Bipolars Only Online Support Group

Basically i just finally got health insurance again, so now i can try out new bipolar meds right? Well my doc said there were only 2 choices. Either depakote again at a lower dose, or lithium. Well he recommended that i dont go on the lithium. So i went with the depakote and i am unable to see whether its helping or not. Been on it a week or so now he told me if it were to help. It would. Within the first day of taking it. I seriously dont know... are there questions i should be asking myself or anything to know if its working or not? Also if anyone reading this is on depakote, what are the most noticed side effects, i heard of people losing hair. Like in clumps. So i take a centrum silver multi vitamin with the meds. Anyway, anything i should look out for or precautions for this med? Thanks for any advice.

I've never heard you only having two choices. Why is that? Your insurance? Why did he recommend you not go on the Lithium? If your medications aren't working he needs to get you some that will work. I've never taken Depakote, so I can't help you there, I'm sorry. There will be others along with experience soon. I'm sorry you are going through this. I hope this gets figured out. If you aren't happy with your psychiatrist, I would get a new one. I hope you can feel better soon!

Thank you guys for your input and help. I do seem to be losing short term memory and my ability to make even the smallest decisions is almost non exsistant. Dont know if thats the meds or the bipolar. Also cant focus very well (even with three 20mg adderall a day) its getting harder with the additional meds to tell whether a problem is stemming from the bipolar or the new meds.

Anyone else on this med?

I have met many people who do really well with this one, they are really calm. I hear the side effects are strong. Some people can take lithium and are back to normal in no time. I like my lamictal. Topomax was working very well for me but I was getting brain freeze but I may have to go back on it. Have you tried tegretol or neurotin?

I havent even heard of half of those meds. Yea, i was told the only meds for stabilizing moods were depakote and lithium. Whats the med with the leaste side effects? If anyone knows... also he prescribed me with effexor for the depression from the bipolar, i read online that BP cant take that because it causes severe episodes of mania. So i just never took it.

those aren't the only meds for stabilizing moods--there are lots of others--Call your doctor and ask for more choices because there are many more

IM ON DEPAKOTE FOR A YEAR AND HALF NOW, AND IT WORKS FOR ME, HELP ME CALM MY SELF , MY EMOTIONS AND STABILIZED MY MOOD, THIS IS THE ONLY MEDS THAT WORKS FOR MY BODY. AND ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS ? YES I DONT LIKE IT, I GAINED WIEGHT, HAVING HARD TIME REMEMBERING THINGS , HAIR LOSS? NOT REALLY . I THINK YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT THIS. I HOPE EVERYTHING WILL BE OK ... I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST!