Going off Depakote

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-06-2007
Going off Depakote
1
Fri, 04-27-2007 - 11:03am
Good morning. I had my doctor appointment last night. The labs showed a level of 2.2 of Depakote in my system and it's suppose to be much higher. The doc said my body is not absorbing much of the medicine, not enough to have a theraputic effect. He wants me to stop taking it to see if my stomach issues resolve. However, he doesn't want me on the Effexor by itself (antidepressant) because it might send me into a manic phase. So of the five medications for mood stabilizers: Abilify, Seroquel, Lamictal, Depakote and Lithium, I've tried four. The only one I haven't tried was Lithium. I told him I didn't want to try it. He agreed that the theraputic effect could be minimal and side effects are great. So, he convinced me to give Lamictal another try. I have been assigned a permanent psyciatrist, I'll see him next time. Honestly, I'm not convinced to give Lamictal another try. I don't want to start a new medication. I don't know what to do. Sorry to ramble.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-02-2006
Fri, 04-27-2007 - 10:27pm

Hi Jen,


Can I ask why you went off the lamictal the first time? I know the reason I went off of it the first time was because I got a small rash and the pdoc thought it was "the" rash associated with the lamictal so he took me off of it. It was only when I went into the hospital this past January that a new pdoc put me back on it and so far it's worked wonders for me. My mood has been stable and I haven't felt better in a very long time. So maybe going back on it a second time for you will have the same effect:) I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.


Hang in there and keep posting. We're here for you.


Hugs,
Traci