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Harm Reduction Depakote

T

takeiteasy

Ex-Bluelighter
Joined
Sep 18, 2013
Messages
24
Been trying to get off of this drug for about 5 months now, everytime I do I have bad thoughts of wanting to harm people so I have to go back on it. THe trouble is that I"ve gained 30 lbs on this drug, went from 220 to 250. UGH! What do I do people? Is there any antipsychotic that might ward off the bad thoughts during the withdrawal?
 
Talk to your doctor about a different mood stabilizer is the first thing you should do. If you fail to find a mood stabilizing medication that suits you properly i would recommend asking your doctor about an atypical antipsychotic (risperidone, olanzapine, quetiapine, paliperidone, ziprasidone, and lurasidone) which are known to have mood stabilizing effects and are often prescribed even in the absence of psychotic symptoms. If all else fails... In scientific studies compared with placebo, omega-3 fatty acids appear better able to augment known mood stabilizers in reducing depressive (but perhaps not manic) symptoms of bipolar disorder. Hope this helps.
 
takeiteasy said:
Been trying to get off of this drug for about 5 months now, everytime I do I have bad thoughts of wanting to harm people so I have to go back on it. THe trouble is that I"ve gained 30 lbs on this drug, went from 220 to 250. UGH! What do I do people? Is there any antipsychotic that might ward off the bad thoughts during the withdrawal?
Click to expand...

What are you on it for?

The withdrawal of Depakote is pretty intense. You have to taper off of it slowly just like any other med and you need to do this under the care of your psychiatrist. Depakote is a heavy duty prescription for long term use so obviously your doctor sees a need for such strong intervention.

I wouldn't take Depakote lightly. Neurontin is known to help get off of Depakote but it carries its own risk of dependence and it is not a mood stabilizer and carries a slight risk of hypomania. It also isn't commonly used for that purpose, it is normally prescribed for other reasons and carries that as an added bonus.

Out of all of the atypicals, the only one that I would ever personally recommend is Geodon (ziprasidone). Its certainly far less nasty than Depakote is. Zyprexa (olanzapine) would trigger even more weight gain than Depakote and most likely Seroquel (quetiapine) would as well. Geodon tends to be weight neutral or mildly weight positive. Some people lose weight on it.

It is definitely something to discuss with your doctor - the two of you need to come together and decide what is best. There are very few cases where long term use of Depakote is effective, let alone recommended. It can be a godsend for someone locked in mania or coming off of a huge alcohol bender where seizure risk is a strong concern but that's typically a short intervention, 1 to 3 months maximum as other drugs are less toxic and more effective for maintenance therapy.

As for the other mood stabilizers, the only one that I would recommend is Trileptal (oxcarbazepine, the big brother of Tegretol (carbamazepine) that keeps the effectiveness without the side effects and drug interactions) or possibly Lamictal (lamotrigine). I didn't like the side effects of Lamictal and you have the risk of SJS with it but it is weight neutral and for some people it is the most effective mood stabilizer around.

Topamax (topiramate) is worth a look too. It has strong mood stabilizer properties and weight loss is a very common side effect. It is commonly used for migraines but it is being used for mood stabilization more and more plus it is one of the strongest anti-seizure meds around to boot. The big issue with it is that it has a notorious reputation for making you feel stupid. We call it "Dope-a-max" around here because it really does slow you down mentally. Then again, Depakote does too.

Best of luck to you!
 
i just quit too. cannabis indica really helps. I hate the stuff, my hair was falling out. Only complaint is that my sleep and appetite is really off. have you tried lamotrigine? I suggest pot
 
What a shitty situation take it easy, how long does it take for the feelings to surface? Is it clear the depakote/ valproic acid is the cullprit.
Myself being on the shit myself is beginning to regret ever starting. It dulls everything in life and takes away any drive and motivation.
if it would wipe away depression as well as it wipes mania there could be enough ground to continue. But it doesn't it only dulls it!

If I forget my dose in the middle of a depressive state within 48 hours I hit rock bottom. At least that is what I convinced myself it does.
Despite my attemps to gain some kilos I am still underweight after roughly 2 years. Maybe consults are the only option here, have talk with the one who prescribed it.
I will have such a talk next week, and I will cetrainly bring up how much better I felt when on dextro-amphetamine, mirtazapine and pregabaline whilst in fullblown hypomania.

What the stuff indicated for in your case? Have you tried antipsychotics or other medications. I took truxal/ chlorprotixene an antipychotic once and it really did wonders in chilling the anger right out of me. Wouldn't go as far a recommending it but it worked for me. Although I never got them scripted, my dr rather had me beserk then numbing my feelings.
What a wooz denying me a med I felt would truly have benefitted me.

So what to do depends on your dr, your condition en your experiences and goals. Good luck.
Without
 
MagickalKat777 said:
Yeah its a nasty drug... I thought I was going to die when they took me off of it.
Click to expand...

Are withdrawals that hard or something else? How come you feel this way about it Magicalkat777 do you mind giving some details.
All info about the nastyness is appreciated as well. As I am coming of down to 750mg, at least that's the plan.
Next week appointement with overpaid psychiater might change things a little but more probably not.
 
well I am officially of Depacote/ Depakine/ Valproic acid.
Wow the fog has cleared and were's that blanket of sleep do I feel alive?
I was sleeping 10/12 hours and still so tired even amphetamines couldn't wake me.

No noticeable withdrawal, at least nothing I would consider remotely close.
Just relieved I am of that shit and now starting on lamotrigine which hopefully does a better job.
 
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