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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by sac on October 31, 2003, at 9:20:54
Has anyone experienced depression worsening over time on Depakote? I'm bipolar II and have been on Depakote for about 3 months. The first six weeks on it, I felt great better than I had in years. But the last six weeks, I have developed an unremitting depression that makes me want to crawl in bed and stay there all day. I'm also on Prozac 20mg. Wellbutrin (50 mg.) very sensitive to WB. and lamictal 25 mg. Any experiences out there with Depakote side effects?
Thanks alot.
Posted by linkadge on October 31, 2003, at 10:38:47
In reply to depression worsening over time on depakote, posted by sac on October 31, 2003, at 9:20:54
Anticonvulstants, particularly Depakote deplete body levels of folic acid, a nutrient that is key to mood. If you are not already, I would suggest suplementing with folic acid in the range of 600mcg-1mg. For some, this has reversed the only transient response to other anticonvulstant meds such as lamictal etc.
Good Luck
Linkadge
Posted by sac on October 31, 2003, at 11:47:28
In reply to Re: depression worsening over time on depakote, posted by linkadge on October 31, 2003, at 10:38:47
Thank you for your input. I do take a b-complex vitamin daily that has 400mcg. folic acid but I will try to supplement that with an additional 400 mcg. that I happen have tablets of. I'll try this. Thanks.
> Anticonvulstants, particularly Depakote deplete body levels of folic acid, a nutrient that is key to mood. If you are not already, I would suggest suplementing with folic acid in the range of 600mcg-1mg. For some, this has reversed the only transient response to other anticonvulstant meds such as lamictal etc.
>
> Good Luck
>
> Linkadge
Posted by linkadge on October 31, 2003, at 13:41:10
In reply to Re: depression worsening over time on depakote, posted by sac on October 31, 2003, at 11:47:28
Don't mean to be an annoyance, but some
people notice worsening of depression
with choline supplementation. Some b
complex contain choline - usually as
an insurance factor. It *may* be something
to consider.Linkadge
Posted by sac on October 31, 2003, at 21:39:02
In reply to Re: depression worsening over time on depakote, posted by linkadge on October 31, 2003, at 13:41:10
Yes, I did read something about that and I was wondering too. Mine does have 50 mg. Choline.
Posted by McPac on November 1, 2003, at 0:26:50
In reply to depression worsening over time on depakote, posted by sac on October 31, 2003, at 9:20:54
"Has anyone experienced depression worsening over time on Depakote?"
>>>Others here have also stated this...there was a recent thread about this very fact.
Posted by helenag on November 1, 2003, at 12:20:40
In reply to Re: depression worsening over time on depakote, posted by McPac on November 1, 2003, at 0:26:50
Boy, am I glad to read this! Yes, I have experienced this with Depakote and even had a pharmacist looking it up for me at one time. I was on Depakote and Effexor XR at the same time and couldn't figure out why I was feeling depressed. using convoluted logic, I wondered if Depakote calms down mania, maybe it made depression worse. It IS listed in side effects, though. Depakote never did anything much for me besides add weight and make me lose some hair. So, count me as someone to whom this did happen to. Helen
Posted by sac on November 1, 2003, at 15:01:36
In reply to depression worsening over time on depakote, posted by helenag on November 1, 2003, at 12:20:40
Thanks for your reply. Yes, I am starting to wonder myself. Initially, I really liked the Depakote but for the last 2 months I have a chronic treatment resistant depression. I'm on Prozac and a little Wellbutrin plus Lamictal. I'm bipolar II but perhaps this drug is a little too "anti-manic" for me.
> Boy, am I glad to read this! Yes, I have experienced this with Depakote and even had a pharmacist looking it up for me at one time. I was on Depakote and Effexor XR at the same time and couldn't figure out why I was feeling depressed. using convoluted logic, I wondered if Depakote calms down mania, maybe it made depression worse. It IS listed in side effects, though. Depakote never did anything much for me besides add weight and make me lose some hair. So, count me as someone to whom this did happen to. Helen
Posted by linkadge on November 1, 2003, at 17:32:04
In reply to Re: depression worsening over time on depakote, posted by sac on November 1, 2003, at 15:01:36
Depakote does not have the antidepressant effects that Lithium does. Lithium has effects on serotonin levels while Depakote does not.
Linkadge
This is the end of the thread.
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