're on your way!
Depakote doesn't help as much as lithium does?
I've often heard lithium called "the gold standard" of mood stabilizers. It tends to be the most effective, and they often try it first. That's how it worked for me. But everyone's brain is different. What works best for some or even most people may not work for you. Options such as Depakote are out there. Keep looking until you find one that does the job for you.
Related topics
depakote, depression, mania, bipolar disorder, lithium, schizoaffective disorder
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.