Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Mental Health (Expert Forum)
medications
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
medications
by John, Jun 04, 2000 12:00AM
After serving a short prison term in California due to my irratic behavior, I was diagnosed as having bipolar disorder.
This answered many personal questions and left me feeling somewhat relieved.
The medications prescribed allieviated many of the problems.
However, I still suffer mood swings to the extent that I am now on permanent disability, and have been for several years.
Reciently, my doctor replaced the depakote I was taking with
Gabapentin. The depakote I was told, is somewhat toxic and required my getting blood tests. It has been several months now
with the gabapentin and I feel about the same.
Is there any real difference between these two drugs?
Why would doctors prescribe a drug that is toxic when there is one they could prescribe that is nontoxic?
Thank you
This answered many personal questions and left me feeling somewhat relieved.
The medications prescribed allieviated many of the problems.
However, I still suffer mood swings to the extent that I am now on permanent disability, and have been for several years.
Reciently, my doctor replaced the depakote I was taking with
Gabapentin. The depakote I was told, is somewhat toxic and required my getting blood tests. It has been several months now
with the gabapentin and I feel about the same.
Is there any real difference between these two drugs?
Why would doctors prescribe a drug that is toxic when there is one they could prescribe that is nontoxic?
Thank you
Doctor's Answer
by HFHS.MD-AJ, Jun 05, 2000 12:00AM
Bipolar disorder can be treated by several mood-stabilizers, such as Depakote, Lithium, Tegretol, Gabapentin (Neurontin), and Lamictal, to name a few. However, only Depakote and Lithium are approved for treatment of bipolar illness by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), because of lack of adequate studies about the other medications. Depakote is an effective mood-stabilizer that is generally well tolerated if excessive doses are not prescribed. It is the standard of care to monitor blood levels of Depakote, Lithium, and Tegretol, to prevent toxicity. If a particular mood-stabilizer is not effective at optimal doses, or is not well tolerated due to side effects, consideration may be given to trial of another mood-stabilizer. Please discuss your concerns further with your treating physician/psychiatrist.
Related discussions
-
Stopped depakote bad headaches (3 replies):I was on depakote for about 2 weeks and then stopped it ...[more]
-
Depakote ER (3 replies):Is anyone out there on this med? Im NOT BIPOLAR but have...[more]
-
Depakot as prophylactic? (3 replies):My 15 yr old niece has a family history of bipolar disor...[more]
-
Any ideas how to get off Depakote after beong on it 20 d... (8 replies):The Dr put me on Depakote ER on Dec 4 o8 as a mood stabi...[more]
-
What does Depakote feel like? (6 replies):Hi, I'm a 26 year old who has been working with my do...[more]
-
Depakote ER and Drinking (1 replies):I was recently diagnosed with Bipolar II, and am current...[more]
you santimonious power tripers huh? Other people asked on Monday & got answers within an hour or so. Did the Sunday questioneers
interrupt A golf game, thereby giving you reason to ignore them?
There are better (and more reliable sites) out there!
you santimonious power tripers huh? Other people asked on Monday & got answers within an hour or so. Did the Sunday questioneers
interrupt A golf game, thereby giving you reason to ignore them?
There are better (and more reliable sites) out there!
Your impatience is unwarrented. You are lucky to even have been able to post a question. I have tried for months but to no avail!
Sorry for the mixup.
When one posts a question and another post shortly thereafter replying, ME AGAIN. One would conteplate that it was the same person. You may want to try using a real name or even a fake real name whether than playing guessing games! That way the wrong individuals don't get scolded about the reponses.
Sorry to you John, you did post a good question and thanks for the info on posting times!