a mental health/pill question

[bettersoon00]

Hi Guys. Hope everyone is doing well. I am officially 1 month off the oxy's and doing great (but tired). My Dr and I have been discussing mental health lately and he has written me a prescription for Depacote. This drug is used to treat people who are bipolar. He says I am a happy bipolar (in a constant state of mania) and I guess I just want to know if anyone else here has taken it. I am trying to stay away from meds but I would really like to hear about anyone elses experience. Thanks everyone.

[tobybear]

If you think you are tired now just wait till the depakote kicks in.

Tobyber

[tzt2lady]

When I taught at a residential school, my students who were on depakote were zombie like, they were 2nd - 5th graders and were using diapers at night cuz the stuff knocked them out so bad.   They were also zombie like.    Whats wrong with being happy?   I mean are you being destructive in some way?    Im no dr so I dont get it.  

[bettersoon00]

Wow, I can't believe this Dr wanted me to take these. I have told him about my anxiety and lack of sleep and he was convinced this is what I needed. I am so glad I did not fill this prescription. ****, now I need to find a new Dr. Thank you all for talking me out of this.

[retiredrn]

Totally agree with beach777--'atypical' dx of bipolar and tx with heavy duty drugs is being pushed by the pharm industry--please google first and be careful

[blueyz]

Try this again...DON'T!  I have epilepsy and they prescribed this to me once.  It was horrible.  Made me completely flat-line (total flat effect) could care less about anything.  Gain weight quickly, about 15 pounds in two months. No sex drive, the list goes on and on.  I demanded to be taken off and am glad I did.  I am on a different elilepsy drug and works great, no side effects.  Many of the bi-polar drugs are also used for epilepsy. Beach is right, Depakote is a serious, heavy duty med.  

[beach777]

Depakote is serious heavy duty meds.....it will make you a zombie. It's a favorite of mental institutions (it and good old haldol) to "chemically restrain" people.  NO primary care dr. should ever prescribe that. If you think you have a mental illness and need treatment, see a psychiatrist for proper diagnosis....actually see two of them to make sure.  Bi-polar is way overdiagnosed. Be careful.