Posted by Ritch on August 27, 2002, at 9:45:14
In reply to Re: does depakote have anti-depressant properties..? » Ritch, posted by ctrlaltndel on August 27, 2002, at 1:29:40
> Hi Mitch not Ritch..
>
> I'm on such a low dose I'm not sure if it's doing anything..400mg a day..taking tegretol temporarily when needed , own initiative--it's such a dirty drug but stops the hypersex and basically just numbs.
> Getting those anger attacks , adrenaline rushes due to stress..worry worry worry..
> Thanks.
>
Hi again,Typical low doses to get into the "therapeutic range" for Depakote is about 500mg-750mg/day. I take a "sub-therapeutic" dose of 250mg at bedtime. My last blood draw showed a blood level of "18". I understand that "40-50" is the desired low-end. However, it took several weeks before I really started to see the benefits of it. You mentioned Tegretol being helpful at times. That makes me wonder if you took Teg at a lower dose as a maintenance, might not it be better? Also, some are finding Trileptal helpful and similar to Teg (it's quite a bit cleaner than Teg-practically no drug-drug interactions). Depakote usually works quite well for hostility probs. I responded rather rapidly to that part of it. Find out what your blood level is (after you have been on it at least a week).
hope this helps,
Mitch
poster:Ritch
thread:117815
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20020821/msgs/117917.html