Posted by Ritch on May 6, 2002, at 13:27:45
In reply to Can Depakote induce MORE depression?, posted by Janelle on May 6, 2002, at 4:44:15
> It certainly seems that way to me. My pdoc started me on 500 mg/night, which seemed to be okay for the first week (actually I was in a slightly hypomanic state at the time and basically felt no effect from the Depakote).
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> Second week I titrated up to 1000 mg/night and ooh-boy,did I start to feel lousy -- worse and worse, plunging deeper and deeper into intense depression, to the point where I became immobilized. It was downright scary. Pdoc told me to cut back to 500 mg/night but the depression seemed to be worsening even more so I stopped taking the Depakote. Finally, it lifted, to the point where I'm back where I started from (which was not good to begin with!)
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> I am wondering if anyone else out there who has taken Depakote found that it induced more/increased depression? Thanks to whoever might respond!Hi Janelle,
When I first tried Depakote I was switching from lithium and it was in the middle of a depressive episode and the depression *did* get worse. But, I am not sure if the Depakote made it worse, or if it was the lithium withdrawal. I must say though, that Depakote seems to work wonders for dysphoric/agitated hypomanic mixedstates. I think what might be causing the depressive type reactions in people is its potentiation of GABA and we all know benzos can cause depression. I must say that if I was to go through another depressive episode I would rather have the lithium than the Dep., if I was offered only a monotherapy choice.
Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:105244
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020503/msgs/105283.html