I posted a reply on the " meds for bipolar and ADD-Inattentive" this morning. I have checked for replies so I figured I might get some answers if I post a new thread.

I was dx'd yesterday with bipolar and ADD-Inattentive. I knew about the ADD since last year but the bipolar was a surprize??!! The psychatrist came up with this conclusion after an hour due to my history and my negative reactions to SSRI's. The only meds that have somewhat helped were Strattera before it went flat and Buspar which I have taken off and on for anxiety problems since the mid 90's. I tried Ritalin for a short time but it got me more irritated and aggressive but gave me an inner calm plus i got quite depressed which I call being intensely frustrated!! Anyways she pulled me off the 25mgs of Strattera which my family doctor put me back on because hes befuddled and wants me to start 500mgs of Depotake at bedtime and if I notice nothing; up it to one in the morning and one at bedtime. I put a short bio on the other thread if that helps anyone help me figure if she is on the right course.

Any info on this med would be helpful since tonight I am going to take my first one!!! I always hate starting new meds!!! I have read some info on it but doesn't really have that personal touch that would help.

She picked the Depotake because I take 600 to 800mgs of Ibruprofen at night to help me sleep with my Fibromyalgia.

The other question is would a glass of wine at night or a cocktail hurt with the depotake?

One last question??:rolleyes: Does it help with the running thoughts; that is one of my biggest problems and not feeling grounded?

Thank you for your time:o

jlauren

Do you mean Depakote?

US Brand Name: Depakote


Other Brand Names: Epival (Canada), Valcote (Colombia, Peru)


Generic Name: divalproex sodium

Other Forms: Extended-release tablets

Class: Anticonvulsants, specifically a valproate

Depakote's FDA Approved Uses: Epilepsy: Monotherapy (used by itself) and adjunctive treatment (i.e. you must use another drug along with it) for a variety of epileptic seizures. These include complex partial seizures and absence seizures. Depakote is approved for use with epilepsy for adults and children aged 10 and up. An example of a simple partial seizure is when you're still conscious and one limb goes completely nuts on you. Complex partial seizures can mimic various forms for bipolar and psychotic flip-outs. They're freaky, believe me. An absence seizure is when you just "go away" for a period of time and you may or may not experience missing time. That is also freaky if you're ever aware of or witness the damn things.

Depakote is approved to treat bipolar mania and migraines. There's no mention of kids for either of these ailments, so I presume it's officially adults-only.

Depakote's Off-Label Uses: Treatment for types of Epilepsy not listed (e.g. tonic-clonic seizures - here's one study showing it effective in that regard, and one showing that Dilantin (phenytonin) is better.), Borderline Personality Disorder (see also this study), PTSD, OCD, Alcohol (see also this study), Cocaine & other Drug Dependencies, Anxiety (mostly anecdotal evidence and animal studies, no good human studies), PMS, Sleep Disorders (including Restless Leg & PLMD), Schizophrenia and Schizoaffective Disorder, and Alzheimer's-related disorders.

Source: http://www.crazymeds.org/depakote.html

Divalproex sodium, aka Depakote, is an anticonvulsant med used primarily for manic episodes. It comes in 125, 250, and 500 mgs. The most common side effects include nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, and vomiting. Most of these are mild or moderate in intensity. It is NOT reccomended to drink with this med. It could enhance the sedative effects in addition, this med also has a history of causing liver and pancreas damage...I wouldn't push the alcohol.

I also have FMS and with my antipsychotic I find that my pain is not nearly as bad. I hope you experience the same. This has primarily occured because of the sedative effects, lessening my racing thoughts and allowing a longer, deeper sleep. I must say that since I've been dx'd I've been thrown into a healthier sleep pattern. You'll find that we bipolars are sensative to sleep/wake cycle changes. The more regular they are the better off we will be.

It is typical for a pdoc to take on the bigger problem first, which would be the bipolar disorder. I would keep track of everything over the next few months. He will need to see what's going on in your therapy...it's a good idea to keep a daily journal...it could take a month or so for you to find the right dosage and experience its true effects. Don't get frustrated if this takes longer than you think it should, you'll get to each problem in time.

Good luck to you...we are always here if you have more questions :)

To be totally honest I am soooooooo scared!! I guess it is just the word psychotropic. I just took my first pill so here we go. I am so *****y tonight that my poor husband is going nuts!! I think its just because I am so nervous. Can you take Buspar with the Depakote if I get to anxious or will the Depakote calm that down? I am sorry for my neuroses(?) but until I know what is going to happen I get this way. I have had so many ups and downs on meds that I get anxious. But to feel grounded and more centered I guess I will try just about anything. The biggest problem is that I am scared of marital problems because we socially drink and I don't think my husband will cope with me not there. I guess that is something I have to deal with when I come to it. There has just been so much to swallow lately in the last year with excepting my sons ADD and then my ADD. We are doing an IEP for him next week because even with a 504 he's failing. He blows the scales on State tests for above average intelligence but gets F's in school because of forgetfullness,organization,..... basic high school skills. And now this!!!!! No insurance because of bad financial times but make to much for state aid... Sorry for venting!!! By the way I also have GERD another fun part Fibro; if I get an upset stomach can I take Rolaids or Pepto? Forgot to tell the Pdoc that but she knows about the IBS.

Thank you soooooooo much for your time and patience!!!

jlauren

Best suggestion I can make, other than calling your pdoc or regular doc, is to call the pharmacist for advice. Your pharmacist should be able to look up all this information for you. None of us are really equipped to provide the kind of medical advice that you're looking for, and knowledge of drug-drug interactions requires a great deal of experience with meds.

Good Night and Thank You!!
I will be back in the morning and let you know how things are going.

jlauren

I believe there may be one more piece of advice, if you would wait one more minute

Rolaids/Peto should be fine...I would stay away from the Buspar...the first thing my pdoc did was take me off of it and my SSRI...just stick with the depakote for now and if it becomes unbearable call your doc.

You've got a lot on your plate and you need to take things one step at a time...I know it's hard but you can do it. List your priorities and start from there.

I'm sure your husband will surprise you...let him know what's going on and how you feel...give him materials to learn and understand what you are going through...I'm sure that when it comes to social interactions just having you there will be better than nothing at all.

Vent away...

Sorry for not getting back to you yesterday but my computer went Bipolar??!!! The only negatives which are very slight are (1) when it starts kicking in my vision gets blurry and when I do my usual wakeups in the middle of the night I see square light spots till my eyes focus plus I am hungry(2) in the mornings my eyes are a little blurry and seem more sensitive to light. I guess there is also a (3rd) My sleep is real weird plus very odd dreams:eek: ; hopefully that straightens out.

Now for the good: very much less irritable, no racing thoughts whatsoever, after a cup or two of coffee in the morning I am very alert and ambitious but not overfocused, and I have the feeling of being grounded.

My pdoc said if I thought it wasn't doing much I should up it to 500mgs in the AM also but am I supposed to feel anything else or am I lucky to be feeling the way I am?? I am not sure what I am supposed to feel to know if its working. :eyebrow: I won't see her till May. But I have realized that when I thought the Strattera was working good it was probably making me somewhat manic. Another question is if I was self medicating with alcohol would those cravings go away because my mind is getting what it needs? Also when does the sleeping stablize??

Sorry for the questions but I am just trying to figure out how I am doing and how much I am supposed to expect. My husband hasn't said much but my son is amazed at the difference already. I think because I am not freaking out about everything like I used too.

Have a super day and thanks for all your help.

jlauren

Thanks for the advise to keep a journal because it really helps to see the progress so far:D