Alternative to Depakote

[becky220]

my husband has been on depakote for bipolar disorder for about 3 years now, and he's not happy with it; he's gained some weight and he generally feels unmotivated most of the time, so i'm trying to get an idea of what else is out there for alternative medications. i've read in this forum that many people are happier on lamictal; but doing other research i've found that lamical is very effective for bipolar II, however not as effective for the manic eposodes associated with bipolar I, and that concerns me. I was wondering if anyone could recomend something that more effective with Bipolar I?

[taytay0308]

YES THAT HAS BEEN MY MAIN ISSUE IS WEIGHT GAIN ON BOTH DEPAKOTE AND LITHIUM

[lindahand]

The Bipolar Survival Guide 2nd Edition by David J. Miklowitz PhD has a very good list of all the most recent medications, their side effects and benefits. It is early 2011 I think so really current.

My understanding is lamotrigine isn't as good for the highs as depakote or lithium. Most of the antipsychotics will have the same weight gain effects, and have more long term effects like metabolic syndrome and diabetes. It may also just be the dosage is too high. Sometimes even a little bit less of a dose will lessen the flattening without wrecking the clinical aspects.

It also wouldn't hurt to add Omega Oils to the mix. I take 2000mg a day and really notice a difference. I take Jameson ones. 6 capsules a day. There was a study done on it for people with bipolar and it came out as a positive help although the study itself had a few flaws with it. Some people also get benefit out of the B vitamins and Vitamin D3. I take both of those but don't notice a difference if I forget a day. I notice if I forget to take my fishy oils. I still take meds, I by no means can go all natural. I just believe in doing whatever I can to tip the scales in my favour and what I've mentioned won't interfere with my psyc. meds. I asked my psychiatrist and pharmacist.

[taytay0308]

i was on depakote from age 12 to 21 i was having the same issues. They put me on lithium it helps in most aspects much better than depakote but i have gained weight the chance of that is slim but it happened to me.

[ILADVOCATE]

http://www.medhelp.org/tags/health_page/34/Mental-Health/Useful-Bipolar--Depression-Webisites?hp_id=523
Yes this would be some information that he could discuss with his psychiatrist as per currently available medications. I did relatively well on Lamictal when I was on it although it was not as effective on manic episodes as it was on depression but each person responds differently to each medication. Right now I am on Lovaza which is in clinical study for bipolar and is prescribed off label by some psychiatrists. With medications that are fda approved for bipolar they have a fuller understanding how they work. With ones that are fda approved for other purposes but in study for bipolar they are learning about the specifics. If known options haven't worked you could try seeing a psycopharmocologist but it would be worthwhile to discuss what the psychiatrist is willing to prescribe first.