gizmo Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 I've been sick with the flu for three days and couldn't take my meds. Early this morning, I woke up with the most excruciating migraine and sweat literally pouring off me. I panicked, thinking I was having a seizure, and took 2/3 of my depakote and Zoloft dose at 12:30 am and all my risperdal at 5 am after waking up the same way again. Am i out of the woods with any serious side effects since I restarted my meds? I've never skipped my depakote before, so it freaked me out really bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gearhead Posted April 20, 2012 Share Posted April 20, 2012 You're right on the cusp. Depakote's half life is 9-16 hours and it'll be totally out of your system in 2-3 days, and you really aren't supposed to stop taking it cold turkey, but to taper your dose. Worst case scenario you're at risk for a seizure, yes, even if you've never had seizures before. I'm not surprised you have a wicked headache. You should probably call your doctor or, barring that, as I notice it's after 4:00 on a Friday afternoon, call your pharmacist and ask what to do. I hope your flu gets better soon, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizmo Posted April 21, 2012 Author Share Posted April 21, 2012 Thanks gearhead. I don't have an after hours number for my pdoc (one of the pitfalls of being in an HMO) so I called the pharmacist. Who didn't seem to know much. But I started my full dose of depakote last night and didn't wake up with a excruciating migraine last night/today. So thank you for making me feel better. I think I averted something bad, but probably just barely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted April 21, 2012 Share Posted April 21, 2012 I am under the impression that for ACs, 3 days is the limit, but that if you had skipped a 4th day, it might actually matter. I don't know why I believe this, but somewhere in my brain, it says it is so. I should ask my pdoc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluechick Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Why did you stop your meds without a doctor's advice? Just because you h ad the flu? Seems awfully reckless to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gizmo Posted April 23, 2012 Author Share Posted April 23, 2012 Why did you stop your meds without a doctor's advice? Just because you h ad the flu? Seems awfully reckless to me. Because I was throwing up every 15 minutes. Have you never had the stomach flu? I'for been med compliant for more than 7 years now - I take offense to you suggesting that because I couldn't keep down fluids for three days, much less keep 7 pills down, that I was being reckless. I didn't post that I had to go to urgent care for an entire afternoon and get rehydrated with IVs because I was so sick. Would that have made a difference in your cavalier response? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluechick Posted April 23, 2012 Share Posted April 23, 2012 Why did you stop your meds without a doctor's advice? Just because you h ad the flu? Seems awfully reckless to me. Because I was throwing up every 15 minutes. Have you never had the stomach flu? I'for been med compliant for more than 7 years now - I take offense to you suggesting that because I couldn't keep down fluids for three days, much less keep 7 pills down, that I was being reckless. I didn't post that I had to go to urgent care for an entire afternoon and get rehydrated with IVs because I was so sick. Would that have made a difference in your cavalier response? All you said is that you had the flu. I've had the flu plenty of times and could still keep something down at some point. So, yes, the detail that you needed to seek medical attention and IV fluids would certainly have been helpful. You have to understand that a lot of people come on here complaining of symptoms when they have been non med compliant. It was a fair assumption that was your situation given your lack of detail in your post. Sorry if I offended you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Wow, bluechick, asshole much? Your apology is pathetic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cetkat Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 I had a scary experience with not being able to take my Lamictal when I was at 400mg. I think I kept it down for a total of 4 seconds. I woke up in the middle of the night after missing that day's dose smelling burnt plastic and having odd sensations. I managed to keep down half a dose and crushed it a bit to make it absorb quicker. That did the trick. The next step would have been the ER most likely. I think once you get it in back your system you're in the clear - at least as far as it continuing. Perhaps you could find out from the pdoc/pharmacist if it's ok to do something similar with your depakote if the situation comes up again? Get at least some amount in your system by getting something absorbed in that 15mins. That, or get a strong anti-nausea med rx'd prn to see if you can keep it down that way? I'm glad you're feeling better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Cetcat, the idea of crunched up Lamictal makes me nauseated in and of itself. I hate the taste, and for some reason, it is hard for me to swallow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cetkat Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 Cetcat, the idea of crunched up Lamictal makes me nauseated in and of itself. I hate the taste, and for some reason, it is hard for me to swallow. Heh, yeah. I think I've just gotten used to it from chewing Asprin and Xanax/Nadolol. Sometimes I'm not very patient. The trick is to time the water so that you barely taste it. Although, after Saphris.. everything tastes great in comparison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bpladybug Posted April 24, 2012 Share Posted April 24, 2012 gizmo, just wanted to offer a little sympathy I certainly have been in your position vomiting for a few days and anxious about my meds miserable hope you fully recover soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 Cetcat, the idea of crunched up Lamictal makes me nauseated in and of itself. I hate the taste, and for some reason, it is hard for me to swallow. Heh, yeah. I think I've just gotten used to it from chewing Asprin and Xanax/Nadolol. Sometimes I'm not very patient. The trick is to time the water so that you barely taste it. Although, after Saphris.. everything tastes great in comparison. if you put the xanax under your tongue it dissolves pretty much very fast with minimal taste. I once put excedtin under my tongue though and it burned it kind of like (there was a spot where the pill was that was raw). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crtclms Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 That's funny, I can't stand the taste of Xanax either, and cannot dissolve it under my tongue. I actually would probably do better crunching it up. Ativan I can deal with. I did used to dissolve aspirin at the back of my throat for sore throats, but haven't for years. I remember a lot of tinnitis. And I just had a headache-y vomitous day, and wasn't sure what to do with my lithium. My pdoc and neuro both know on days like today, I miss meds, but I was afraid to skip the lithium. My blood level is very low (.5, but therapeutic), so I though it would probably be safe to take, even though I am dehydrated. I threw up all morning and afternoon, but since then have had almost 2ltrs. of fluids, so I think I am fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melissaw72 Posted April 26, 2012 Share Posted April 26, 2012 I've been sick with the flu for three days and couldn't take my meds. Early this morning, I woke up with the most excruciating migraine and sweat literally pouring off me. I panicked, thinking I was having a seizure, and took 2/3 of my depakote and Zoloft dose at 12:30 am and all my risperdal at 5 am after waking up the same way again. Am i out of the woods with any serious side effects since I restarted my meds? I've never skipped my depakote before, so it freaked me out really bad. I was this way one time, and I couldn't take meds. I had the same reaction, actually it was like the flu got worse in a way, and it was from withdrawal. I hadnt been on meds for at least 3 days before I started them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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