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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bipolarspectrum on December 11, 2006, at 1:01:50
Hi,
I'm tAking 2500mg Depakote ER for bipolar and its working extremely well... but I have really bad diarrhea, anyone have any ideas?
bps
Posted by blueberry on December 11, 2006, at 4:26:14
In reply to Divalproex acid Diarrhea - Help!, posted by bipolarspectrum on December 11, 2006, at 1:01:50
> Hi,
> I'm tAking 2500mg Depakote ER for bipolar and its working extremely well... but I have really bad diarrhea, anyone have any ideas?
> bpsSorry about the diarrhea! Darn. I wish I had a suggestion but I'm not familiar with what might help that.
You can help me out though. Could you please answer some questions for me?
Were you depressed and did depakote improve the depression? What are the side effects...grogginess? anxiety? confusion? amnesia? sexual?
I took 500mg Depakote ER for a short time, liked it at first, it didn't do much after a couple weeks, and I stopped. I had a severe depression when I stopped and it landed me in the emergency room. When I started it I had diarhhea for weeks and depakote ended that. ???
Anyway, I would love to hear more of your experience with depakote as it is high on my list to revisit.
Thanks!
Posted by madeline on December 11, 2006, at 7:19:38
In reply to Divalproex acid Diarrhea - Help!, posted by bipolarspectrum on December 11, 2006, at 1:01:50
Well, first of all be sure that you are getting enough fluids, diarrhea can volume deplete you pretty quickly.
Second, over the counter immodium AD really helps with diarrhea. In fact, I think I now own stock in the company that produces it.
Third, asacol is a drug indicated for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. It may be a option in your case.
I think it is important that you talk to your doc about this symptom and see what they suggest you do to manage it.
One last thing.. Do you still have your gall bladder?
Posted by bipolarspectrum on December 11, 2006, at 9:17:00
In reply to Re: Divalproex acid Diarrhea - Help! » bipolarspectrum, posted by blueberry on December 11, 2006, at 4:26:14
Hi B,
I take Divalproex acid for bipolar disorder.. I suffer mostly from 'anxious' depression... constantly depressed with a nervous, negative energy... Depakote treats both the depression and anxiety for me.. I take 2500 mg of Er which is a high dose but I'm a large, young male so its all relative to blood levels...
Side effects are practically nil with the ER, besides the diarrhea... No sexual side effects, mabye some cognitive side-effects, I'm not sure yet.. I seem to be starting to read again which is a huge step and I'm a semi-pro poker player and my game is completely on point... so i doubt I'm experiencing cognitive negative side-effects..
As a note, 500mg is nothing, the min dose seems to be 1000mg and most people go much higher, those with seizure issues often go above 3000mg...
I've read the literature and many anecdotes, and in certain individuals, divalproex acid can have a great anti-depressant effect, much like lithium...
hope this helped somewhat..
bps
Posted by bipolarspectrum on December 11, 2006, at 9:18:13
In reply to Re: Divalproex acid Diarrhea - Help!, posted by madeline on December 11, 2006, at 7:19:38
> Well, first of all be sure that you are getting enough fluids, diarrhea can volume deplete you pretty quickly.
Thanx for the reply,
I wondered about immodium but apparently its not a long-term solution.... I'll look into the 2nd drug for sure... My gall-bladder is still in full effect!
bps> Second, over the counter immodium AD really helps with diarrhea. In fact, I think I now own stock in the company that produces it.
>
> Third, asacol is a drug indicated for mild to moderate ulcerative colitis. It may be a option in your case.
>
> I think it is important that you talk to your doc about this symptom and see what they suggest you do to manage it.
>
> One last thing.. Do you still have your gall bladder?
This is the end of the thread.
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