Oldbie with good news!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-18-2004
Oldbie with good news!!!
1
Sun, 10-23-2005 - 6:28pm
Hi All - I don't know if you all remember me or not. It has been a very long time since I have posted. My name is Jena and I am Bipolar. I also have hypothroidism. I have been on Depakote ER for almost 4 1/2 years and it has made me gain alot of weight. A new medication is out for Bipolar Disorder called Equetra. I went off of Depakote 3 weeks ago and went on Equetra and have lost 30 lbs. I started out at 380 lbs. now I'm on 350 lbs. I've gone from a size 34/36 to a size 26/28. I've still got a long way to go, but atleast I am starting to lose the weight that Depakote made me gain. I have been a little manic since going off of the Depakote, but nothing I can't handle. I'm thinking my dose of Equestra just needs to be increased a little. I'm so excited....I have tried everything to lose weight. I have even considered gastric bypass surgery. Equestra isn't known for it's weight loss so I think it is just getting off of the Depakote. I sure hope this continues to work. The drug isn't that expensive at all either and I haven't had any side effects. The first couple of days I was pretty nausea, but it passed. Anyway, I thought I'd pass the news out that there is a new drug for Bipolar Disorder (specifically mania) that seems to work pretty good. YIPPEE!!!! Keep your fingers crossed that it will continue to work. Take Care - I'll make sure I post often and let you guys know how it's going with it. Thanks for listening!
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Mon, 10-24-2005 - 7:39am

JENA!!!! OMG! I have thought about you SOOOO many times but I had no idea how to get in touch with you. I am SOOOOO glad you posted. SO glad.

I'd heard of that med, but hadn't heard of anybody on it. I'll keep it in mind, but so far (PLEASE KEEP EVERYTHING CROSSED) my meds, for once, are working. I'm on four...Lamictal (the key right now), Topamax, Ativan, and Prozac. Just came off Risperdal, it was making me gain weight too, along with Lithium...so I'm off both of them now, and the combo I'm on now is really good.

I'm so glad you're losing weight. That was a big depressor for you, with good reason...and the Depakote wasn't doing a whole lot for you either, if I remember correctly.

So how is everything else going?

Please keep in touch, okay?

Love and Hugs,

Keli