Depakote Tapering

[mr. grinch]

I have been on 1500mg of depakote for 6 months for bipolar disorder and I was wondering does anybody know how to get off this stuff without all the seizures and withdrawals. Any help would be appreciated.

[mr. grinch]

Is there any mood stabilizer that is safe to drink with?

[adel_ezz]

(depakote, lithium, tegretol) are the three classical musketeers to deal especially with mania/hypomania although supposidely they are called mood stabilizers. So if your pdoc advised you with it, it means you need it. i wouldn't stop it unless i substitute it for another MS.

some pdocs use instead antipsychotics like zyprexa, seroquel or risperidone to handle mania, while the 1st is a strong MS, the 2nd works as monotherapy, got AD properties in it and is a strong antimanic. If depression is a concern, abilify helps.

In my view, none of us can advise you with any med, neither don't rely on your mood to consider stopping it unless your pdoc does his homework and can find a substitute for you  

[mr. grinch]

Another reason I want to get off is because I miss drinking (on occasion). One time I drank 4 beers while I was on the meds and nothing happened (just was really buzzed).  What does this mean if nothing happened when I drank.

[ILADVOCATE]

I'd be concerned because years ago when I tried that I became psychotic and ended up in the hsspital. You might think about what the medications are treating and what it was like before you took them. If you can't tolerate the side effects of one medication or don't think its helping speak to your psychiatrist about that as there are many other options:
http://www.psycheducation.org/depression/meds/moodstabilizers.htm

[mr. grinch]

I understand your statement but I want to get off of all meds completely. Any more suggestions?

[ILADVOCATE]

When I went off it too rapidly on my own in the past I became extremely manic. You really need to speak to your psychiatrist about it and also they would need to find a mood stabilizer that would replace it. Ask them about available options.