Depakote ER

HI Im not bipolar i have severe anxiety and some depression and my new dr started meon 750 mg of depakote,I also take ativan,,,,,does anyone know if this med will help me? He wants me off the ativan in time told me to take it just as needed instead of on such a strick schedule...im scared of the depakote i tryed it in 2008 and i rember i thought it makde me worse depressed and flat,,,im not knowing how he thinks its going to help me,,,,plus then i read depakote and ativan shouldnt be taken together

[adel_ezz]

You said you are not bipolar yet you take and took before depakote. The same med can be taken for different type of illness. Sure it's the doctor not us here who can advise you especially that we belong to BP and know that many of us take it. But that it can be taken for other purposes, this we don't know for sure only your doctors. Since your 2 doctors advised you with it then they must have a reason for that.

As to depakote makes you depressed and flat yes it can indeed do so and for some it helped them tremendously with their BP.
sorry

[moonpie85]

Depending on the way you described your anxiety and depression to your dr, he or she may have taken it as a different form of a mood disorder.  Many females go into a depressive state early in life and have that diagnosis.  The dr perscribes an antidepressant.  If you actually have a mood disorder like bipolar 1 or 2, the medicine will make you anxious and irritable... thats were the anxiety disorder comes in.  You struggle for a while before you actually get the right diagnosis.  

That is a pretty low dose of depakote that you were started on... depakote acts quickly but is safe to take in large amounts to begin with.  I take it you are a tiny person!  I would definately follow your dr's instructions on wheening yourself off of the ativan.  Don't stop it all at once tho, you will go into withdrawl (withdrawal).  I can personally say that depakote is helpful for mood disorders.  U will have to do some blood work to check your levels... maybe last time you took it the dose was too high.  And there are safer things to take for the anxiety if that is still a problem. (vistaril, hydroxizine, benadryl ect...)  In time once the depakote levels build up in your system the anxiety should lessen to where you will only need the anxiety medicine prn.

I wish you the best of luck!!!

[hazyworld]

But will depakote help my depression im feeling i think its brought on by being on benzos so long So your saying as the depakote getsmore in my system it will help my anxiety and fear

[hazyworld]

also will the  depakote make me feel more druggged out with the ativan teh more it gets in my system

[moonpie85]

Yes the depakote will help with the depression.  It will stable out your mood.  You will feel drugged out while you are on the ativan and coming off the benzo's.  You will probably be tired more often during the day, that is normal.  Once your detox is complete or coming to an end you should fell less drowsy.  

I don't find that the depakote itself makes me drowsy.  I take mine at night, but if i miss a dose by accident I take it in the morning and am able to function well at work.  If it does present a problem talk it over with your dr.  He or she can change the dose or the times of the day that u take it.