What does Depakote actually DO for you?

[mjs190]

Currently on a low dose of 500 mg of Depakote ER (blood level ~43), along with Lamictal and a couple other meds (see sig.)

I want to ditch Depakote because the combination of two mood stabilizers is messing with my cognitive function. I have Bipolar type II: infrequent episodes of irritable hypomania, predominantly depressive episodes (previously rapid cycling). I *think* my pdoc and I added Depakote to help with irritability and/or agitation, but naturally I can't remember. I have since stopped cycling now that I'm taking two AED mood stabilizers. But I'm not fully convinced I need both to maintain wellness; I don't think I was on Lamictal long enough to gauge whether or not it could act as monotherapy.

I've been reading plenty of articles where Lamictal is effective as a standalone mood stabilizer. I suppose what I'm looking for is insight/input as to whether or not people are able to manage BP2 without Depakote, or perhaps for those that currently take Depakote, why do you take it?

Edited March 8, 2017 by mjs190

[rowan77]

Firstly the reason I take valproate (depakote) is because I had to stop taking lithium due to kidney damage and my pdoc wanted to replace it with something else.

I take valproate 1600mg along with lamictal 250mg, seroquel XR 800mg and prozac 40mg. 

I once asked my pdoc could I not just take lamictal monotherapy. He said that whilst it's a mood stabilizer it is not good at preventing or treating mania and I would need a good anti-manic along with that.

I started valproate last September and things were very rocky for a while. There is a period of about 3 months that are a total blur to me. I gained about 40 lbs and my mood was all over the place until i got to my current dose of 1600mg.

However things have improved immensely. I have lost 30 lbs since beginning of January with a lot of hard work. My mood is mostly stable. I feel well. I feel calm and overall I am happy with my medications.

Depakote does get a lot of bad press due to side effects and at the end of last year I would have agreed entirely but now I can honestly say that I like it. I feel calm. Yes I did gain a lot of weight but it is coming off. If I take it about 12 hours before having to get up in the morning I don't feel sedated. 

In relation to cognition I am no differently affected in that aspect to when I was on lithium. I think I have been on meds so long that I am used to having some cognitive impairment. As long as l am stable and the side effects are not totally taking over my life all is good with me

 

Edited March 8, 2017 by rowan77
Forgot something

[crtclms]

I had to start lithium because Lamictal wasn't controlling my highs. I still really like Lamictal, though. And lithium, too.

I took Depakote as prophylaxis for migraines, and it worked for 3 years, then pooped out, then after a several year break, it worked for 3 years more.

It is really good for stopping mixed episodes, and as a mood stabilizer that works for a lot of people. Some of the side effects are cognitive (I found this went away), possible hair loss (it never happened to me) and weight gain. Weight gain is one of the major drawbacks, and some people gain weight rapidly and have to stop taking it. I, on the other hand, lost 75 lbs both time I was on it. I gained the weight quickly when I came off it. 

[Flash]

So far, it has ended my manic and mixed episodes, and my depression has improved some, although that's probably due to the Cymbalta. But in any case, I haven't been crashing of late, and I haven't been cycling (although it doesn't feel like It because the psychosis keeps coming back). 

[Iceberg]

objectively- its widely used so it must be pretty effective, like the OP said, given for irritability rage a lot. For me- I hate it. went up to the max dose and felt like shit the entire time....it was my never again med

[dayvan cowboy]

I started out on Lamictal and Depakote (first Lamictal but it was over-"activating" on its own) but it gave me some moderate to severe (fortunately not permanent) cognitive impairments -- I was not forming short-term memories. I was subsequently on Lamictal + Seroquel for a long, long time until weight gain became a concern for my doctors. Then I was finally put on lithium.

Took me years to get to "Lamictal 250mg + Lithium at ~1mmol/ml". But that was finally the ticket.