Posted by ms.Holly on October 13, 2003, at 13:12:18
Hello:
Woould appreciate any and all feedback on experience taking this medication. I have been on 1000mg for 4 months. My hair is thinning trmendousely (taking selenium to combat this), and my conitive functioning is slowed .... to the point that I feel like I am in a fog, I turn words around, forget things, ---articulating myself is very difficult.I am a 120lb female.....my depakote levels came back relatively high the first 2 times, (121 and 127)...considering I am not in a manic state....what is teh research/body of knowledge behind titrating my dose to perhaps 500mg to alleviate the side affects, then up the dose if I trigger into a mania (my manias are not sever, more like hypomania's) and I know how to recognize them, as well as my partner knows what to watch for. I guess I am asking, is it okay to be on a less than therapuetic dose while not exhibiting manic symptoms and then up the dose IF and when I do rev or go manic?
What are some alternative mood stabilizers besides Depakote, Lithium, or Topomax? I have been on Lithium and it had too many side affects. I have about 2 mild mania's a yr...mostly hypo.....so I am a mild case...do I even need a mood stabilizer?
I notice more lows now (I am 31) and the first mania was at 19....since then about 1 mania a yr (agitated mania///low grade).
Your thoughts, ideas feedback are needed.
Many thanks.
poster:ms.Holly
thread:268963
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031010/msgs/268963.html