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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
[email protected]Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by becksA on November 19, 2005, at 21:13:26
I've got mild bipolar , maybe cyclothemia..and pretty severe social anxiety.
i started depakote about a week ago, im up to 500mg daily...but im a big guy (6'7", 210 lbs)...if it matters.
On Monday I'm going to increase the dosage. I think I notice slight help so far in just calming things down in general..but not a lot. For those that use this drug, what is your dosage?
Thanks
Posted by rod on November 19, 2005, at 21:48:56
In reply to depakote users - whats your dose?, posted by becksA on November 19, 2005, at 21:13:26
300mg (extended release). anything above that produces cognitive side effects, and on the long term it makes depression / anxiety worse, for me. but 300mg is fine (for me).
good luck
Posted by ed_uk on November 19, 2005, at 22:11:33
In reply to Re: depakote users - whats your dose?, posted by rod on November 19, 2005, at 21:48:56
Hi Roli
Do you think Depakote is helping you?
Ed
Posted by Phillipa on November 19, 2005, at 22:53:02
In reply to Re: depakote users - whats your dose? » rod, posted by ed_uk on November 19, 2005, at 22:11:33
Is it better than trileptal? Fondly, Phillipa
Posted by rod on November 19, 2005, at 23:34:44
In reply to Re: depakote users - whats your dose? » rod, posted by ed_uk on November 19, 2005, at 22:11:33
> Hi Roli
>
> Do you think Depakote is helping you?
>
> EdHi ed
It helps with cocentration and I think its a good idea to take it on the long term because of possible neurogenesis. I believe I am doing my brain a favor with this one. And I am much more "stable" on it.
So Yes, *I* think its helping.bye
Posted by med_empowered on November 20, 2005, at 2:52:42
In reply to depakote users - whats your dose?, posted by becksA on November 19, 2005, at 21:13:26
I'm not on depakote now, but I did do a short trial-run of it a while ago. I started at 500mgs, with the goal (I think) of reaching 1500mgs/day or so...anyway, it wasn't so great. It made me nauseous, and I felt really stupid on it.
Depakote dosages really need to be individualized...plus, it really depends on your condition. If you have BP I, usually the dose will be higher--I think 1000mgs+ is pretty standard--than if you're bipolar II, in which case you can make do with much less. Unipolar depression or schizoaffective disorders are trickier to medicate; I imagine that would involve starting low, going slow with more trial and error than BP disorders.
good luck!
Posted by becksA on November 20, 2005, at 9:08:31
In reply to Re: depakote users - whats your dose?, posted by med_empowered on November 20, 2005, at 2:52:42
thanks guys....i guess ill just wait and see.
Posted by theo on November 20, 2005, at 22:03:26
In reply to Re: depakote users - whats your dose?, posted by rod on November 19, 2005, at 21:48:56
> 300mg (extended release). anything above that produces cognitive side effects, and on the long term it makes depression / anxiety worse, for me. but 300mg is fine (for me).
>
> good luck
>Depakote ER comes in 250mg and 500mg doses, how are you taking 300mg?
Posted by theo on November 20, 2005, at 22:06:10
In reply to Re: depakote users - whats your dose?, posted by med_empowered on November 20, 2005, at 2:52:42
When you took Depakote, did you take the regular or ER? Once or twice daily? Are you currently taking meds?
Posted by rod on November 20, 2005, at 22:07:18
In reply to Re: depakote users - whats your dose? » rod, posted by theo on November 20, 2005, at 22:03:26
> > 300mg (extended release). anything above that produces cognitive side effects, and on the long term it makes depression / anxiety worse, for me. but 300mg is fine (for me).
> >
> > good luck
> >
>
> Depakote ER comes in 250mg and 500mg doses, how are you taking 300mg?
>
>Because I take "Depakine chrono retard 300mg" from Sanofi Synthelabo ;)
Posted by blueberry on November 22, 2005, at 6:43:28
In reply to depakote users - whats your dose?, posted by becksA on November 19, 2005, at 21:13:26
I take 500mg extended release. My pdoc wants me on 1000mg, but I would rather stay at 500mg unless I really feel like I need more, which I don't.
My pdoc says it is not the dosage in milligrams that is important, but rather the blood levels. With a blood test, depakote plasma levels are supposed to be between 50 and 100. Mine is 30.
If your doctor is not taking blood tests to get you at the right dose, then they are not being treated correctly.
This is the end of the thread.
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