Depakote / Depakene / Valproic Acid

[[Ph...]]

Anyone have any experience with these meds (all different dosage forms of the same thing) while tapering or in protracted WD. On the plus side, the mechanism of action for depakote is supposedly at least partially related to it's increasing of gaba. There are mixed reports, however, on it's effects on glutamate.

 

The reason I ask is that I have made another failed attempt of obtaining remeron from a p-doc. It's really so frustrating. I am not bi-polar, and the only agitation I experience (other than extreme circumstances) is related to benzo withdrawal. She knocked down my idea of remeron, and even mentioned lamictal. But when I expressed interest in starting lamictal instead of valproate, she basically refused, citing a possibility for stevens- johnson syndrome (seriously?? that's like 1 out of every 300,000). Anyway, now I have a bottle of lexapro and depakote, neither of which I am too excited about trying. On the plus side, I did get a months supply of 5mg Valium. If I have to turn to the black market to get me some danged remeron or lamictal, I'm going to be really annoyed.

 

I appreciate anyone's response or input.

[[Sp...]]

Depakote may have helped a bit from tolerance w/d. I can't stop taking benzos yet since I have epilepsy. It helped with headaches from a stroke too (non-related to any drug .. violent accident). However, it torches your liver a bit. If you drink, and/or take other liver killers (like Tylenol) .. not so good. But it helped me for a time until I got tired of the constant liver tests. And as the story with so many of my drug stories .... threw it away .. eventually.

[[Ph...]]

Thanks for your input! She only prescribed 250mg of the DR kind. I'm not really eager to try it, but if I'm feeling stable (recently reinstated and trying to find a good dose) for a few days, I might take a single dose one night and see how I feel.

[[Ph...]]

Nobody else? I was thinking about giving it a try tonight if I'm feeling relatively stable again (still trying to stabilize 2 weeks after reinitiation and a 6 week absence). I've also been prescribed lexapro, but wanted to hold off on that. There's that feeling that MAYBE these meds could help immensely, or maybe they could set me back and make go a bit crazy. It's scary.

[[...]]

I was on depakote a very long time ago. It caused a lot  of complications when coming off and that was before I had even touched a benzo.

I would avoid it if possible.

[[er...]]

Sorry, with all respect, what you're proposing sounds like a very dumb idea.

 

Years ago I took depakote and it made me dumb and I gained 40lbs in a few months.  I'm glad I didn't stay on it more than 8 months..

[[Ph...]]

It's not really what I was proposing. Just trying to play along with my p-doc, so I could get my valium script. I did end up taking it to see if it provided any benefit, and still am. I do not feel like it has much of an effect on me cognitively, other than slightly shaving off the highs and lows from my moods. I am also (I believe) on the smallest dose (250mg). I would actually stop it, but at this point my biggest concern is the fact that depakote purportedly increases valium concentrations. Not sure how much, though. So if I were to stop taking it now, I would be effectively increasing my taper. Still have a lot to figure out..

[[Ph...]]

Also, as far as the weight gain goes, I am fairly certain I have gained none. My appetite seems to have actually decreased. And although she said it would help with sleep, I'd say it has helped very little.. only makes me want to take naps (even though I am often unable) in the middle of the day. I still wake up at least about 2  hours before I feel like I'm ready. Anyway, that's why I wanted the mirtazapine (appetite and sleep), but some psychiatrists don't like when you request a certain med. It's like a little power trip for them. So frustrating. Sorry, just venting..

[[...]]

We are all just looking for relief in any way that gets us through recovery. Just because it didn't work for us doesn't mean it won't for you.

Best of luck- hope things continue to improve for you.

 

[[Ph...]]

Thanks, Evio!