Bipolar Disorder Support Group
Bipolar disorder is not just a single disorder, but a category of mood disorders marked by periods of abnormally high energy and euphoria, often accompanied by bouts of clinical depression. This is the place to talk about your experience with bipolar disorder, learn from others' experiences, and find support.
Hi everyone,
My name is Crystal and my fiance, Josh, is bipolar. We've been together for almost 2 years and have already been through a lot. However, he's the first bipolar person I've ever been so close to and there are still some things I don't understand. At his last Psychiatrist's appointment, Josh told the doctor that he feels tired all the time. The doctor said that Josh seems to be doing well and that if he wants, he can start taking just one pill of Depakote per day instead of taking two. His pills are 500 mg. each, so he would be going from 1000 mg. per day to just 500. The doctor said that IS quite a bit of a change, but that it should be okay because Josh is also on Risperdal. He said there shouldn't be any major problems with decreasing this much because the risperdal also helps keep his mood stabilized. The doctor said that decreasing the Depakote should give Josh more energy. The doctor also said that if Josh starts to feel unstable after he decreases the medicine, he can just start back taking the two pills per day and that should get things right back to where they are now. Sounds simple, right? NOT! I am freaking out!! I am scared something horrible will happen if Josh decreases his medicine, especially by such a drastic amount! I know that this could be because I'm so inexperienced with bipolar disorder, and also because I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which means I worry ALL THE TIME! I know Josh's doctor knows him and bipolar disorder MUCH better than I do, but that doesn't make me any less worried. Any thoughts? Advice? Does anyone know what could happen if Josh decreases his medicine, or any warming signs I should look for that he might need to start back taking the larger dose?
My name is Crystal and my fiance, Josh, is bipolar. We've been together for almost 2 years and have already been through a lot. However, he's the first bipolar person I've ever been so close to and there are still some things I don't understand. At his last Psychiatrist's appointment, Josh told the doctor that he feels tired all the time. The doctor said that Josh seems to be doing well and that if he wants, he can start taking just one pill of Depakote per day instead of taking two. His pills are 500 mg. each, so he would be going from 1000 mg. per day to just 500. The doctor said that IS quite a bit of a change, but that it should be okay because Josh is also on Risperdal. He said there shouldn't be any major problems with decreasing this much because the risperdal also helps keep his mood stabilized. The doctor said that decreasing the Depakote should give Josh more energy. The doctor also said that if Josh starts to feel unstable after he decreases the medicine, he can just start back taking the two pills per day and that should get things right back to where they are now. Sounds simple, right? NOT! I am freaking out!! I am scared something horrible will happen if Josh decreases his medicine, especially by such a drastic amount! I know that this could be because I'm so inexperienced with bipolar disorder, and also because I have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which means I worry ALL THE TIME! I know Josh's doctor knows him and bipolar disorder MUCH better than I do, but that doesn't make me any less worried. Any thoughts? Advice? Does anyone know what could happen if Josh decreases his medicine, or any warming signs I should look for that he might need to start back taking the larger dose?
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I find myself going places in the car and not wanting to get out of the car. I come back home and I don't want to get out of the car. I think it's the only time I spend reflecting. Chronic tiredness from Long Covid plus the immunosupressing meds for my Crohn's is slowing me down but everything just seems a massive effort. I am dealing with the paperwork following my father's death but it's not...
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Wow, it's the middle of the week already!Today is our 11 year anniversary, so we're going out to a nice dinner. I'm losing a lot of sleep these days, hence a wonky schedule and uncomfortable feelings. But I know it will pass, eventually.I hope all of you have a peaceful day, and may good things come your way!
i'm not familiar with depakote so someone else may be of more help. i think it is good you are questioning it, docs can be stupid sometimes. the pharmicist can sometimes be of help.
I would suggest alternating between 1000mg and 500mg for two weeks. Doctors say it's fine to just drop to 500mg, but they never have taken this stuff, so all they know is what drug companies tell them and I don't think that's necessarily right.
So day one, let him take 500mg Depakote , then let him take the old 1000mg dose the next day, then 500mg and 100mg the next day. Alternate like that for 2 weeks and see how he feels. It takes time to adjust, and I'm serious about the gradual dosing down, it makes the transitioning a lot less bumpy, I spent almost 3 years working to get off that stuff. email me if you want more help on the subject, I feel enlightened on the topic based on experiences
Also, look for grandiosity as far as warning signs. Sleeplessness is key really. If he starts sleeping less and seems to be wide awake, that's a possibility of prodromal hypomania.
Making a sleep log is good too, keep track of sleep wake times. Because even normal people act nutty without enough sleep.
I suggest the Bipolar Survival guide book, I forget who it's written by, but don't order from Amazon.com They flat out canceled my order the other day on a book I need for a term paper, which leaves me in the dark because the local libraries don't have it and I really doubt the local bookstore has it either.
The decrease in depakote may or may not make much of a difference since we all react differently to the same med and the same dose. I would suggest cutting the depakote tabs
(literally) into 4 parts. That will give 4 doses (ideally) of 125mg each so Josh can cut down by 125 mg at a time. A BP should understand pill cutting as a good way to adjust dosage. I've never used depakote so I can't say much more about it. I have used risipedal and it's an antipsychotic classified as a Major Tranquilizer NOT a mood stabilizer. It's possible this is contributing to the tired feelings. Don't worry, just be aware and if things change in a bad way it's easy to pick up the dose. And thank you for caring about Josh.
You may find this community more useful in future
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Family-and-Friends-of-Bipolar/support-group
You may find this community more useful in future
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Family-and-Friends-of-Bipolar/support-group
You may find this community more useful in future
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Family-and-Friends-of-Bipolar/support-group
I have been on so many meds I am fairly good at changing them. I also see my shrink every other week when this happens. I have YEARS of experience in this department.
If Josh does not have a lot of experience it would be better to check out alternating between 500/1000 mg with the doctor.
Going off a med, especially in the absence of a replacement, can give you some very nasty side effects. You must be very aware of body changes and changes in your mood as well.
Susan