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06/19/2012 08:08 AM
jabbott0021
jabbott0021Posts: 65
Member

I also saw an improvement when taking the depakote a couple yrs ago.

I ended up getting off of it about 6 months in.

I dont even remember why.

I think its partly due to the 'side effects' and convincing myself that my 'true self' is being replaced.

As far as weight gain is concerned, Im a little confused.

Same exact diet as before? Healthy diet and moederate exercise can still promote weight gain on these things??

Reply

06/19/2012 11:15 AM  Top
sarahtroy
sarahtroy
 
Posts: 12144
Group Leader
I'm an Advocate

I love my Lamictal. I only take the name brand. (Technically, in this case, the generic and name brand are chemically the same. But the quality control of lamotrigine is not as good, which is the case for all generics. With this particular medication, I notice the difference.)
Bipolar II, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Attacks, Agoraphobia & PTSD; Alcoholic in recovery since 3/21/07.

Aplenzin 522mg; Pristiq 200mg; Lamictal 400mg; Geodon 160mg; Ativan 1mg TID; Deplin 15mg; Xanax PRN; Metoprol 100mg.

• "Don't give up 5 minutes before the miracle happens."
• "My little dog - a heartbeat at my feet." ~Edith Wharton
• "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." ~Ian MacLaren (Usually mis-attributed to Plato)
• "And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to blossom." ~Anais Nin

My support and advice is not a replacement for medical diagnosis, treatment, or professional medical advice.

06/19/2012 11:41 AM  Top
Yrollam
YrollamPosts: 1287
Senior Member

I take lithium, topomax, and geodon. Although geodon is technically an antipsychotic. The lithium has helped the most. At one point I was on depakote and it worked but I had weight gain associated with it and switched.
"People are so strange and so complicated that they're actually... beautiful. Possibly even me."~My So Called Life

Meds:
Lithium-1800 mg
Wellbutrin XL- 150mg
Saphris-20mg
Seroquel XR- 300 mg
Visteral-50 mg PRN

06/19/2012 02:31 PM  Top
DinoDarius
DinoDarius
 
Posts: 2380
Senior Member

I take lamictal. I don't gain any weight from it and it works out pretty well for me. (But I'm also on a pretty high dose)

I hope that you can find a mood stabilizer that's right for you though.

Good Luck!

Darius

Bipolar II/ Rapid Cycling

Abilify 25 mg
Lamictal 300 mg
Xanax 2 mg
Seroquel 100 mg
Vicodin 10 mg (Chronic Back Pain)

06/19/2012 04:58 PM  Top
jabbott0021
jabbott0021Posts: 65
Member

No weight gain?

hmm....


Previous discussions I participated in:
hypomanic/coffee
ashes to ashes
hypomania!!!!

06/19/2012 08:27 PM  Top
bfly
bfly
 
Posts: 4061
VIP Member

Yeah, Lamictal is weight nuetral- or I wouldn't have let him put me on it!
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. And how else can it be? The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. Kahlil Gibran

"The sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being." Carl Jung

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” Leo F. Buscaglia

"Always fall in with what you're asked to accept. Take what is given, and make it over your way. My aim in life has always been to hold my own with whatever's going. Not against: with."
Robert Frost

"God doesn't give us more than we can handle, I just think He overestimates my strength!" lol- me

Bipolar I, PTSD, Bulimia, Anxiety, Fibromyalgia

Lithium 1500 mg; Lamictal 400mg; Busparone 60 mg; Armour Thyroid 30; Visteril as needed

06/19/2012 09:44 PM  Top
jabbott0021
jabbott0021Posts: 65
Member

I decided to stick with Depakote.

It worked amazingly fast last-time and although it may be a plateau affect, im already feeling much more stable.

Without forcing myself to be stable lol.

it already feels different...

one things for sure, i will never allow myself to get off a mood stabilizer again.


Previous discussions I participated in:
hypomanic/coffee
ashes to ashes
hypomania!!!!

06/19/2012 10:01 PM  Top
bfly
bfly
 
Posts: 4061
VIP Member

I'm glad you have reached that conclusion Jabbott... It took me way to long to accept my illness and become med compliant- good for you!
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. And how else can it be? The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. Kahlil Gibran

"The sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being." Carl Jung

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” Leo F. Buscaglia

"Always fall in with what you're asked to accept. Take what is given, and make it over your way. My aim in life has always been to hold my own with whatever's going. Not against: with."
Robert Frost

"God doesn't give us more than we can handle, I just think He overestimates my strength!" lol- me

Bipolar I, PTSD, Bulimia, Anxiety, Fibromyalgia

Lithium 1500 mg; Lamictal 400mg; Busparone 60 mg; Armour Thyroid 30; Visteril as needed

06/19/2012 10:35 PM  Top
jabbott0021
jabbott0021Posts: 65
Member

I honestly cant believe i accepted it.

Ill have my countless doubt tomorrow tho.

Im getting better at being completely open about my crazy 'personal strategies' outside of meds....


Previous discussions I participated in:
hypomanic/coffee
ashes to ashes
hypomania!!!!

06/19/2012 10:41 PM  Top
bfly
bfly
 
Posts: 4061
VIP Member

Yeah- I personally was a huge self medicator- still am if I'm honest- mostly with stimulants like energy drinks and coffee... Since the removal of my tegretol, increase in my lithium and addition of lamictal--- feeling so much more stable! And it's not so bad actually... Better than my constant rapid fire mixed episodes!
Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears. And how else can it be? The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain. Kahlil Gibran

"The sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being." Carl Jung

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.” Leo F. Buscaglia

"Always fall in with what you're asked to accept. Take what is given, and make it over your way. My aim in life has always been to hold my own with whatever's going. Not against: with."
Robert Frost

"God doesn't give us more than we can handle, I just think He overestimates my strength!" lol- me

Bipolar I, PTSD, Bulimia, Anxiety, Fibromyalgia

Lithium 1500 mg; Lamictal 400mg; Busparone 60 mg; Armour Thyroid 30; Visteril as needed
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