Posted by Nancy on December 30, 1998, at 10:45:15
In reply to Re: Depakote and coming off, posted by vicki on December 25, 1998, at 0:31:26
> I am wondering if the fact that Depokote has a mild stimulatory effect on the secretion of Prolactin in the body
> that this could be the cause of the weight gain? This is a female sex hormone which stimulates many of the
> bodily process during pregnancy, after and so forth.
> thanks
> vickiHi Vicki,
You are correct. This hormone helps to prepare a female for pregnancy. Progestogens increase cell wall permeability to fatty acids. Thus, the female metabolism becomes very efficient at storing bodyfat that will help nourish and protect the fetus. It's so obvious that I don't need to say it. But, the female is perfectly engineered to propogate the species even in periods of food shortage or in the happenstance of abandonment.
Also, the proclivity to gain weight while taking Depakote is not due to the somnolence or "eating in your sleep" problem, so much as it is, a physiological reduction of the metabolism. That's why even when you diet and exercise, while on Depakote, you still have a weight problem.
My research was spent mostly studying neuroscience, particularly on parkinsonianism. However, I also extensively researched the effect of oxytocin on behavior. Oxytocin is another progestogen. Very fascinating field of study. I hope to return to it when I am well enough.Your Mad Scientist,
Nancy
poster:Nancy
thread:1271
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990401/msgs/1887.html